12 Common Things You Should Stop Buying in 2021 (and What to Purchase Instead)

7. Mass-produced souvenirs

Who doesn’t come back from vacations without tons of useless souvenirs? These might look adorable and cool while you’re out exploring distant lands, but once you go home, do you really use them?

I personally used to come back with whole backpacks of mass-produced souvenirs until, eventually, I realized I don’t use most of them. In the end, I stuck to fridge magnets since I genuinely like decorating my fridge with them. But the rest of all that money was spent on new experiences.

Outdoor adventures, tours, museum entrance fees, local cuisine… all of them are far more worth your money. If by the time you’re back home you’re happy and exhausted, you know you’ve had an amazing vacation!

8. Subscription boxes

Saying no to subscription boxes can be difficult. I would know as I too fell for their trap a while back. Nowadays, you can find one for every need and taste. Pet supplies? You got it! Wine? There’s a subscription box for that! Razors? Say no more!

But buying subscription boxes is a fantastic way to bleed money. The automatic payments don’t help, either. You’ll only remember you made them when a box shows up at your door, and then it’s too late to turn back time. Every month, you’ll be spending tens of dollars on these whether you need them or not.

While it’s exciting to get a surprise box every once in a while, stick with simply buying whatever you need for the month and cancel your subscriptions.