12 Things I am not buying in 2023:

Water bottles, coffee, and tea: This is a no-brainer and a non-negotiable for me. However, when I first moved back to Spain, I was staying at a hostel; I did not want to refill my water bottle in a public toilet sink, so I purchased a 1-litre water bottle that I rationed for the number of days I stayed there. And coffee which I bought at a supermarket near the hostel I stayed in. To save money on drinks like coffee and tea, I prepare them myself and refill my water bottle with tap water. The water from kitchen taps is drinkable in Spain, so it makes no sense to waste your money on a water filter or a case of water bottles, even if they come in glass.

Expensive foods: This is self-explanatory, but two words: Whole foods. Organic foods are more expensive than non-organic, not to mention fresh fruit and vegetables. A small head of broccoli is around 1,53€(1,67$) for 400g (0,89 pounds) compared to 1,39€ (1,52$)for a 900g(1,98 pounds) frozen bag of broccoli.

Hummous/Hummus: This is easy to make and healthier than store-bought, which is less flavourful and filled with unhealthy oils and salt.

Expensive transportation: This is a no-brainer for me. I have only had to rely on a taxi twice this year. The first time I had to take a taxi to the airport because I was travelling with more than a suitcase; and needed to arrive three hours before the flight boarded. I was travelling internationally. And the second time was when I arrived at my destination and needed to go to my storage box to condense my luggage because I wanted to move around without being burdened by my belongings.

Fast Food and Junk food: It is easy for me not to buy fast food because I am vegetarian. On the other hand, when it comes to junk food, like chips and biscuits, which I try not to consume frequently, it’s another story. I don’t know if my taste buds are changing due to stress or self-imposed restrictions, but I have noticed that these unhealthy foods lack flavour and only make you want to eat more.

Fast fashion or low-quality clothing: This is not up for debate, but two words: over-priced, flimsy, not good for the environment, and an exploitative business.

Candles: Last year, I had to purchase candles on several occasions because I did not have time to make my own. However, this year, I am determined to make them. They are simple to make, and you don’t have to pay hundreds(if you are one of those people, I am not judging) for a good candle. Do not misconstrue me; there is a candle called Cowboy Kush by Boy Smells(the name sounds disgusting because boys tend to smell) that smells delicious. However, I cannot justify paying a lot for a candle.

Trainers and sandals when there is no need to replace them: This is easy for me, but I have a problem I am embarrassed to admit because I wait too long to replace my shoes. But I finally bit the bullet this year, and I purchased a new pair of trainers that are a pain to walk in because I have yet to wear them consistently to break them in. * Trainers are the same as sneakers in American English.

Cleaning Products: I understand how this might sound to a person or reader who does not know me personally. However, in my defence, I have a reason for not wanting to waste my money on cleaning products; not only are they expensive and often toxic, but there are also ineffective at cleaning. Instead, I only buy white vinegar that I dilute in a glass bottle with water to clean my glass windows and use liquid Castille soap or dish soap mixed with vinegar, as well as Baking soda that I mix with vinegar to form a paste and clean stubborn stains instead of using harsh chemicals.

Computer: (Warning this section contains a long-winded explanation of why I do not trust refurbished technology): I hope I am not jinxing myself, and as the British say, “touch wood,” or “Knock on wood,” if you are American. I have had a topsy-turvy relationship with technology; my first computer was a beautiful Macbook from 2010 that only lasted two years; at the time, I lived in an apartment where people went through your belongings; my computer was the unfortunate target of unwarranted abuse. Because I had Apple Care, which I have learnt throughout the years, is a waste of money, I got a refurbished one instead of a new 2012 Macbook Pro, which turned out to be a bad apple that finally died in 2020; this Macbook Pro was a problem because it often broke down, and I had to spend over five-hundred dollars to fix it. I now own a 2016 Macbook Air, which I bought because my other computer was also a heavy and clunky burden. However, I have had some problems with this computer, which are thankfully a thing of the past, and it all had to do with a battery change. A few years ago, I went to UBreakifix(I do not recommend this place), where they did a sloppy job replacing my battery with a non-compatible one( I found out at the Apple Store) that almost fried my computer. When you pay for a battery replacement for your device, you spect it to be up and running as before, but my computer would shut down and sometimes would not turn on for days. I then went to the Apple Store near Chelsea Market in Manhattan, where I got the diagnosis for the problem and decided to have the battery serviced there, which was a wise decision because they use genuine Apple parts. And since then, my computer has been working like a new one. PS: After more than a year of back-and-forth messaging with UbreakIfix, I got a full refund because I refused to let this company keep my money for a sloppy job that did more harm than good to my computer.

Phone: I have a similar story with phones. Two years ago, I bought a second-hand iPhone 8 on the internet from a reputed website for less than $300. In the beginning, it worked perfectly and came with a battery of 100%, which then depleted to 80%. I had to replace the battery in September of 2021 because the phone was not working. Three months later, my phone stopped working, and I had to get a replacement because I needed to go to work, and my business was phone-based; I bought a new iPhone at the Apple Store, the iPhone 11.

To end this article on a positive note, not that the post is negative, I wanted to share some of the things I am planning on forgoing this year, so, please, take it with a grain of salt. My intention is not to shame anyone for their personal choices.