MINIMALISM | 25 things I no longer buy | sustainable living

[@nikireppa6939]

About the paper towels: We have a cat who throws up sometimes :) when we go out for a coffee or lunch sometimes we can’t avoid being given paper towels/napkins because they’re already there and they’ll just get thrown out. So we take those with us, put them in a little box and use them to clean up after the cat :) it’s eco friendly and also free ❤️

[@RebeccaSisson]

I feel you...Our dog threw up the other day and I was happy we had the paper towels!

[@essaysbyken]

Paper towel workaround: There was a few weeks at the beginning of the pandemic where paper towels were actually hard to find in our area. Instead of going all over town to find them (which felt quite dangerous at the time), we stopped buying them and opted for homemade rags. We were in a process of decluttering our wardrobes and my wife and I had a lot of older t-shirts we were planning on throwing away or donating (but eh, who wants those, right?) Instead of doing that, we cut them into panels, around 6x8" in size, folded those panels up, and kept them in a drawer in the kitchen. We now reach for one of those when we'd normally reach for a paper towel. For less gross messes (wiping down the counters, kitchen table, baby tray, etc.) we throw those in a bin under the sink to be washed. For gross stuff (cat puke, etc.), we just throw it away. Because we wash most of these and w're perpetually decluttering or replacing worn undershirts and other t-shirts, it seems like we never run out of these rags to grab when we'd normally reach for a paper towel. Hope that helps someone!

[@kristinasupermom]

I find myself being more environmentally contious out of annoyance of having to keep buying things. I have reusable zip bags because I hat going to the store. Any many other things. Love your videos

[@RebeccaSisson]

Thank you! ❤️

[@TheaNicolaides]

I started a list of things I am no longer buying that I keep on the side of my fridge. It reminds me of the progress I have made and motives me to add more to it.

[@zinabjawed]

I just found your channel and I love it. You seem so genuine and adorable to me.

[@RebeccaSisson]

Aw, thank you so much!!

[@michiebutterfly7785]

Me Too!:)

[@SharonPiano8]

I don't use plastic wrap. Either I put food in a re-usable container, or if it is going to be eaten soon, I leave it on a plate and cover it with another plate or bowl and put it in the fridge.

[@JolieUTU]

I absolutely share your philosophy on skin care and aging! But I do have to say that I bought a pair of jeans for $8 and I still have them, wear them and love them more than 5 years ago now!

[@maaikepaaikenl]

I love how you use a list to see which items you may purchase. I will definitely start using that strategy, thanks! PS In case you find yourself in a situation where you might need deodorant, here's my recipe: one part coconut oil, one part corn starch, one part baking soda. Melt, pour into container, done. Been using it for four years now, works better than the shop bought stuff.

[@RebeccaSisson]

Awesome, I'll give it a try!

[@jennifersoto-rinehart8754]

The list is such a good idea! I’m definitely going to start one. I was like she doesn’t use skincare! I’m proud to say I’ll be 37 in two weeks and I love my skincare but I’m also trying to widdle it down to like five items. Cleanser, makeup remover, toner, moisturizer, and sunscreen. If I didn’t wear makeup I could cut out one but I can’t live without my eyeliner. Love your video!

[@hooliagranulia]

My grandpa always said "It's only 'a good deal' if you needed it anyways!" 9:29

[@Video-Games-Are-Fun]

or if you can flip it right away...it depends on the situation. i have no use for a car (i live in new york city) but if i see an amazing deal i would buy n resell it asap.

[@khalidflynn5548]

A tip: watch series on Flixzone. I've been using it for watching a lot of movies these days.

[@danezechariah8257]

@Khalid Flynn Definitely, I have been using Flixzone for since november myself =)

[@jorgegregory5454]

@Khalid Flynn Definitely, have been using Flixzone for years myself :)

[@lisadavis4279]

I admire your commitment to sustainability, and I am working on getting there. I add one or two new initiatives that I can commit to each year. You have given me new opportunities to consider. TY!

[@cjguinan1]

When you were talking about the fragranced poop bags, I totally felt that. A similar thing happened to me over a year ago. My dad was watching our house for us when we took a vacation. We only had one garbage bag left and I was planning on switching out to a smaller bin and using paper instead. Well when we got home, I discovered a whole new container of fragranced garbage bags that had only 1 bag missing. We could have given them away, but I just ended up keeping them. Now we're still trying to work our way through it...

[@ohmcintyre2067]

I do find your comments helpful, even though I have been “downsizing” for 25+ years! One thing I do differently though is office supplies. I keep a pen or pencil, pair of scissors, and notepad in almost every room. It helps me to make a note or do a quick job that otherwise I would put off and perhaps forget. However, I no longer pick up “free” pens or pads or anything else unless one of the ones I now use has been used up. Now I need to go look at that glassware shelf again and see what I no longer need ...

[@sailingavocet]

Great video! I always love coming across channels like this; we live on our sailboat, sailing around the world and always are looking for new ideas to incorporate into our tiny life afloat! best, - Marissa

[@RebeccaSisson]

I’ve always wanted to sail the world! So cool! Thanks for tuning in 🙏❤️

[@vagabondxbbe]

Great tips! I'm also on the same route. at least trying to think before purchasing something. :) when we control the urge to buy useless stuff, things are getting better and better. Thank you for this video.

[@Prizzy999]

I make my own deodorant, it's water based and lasts for many hours. I have loads of essential oils and natural fragrances at home, as well as other basic ingredients to make cosmetics by myself. I'm in my late forties and use just oils for my face too, I do not look my age and honestly I couldn't care less. I still dye my hair with natural dye but I'm growing more and more tired with that, wanna grow my natural gray hair and am seriously thinking about that.

[@madi972100]

Gifts I love: donations to animal shelters, sanctuaries, sea shepherds, restaurants.

[@LizKidder]

Amen to not buying sale items!!! Luke loves deals and always defends it but saying how much he SAVED. I’m like but dude you spent X amount that you wouldn’t have otherwise!!! And also I recently washed an empty pickle jar out to use as a cup which weirded him out a little and I realized I’ve reached a new level of hippie.🤣 Great video!!!❤️❤️❤️

[@jennderrickson961]

That's my husband with pasta noodles!! When there is a sale (which is all the time) he stocks up on all kinds of pasta. I'm like Dude, we have 10 bags at home. Step away from the noodles! 😂

[@LivingBGLegend]

I just realized that there may still be hope for finding a cool down to earth girl. I found this channel because I just inherited a VW bus but then I was like wow a cool female, I had given up! Then I see there are more so I kinda know what I’m looking for now, not the girls I used to look for: thanks for the tips ladies

[@sarahthatcher123]

I watched the documentary 'The True Cost' just over a year ago and I quit buying 'fast fashion' that day and have never purchased it since. I have made all of these minimal and sustainable changes as well and it feels so good to be using only healthy, simple products and items for both me and the planet and I save so much money at the same time. I cannot handle any scents at all...also I just bought my first fountain pen...so excited to no longer go through cheap pens.

[@RebeccaSisson]

That documentary is great! I hope more people make the changes you have!

[@mariadavis2685]

Thank you. I’m trying to make a change and cut extra out of my life. Thanks, your helping me on my new journey 🌞

[@VioletJoy]

I realize this is a year old, but if I ever end up with something I don't like (like the scented poop bags), I just pass them onto someone else. Someone else would have liked those and they wouldn't have gone to waste. 🙂 Great video. I've made a lot of the same decisions in my life. ✌

[@Lotusblume.8]

I don’t buy poop bags. I reuse all the bags that I get for celery, bread, any veggies, newspapers, etc. They don’t get thrown out right away. I just tie them around the leash handle and always keep one or two on it whenever I go out. I use old tissues to pick up poop in the house if they go and flush them down the toilet. I also have some old dish towels that don’t look nice anymore and I have sewn them with little elastics across to be reusable swiffer towels that I toss in the laundry when my dog pees. I also buy bar soap that I melt with water and boil and mix with more water to make liquid soap for showering. I reuse the pump dispenser from my old soap so I don’t need to keep buying plastic containers. I also use a bidet and have about 24 face cloths that i use to dry off with after washing, so no toilet paper. I use cloth napkins too. And I have gone back to using dry detergent which is in a cardboard box instead of plastic. I do buy tissues because they come in a cardboard box instead of plastic. If I get a plastic container, I reuse it as long as I can as Tupperware before recycling it. I keep chopsticks and a metal straw in my purse just in case I grab a bite out and have my water bottle with me everywhere I go. I repurpose old clothes and sew them into dog beds or masks or underwear or towels for cleaning, placemats, etc. And of course, if I get a shopping bag from anywhere for any reason, I use it as a garbage bag. I don’t buy garbage bags ever. Every bag you get from Amazon or chips or whatever is used as a garbage bag. Lol

[@sebeckley]

No sunblock? Scented garbage bags are a blight. I do buy a postcard from each place I visit and put them in a collage and frame it. I take a few pix sometimes, but unless the photo is of a person, the postcard is going to be prettier.

[@KR-os6nn]

What a wonderful series of ideas. Can you share the type of reusable pen you use? I love g2 pilot pens in 1.0 thickness because I'm a writer and my hands can comfortably write 10 pages a day and remain cramp-free.

[@pamelamorrisonn]

Love having no cable or paper towels and jars only except Shwerby one of my cats has a big red mug for water..his brothers and sisters always use it though😻

[@jennderrickson961]

On the shopping bag / dog poop bag subject....I always forget to bring reusable bags to the store and end up bringing the plastic ones home. So we use them as dog poop bags and as small trash can liners in our bathrooms. So we in turn don't buy those items.

[@tonymontana3742]

I only buy a small amount of trash bags every couple of years, yay me! I am more aware of my waste than previously, yay me again!

[@RebeccaSisson]

👏👏👏👏 awesome!

[@j.rebekah8605]

Champagne in a pickle jar? I'll take it!

[@RitaClement-pd6sr]

It’s beautiful in New England!!!!! 😮

[@kingatheamazing]

I love and agree with all of these, so many I can relate to EXCEPT pens! I love calligraphy, journalling and artistry so are colourful brush-pens so bad if it's a hobby?? I think we all have our own ways to reduce, reuse, recycle and some of these are so basic and relatable but some take more effort for sure. I work at a grocery store and got some mesh produce bags for free from our lost-and found (as opposed to letting them get thrown out in the garbage). I also bought plant-based ones that are biodegradable as well. Love them!

[@RebeccaSisson]

Not at all! Minimalism is about having things in your life that you find valuable. As an artist your pens are important and bring you joy. I say have as many as you want!

[@deatraparks4739]

i have had the same issue with the deoderant,thank you i'm going to try. thanks for the laundry advice with white vinegar and dr. bronners. thank you i agree with you on all---

[@RebeccaSisson]

Thanks for watching!

[@olguineb38]

I don't buy souvenirs or gifts as well. I will occasionally ask one of my family members of gift for their birthday because Acts of Service is my love language. I haven't brought clothes in a while either. I did buy this deodorant by Smartypits made out of essential oils and it actually works for me unlike the other. I've been using coconut oils for years and it keeps me moisturized and works like sunscreen.

[@RebeccaSisson]

I’ve been too scared to try coconut oil as sunscreen (I burn so easily!). Maybe I’ll give it a shot...

[@olguineb38]

@@RebeccaSisson Yes I would definitely give it a test before ie put it on your hand and put your hand out in the sun for x amount of minutes to see how it holds up :)

[@LivingBGLegend]

Very good tips! I have got to do something different.

[@patriciaking7892]

Benjamin Goulet, it takes consistency but worth it😀.

[@pandemichoneymoon]

Thank you for the great video!! Could you please let us know your ratio/recipe that you use for your cleaner? Thank you!

[@sailingavocet]

I live on a sailboat and always use this cleaner: 3/4 cup distilled water. 1/4 cup white vinegar. 8 ounces spray bottle. add your favorite essential oils! add 1/2 cup of vodka to REALLY kill some germs :)

[@RebeccaSisson]

Same! 3/4 cup water, 1/4 cup vinegar, 8-10 drops of essential oil.

[@debranobles]

Rebecca, I love how you embrace every season of your life. You seem content in every circumstance. I am just now getting caught up on your travel videos. Girl, when you were in Bali and you got hurt and didn’t even cry. And you didn’t insist on going home. Respect!

[@RebeccaSisson]

Aw thank you! You gotta go with the flow ✌️

[@lorirugato6463]

I just subscribed to your channel. I love Joshua tree but find it unaffordable. I'm at a crossroads in my life as I just retired and have 2 rescue kitties. I've downsized all furniture and decor stuff but, having trouble with clothes I love but don't fit hoping to loose weight haha & sentimental items. Any advice?

[@RebeccaSisson]

For clothes, my rule is to only keep clothes that fit and that I feel good in. For me, keeping clothes for "someday" when my body is different tends to bring the wrong energy to the process of getting dressed everyday. Seeing a closet full of clothes that I love and feel good in is the best way to start my day. For sentimental items, I recommend taking pictures of items. It's often not the physical item that is important but the memories associated with it. Those memories can just as easily be sparked by a photograph. Good luck on your journey!

[@judymccord871]

I am also a minilmalist! I love your home...is anyone else in your family a minilmalist?

[@maryegerton6848]

I was making my own deodorant for years. Then I stopped using it and the same thing happened to me. No smell and no sweaty pits. I like my paper towels...lol kinda bad, but I actually toss them into the compost so I don’t even have to wash anything. So I guess I am saving on water. The only prepared fruits and veggies I get are frozen. And I never buy bottled water. When I was a little girl, there was no such thing, and nobody died of thirst or was poisoned from the tap. Hell, we drank from the hose in the summer, or the tap outside.."lol. Plastic grocery bags are the worst. I remember my dad coming in with our groceries in brown paper bags. That was all we had in the world, and it was much easier on the environment. I love this. Well done, Rebecca. Peace and love. ☮️💕

[@RebeccaSisson]

SAME! we always drank from the hose as kids.

[@MR.MeMe6000]

I love the pickle jar references and sounds like something I would do. 😀 Also love the idea of the list. There have been things in my adulthood that I have contemplated for months on whether I needed before making a purchase. Would love to hear more about your meal planning process. It’s always something I would like for my husband and I to get on board with but our best weeks are usually 2-3 meals planned.

[@RebeccaSisson]

Thank you! I’ll definitely be doing more food vids in the future including meal prep!

[@aboredgoodwin6645]

Just found your channel and love the fact that you don't come on as preachy and have stories to back up why you do what you do and that you bought paper towels just in case you are being honest and I appreciate that. I'm starting out slow and have metal straws I take out with me.

[@RebeccaSisson]

Thank you! The dog threw up in the carpet a couple days ago so I was happy we had the paper towels 😂

[@noreenperez8666]

Lucky you !! You don’t need deodorant,me no way😂🤣😂🤣

[@sebeckley]

No baking soda in with the vinegar?

[@breec3346]

I don’t wear pajamas either I’m just fine wearing a t shirt and shorts

[@ivettecolon4562]

Lady a must have tv...cable go crazy without.

[@allisonsherman7231]

I thought I was a minimalist but I keep getting less abs less needy for much at all.

[@RebeccaSisson]

Same!

[@asisqueezylovediary6474]

Why are u In a empty room? I became minimalist in Dec last year and I decluttered 90 % I had lots of things. Now people can see who I am not my stuff. Ofc stuff I kept are beautiful. I can't stand emoty looking places but I don't like to feel cluttered. Needs to be very organized and minimized. Lots of ur things I also stoped buying. Picle jar champagne.. I declutteded my wine glasses too I can, serve it in a capuchino mugs lol

[@Katy_Mashal]

Super👍

[@drlessismore]

👍🏼

[@wonderingsanna]

Pre cut fruit? What! I know it exist tho I live in Sweden and we don´t have such things. Well, frozen cut mango and peeled mini carrots is avalable here to but...

[@RebeccaSisson]

Yep, it’s a thing. It’s convenient but so wasteful!

[@elibonmati326]

Traduction spanish? Hihi...thanks..beautiful video

[@Emiley.Montes107]

I just found and subscribed to your channel and I'm looking forward to being a part of your KZbin family!

[@RebeccaSisson]

Thanks for subscribing and welcome to the family!

[@syedashraf6995]

One of them is shampoo.

[@isabelsenas3711]

Se acaba la linde y el tonto sigue...

[@chrissyb.1534]

I love your hair :)

[@RebeccaSisson]

Thank you :)

[@2302arwen]

Less is more...

[@scorpio7938]

So true l cut my own fruit up cheaper

[@scorpio7938]

Pretty shawl

[@RebeccaSisson]

Thank you!

[@nodisclaimers5138]

can't you give the poop bags to a friend? seems unnecessarily ascetic

[@RebeccaSisson]

We’re new to town and don’t have any friends with pups yet! Luckily we’ve used them all up and got new unscented ones. Much better!

[@Europa1749]

There's nothing wrong with using paper towels. I don't want a basket of stinking rags sitting in my kitchen and then have the expense of washing them. Sunscreen to prevent skin cancer is important. Combining sunscreen, hands, neck, etc. combined with a sunhat provides a lot of protection. Knowing a lot of people with holes carved out of their faces due to cancer from sun damage makes your comments about wearing nothing in the sun irrelevant. Sun damage is cumulative and will be a heavy price to pay in later years.

[@RebeccaSisson]

I never said I don’t wear sunscreen.

[@LivingBGLegend]

I have yet to meet anyone who has had skin cancer personally, not to say it doesn’t happen but over the millinia they didn’t buy sunscreen, they used shade, clothing and didn’t spend hours in the sun... if they did they used natural skin protection (well white people did) sun screen isn’t necessarily a must is al I’m saying

[@michiebutterfly7785]

Benjamin Goulet I’m 42, where sunscreen, but since I live in Florida and am fair skinned, I have had my share of too much sun. I have had basal cell carcinoma twice and have scars on my face. I feel of you are gonna get it, you are gonna get it!

[@dianneporter3350]

Benjamin Goulet You obviously don't live in Australia. A lot of people in my age group mid 60s are having skin cancers removed. In our younger years we would lie in the sun without sunscreen because back then we were not aware of how damaging the sun is. Dermatologists strongly recommend wearing sunscreen daily throughout the whole year. The sun is also the biggest cause of photoaging caused by repeated exposure to the sun's UV.