5 Things I Refuse To Spend Money On

[@its-siraaa]

I respect the music subscription opinion. I personally have Spotify Premium, and I listen to it for atleast 2 hours everyday (most days it's more, though.). Somedays I fall asleep listening to new albums, or relistening to old ones. I put music in the bg while I work, read, draw, etc. But literally everyone is different, like my best friend who probably opens up a music app once every week. I think spending money on whatever improves your quality of life is worth it, and that varies from person to person and whether or not it has an environmental impact haha.. Great video as always, Cara!

[@thefinancialfreedomgirl]

thank you so much for watching! and 100%! I feel like it absolutely depends on how much you use it - for my brother, who loves so many niche artists and loves curating playlists, it feels more worth it to have Spotify Premium. But since I like listening to the same music over & over + I spend a lot of my time listening to free podcasts or KZbin playlists (aka chill lowfi beats hehe), I've always felt like I wouldn't get my money's worth. thanks again for watching, and for sharing your thoughts :)

[@intorainbowzOG]

I pay for youtube premium because I usually go to sleep listening to KZbin and the ADs come through blaring and wake me up. For me that is a fair trade. I get to sleep without meds and don't get blasted awake by an ad for Target.

[@voydkid]

Why don't you just buy the music you want to listen to instead of paying for the right to listen to it frequently

[@lance_374]

@@voydkid From my experience, it's a trap, just like Netflix. You pay for it for several months. might listen to new music, then if you want to cancel, you lose all that music unless you want to pay for it again. Or just keep paying the subscription (which is cheaper than most albums). Eventually, prices will have to rise because it is not profitable in its current state. All the music streaming services must have some other source of revenue because they either barely break even or lose money on the music itself. That is why Spotify pushes podcasts so hard. Other companies like Apple, Google, and Amazon get their money from other sources, so they don't have to make money from music, and instead just have an ecosystem.

[@sweetcherryblast7251]

​@@voydkidMany cars aren't made with cd players anymore. Spotify allows a person to access millions of songs for free or $10. Albums(digital or physical) cost $10-$30. A million songs for $10 is worth it over a 10 track album for $10 for many people.

[@by_sha]

To chip in on the wedding part - I did my own makeup & nails for my wedding, hell even my entire outfit was puzzled together from a few places. Nobody, absolutely not a soul, noticed that my appearance is DIY-ed. people won’t notice, even if you’re a bride. But we did have an incredibly good time. I had so much fun throughout my own wedding. Just so you know, it’s totally okay to skip some spending even for the big day!!

[@krk6216]

Omg yes I’m doing the same thing!! So many people try to push you HARD to get a hair and makeup artist! It’s just a big no for me 😂 I’ve only seen decent “professional” wedding makeup in person ONCE. Every other bride I’ve ever seen melted because the artist didn’t use a quality primer or bake their face in the makeup process…. After watching I just know I’ll do a better job

[@by_sha]

@@krk6216 I feel you!! I basically did my daily 10-min makeup with perhaps the exception of a few pieces of eyelash extensions, and I look just like MYSELF in every photo. I hate to look unrecognisable on my wedding lol. You totally got this. Do what feels right to you!

[@krk6216]

@@by_sha sounds like you looked beautiful

[@sofiaa_abad]

id definitely do my own makeup!😭 i hate how cakey the makeup artist makeup feels on my face

[@krk6216]

@@sofiaa_abad That's a good point. I bet they use Estée Lauder Double Wear on everyone regardless of skin type. I personally dont like the heavy smoky eye that we literally haven't been able to shake for YEARS as a trend in wedding makeup.

[@winterbutterfly8861]

I'm doing my nails right now while watching this. My mom has always told me to avoid spending money on something I can do myself so I learned to do my own nails and it does save me so much money

[@kariay50]

I started doing the same👍🏻💅

[@bachsdmacncheese1182]

Me too!!!

[@Brightfantasy]

Yes! I have never stepped into a nail salon, and never will!

[@winterbutterfly8861]

@@Brightfantasy I did it once about six months ago, regret it immediately. Spend a lot of money, ended up getting more stuff that I wanted because I felt pressured by the owner (I'm an idiot for that part, only me to blame really) and since they put acrylic it took a lot of time to get rid of all of it. At the end I was glad, now I KNOW that is not my cup of tea

[@yoominji.]

Yes I do the same with my eyebrows and my mom cuts my hair for me.

[@elizabethtangora4353]

I painted my own nails all through my teenage and college years, but always imagined a professional manicure must be so amazing, look so good, last so long, etc… I was so disappointed after my first professional manicure. And the ones after that. They were worse than my own at-home job. Turned out after all those years of painting my own nails I had gotten pretty good!

[@intorainbowzOG]

Same. I just got my first professional manicure in years after doing them myself and am very disappointed. I do them better.

[@_Martine_]

I’m a guy and I currently get my nails done in a salon for the past 3 months I literally spent over $200 on my acrylic nails they look so pretty and I love them but my French nails are the last one I would get for a very long time

[@WiillasAnnnewi]

Hello

[@Lhene9]

Same! I rarely paint my nails but I was really surprised at how a manicure was not much better then my own work. I'd consider it for fancy designs (especially on my right hand), but most of the time I want solid colours and I can do those just fine.

[@MayaTheColdplayer]

I'm not trying to be mean or anything , but I honestly never understood the appeal to painting nails. ..

[@shivangitiwari9892]

As a climate scientist, I am so happy you talked about the cost of fast fashion. Avoiding it would allow people to help themselves as well as others (I avoid saying "help the planet" since that's not the point; the point is there are people who suffer because of others' thoughtless choices).

[@es4408]

I love that reframe to helping other people through our climate efforts. After all, it's not the planet that will "die"

[@georgereiss5494]

You nailed it Shiv.

[@WiillasAnnnewi]

Hello

[@reginafisher9919]

Agree 💯

[@カギ]

for me, shifting from a "what can i afford" perspective to "what can i save" was a gamechanger. i used to spend up to $1,000/month on food delivery, and sure, i "can afford" it, and never went into debt. but now i would look at that as $1,000 that i'm not saving, and won't have available to me (including compounding) in the future when i might want to take a break, start my own business, or even retire early. right now, i "can afford" my rent but i'm in the process of aggressively trying to haggle it down or i'm going to move somewhere else so i can save more!

[@vvitch-mist20]

My grandmother wanted to buy a toy for my daughter because it was $16, but I was unsure if it could be compacted since we live in tight quarters. The toy was originally $40 and while it seems like we are saving money, we're actually spending $16.

[@yoominji.]

Youre a genius. This just lit a lightbulb in my head. Thank you

[@angela.luntian]

this happened to me when i was making my biggest halloween costume yet. its not done yet but it was done enough to use for halloween (i just needed someone to sew me big stilt pants). My daily college life that october was like "what can I survive not buying?"

[@CrossFitterinRealtime2359]

Congratulations is a big change.!

[@angelamelum4304]

I watched “The True Cost” with my kids. We all agreed to try finding what we need second hand.

[@a.d.d.4233]

The true cost was really shocking! I watched it a year ago in school & we had to discuss the topic afterwords. I try to live very minimalistic in general, but this documention just shows the "level of destruction" that comes with consumerism very clearly. It really made me try even harder to consume as little as possible.

[@chirrion6510]

all of those are also a hard no for me, except music streaming (it's so much cheaper than buying cds, and the options it gives suit my personal listening habits) takeout (yeah it's expensive but it's /the/ guilty pleasure for me) and coffee. Also, I found out that if you stop using makeup products all together, at some point people will accept that this is how you look now and stop expecting you to have any on. Feels great to never have to buy those again

[@sonyasever7625]

my contract says i HAVE TO have a makeup on my face, lol

[@EmeraldAshesAudio]

I save a fair amount on cosmetics by being extremely boring with my makeup choices. I just bought a new eyeshadow palette for the first time in like a decade because I was running low on my go-tos. ...also, I refuse to believe that eyeshadow expires.

[@theomarsh1329]

Super happy I found your channel, I've always been financially stable and working but never had any real budget or plan with money, now realising at 25 if I start budgeting and saving that I could be retiring happy early 40s.

[@thefinancialfreedomgirl]

Yay so glad you're here! It's such a cool feeling when you realize how you can retire early with the right steps in your 20s!

[@aziza000]

How much would you need to save to happily retire at 40 though?

[@Garglicious]

Just found your channel and already on a binge-watch ❤ Completely agree with your thoughts on spending. I used to be so bad at savings but from this year i have gotten so much better at prioritising my money. A big no for me now is to waste money just to maintain a social life. Fortunately i do have amazing friends who understand where i am coming from. I don't want to get pressured into going to expensive restaurants every weekend or those casual shopping hangouts. I have also chosen to stop splurging over foods that aren't good for my health for eg expensive sugary bakery items. i choose my mental & physical health over everything ❤

[@AndrewMassengale]

I mostly agree with everything on this list, except I don't think I'll ever give up my Spotify subscription. A lot of industries went through some rough upheaval with the advent of the digital age. Among the first to get hit was the music industry. It was a rough start at first with Napster, Limewire, and Grooveshark. And then some studios and bands started being dicks about it with the lawsuits. However, I really like on the solution they settled on: unlimited access to all music for an affordable monthly fee. Granted, it's not perfect, but it's pretty great. In contrast, live TV is still trying to figure out how to not suck, and cinema is only halfway there (how many times has my digital movie collection been migrated?). The music scene has it mostly figured out (for now), and (for now) I'm willing to support that.

[@jacobdean1858]

Yep. Music is a must, and I personally can't stand advertisements. Paying for Spotify is almost a value proposition.

[@maddie8415]

I honestly think that most people who know how it was before you could access music online think it's a bargain for the consumer (even if it's bad for the artists). I'm a huge music fan and have never questioned being a Spotify subscriber, even if I question my other streaming subscriptions regularly.

[@r.sakarollsafe1285]

@@jacobdean1858 I would rather stop paying streaming platform instead. I know it's controversial opinion, but there are tons of ways to actually watch things online for free. Spotify though, you might have the same argument, but it's practically one stop centre for every song there is (KZbin is too but you gotta search and some random videos might slip in between songs and so on), unlike Netflix HBO Disney and etc. I even installed adblocks just to stop ads in youtube it's that annoying

[@ariesmry]

Music for me is an experience, I listen to it to get into flows, for moods, and just for appreciation and exploration. But for casual listeners, I understand the logic in not paying for a subscription. What I do appreciate about Spotify, particularly for independent artists, is that I can support artists directly by making contributions.

[@vvitch-mist20]

I listen to a lot of smaller independent artists on there, and it feels nice to be able to help an artist by listening to their music.

[@stillstymied]

These are great! Things i don't spend money on: seasonal holiday decor, books (i use the library), meat after i went veg years ago, dietary supplements (not necessary). Spending less and cutting back on: streaming services, air conditioning, candles, beauty products (overrated). Spend more to save over the long run: fine jewelry (it lasts forever), good sheets and towels, produce (good for health). Id like to invest in solar panels someday.

[@smilenpassion]

love the list💖💪

[@smig2801]

Funny thing is that, as a disabled person, some of the stuff you mentioned are absolutely life saving for me. Spotify Premium allows me to make my own playlist and download it to listen offline if I need it to calm down because of my anxiety. Without food delivery I would literally starve or keep eating unhealthy snacks because I don't have the energy to cook. I also can't do my own pedicure to save my life because of the pain. I pay for someone to cut my hair and keep it short because of low maintenance (and it looks cute imo). That said, I absolutely love buying second hand. You can find really good stuff for an affordable price, and I even find some rarities from time to time. Different strokes for different folks, I guess. I loved your video, it's always nice to see a different perspective.

[@태이씨]

Yes, absolutely. For some people it may be a waste, but for others, it's an essential.

[@soggycookie345]

I think that just goes to show how we should really only spend money on things we actually NEED. I’m happy we have these things though to help people similar to you!

[@tamiz8895]

My wedding dress was an Alfred Sung off eBay ($200), had it professionally tailored, all other items like favors, invites were here and there from different vendors, many local and smaller businesses. Put money into invitations, photos and the booze/food. A reverend friend officiated. Many people talked about that wedding for years after. We had our wedding at a local art museum, fantastic portraits on the wall, easy to get to, lots of parking and good hotels for guests. I did it pretty much all alone, because I had a vision and I wanted it to be exactly what I saw it as. All of the guests had a wonderful time, they all loved it. I say, give yourself a lot of time to plan. Put money into the important things. The small things won’t matter. I still look at pics and I wouldn’t change a thing. We’ve been married for two-plus decades.

[@shreyds]

Can u share your insta id i so want to see pictures after reading this😍

[@aprilzhao4730]

omg girl I feel so related to your spending habits! I get roasted all the time for my free Spotify, driving to a restaurant for my pick up order, and refusing to do my nails, brows, eyelashes, etc.

[@shaliniguha1822]

I really don’t understand how some people just won’t learn how to cook. It’s a basic life skill!

[@WiillasAnnnewi]

Hello

[@ayintovah3132]

I know how to cook I just don't do it because to me is waste of time.

[@shaliniguha1822]

@@ayintovah3132 which is fine. I’m talking about people who won’t learn.

[@Janae.citizenofearth]

I agree with the flavored drinks, it’s crazy how expensive 😊those can get overtime! I like to buy the 100pack of tea bags to have some variety they are usually less than $10

[@daniellewis6228]

Really helpful and wholesome content. Who are some other youtubers/creators you know that don't give crappy advice and scam people? Keep up the great work.

[@cece121234]

I'm not a huge fan of spotify either, lol. We had a family plan that I never used so my husband switched back to a personal plan for himself. I do audiobooks so I have an Audible subscription. It's about making the most of everything you buy and understanding that the things you own could own you. Thanks for the wonderful content, keep fighting the good fight!

[@WiillasAnnnewi]

Hello

[@ningyoh3490]

My god im so happy i came across someone who is not caught with this matrix , you make so much sense , totally can agree on everything u say ...n exposing the trend fashion ...

[@jenniy7557]

Oh, just want to add... I refuse to spend money on movie tickets. I haven’t bought one in years! There are a number of reasons for this. I have rethought my “need for entertainment” in general and would rather spend the time on cooking or crafts. But in the past few years, hearing about disturbing things going on in Hollywood makes me not want to give any support to that industry anymore.

[@bluz1864]

Finally! I mean I bought one for John Wick 4 but it was more because my fiance has never been to a theater but before that, 2017 was literally the last time I bought movie tickets

[@liptoncunningham6666]

I also avoid all the things in this video (with the exception of a weekly boba or fancy coffee). I think this is a great exercise. It makes you really think about what you value. This is my personal list: - New anything, if I can find it via a buy nothing group or secondhand first, I go for that. With the exception of things like underwear lol. - Parking. When possible, I plan around free parking days and times. It encourages me to be better with time management since I have to walk farther. I also get more steps in - Fast food. It's cheaper and healthier to buy frozen meals. I grew up poor so I always have a stash of easy to prep shelf stable food on hand for emergencies, like you mentioned. It's a good idea in general to have two weeks worth of food in your home if you can afford it. - If I can DIY something easily, I won't buy it/or pay someone to do it for me. I've learned a lot of skills this way. It also encourages me to learn about a process, so when I DO hire someone, or buy the thing off the shelf, I know a little more about it and can have a feel for whether it's worth the extra cost or not - Movies in theatres

[@davidalves6813]

Hey Cara, thought I'd leave you my thoughts on this video. I always enjoy videos like these, specially because they can help bring some perspective to our spending habits. The ones I most agree with are on the end of the video. Food Delivery gets crazy expensive and you get used to it really fast. I work down town in a middle sized European city, and there are fast food joints around the corner. At launch time, I have had colleagues who instead of walking for 5 minutes and eat at the joint, just ordered. They paid a few extra euros on top of the menu price. To this day, I still don't know why this would happen. Sometimes they say those apps give them big discounts, but they seem to purposefully ignore that they are paying for the food more than if they went to the restaurant. It's funny. Also flavoured drinks are investment in your health. Seriously. Sugary drinks are to avoid at all costs, and that includes SPECIALLY alcohol, as you have rightly mentioned in your channel at a certain point. This also reminds of fine dining restaurants. Which I really don't understand. There is one in my area which charges 8€ for banana with a drizzle of perfume. I'm not kidding. I feel like they try to sell you an experience, but that experience is a kind of spectacle, and it will be only an experience if you are willing to believe it will be. Trust me, I have visited some of those "fine dining" places, are they are not special. Many traditional restaurants with heart-warming food are much better, with deeper, even if more common, flavours. I would advise against buying clothes AT ALL unless needed. Not just avoiding fast fashion, but buying clothes in general. Those can easily become a burden on your day: more clothes=more laundry. More to chose can also become a problem, as has been debated many, many times. And it's kind of the useless stuff you mentioned. I have worked retail, and it amazed me the stuff that people buy. I really don't get the answer to the "why" of those purchases. It just leaves me frustrated. But there is something very important about those purchases: they always have plastic. Which is not good for environment, so that's also a key to save money: think green and it will lend you a hand in saving money. How about using that idea for a video? :) I also wondered why you chose to start with the reference to Spotify! That is indeed very polemic for me, but I feel like I am not right person to confront you on that: I am on a family plan and just love the music and the podcasts on it. But I feel like if we were budgeting, we could put a Spotify subscription in the same category as books or Netflix subscriptions, which would be things I would advise against spending money on, because you get equivalents on your local library (which is awesome, by the way). That does not apply to cinema, however. Even if quite expensive, it's a very special occasion.

[@thefinancialfreedomgirl]

thanks for sharing your thoughts on spending, too! and hahaha i had to start with the spotify one to stir up some sweet, sweet controversy 😈 i actually try not to have any subscriptions (i do have apple tv right now while ted lasso s3 is on), or at least to audit them regularly so that I can figure out if I'm using them enough to make it worth the money!

[@thejohnbeck]

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[@adventureoflonelysoul4109]

As a minimalist myself, I totally agree with your video. I don’t have a single subscription ever! Im just being added by my cousin and its FREE! I also do my manicure and pedicure because I am so meticulous about my nails and never get satisfied in the salon. I don’t buy designer clothes either. I only wear scrub suits most of the time. Haha!

[@kmmz4445]

I found your channel and played it in the background while working. surprised you don’t have 1 mil subs. keep up the good editing, script, etc and you’ll get there fast

[@Hilighted]

Thank you very much! Liked, subscribed and shared. My absolute favorite KZbin channel by far.

[@kvol1668]

Agree on these. I will say, however, Tidal is an excellent music service with exceptional hi-fi audio. Of all of the music services, if you pair it with a quality pair of headphones, you can hear so much more and the detail in hi-fi really enhances the songs. So if nothing else, it's a great gift for audiophiles.

[@Ixoracraft]

Please make more vids like this one! I've spend a lot of money on subscriptions and I would love to have new perspective on saving money so I won't fall into the same trap again

[@thefinancialfreedomgirl]

Absolutely!!

[@dianaa8125]

Mine are: 1.A car. I get around my bicycle. It does cost money to service the bike every 6 months but its free exercise and keeps me local. 2. Hair color. I'm not grey yet so I'll cherish my hairs natural color for now. 3.Never browse clothes. I have a specific wardrobe and a function for everything. It its broken or worn it gets replaced. I don't discriminate against fast fashion or designer. I just want something that's the right material or color.

[@joeytan7986]

The meal prep and clothes shopping tips are good, keep up the work. I appreciate the content.

[@thefinancialfreedomgirl]

thank you :)

[@digicat247]

Always think about who made the thing and where that thing will go when you’re done with it. All of the cheap plastic throw away holiday stuff is just insane.

[@L2snakegold]

I absolutely agree with food delivery. I refuse to even download the apps.

[@Komichitan3]

I used to subscribe to Spotify for sooooo many years but then they raised their premium price (I hate ads) and so I decided to go for KZbin premium + music and thats the BEST decision I could make. I love how I dont see any ads anymore and I can listen to music and watch videos undisturbed. Also, I occasionally buy books (both new and secondhand) but after watching this video... I'll just stick to my E-book/audiobook subscription instead. Which I feel is way better for both my wallet since buying physical books are even MORE expensive than the digital subscription. If I dont like a book I can just remove it instead of cluttering up my home with books I didn't like. Really great video with good points.

[@Karina_J]

I got KZbin premium and got addicted to it. Now I prefer watching ads because it just helps me to spend less time here

[@jg1681]

I clicked on this video so fast. LOVE THIS! I don't pay for streaming services either, honestly I'll just listen to music on KZbin (usually one of those KZbin playlists). Along with what you mentioned I personally don't wear makeup and I find that saves me money too.

[@kariay50]

I stopped going to the nail salon a couple months ago and decided to purchase, some inexpensive and good quality tools to do my own pedi and mani at home👌🏻💅.

[@user-oe6ot8nq7v]

you are so wise and so young. it took me years to change my buying habits and eat healthy and cook fresh food. you are great and so clever

[@Halbmond]

I appreciate your channel and I like your opinion on music subscriptions! It shows that even a person as rational as you is insane in some aspects /s

[@miajones3025]

Totally a kindred spirit! I feel the same way about the products you mentioned: I rarely invest in any of them if at all.

[@marjiew]

Great video and editing! I agree with your five. The cost of getting food delivered is not only horrible on your wallet, but terrible for the planet and the third-party services take such a huge cut of the profits that restaurants barely make money off of those orders. Not to mention, all of the disposable materials that come with for a single meal! I've said it before and I'll say it again, convenience and consumption are killing the planet (and our wallets)!

[@WiillasAnnnewi]

Hello

[@ulrikesextro4187]

Some Restaurants offer home deliveries. Why not calling them so that they get the whole momentan you pay for the ordered food?

[@Reticence9zen924]

I don't get professional manicures, pedicures or hair appointments - I don't know how other people afford it regularly.

[@Deicy55]

Great video, as always!!🥰🤗💐💝🙅🏽‍♀️I love Pandora!

[@ygnit5793]

I can't imagine life without music supscriptions, as someone with depression & social anxiety easy & instant access to music is the only way I can stimulate myself by choosing what sounds I want to hear & have around me and distancing myself from my surroundings when I'm getting overwhelmed

[@DeeV2001]

I don't go to Expensive concerts. I remember going to see Janet Jackson , Prince and Boy George at a reasonable cost. The nineties are definitely over. I rather save that cost and save up for awesome trip.

[@WiillasAnnnewi]

Hello

[@aynapaisley]

I definitely been telling myself life is too short to not buy myself stuff that I want here and now, and I know now I was in the wrong..I'm trying to change my financial habbits and it feels so much better

[@tarzz25qwe]

At first I was totally against your opinion on music subscriptions, but once you explained minimizing decisions in our day I think its a really good idea

[@arinaira1417]

You know, i agree witn this list! Food delivery cost is so crazy expensive. It can cost as much as the food cost. Also, i don't have Spotify Premium, my sister has it. I think it depends on the usage. She uses it on her phone and laptop. I have in my PC too and i'm fine listening to ads. It doesn't bother me. 😅😂

[@satoncho]

As a food delivery driver I have to say, tipping should always be optional nobody should be forcing customers to tip anyone even if it means demanding it, also if any of you live in gated communites whether it's appartments, condos, or houses please give us the gate code because we can't always get through the gates to leave or meet at door for your orders, otherwise will get lost and leave your orders in places you may not find it right away, if you don't have the gate code at least wait outside the front gates to get your order.

[@gunnergunnarsson3534]

I think people watching this video should just take it as a guideline rather than an absolute rule when making financial decisions. For example, I will still have my Spotify premium, for the convenience, as well as drinking coffee/tea for those little enjoyments in life. But overall, it is the mindset/perspective before making a purchase since the money you earn is basically how much time you have given up. Thanks Cara for another awesome video

[@adellapolk9212]

Hair salons. I have a pretty simple haircut that mostly just requires a small trim every few months, and learning to cut my own hair has saved me hundreds of dollars over the course of a few years.

[@end-eternity]

I also haven't spent money on these things but I do buy flavoured drinks occasionally.

[@Savvy.too.]

True Cost up next! You got your message home eloquently💕👌🏾. Time to be more conscious of my 5. ✋🏾added aesthetics (nails, lashes) 🚫alcohol ,✋🏾fast fashion, 🚫limit plastic use. Hair is the big one! Leaning towards a pixie or Slick Woods style bald🤩

[@lovelexierose]

I’m kinda late to this video, but if you’re still having a problem picking at your nails I have a tip that worked for me! I keep a bottle of cuticle oil on my desk, in my car, my purse, etc. Any time I notice myself picking at my nails I apply the cuticle oil. I have a lavender one and the scent and feeling the oil on my cuticles makes me more aware of my actions, and eventually I stopped picking! Bonus is the oil helps your cuticles and nails get healthy again ◡̈

[@vesperlamarr]

I just found your channel and am about to binge watch, you're great! But mostly I wanted to comment in support of Pandora! I still love Pandora, they make much better mixes than Spotify gives me.

[@j.a.2149]

I found you last night and have been binge watching your videos! Thank you for this meaningful content! Can you please regiment other KZbinrs, influencers, or books that talk about these type of topics in a similar relatable and conversational style. I love that!

[@breemccloskey3782]

The true cost is an excellent eye opening documentary! Love your videos 🎉

[@sarahpalm7661]

Oh man, glad I'm not the only one still rocking the Pandora account 😆 My husband just doesn't understand, but I've got all my favorite songs saved and if I did want to upgrade it's cheaper than Spotify. I totally understand the milk also, we drink a lot of milk at my house..... like a lot. I buy 6-8 gallons a week for 5 people. I do treat myself to bubble tea because it's so delicious but it's crazy expensive so only once in a while. Awesome informative video as always.

[@raquelrodriguesloiola6851]

Thank you for the video, Cara. I was looking for something like this so I watched your video and I think I will improve my habits also my life. Thank you again ❤

[@Dakyta252]

For me, I refuse to go to a hair salon. I'm either not colouring my hair or I trim the ends by myself. I refuse to give so much money on that, it's so expensive and so unnecessary.

[@valkkuu]

Same, I trim my bangs and ends myself because my grandma is a hairstylist so I'm used to getting this for free but she lives in another city

[@lisaw6130]

Thank you for this video and especially, sharing The True Cost video.

[@MsKatze]

I do my own nails, dye and trim my own hair. I don't buy designer clothes because I think the price tag is absurd. If I buy fast fashion it's not because it's trendy, it'll be something I use and keep until it falls apart lol. I've really wanted to get into thrift clothes but every time I go into a thrift store the smell grosses me out, I just can't get past it.

[@WiillasAnnnewi]

Hello

[@diannholland]

I am a PANDORA Person too. And I am not concerned with the ads. I just set the locations to somewhere I would LIKE to be, and it is kinda FUN to hear the adverts from that area.

[@RaymondStone]

I'm with you on the drinks. I basically only drink water with the only exception being maybe an apple cider on major holidays. I think the eating out for convenience versus cooking for saving is a little more nuanced though since that comes down to how much you're valuing your time versus how much you're valuing your money.

[@robertlee4172]

If you've got cold cuts, processed cheese and a loaf of white bread in your fridge, that's not living. That's just sustenance. How much do you value your health, if your plumbing goes on you in the early stages of your life? Going to the KFC is a lot more time consuming, after you factor the subsequent trips to the clinic and or hospital in the future.

[@jenniy7557]

One of the best videos I’ve seen in a long time. 👏👏👏 I will say that I drink fizzy mineral water because it has nutritional value. But flavored drinks generally are such a waste and all the sugar can cause dental problems.

[@absolutecrapfilmstudios6783]

I refuse to spend money on BOTTLED WATER why spend money on something you can get for free. Don't like the taste? Just buy a filter, you'll make back the cost in no time.

[@pinkapoppy]

I’m always shocked by how normal water bottle usage is in other parts of the world - water is free(ish)! Why choose to buy single use plastic in places where water is available, free and drinkable!?

[@petrthingsilike8487]

The music as number one is total agreement hahahah. Pretty much everything is spot on. With the food - for me, once a week or less, mostly Friday evening - it is a treat. Chicken burger, fries and drink from my local shop. I would rather have a good rest after challenging day at work, than to be shopping, cooking and cleaning for 2 hours ish. That is where the value comes in. As for the drinks, I do buy coffee occasionally over the weekends and I like to buy Kombucha, especially if I can get a deal for it. :)

[@Farbroe]

When I truly listen to music I use my 1970’s stereo and secondhand speakers. I get my music from bandcamp (high fidelity files) or Vinyl records and CDs. I find new music on Spotify and KZbin. But using streaming service for all music listening is just sad since it’s expensive compressed audio. Also at the end of the day subscriptions are services, not assets.

[@NeverTooTiredToRideTwoTyres]

Get what you mean when you say more choice isnt always better, i feel comfort in flicking to the vegetarian section of a restaurant menu and seeing a few (familiar) choices. Apple Music tho.. its both my entertainment, my motivation and my comfort, 100% worth it for me, can proudly say i've only ever ordered Uber Eats while isolating with COVID. Great vid Cara

[@Lauramussss]

What used to always tell me that I can afford subscription services for music, videos, etc is when it is presented as something "cheap" like "a dollar monthly," but when looked at a bigger picture, I realize how expensive it is due to MULTIPLE "cheap" subscriptions.

[@mirzosharifjalolov4247]

Agree with all what you said, except coffee and tea. May be because they are part of a culture I grew up in. I have Amazon Prime membership for delivery, how hard did they try to persuade me to subscry for Prime music and video for the last three years - to no avail, looks like they are tired of me now. 😂 Thank you for great effort in making such content!

[@parezaapple2228]

Thank you so much for your great content. I always love the flavored drink and now I need to rethink before spending money on it.

[@oliviapasquarelli99]

I visited Amsterdam in 2018 and my friend and I stumbled upon a museum / research institute called Fashion for Good. Through installations, they showed the massive environmental impact of the fashion industry. I learned about unethical labor, pollution and the death toll of factory workers, all so I could buy more clothes at a lower price. On a positive note - i also learned what a capsule wardrobe is and about new sustainable textiles like mango leather. I don’t know what compelled me to visit that day but I’m so glad I did, it changed my life. Ps. I just watched all your videos, I love your content! Thanks for sharing your perspective, it’s valuable.

[@Lana-kl1vo]

Hi Cara, awesome content. I personally can't live without soda or flavored water, so kudos to you! If I only need to flex my will-power a little to resist the urge to buy something pre-tiktok era, then nowadays I need to summon my whole power to stop myself. These ads are so prevalent to the point that I don't trust any influencer's recommendation anymore. But personally, I would never spend on fast furniture/ anything that will be thrown away/damaged during moving process. Another no-no for me is spending on things that are owned/manufactured by questionable businesses.

[@SJP43]

If you were diagnosed with a health condition that’ll off u, I’d think u would quit that crap like yesterday.

[@Jogilusz]

Cara, please go on Caleb Hammers show. It would be so refreshing to see someone who isn't spending themselves into a bankrupcy and ti would be a boost for your channel as well, because his is becoming more masive by day.

[@thefinancialfreedomgirl]

oooh now that would be interesting!! I love watching his videos :)

[@hyleenpognaire8134]

These points are so on to the point, and logical👍

[@anushree.sanjai]

I’m so glad to have stumbled upon your channel this morning. Thank you for making this knowledge accessible. Truly amazing content, keep it up! ❤

[@thefinancialfreedomgirl]

thank you so much!! I really appreciate it :)

[@WiillasAnnnewi]

Hello

[@HeyItsJK]

On the flavored drinks topic, I have a bad craving for sugary drinks because of the taste. My way to save was to get the store brand powder pouches.

[@bip5395]

About the emergency food: there are so many produce with long best before/use before date. Crushed tomatoes, hard cheese like grana padano or Parmesan, olive oil, pasta, frozen veggies, garlic, onion, sundried tomatoes, stock cubes etc. And it is so easy to quickly turn them into a meal.

[@joijiyu7157]

I absolutely agree about the flavored drinks and nails

[@will6258]

Great vid as usual. The only one that gets me is that sweet sweet Spotify premium. I think there is a lot of value in what you mentioned about having to decide fewer things, but I truly loathe ads. Especially if I am really enjoying what I’m listening to. However, I don’t do any of the main video streaming services. I know some people who pay for several of them every month though o-o

[@villasukat3808]

One thing I'd add is eating in restaurants, not only the delivered food. Like usually you can get discounts for delivered food that there is not a big difference in cost if you went out to get it yourself ( on the cost of the delivery workers' work) AND!! I love cooking and making good food + making myself and the people I love enjoy my food. It is so nice to improve my skill and it is a nice hobby as well! I love all this advice but I do like to drink juice, soda and tea (not daily) so the last one I don't agree with completely hehe

[@nette9836]

If you truly love certain songs, video games, etc. own them physically. Do not rely on "owning" media that can just disappear into the ether. Owning something is only concrete when there is a physical item in hand. Things I refuse to spend money on: 1) haircuts (do it at home) 2) manicures (not even at home because nail polish is terrible for the environment) 3) soda 4) fast food, unless I'm in the biggest crunch imaginable and even then I only do sandwich shops and such 5) bar nights (I don't drink to drunkeness and it is also against my religion so I just enjoy a drink every few months and am perfectly fine)

[@yeeyeeyeeye]

To add on to your point about music subscriptions, I refuse to give Spotify money because it's not even a good way to support your favorite artists. Spotify takes a huge chunk of revenue from album streams, and smaller artists barely get a living wage out of it. There's a video by Some More News that goes more into detail about it, and why Spotify in general just sucks, but there are ways to give money to your favorite artists directly without wasting it on a music subscription (bandcamp friday, buying vinyl, Patreon, etc.).

[@arrowwhiskers]

It's funny because when I started in my career I was so poor that I couldn't even afford data to stream Pandora while commuting to work, so I would listen to the local radio station which had a truly mind-numbing number of ads. Upgrading to free Pandora was a breath of fresh air by comparison. However, I listen to Pandora a lot while working and driving, and over time, the ads do get repetitive. I feel like I'm blessed to not be tempted by so many things that other people seem to spend money on, but paying the $5/month to take ads off of my Pandora station was the primary decision that signaled to me that I finally had the resources to relax and spend a little on something not strictly necessary--it made me feel like "I've made it", lol. I still feel like it's been so worth it. I do think in general we do need to be mindful of subscriptions and make sure we check in to make sure we're getting their full value, though. There's a lot to keep track of.

[@lc4n333]

Number 5 shocked me. Yes flavored drink can be addictive thus add up the cost but I personally like the taste of coffee and tea. I am not addicted, I don't crave them physically and mentally. They don't cost much. I often make my own drink. Do you mean flavored drink with lots of sugar? Then yes, I avoid them. I don't drink coffee and tea with sugar. Sugar definitely makes our body crave it.

[@thefinancialfreedomgirl]

I don't know why but I've never liked the taste of coffee and tea! I love the smell of coffee but it just doesn't do much for me. I am a sugar addict though :'( so I do hot chocolate instead!

[@chrisd725]

As a coffee adict: if you make coffee at home e.g. in a cafetierre, it's really cheap. Agree re 'emergency meals' I always kept a tin of tuna, a tin of tomatoes and some pasta in reserve. I like to save money by belonging to a graphic novel book club hosted by the library. The tables are groaning with books and I can take 18 at a time for free (and I can renew 10x online, so no late fees).

[@zhenghao123]

While I agree on the food part but in some countries it is impossible to cook as rental do not come with access to kitchen. Or there is a kitchen but the landlord do not allow you to cook. 😅

[@meliksahdipcin]

You are like “me as a KZbinr”. I hope you will get successful and hit 1M one day! 🙏🏻

[@rexmanigsaca398]

I don't have any subscription ever and I feel proud and happy about it. Saves me tons of cash. 😊

[@shaygriffin8297]

I am a nail biter, and I get dipped my nails (powder) It honestly helps me not bite my nails and keep them healthy and grown out. Maybe it’ll help if you get dipped nails which doesn’t damage your nail bed because your nail is dipped in powder. Unlike fake acrylic nails where glue is on your nail-bed. Maybe it’ll help you not pick the nail polish off. Idk.. just an idea. Everyone is different ha! Great video 😊

[@thefinancialfreedomgirl]

ooh I've never heard of dipped nails before, I'll have to check it out! thanks & also thanks for watching 😄

[@isabellar772]

Yeah I agree getting a dip powder nails made me not pick or bite my nails. Plus my nails felt so strong and didn’t break for the like 6 weeks I had them! I miss getting my nails done now lol 😭

[@nae4830]

I tried dip. Supposedly it’s worse than acrylics because every single time you do a dip session your nail gets buffed. Whereas with acrylics it’s fills. But in the isn’t it all bad for nails and pricey?

[@TazzyZee14]

Dip nails can still be bad for your nails though. If it makes you feel good to have your nails done all the time, then I think it's totally worth it. But for me, having my nails done nice, even on my regular days, doesn't do much for me and instead I feel the nails get "wasted" since I only went to work or to run errands with them. So I only ever do my nails for specific occasions.

[@mukta4689]

What is dip nail powder? And how frequently should I do it? I am a nail biter too so. Also, which brand do you recommend? Sorry for asking too many questions haha but just curious 😅

[@xCindyLouWhox]

Totally agreed on the flavored drinks! They are so bad for your health and a total waste of money. I also stopped craving this stuff when I stopped drinking it!! Although I do still drink coffee and alcohol occasionally.

[@jaejoonlee3098]

Omg we have the exact same life philosophy though they may manifest in slightly different ways, but I just watched 3 of your videos and went "see! See! Exactly thing! Thank s is what I've been saying!!!"

[@paradus165597]

Great video! Keep going girl! Your content is amazing and sooo valuable!

[@thefinancialfreedomgirl]

thank you so much!! that means a lot!

[@simp2234]

How u not refuse to live bruh sad af😢

[@coconutgrove1002]

We are so similar with this list. I won’t spend on music streaming services, getting manicures (unless it is for a wedding I’m in), I’ve never used a food delivery app and rarely get takeout, and the only things I really drink are water and tea with an occasional seltzer as a “treat”. Most people don’t understand some of my habits, but I feel like they save me so much money over time. I always think of the hours of my life I’m trading to work to pay for that manicure.

[@not_imy]

I've been cutting down on my expensive hobbies but I'm still so dependent on food delivery and flavored drinks... I need to cut down on both of those. I hope this video convinces me. I'm too lazy and stubborn ugh. Edit: but i can't get rid of tea though. i need me my tea.

[@m.donez8]

Pandora is underrated, it was my go to music app in jr high

[@thefinancialfreedomgirl]

love me some pandora!

[@ms_cartographer]

Poshmark and Depop are great for thrifting too.

[@lisahines532]

Flavoured drinks is my downfall. I use sparkling water to keep me from consuming more calories, and I also drink a lot of coffee and tea. But, it is also a calculated cost, as a part of my enjoyment. Everything else on your list I can get behind for sure!

[@WiillasAnnnewi]

Hello

[@rin0120]

I respect that you don't drink teas or flavored drinks but I personaly think it's just nice having a little variety of tea or soda for your own enjoyment. I usually drink only water with meals and I then leave other things for the rest of the time. I would find it a little boring to only have watter.