8 Things I No Longer Buy

Five months ago I moved into an RV, and then one month ago I began my journey with living on the road full time. Living in a 24 foot RV meant making changes. Everything needed a purpose. There is no longer plenty of extra space to store or put things leading to to become a smarter consumer. Traveling full time has also opened my eyes to learn the true value of things and what I need and what I don’t. Before I buy something I ask myself “is this adding value to my life?” “Am I emotionally buying this because I am hungry, sad, lonely, angry, etc?” By simply checking in with myself before making a purchase allows me to see the WHY behind how I am spending my money. Here are 8 things I no longer buy since switching to tiny living:

1. Souvenirs

I have been to seven different national parks and countless gift shops this month. In the past, I would have a huge need to buy something to show I was there. My closet growing up was filled with sweatshirts and graphic tees with names of places I have been. I then switched from buying clothes to buying magnets and stickers few years back. I would buy a magnet or a sticker from each national parks or fun city we visited. I felt like I had to always buy some sort of memento! Why did I have this huge desire to consume? I then realized the things I was buying weren’t adding value to my life. I rarely if ever even wear graphic t-shirts. Since leaving on this trip I have said no to t-shirts and magnets and my life as gone on. I actually leave the gift shops feeling proud of myself! I have photos, memories, and countless amazing stories from these places.

2. Cleaning Supplies

When I moved into my first apartment I bought so many different cleaning products. Something for my windows, another for my counters, and something else for my floors. I had a full shelf of different harmful chemicals in my bathroom. Instead, I switched to Doterra’s OnGuard Cleaning Concentrate. (I do not sell these oils I just really love them). Now I just have one bottle for the whole home. The product is made with safe ingredients so I do not have to worry about having harmful chemicals being inhaled or touched in my tiny living space.

3. Meals at Restaurants

Living with food sensitivities is a challenge. Especially when dining out. One of my favorite things about living in an RV is always having a kitchen wherever I go. I no longer have to worry about how my food is being prepared or the added cost of the gluten free bun! With a tight budget, eating meals out was low on the priority list. We have not eaten one meal out yet and I do not feel like I am missing out. Meals at restaurants can become costly real quick and I typically don’t even feel good afterwards. Making the switch from eating out to home cooking has been a no-brainier.

4. Snacks at Gas Stations

This was my kryptonite! I loved stopping on long drives to get a little treat for myself. My go to? Seltzer and Milk Duds. I typically wouldn’t eat these things but would treat myself since I was traveling. This was something from the start of our trip we nicked. The prices in gas stations are always inflated and with all the driving we do I would be “treating myself” daily. Instead, we turn rest stops into active stops. We will get out and walk around a but maybe stretch our legs a bit!

5. Things because they were on sale!

I would do this all the time! I would get an email about a sale and then the next thing I knew I was spending over 100 dollars online for something I didn’t really need from the start. I unsubscribed to a lot of company’s emails when we left for this trip. We also don’t watch TV with commercials anymore so that also cut down my exposure to advertisements. This Black Friday I went screen-less. I didn’t check my emails or go on Facebook to cut down my need to buy just because of a good deal.

6. Clothes

I feel with each changing season I would have a urge to buy something new to wear. Maybe a new bathing suit in the summer and of course a new scarf or sweater in the Fall. I love shopping for clothes. Going to the mall when I was upset or stressed was a favorite activity of mine. I would get cheap things from stores that barely survived the first wash. I switched from the having a bunch of crappy clothes that I kinda like to I now filling my closet with fewer clothes that I absolutely love. I try to buy from brands that I value and know will survive my active lifestyle and also the commercial washing machines in campgrounds.

7. Gifts

I was brainwashed in thinking buying things for people was the best way to show my love! I am a huge fan of the love languages, but gift?! Really?! I would find myself buying things for my boyfriend every time I went to the store. If it wasn’t his favorite food than it was a pair of hiking socks, or something small “just because”. It turned ridiculous. Instead of buying physical things we now try to gift experiences. This holiday season his family is flying out to spend time with us instead of just buying us things we don’t actually need and I am so excited. We now go for walks. We will watch a movie or cook together. Try to gift an experience you can do together and both enjoy.

8. Groceries without a Purpose

I was a terrible shopper in the grocery store. I always ended up going when I was hunger. Would then grab a huge cart and walk around aimlessly purchasing whatever caught my eye. That does not happen anymore. I now always have a list in hand. Each item has a purpose. It typically can be used for multiple meals that are already planned out. Before I check out. I go through my cart. Making sure that each item is intentional and not just my stomach shopping. I am definitely stricter with myself in this area but we don’t have room for “just because” items that end up never being used. I also tend to shop for 2-3 days at a time and will go to the grocery store a few times a week than trying to get things for the whole week.