Saving money isn’t always fun, and cutting expenses doesn’t always feel empowering.
I wanted to budget better, waste less, and be more intentional.
But along the way, I missed some of the little things I cut — much more than I expected.
This list isn’t about promoting overspending or going back to bad habits.
It’s about acknowledging that some “non-essential” purchases added something meaningful to my life — whether it was confidence, convenience, joy, or a moment of peace.
Here are 14 things I stopped buying or scaled back on — and honestly? I miss them.
1. Fancy Coffee Drinks
Why I Cut It:
$6 lattes were draining my wallet fast.
I swapped my daily coffee runs for at-home brews to save a few hundred dollars a month.
Why I Miss It:
It wasn’t just about caffeine.
It was the experience — walking to the café, chatting with the barista, sipping something that felt like a treat.
It gave me a mood boost that my kitchen coffee just doesn’t.
Helpful Tip:
Buy a milk frother or your favorite creamer and use a cute mug to recreate the vibe at home.
And when you do buy coffee out, make it feel special — not routine.
2. Trendy Clothes
Why I Cut It:
I stopped impulse buying clothes and told myself I had “enough” to get by.
Why I Miss It:
Wearing something new made me feel confident and energized.
I miss feeling excited to get dressed — instead of reaching for the same old stretched-out leggings.
Helpful Tip:
Allow a small clothing budget each season for 1–2 fresh pieces you truly love.
Focus on quality over quantity to stretch your money and your wardrobe.
3. Takeout on Weeknights
Why I Cut It:
DoorDash dinners were killing my food budget. I started planning meals and cooking more at home.
Why I Miss It:
After a long workday, cooking is the last thing I want to do.
I miss the ease of ordering something hot and delicious with zero cleanup required.
Helpful Tip:
Plan one intentional takeout night each week and savor it. It becomes a reward instead of a habit.
4. High-End Skincare
Why I Cut It:
I swapped out expensive serums and creams for drugstore alternatives.
Why I Miss It:
Honestly? My skin noticed. But so did my confidence. I miss the luxurious feel and results of products that worked for me.
Helpful Tip:
Keep one splurge item (like your favorite serum or moisturizer) in your rotation, and build the rest of your routine with budget-friendly basics that get the job done.
5. Fresh Flowers
Why I Cut It:
They felt impractical. Pretty for a few days, then dead and gone.
Why I Miss It:
Fresh flowers made my home feel bright, clean, and joyful.
I didn’t realize how much they impacted my mood until they were gone.
Helpful Tip:
Pick up a $5 bouquet from the grocery store once a month.
It’s a low-cost way to bring beauty and joy into your space.
6. Books
Why I Cut It:
Buying books was a regular habit — until I switched to library loans and free Kindle reads to save money.
Why I Miss It:
There’s something about owning a book. Cracking open the pages, re-reading favorites, and building a shelf that feels like home.
Helpful Tip:
Use apps like Libby for free reads, but treat yourself to one beautiful physical book per season — even better if you support an indie bookstore.
7. Subscriptions (The Fun Ones)
Why I Cut It:
I axed all the little $10–$15 subscriptions — Spotify Premium, streaming extras, subscription boxes — to clean up my bank statement.
Why I Miss It:
Now I have ads in my playlists and way fewer shows to watch.
And those beauty boxes? They brought real excitement to my doorstep.
Helpful Tip:
Rotate subscriptions monthly.
Pick one to enjoy each month instead of cutting them all. Or split with a friend and share the login.
8. Fancy Candles
Why I Cut It:
Spending $28 on a candle felt ridiculous once I was budgeting — especially since it literally burns away.
Why I Miss It:
A good candle sets a whole mood.
My space feels less cozy without that familiar warm glow and relaxing scent.
Helpful Tip:
Find dupes at places like Marshalls or Aldi.
Wax warmers and melts also give you scent without the steep price.
9. Manicures
Why I Cut Back:
I used to go every two weeks.
Now, I go every three weeks to save money — and it actually adds up.
Why I Miss the Old Routine:
There’s nothing like that just-done manicure feeling.
Even though I still go, I miss the more frequent refresh and pampering time.
Helpful Tip:
Choose dip or gel to extend your manicure’s lifespan.
Book during off-peak times for discounts and better availability.
10. Spontaneous Target Runs
Why I Cut It:
I couldn’t walk into Target without spending $100 on “just a few things.”
I started avoiding it altogether.
Why I Miss It:
Target was a serotonin boost. A fun stroll through the aisles, a little treat here and there… it was my therapy.
Helpful Tip:
Give yourself a once-a-month Target budget — maybe $25–$30 max — and enjoy it guilt-free.
11. Eyelash Extensions
Why I Cut It:
Fills every 2–3 weeks, got expensive, and I decided to let them go to save time and money.
Why I Miss It:
I loved waking up and looking ready. No mascara, no curling — just fresh, fluttery lashes.
I miss that boost of confidence.
Helpful Tip:
Try lash serums or press-on lashes for a similar look. Or budget for extensions seasonally — like before trips or big events.
12. Friday Night Date Nights
Why I Cut It:
Between dinner, parking, drinks, and sitters — date night got pricey fast.
We decided to stay in more often.
Why I Miss It:
I miss dressing up. Connecting over dinner. Leaving the house.
Date nights made us feel like more than just co-parents.
Helpful Tip:
Have DIY date nights at home — order in, light a candle, open wine.
And plan one real date night out per month to keep the spark alive.
13. Eyebrow Tinting & Waxing
Why I Cut Back:
I used to go every two weeks. Now, I stretch it out to four weeks or more and do little touch-ups at home.
Why I Miss It:
Freshly shaped and tinted brows made me feel so polished. I miss that clean, lifted look that framed my face effortlessly.
Helpful Tip:
Use a good brow gel or tint pen between visits and only tweeze the obvious strays.
It’s not the same, but it helps you keep that fresh look a little longer.
14. Impulse Sephora Trips
Why I Cut It:
I used to wander into Sephora “just to look” and walk out $100 poorer.
When I started budgeting, those spontaneous beauty binges had to stop.
Why I Miss It:
I miss the browsing, the samples, the thrill of discovering a new product. Sephora was my happy place.
What I’m Doing Instead:
I actually got a Sephora gift card for Christmas, and I’m holding onto it until the next Sephora sale.
I want to stretch every dollar and make that little luxury count.
Helpful Tip:
Make a wishlist throughout the year.
Combine gift cards with the big Sephora sales to get the best value — and feel like you’re truly treating yourself without breaking the bank.
Final Thoughts: Budgeting with Real Life in Mind
It’s easy to say “just stop buying stuff” — but when the stuff you cut is tied to how you care for yourself, how you feel in your skin, or how you connect with your partner, it’s not so black and white.
This list isn’t about going back to old spending habits.
It’s about getting honest: some of those small luxuries weren’t wasteful — they were meaningful. And cutting them out completely didn’t always make life better.
So if you’re looking at your budget and feeling deprived, it’s okay to reevaluate. Ask yourself:
- What can I bring back in small ways?
- What brings joy without wrecking my finances?
- What’s worth the splurge?
Because budgeting shouldn’t feel like punishment, it should feel like freedom with options.
