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60 Things I Stopped Buying to Save Money as a Mom (And How Much It Actually Saved Us)

By Author Onbudgetmoms

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When I first started trying to save money as a mom, I didn’t overhaul our entire life overnight. I didn’t stop drinking coffee or turn into a hardcore minimalist.

Instead, I slowly noticed small things I was buying out of habit — things that didn’t actually add much value to our life, but quietly drained our bank account month after month.

Once I stopped buying these, the savings really started to add up.

If you’re a mom trying to stretch your budget, live on one income, or break the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle, here are 60 things I personally stopped buying — plus a rough estimate of how much they can save per year in the U.S.

Food & Grocery Items I Stopped Buying

  1. Name-brand snacks
    Switched to store brands
    Estimated savings: $300/year
  2. Single-serve snack packs
    Buy bulk + portion myself
    Savings: $250/year
  3. Bottled water
    Filtered tap water instead
    Savings: $400/year
  4. Juice boxes
    Water + occasional juice pitcher
    Savings: $180/year
  5. Pre-cut fruits & veggies
    Buy whole and prep once a week
    Savings: $500/year
  6. Frozen convenience meals
    Simple freezer meals at home
    Savings: $350/year
  7. Coffee shop drinks
    Make coffee at home
    Savings: $1,200/year
  8. Impulse checkout snacks
    Stick to a list
    Savings: $150/year
  9. Specialty drinks (energy drinks, kombucha, etc.)
    Savings: $300/year
  10. Excess meat we didn’t finish
    Meal plan + freeze leftovers
    Savings: $400/year

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Household & Cleaning Items

  1. Paper towels
    Use reusable cloths
    Savings: $250/year
  2. Disposable wipes
    DIY cleaning spray + cloths
    Savings: $180/year
  3. Name-brand cleaning products
    Store brands or DIY
    Savings: $200/year
  4. Air fresheners
    Open windows + baking soda
    Savings: $120/year
  5. Laundry scent boosters
    Not necessary at all
    Savings: $150/year
  6. Too much laundry detergent
    Use half the amount
    Savings: $100/year
  7. Disposable plates & cups
    Use real dishes
    Savings: $200/year

Kids & Baby Expenses I Cut Back On

  1. Trendy kids clothes
    Thrift + hand-me-downs
    Savings: $600/year
  2. Shoes for “just in case”
    Only buy what they actually need
    Savings: $250/year
  3. Brand-name diapers (when possible)
    Store brands
    Savings: $500/year
  4. Too many toys
    Rotate instead of buying new
    Savings: $400/year
  5. Character-themed everything
    Generic works just as well
    Savings: $300/year
  6. Fancy birthday parties
    Simple at-home celebrations
    Savings: $600/year
  7. New baby gear
    Buy secondhand
    Savings: $800/year
  8. School fundraisers impulse buys
    Savings: $150/year

Clothing & Personal Spending

  1. Fast-fashion impulse buys
    Savings: $500/year
  2. Dry cleaning
    Choose washable clothes
    Savings: $300/year
  3. Salon visits every 6–8 weeks
    Stretch appointments
    Savings: $600/year
  4. Expensive makeup launches
    Use what I already own
    Savings: $250/year
  5. Subscription beauty boxes
    Savings: $300/year

Subscriptions & Monthly Bills

  1. Unused streaming services
    Savings: $360/year
  2. Premium cable packages
    Savings: $900/year
  3. Gym membership
    Home workouts + walking
    Savings: $500/year
  4. App subscriptions I forgot about
    Savings: $200/year
  5. Music streaming duplicates
    Savings: $120/year

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Convenience Spending I Cut

  1. Takeout “just because”
    Savings: $1,000/year
  2. Food delivery fees
    Savings: $500/year
  3. Gas station snacks
    Savings: $300/year
  4. Last-minute Amazon purchases
    Savings: $400/year
  5. Paying for rush shipping
    Savings: $150/year

Lifestyle & Habit Changes

  1. New planners every year
    Savings: $50/year
  2. Trendy kitchen gadgets
    Savings: $200/year
  3. Seasonal decor overload
    Savings: $300/year
  4. Expensive holiday gifts
    Focus on meaningful gifts
    Savings: $700/year
  5. Party favors
    Savings: $150/year

Transportation & Miscellaneous

  1. Brand-new cars
    Buy used
    Savings: $3,000+/year
  2. Excess car washes
    Savings: $120/year
  3. Parking fees when walking works
    Savings: $100/year
  4. Impulse Target runs
    Savings: $600/year
  5. Extended warranties
    Savings: $300/year

Mindset Shifts That Saved the Most

  1. Buying for my “fantasy self”
    Savings: $500/year
  2. Keeping up with other moms
    This one was huge
    Savings: Priceless (but easily $1,000+/year)
  3. Buying things to feel less stressed
    Savings: $600/year
  4. Overbuying for “just in case”
    Savings: $400/year
  5. Paying full price
    Wait for sales
    Savings: $800/year

Small Things That Add Up Fast

  1. Buying lunch out during errands
    Savings: $700/year
  2. Brand-name medicine
    Savings: $150/year
  3. Excess gift wrap
    Savings: $100/year
  4. Too many greeting cards
    Savings: $120/year
  5. Late fees & overdraft fees
    Savings: $300/year

The Real Takeaway

I didn’t stop buying everything.
I just stopped buying things that didn’t truly serve my family.

When you add it all up, these changes can easily save $10,000–$15,000 per year for a typical U.S. household — without feeling deprived.

Saving money as a mom isn’t about perfection.
It’s about awareness, intention, and giving yourself grace.

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