It feels like there is a collective shift happening. Spring is around the corner. Everything changes. Spring cleaning and decluttering is always something I am looking forward to. So, who wants to join me in extending that energy to our consumption habits as a whole? Whether you’re looking to save money, reduce clutter, prioritize experiences, or help the environment, I’ve got 15 tips (plus a few book recommendations) to help you spend, want, and need less.
So, pour that pot of leftover morning coffee over some ice, add a splash of oat milk (maybe a drizzle of maple syrup and a pinch of flaky sea salt!), and let’s dive into ways to save money while fully enjoying the richness of life. Remember, our material possessions are a physical manifestation of our internal lives. With this in mind, let us begin.
15 Ways to Spend, Want & Need Less
1. Release the Guilt
We’re not here to dwell on past actions—just to move forward. Guilt won’t get you where you want to go, so let it go and celebrate that you’re making a change. Capitalism is a beast; our consumption habits didn’t happen in a vacuum. There’s lots of great insights out there on why we always want more, but for now, we embrace forward motion.
2. Then Start With Your Why
Knowing why you want to spend less will fuel your actions. Is it to save money? Reduce waste? Create a more peaceful home? Protect the environment? A form of resistance? Identify your core reason and carry it with you as you move through your personal course of action.
3. Keep a Wishlist
Start a wishlist. Anytime you want something, add it—include a link if needed. Wait 48 hours before revisiting. You’ll be surprised how often the desire fades. I’ve done this for over a year, and 95% of what I once thought I “needed” no longer matters. And as a bonus— when someone asks you what you want for an upcoming holiday, you have some ideas ready to go!
4. Delete Shopping Apps
Amazon….—whatever tempts you. Removing these apps creates a barrier that forces you to pause before making a purchase. If it’s important enough, you’ll go to a web browser later.
5. Limit Social Media
For me, less scrolling often equates to less spending. I limit my social media time to a specific window and amount of time per day. Unfollowing accounts that make you feel like you need more can be a game-changer, too.
6. Unsubscribe From Promotional Emails
Retailers know exactly how to lure you in. Unsubscribing removes temptation. Sales are predictable now—holidays, Prime Day, Black Friday. If you truly need something, you’ll seek it out, but otherwise, you won’t be constantly nudged to spend.
7. Shop Secondhand or Borrow First
Check thrift stores, Facebook Marketplace, Buy Nothing groups, ThredUp, and eBay. You’d be amazed how often what you’re looking for is something someone else is trying to offload. And I’m making a conscious effort to text my friends about borrowing something instead of purchasing it.
8. Declutter
I know this one can be controversial (the endless cycle of decluttering and refilling), but intentional decluttering makes me painfully aware of waste. It can be a powerful way to stop the cycle of overconsumption.
9. Try a “Nothing New” Window
A week, a month, a year—whatever feels right. I recently did “no-new-books-for-3-months” and it completely shifted my perspective in so many ways— some expected and some unexpected. If an all-out ban feels overwhelming, set a spending limit instead. Make it a challenge and find the joy in rising to it. There is no dopamine hit like walking into a bookstore for one book and only buying that one book—pinky swear!
10. Shift to Less
Big changes don’t have to be all-or-nothing. Scaling things back just a little can make an impact. For birthdays and holidays, I keep gifts minimal —1-3 gifts each plus a couple of books, sometimes re-gifting within the family.
11. Make It Aesthetic—or Don’t
We live in a chronically online world where everything is curated and sometimes we may feel the desire to adhere to those standards, but there’s a noticeable shift happening. If aesthetics matter to you, get creative with what you have—paint, repurpose, rearrange. Enjoy $0 makeover videos on YouTube for a new frame of mind.
12. Explore Free Local Resources
Start with your local library! Local farmers markets! Look into community swaps, free events, and tool or seed libraries, these resources exist for us— use them and support their continued existence in the process.
13. Gamify It
Love checking off lists or setting challenges? Apply that mindset here. Track no-spend days, set mini-goals, or reward yourself with a free treat.
14. Make Use of What You Have
Many everyday items we already own can serve multiple or entirely new purposes with just a little creativity. Instead of buying expensive storage solutions, repurpose clean plastic takeout containers or sturdy electronic boxes to organize small items around your home.
15. Keep a Gratitude Journal (and I know you have several journals lying around and always keep buying more!)
There’s power in recognizing what we already have. Grab a notebook (one of those partially used ones lingering on a shelf will do just fine!) and jot down five things you’re grateful for. Do this every night before you go to bed and try to identify different things each time. Contentment grows when we focus on abundance rather than lack.
Want to Dive Deeper? Some Book Recs:
The Art of Frugal Hedonism by Annie Raser-Rowland & Adam Grubb— This book is fantastic! A hilarious, practical guide featuring 51 ways to spend less while enjoying life more.
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer— An exploration of reciprocity, gratitude, and our relationship with the natural world told through Kimmerer’s beautiful story-telling.
Consumed by Aja Barber— A deep dive into fast fashion and consumer culture that raises important questions— the perfect resource for fueling your personal why.
Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman— This is one of my all-time favourite books and it works here too— when we focus on what matters most and our finite time here on earth, consumption seems dull in contrast.
No New Things: A Radically Simple 30-Day Guide to Saving Money, the Planet, and Your Sanity by Ashlee Piper— I loved Ashlee’s first book Give a Sh*t: Do Good. Live Better. Save the Planet. (which also has some great tips for spending less and using what you have!) so I’m eagerly anticipating this guide.
The Day the World Stops Shopping by J.B. MacKinnon— I recently discovered this and I’m excited to give it a try. This book challenges the assumption that endless growth is necessary for human well-being.
A Final Thought
When we approach anything with more mindfulness, the benefits ripple outward. Less stuff means more time for what truly matters—laughing with our kid(s), a nice, simple dinner with your family, feeling the sensation of crisp sheets as we climb into bed at night or building new memories through experiences (e.g. a nice travel destination), not by purchasing more stuff.
It’s never just about spending less—it’s about making space for more of what matters most and using the power of your money to create the world you want to live in.
Tell me— in what ways have you found the joy in frugal actions or what tips do you have for curbing consumption in 2025?
