NEVER Buying These 15 Things! Better Alternatives

These are 15 things I stopped buying as a minimalist.
It’s a continuation to the previous video I made, and I hope it gives you some useful ideas!

#simplelifestyle #minimalistlifestyle

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Chapters:
00:00 – 02:22 – Intro – Why I Stopped Buying These Things
02:23 – 02:46 – hand soap
02:47 – 03:20 – dish soap
03:21 – 03:41 – all-purpose cleaner
03:42 – 04:07 – body wash
04:08 – 04:21 – flour
04:22 – 04:30 – cakes
04:31 – 04:42 – granola
04:43 – 04:59 – milk
05:00 – 05:15 – jam
05:16 – 05:27 – hummus
05:28 – 05:49 – vegan butter
05:50 – 06:04 – some clothes
06:05 – 06:22 – bags
06:23 – 06:37 – gifts
06:38 – 06:48 – skin moisturizer and acne treatment
06:49 – 07:23 – wrapping up
07:24 – 08:39 – passage from Thich Nhat Hanh and conclusion

I like to challenge myself and think of things that I can eliminate in my life – or replace them with something that’s eco-friendly, safe for my health, and more economical. And so, I came up with this list of 15 things I stopped buying.

*This is part 2 of my previous video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU4apZjp07Y&t=324s

Some of them I make myself using environment-friendly materials while others are cheaper and healthier alternatives to the ones I used to buy. Here are those 15 things.

1. Dish soap (castile soap) – Total cost: $3 for 250 ml bottle

I used to buy cheap dish soaps that contain harmful and harsh chemicals to the environment and also to my health. Although there are eco-friendly dish soaps available at the store, I find them to be quite expensive. So I made my own dish soap using only 3 ingredients (washing soda, castile soap, and water).

2. Body Wash – Total cost: $3 for 500 ml bottle
A bottle of castile soap goes a long way! I also use it to make body wash such as this one, which is moisturizing and anti-bacterial at the same time.
3. Hand soap – $2 for 250 ml bottle
This all-natural and homemade hand soap is made up of only 3 ingredients – liquid castile soap with tea tree oil, fractionated coconut oil, water, and lavender essential oil. It is antibacterial, moisturizing, and safe for the environment, too.
4. Eco-Friendly all-purpose cleaner (vinegar and lemon rind) – $1 per 500 ml bottle
A quick, simple, and effective natural all-purpose cleaner that I make only uses 3 ingredients – white vinegar, lemon rind, and water. It’s effective in removing hard water stains while disinfecting at the same time.

5. Flour – ($1.50 per 400 grams)
I stopped buying flour on the store and have been making it myself using rolled oats. A 400-gram bag of rolled oats costs $1.50 and I use it to make cakes.

6. Granola – ($2 per 500 grams)
I make granola using 5 ingredients – rolled oats, 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder, coconut oil, and coconut nectar syrup.

7. Milk – (under $2 per liter)
I make soymilk or oatmilk instead of buying them at the store. Not only are they cheaper to buy but they’re quick and easy – and I can make them fresh for my recipes, for my matcha latte, or breakfast granola

8. Jam (under $2 per 400 gram bottle)
A 400-gram bottle of mango jam only requires 2 large ripe mangoes, an apple, and lemon juice, and it’s super easy without added sugar.

9. Hummus ($1 per 16-ounce jar)
I make my own hummus using chickpeas, 2 tablespoons of tahini, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, lemon juice, cumin, salt and pepper. It’s more economical, healthy, and tasty, too.

10. Vegan butter ($1 per rectangle)
I make vegan butter using 5 ingredients – coconut oil, coconut cream, olive oil, salt, and some lemon juice. It’s easy, quick, healthy, and cheaper than store-bought vegan butter.

11. Cake (I limit it to up to 7 ingredients, so it’s cheap and simple to make)

12. (Some) Clothes ($5 for dress, $15 for cardigan, $10 for blouses)
I stopped buying from popular clothes brands 5 years ago and purchased from thrift stores and charity shops instead. I also make my own clothes such as this cardigan and a few other blouses.
13. Bags – $10
I don’t even remember the last time I bought a bag! Ever since I learned how to crochet, I have been making my own bags such as this purse and shoulder bag that also serves as a shopping bag.
14. Gifts (under $10 per gift)
I prefer to give gifts to loved ones that I have made myself because of the love I pour out into making them.

15. Skin Moisturizer and Acne Treatment ($7 for clay, $10 for coconut oil)
I have been using fractionated coconut oil for my skin as a natural moisturizer and bentonite clay for my occasional acne.

Thank you for watching this video and I hope it added value to your life. Let me know in the comments what you’ve cut back on recently and the impact of that decision in your life.