Buying food & making food that I end up throwing out.
I’ve had a problem with making large portions of quinoa or lentils that I can never seem to finish before they expire. I also have had a problem with buying tofu and never ending up using it all within the week, and it ends up rotting. So, I find myself throwing them out… Money down the drain.
What can I do to fix it?
- Stop buying tofu and food you know you can’t cook more than one meal with.
- Make smaller portions and look up online portion sizes of certain foods.
- Try to create a meal plan that uses the food multiple times.
Thrift shopping too much.
I feel like I have to go to the thrift store every day, so I don’t miss out on anything good. But, instead of keeping to my apparel wishlist, I end up buying other apparel that I don’t need; usually it’s on trend fashion, that I only wear a few times.
What can I do to fix it?
- Thrift shop at most 3x a month.
- Only look at the aisles where your apparel wishlist is located.
- Think about your How to Shop Smarter + Save Money questions.
Collecting receipts.
I find receipts at the bottom of my purses, in all the pockets of my wallet, on my desk top, and on my nightstand.
What can I do to fix it?
- If you paid on card, and you know you aren’t going to return the item, like groceries or eating out, say no thank you to the receipt.
- Create a designated place for receipts in my bag. At the end of the week when budgeting, look through them and decide what to keep in a stored mason jar, and throw out the rest.
Putting effort on people who don’t reciprocate.
I’m surprised that I’m still trying to befriend those who clearly don’t put in the time for me.
What can i do to fix it?
Stop. Stop, putting an effort on those who don’t give back. Sure, you can still be friends with them at the workplace or wherever you met this person, but stop trying to make them a bigger part of your life when they clearly aren’t interested.
Spending hours online mindlessly.
I spend a lot of time on the internet. Some of it is productive. Like, gaining inspiration or learning something new. But, sometimes I spend too much time mindlessly scrolling or reading information that does not add anything to my life, or even binge watching t.v. shows.
What can i do to fix it?
- Create a list of what you like to do on the internet. (Ie. watching youtube videos, reading blogs, watching ted talks, watching t.v. shows, scrolling through instagram, taking quizzes etc.) Figure out what adds to your life, what is entertainment, and what is a waste of time. Look over this list and decide if there is anything you want to cut out completely. You can then look at the rest of your list and make scheduled time for any of the rest you’ve kept on your list to ensure you are doing it intentionally.
- Delete apps
- Clean out and organize files on laptop and cell
What do you struggle ridding yourself of that no longer serves you? Let me know!
Related Readings:
- 4 Tips to Get Shit Done // Maximize Productivity
- My Ideal Fall Schedule // Plan for a Balanced Life
- 10 Week Minimalism: Style Challenge
- Starting the Path to Minimalism

This is a really good post!! I definitely need to work on some of these things…like time spent on the internet. I could probably use that to curb my spending addiction…x
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Haha yeah! I bet that’d definitely help 🙂
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The food, the people and the online are the ones I do a lot! I’m getting better at the food. I go past and get something every couple of days which means I don’t end up wasting nearly as much as I used to. The people – also getting better at. I just don’t initiate contact anymore and that seems to solve the problem. And online – well I’m much busier now so that helps but I downloaded a digital detox app where I have my phone locked for x amount of hours so that forces me to do other things.
Great post! It’s good to have reminders like this!
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I don’t know why, but for some reason I have a habit of initiating because I feel obligated. I guess I just have to be aware before I act on that obligatory feeling. I should try the digital detox app. What is it called?
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I used to feel obligated too but stopping contact is interesting – it surprised me how long I went not speaking to certain people because they never initiated and then I realised I didn’t actually miss their presence. The app is called Digital Detox – its only android I think, but I’m sure there’s an apple version if you need it!
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Oh, thank you so much! And, for the advice 🙂
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Love this post! I always bring home all my receipts! Great tips!! Thanks!
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Alice, thanks for reading! And, I hate that I find them everywhere in my home haha
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Well, it’s really hard to control the time we spend on internet, but I’d have to agree on the other fixes. I’d also like to try cutting down the food I’m buying and wasting time on people who can’t reciprocate. Wishing you a great day. xx
Andreea,
http://couturezilla.com/
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Andreea, it is definitely hard, and especially as someone as yourself because it’s your career! But, I was talking about more of the time I spend when I’m mindlessly scrolling through feeds procrastinating. And, thank you! I hope you do too! It’s always a pleasure to see your comment 🙂
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This detox app sounds like a clever idea.. what is it called?
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(Well that’s not where I wanted that to go.. shoot) But anyway! Great post! Kind of relieved that other people struggle with these things too! My purse and wallet used to have receipts stuffed in them too, and then I could never find my keys. I’ve started recycling the receipt on my way out of the store if I notice there’s a bin on the way out. That way I can have a quick peak at what I was charged for and be done with it!!
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Haha exactly! My keys would be buried beneath all those receipts! Yeah, I totally forgot about that! I don’t want to be charged more than what I actually owe! Thanks for the tip!
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I love your dedication to living a more minimalist lifestyle. I definitely bring too much stuff I don’t need into my life and space, and it can really clutter my state of mind. Thanks for sharing this!
Catherine X
http://www.thestylesynapse.com
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I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for dropping by xoxo
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Spending time aimlessly is something I had to teach myself to stop as well. For youtube, I think twice before watching a video. Facebook and IG I try to go straight to answering messages before scrolling into the blackhole.
And oh, thrift shopping too much – it’s so tempting!!! But yeah, a wish list always helps 🙂
Great post!
http://www.desiringsme.com/10-things-about-me/
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Haha yeah, FB & IG definitely kill my time. Loved seeing what you struggled with as well. Thanks for dropping by dear. xoxo
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