The Choices That Helped Our Family Build Wealth
Every family has different priorities.
These aren’t rules everyone should follow—they’re simply the things I’ve chosen not to spend money on because I’d rather put that money toward investing, travel, experiences with my kids, and building financial freedom.
Here are some expenses you’ll rarely find in our budget.
1. Coffee From Coffee Shops
Don’t get me wrong—I love a good coffee.
I just don’t love paying $6–8 for one.
I make my coffee at home every morning for a fraction of the cost.
If someone buys me a Starbucks gift card, I’ll happily use it. But spending $40–60 every week on coffee isn’t something I choose to do.
That money goes straight toward investments instead.
2. Takeout Several Times a Week
Ordering takeout is easy.
It’s also expensive.
Instead, I meal plan every week, shop at Aldi, and keep simple ingredients on hand.
We still enjoy eating out occasionally—it just isn’t our default.
3. Expensive Clothes for My Kids
Kids grow unbelievably fast.
Instead of buying expensive outfits they’ll wear for a few months, I:
- Accept hand-me-downs
- Shop Target and Walmart
- Buy secondhand when it makes sense
- Watch for end-of-season clearance sales
My kids look great without wearing designer labels.
4. A New Backpack Every School Year
This one surprises people.
My oldest has used the same backpack for several school years because it’s still in great condition.
If something works, I keep using it.
Kids don’t need brand-new everything just because the calendar changed.
5. Brand-New Cars
I’ve never felt the need to buy a brand-new vehicle.
Cars lose value quickly, and I’d rather let someone else absorb that initial depreciation.
A reliable used vehicle has always made more sense for our family.
6. The Latest Phone Every Year
If my phone still works well, I keep it.
New features are nice, but they rarely improve my life enough to justify spending hundreds (or thousands) of dollars more often than necessary.
7. Toys That End Up Forgotten
I’ve learned that more toys don’t necessarily mean happier kids.
We focus on quality over quantity and choose gifts that encourage creativity or get used again and again.
8. Buying Something Just Because It’s on Sale
A discount isn’t a bargain if you didn’t need the item in the first place.
I’ve become much better at asking myself:
Would I buy this if it weren’t on sale?
If the answer is no, I keep walking.
9. Paying Interest
Credit card interest is money I’ll never get back.
We pay our credit cards in full each month and avoid carrying balances whenever possible.
10. Cable TV
There are so many affordable streaming options today.
For our family, traditional cable simply isn’t worth the monthly bill.
11. Name-Brand Everything
Some products are worth paying more for.
Many aren’t.
Store brands often come from the same manufacturers and perform just as well.
12. Grocery Shopping Without a Plan
Walking into the grocery store without a list almost guarantees overspending.
Meal planning saves us money every single week and dramatically reduces food waste.
13. Overpaying for Insurance
This one has saved us thousands.
Every few years I compare homeowners and auto insurance quotes.
One comparison saved us over $1,500 per year while keeping essentially the same coverage.
14. Keeping Up With Everyone Else
One of the biggest money traps is trying to match someone else’s lifestyle.
New cars.
Designer bags.
Expensive vacations.
Home renovations.
I’ve realized that someone else’s financial priorities don’t need to become mine.
15. Buying Things to Impress People
This might be the biggest one.
I’ve never cared much about owning expensive things simply because they look impressive.
I’d much rather have financial security than expensive possessions.
What I Spend Money On Instead
People often assume being frugal means never spending money.
That’s not true.
I happily spend money on:
❤️ Family vacations
📈 Investing
👨👩👧👦 Experiences with my kids
🏡 Improving our home
📚 Education
💪 Health
Creating memories
Building long-term wealth
Those things bring lasting value to our lives.
Final Thoughts
Being intentional with money doesn’t mean saying “no” to everything.
It means saying no to the things that don’t matter so you can say yes to the things that do.
For our family, skipping a few unnecessary expenses has helped us save, invest, and move closer to financial independence.
And honestly?
I’ve never missed the things I chose not to buy.