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A Cultivated Nest

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The Un-Shopping List- Things to No Longer Buy

By Manuela Williams

Years ago, in the Frugal Community, there was a concept floating around called the Un-Grocery List. Basically the Un-Grocery List was a list that you made of all the food products that you would no longer buy because you were making them yourself, or because you’ve decided to do without that product. I’ve taken it a step further in including things besides groceries so we’ll call it the Un-Shopping List. Here’s how to make your own Un-Shopping List!

The Un-Grocery List- The Un-Grocery List / Un-Shopping List is a great money saving motivational tool! It's a list that you make of all the products that you would no longer buy for various reasons. Here's how to make your own Un-Shopping List, plus DIYs and recipes for the products you won't be buying anymore! | #frugalLiving #saveMoney #moneySavingTips #moneySavingIdeas #frugal #shopping

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links to Amazon and/or Etsy, which means that I may earn a small commission from some of the links in this post. Please see our Disclosure Page for more information.

The longer your list, the better! That’s because the longer the list, the more money you’re saving. What I like about the Un-Shopping List is that after you’ve made it, it becomes a great frugal motivation tool as you get to see all the things that you used to buy that you’re no long purchasing.

The Un-Shopping List- Things to No Longer Buy

So let’s talk about about how to think up things for your own Un-Shopping List. I like to make mine by category, like Food, Cleaning, Beauty Supplies, etc. Then I pick products that I usually buy for those categories, and try to find out if I can easily and frugally make them myself. Remember, the whole point of this list is to save money, so if it’ll cost you more to make something (and your homemade version doesn’t come with any special benefits), just buy that thing. Not everything is cheaper when homemade.

Anyway, say I chose the Cleaning category. I then would look into making homemade cleaners. So if you used to buy Lysol, Windex, 409, toilet bowl cleaner etc., those would go on your Un-Shopping List. If you used to buy paper napkins and paper towels but now use cloth versions, paper napkins and paper towels would go on your Un-Shopping List. If you make your own Swiffer cleaning cloths instead of buying them, that goes on your list. If you’ve decided to use The Keeper or make your own sanitary pads (many people do) then Kotex or whatever would go on your Un-Shopping list. Maybe you used to buy little pots to start your seeds in and now you’ve discovered how to use other things as pots. Well, seed starting pots would go on your list!

RELATED: Disposable Products You Can Replace with Reusable Ones

The Un-Grocery List- The Un-Grocery List / Un-Shopping List is a great money saving motivational tool! It's a list that you make of all the products that you would no longer buy for various reasons. Here's how to make your own Un-Shopping List, plus DIYs and recipes for the products you won't be buying anymore! | #frugalLiving #saveMoney #moneySavingTips #moneySavingIdeas #frugal #shopping

Probably the biggest category would still be convenience grocery items. For example, I no longer buy taco seasoning mix, brown sugar etc. I make my own. Maybe you make a great salsa and stopped buying the store made ones. Perhaps you bake bread now, make your own noodles, your own popsicles, cakes, puddings, ketchup, etc. If you can name it, then you can make it! Remember, before brands and stores took over the creation of food, most people were making 90% of their food from scratch. There’s virtually nothing you can’t make at home (given you have the right equipment).

Now it does take more time to make things from scratch. Especially your first time around. But generally it’s less expensive than buying convenice AND you know what’s in it! Besides, I’ve got more time than money (especially if I use my time wisely)! But just like when you’re trying to integrate anything new into your life, start slowly! Don’t just decide that all of a sudden you’re going to make everything from scratch. You’ll just overwhelm and discourage yourself.

I keep my Un-Shopping List in my Home Management Binder. It’s a great motivator to see your Un-Shopping List get longer and longer! To know that you can manage without running to the store for every little thing is great!

Here are some DIYs and recipes to help get you started making your own things and building your Un-Shopping List!

DIY Counter Cleaner

DIY Counter Cleaner

DIY Cleaning Products

Not only do you save money making your own DIY cleaning products, but you are also helping the environment. So many store-bought cleaners are loaded with harmful chemicals that most of us don’t want around our families and pets. Plus, so many of the homemade products work a TON better than anything else. The reason why the ones at the store are so popular is the convenience factor. But these DIY cleaning products are actually really easy to make, it’s just most people don’t realize it. Try a few and you’ll see just how easy it is to make your own homemade cleaners!

Reusable Homemade Dryer Sheets

Homemade All-Purpose Cleaning Wipes

Homemade Dusting Spray

DIY Counter Cleaner

Homemade Dryer Sheets

DIY Wool Dryer Balls

DIY Garbage Disposal Cleaner

DIY Liquid Dish Soap

DIY All-Natural Soft Scrub Cleaner

Citrus and Lavender Toilet Fizzies

DIY Scented Fabric Softener Crystals

All-Natural Produce Wash

All-Purpose Cleaning Wipes

Homemade Dusting Spray

DIY All Purpose Cleaner

Homemade Liquid Hand Soap

All-Natural Streak-Free DIY Window Cleaner

Homemade Laundry Detergent Tabs

All-Purpose Citrus Cleaner

 

Homemade Dry Ranch Seasoning

Homemade Dry Ranch Seasoning

Food/Seasoning Recipes

Once you try making your own food and seasonings yourself, you’ll be amazed by the flavor! You can create some impressive seasonings and food that will beat anything you can buy at the store. Putting in a little effort goes a long way in being frugal and having tastier meals than you could have ever imagined.

Homemade Taco Seasoning

Homemade Dry Ranch Dressing Mix

Homemade Brown Sugar

Homemade Brownie Mix

Homemade All-Purpose Muffin Mix

Homemade White Bread

Homemade Apple Cinnamon Granola

Homemade Vanilla Extract

Homemade Yellow Cake

Homemade Flour Tortilla Recipe

Homemade Soft Pretzels

Homemade Fruit Snacks

Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

Easy Garlic Butter Recipe

Homemade Roasted Garlic

Homemade Blueberry Simple Syrup

Homemade Apple Cider Vinegar

Immunity-Boosting Elderberry Gummies

DIY Bubble Gum Lip Scrub

DIY Bubble Gum Lip Scrub

Beauty Products

I am practically addicted to making my own beauty products! Why? Because they work so much better, smell amazing, and I can save a lot of money. You already know that I try to be frugal whenever possible, but once you try these homemade beauty products you are going to love how your skin feels. Don’t be surprised when all your friends start asking you where you are buying all your beauty products!

2-Ingredient Homemade Mica Lip Balm

Homemade Body Wash

Green Tea and Peppermint DIY Bath Salts

Orange and Comfrey Shea Butter Soap

Honey Lemongrass Sugar Scrub

Watermelon Sugar Lip Scrub

Honey Oatmeal Homemade Face Mask

Coconut Lime Whipped Body Butter

Lavender Bath Soak

Lemongrass and Chamomile Foot Scrub

Herbal Muscle Soak

25 Perfume Roller Bottle Blends

Hand and Foot Salve

DIY Bubble Gum Lip Scrub

Herbal Hair Detangler

DIY Cuticle Cream

DIY Dry Shampoo for Brunettes

Homemade Clove Cedarwood Shaving Cream

Homemade Lip Balm

Soothing DIY Eucalyptus Shower Melts

Grapefruit Mint DIY Shower Steamers

Soothing Green Tea and Peppermint DIY Bath Salts

Rose and Lavender Bath Bomb Bars

DIY Lemon Raspberry Sugar Scrub

What’s already on your Un-Shopping List?

The Un-Shopping List- The Un-Shopping List / Un-Grocery List is a great way to reduce your expenses. It's a list that you make of all the products that you're going to stop buying and start making or going without. Here's how to make your own Un-Shopping List, plus DIYs and recipes for the products you won't be buying anymore! | #frugal #saveMoney #DIY #homemade #moneySavingTips #moneySavingIdeas #frugalLiving #shopping

You might also be interested in: 10 Old Fashioned Money Saving Tips from Grandma

Old Fashioned Money Saving Tips From Grandma

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Filed Under: Frugal Living, Money Saving Tips Tagged With: frugal, Frugal Living, frugal living tips, money saving, money saving ideas, Money Saving Tips, Un Grocery List, Ways to Save Money

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Comments

  1. Rachel and Jacob says

    October 18, 0000 at 11:40 pm

    interesting!! i like this idea…

  2. salmagundi says

    October 19, 0000 at 12:33 am

    I’ve never run across this mix recipe before. I’ll add it to my other homemade mixes (taco seasoning, salad dressings, muffin mixes, etc. ) Thanks for posting it. Sally

  3. Rhonda in OK says

    October 19, 0000 at 12:43 am

    I love the idea of your un-shopping list.

    I made pancakes from scratch for breakfast and I have made them hundreds of times.
    but today, I also made homemade pancake syrup – I am not sure if it is the cheapest syrup but it sure tasted better than that last few bottles of store bought syrup we have had. I don’t think my hubby will ever want storebought syrup again.

  4. Deb says

    October 19, 0000 at 1:01 am

    Great idea Manuela, about the un-shopping list but please excuse me I have to ask “How do you make pads”? And out of what? Curiosity is killing this cat. Deb

  5. Suzann @ Lavender and Roses says

    October 19, 0000 at 2:00 am

    Well, I’m all about saving money and being smarter. Great idea! I’m going to give your cream of ??? soup a whirl.

  6. Lady Katherine says

    October 19, 0000 at 2:52 am

    These post you are doing are so great. People need to learn how to go back to a simple life. Back to the Basics. Now if we could teach my hubby to cook from scratch! I have talked him through a lot, the last few years. He has breakfast down to pat. But we still have prepared food on days, I can just use the mike. I tried some, but I keep burning up my favorite pans! Now you have to laugh. I do!! But I enjoy the post you do and I am looking forward to the days of homecooking from scratch!

  7. Niki RuralWritings says

    September 30, 0000 at 12:00 am

    Great post Manuela, I’m going to make note of the Cream of Soup recipe.
    Blessings,
    Niki

  8. Mimi Sue says

    October 19, 2008 at 2:56 am

    Cooking from scratch is a great idea it’s much healthier for us too. Love all your little tips. Mimi

  9. Susie Homemaker says

    October 19, 2008 at 3:20 am

    These are all great ideas…I wish we could have been doing this all along…then the current economic crisis, maybe wouldn’t be so…critical.

    Thanks for the info…

    Blessings,
    Susie

  10. Lorie says

    October 19, 2008 at 4:22 am

    Oh! I love the cream of ___ soup recipe!

    Thanks for sharing it!

  11. Vee ~ A Haven for Vee says

    October 19, 2008 at 12:49 pm

    This is extremely interesting to me. I will have to evaluate and count the cost to see if I can make some switches.

    Thank your for the Cream of _____ Recipe!

  12. ROXY says

    October 19, 2008 at 2:39 pm

    Love that recipe Manuela! Great post!!

  13. Cyndi's Re-Creations says

    October 19, 2008 at 3:09 pm

    Great Post Manuela I sure wish I could get my sister to look at your blog ( she’s not a blogger ) she is thinking of taking a part time job to supplement their income and I know if she would just change a few of her spending and house keeping habits she would be able to save more than she would be able to make. Love her dearly hate to see her struggle so. If you could pick any one book that would be a good go to resource for someone who is completely overwhelmed by the day to day house and home responsibilities and finances?
    Thanks so much

  14. Andrea @ Big Creek Cottage says

    October 19, 2008 at 3:53 pm

    OK…I have to try this! thanks!

  15. Paula says

    October 19, 2008 at 5:30 pm

    Wonderful post Manuela! I make most everything from scratch too and it does save a lot of money and is so much healthier whether it be food or cleaners, homemade is best. You know exactly what is going into it. I love making and using cloth napkins as well.
    You are always so encouraging! Thank you! Paula

  16. Anna says

    October 19, 2008 at 6:37 pm

    It is good to find you. I love all your brown transferware. I have some too. I’m always looking for more. I’m not as organized with my food shopping but you’ve given me some motivation. Great article.

  17. Lyn says

    October 20, 2008 at 3:57 am

    I’ve been thinking exactly about this topic too the last few days.

    I’m pretty frugal already, but increasing costs has gotten me to the point of omitting many things now. I look at some of the costs and refuse to pay what they want.

    If you make some of your own products you’ll also know for sure what is in them. Great post, Manuela, thank you.

  18. Constance says

    October 20, 2008 at 11:57 am

    Thanks for stopping by on Friday for S&T! It's been another hectic weekend since we are now less than 3 weeks to our youngest daughter's wedding! I am hoping that I can once again, be more timely in visiting everyone's S&T offerings when the craziness is behind me!

    I used to watch Little House with my girls when they were little! I should get me a set of those books so that I can read to the grand-daughters when they are over!
    Happy Monday!
    Connie

    PS I pick up the trunk this morning!

  19. Rhondi says

    October 20, 2008 at 6:41 pm

    Thank for the tips. Many of us are feeling the pinch these days.

  20. Storybook Woods says

    October 22, 2008 at 2:57 pm

    Oh I love this un-list. I have never thought of it that way. By the way another reason for making things from scratch, it taste SO much better xoxoxo Clarice

  21. glorv1 says

    October 18, 2014 at 10:46 pm

    Manuela, that is so good. The “unlist.” I really like that. Lets see, I make my own tortillas, my own salsa, cook my beans, soups, sometimes bread, so that is a good start. Your lists are always good and I commend you on your blog. Have a good Sunday.

  22. Teresa says

    November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Sorry about that last post…too many typos.

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A Cultivated Nest makes no claims of “expert status” and the owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the use of the information found on this website. Posts may contain affiliate links. A Cultivated Nest is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. A Cultivated Nest is also a participant in the Etsy affiliate program via Awin. This means that I may earn a small commission from some of the links in my posts. Please see our Disclosure Page for more information.

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