5 Home Items You're Wasting Money On, According to a Minimalist
Minimalist Gabe Bult recently released a video discussing which home items he believes are a waste of money. While some of the suggestions make sense to remove from your home, others were more controversial and drew a fair amount of criticism from viewers.
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Ultimately, you have to decide what to eliminate from your life — but does the benefit always outweigh the cost? Here’s a look at what Gabe Bult believes people should remove from their homes to save money.
1. Small Appliances
Rather than buying a new small appliance for everything, Bult believes most of those items fall out of use and become a waste of money and counter space. While a new air fryer, rice cooker or ice cream maker might give you more options, Bult argues that eliminating those extra choices is what brings freedom.
“You can have freedom or you can have choices, but it’s really hard to have both,” Bult said.
2. Pets
One of the first things Bult claims is a waste of money is having pets. During his research, he found that pets can add $1,000 to $5,000 in costs per year. He also mentioned the inevitable cleaning of fur and other messes around the house. For his family, he determined that not having pets is a time-saver, a money-saver and keeps his home less cluttered.
However, many commenters found the suggestion of removing pets from your life to save money to be a step too far. Many shared the sentiment that pets bring so much joy to their lives that the cost is worth it.
3. Fancy Dishes and Cookware
Bult believes that a few coffee mugs, basic dinner plates and a frying pan or two are enough to make a kitchen functional without being cluttered. He sees the purchase of specialty plates, cookware and fancy dishes that get used once a year as a waste.
There aren’t many occasions when all of your friends and family are drinking out of 17 coffee mugs at once. And if you’re only using a set of dishes once a year, is it really worth the cabinet space — and the space in your budget — to keep them around? Maybe not.
4. Random Hobbies
At one point or another, you may have picked up a hobby like calligraphy, knitting, basketball or model trains — purchasing all the supplies you needed but not touching them in months. Bult sees these random hobbies as a waste of money, especially if they haven’t been revisited in a while.
5. High-Interest Debt
Out of all the household financial burdens, one of the most expensive is high-interest debt. Having too much of it not only clutters your mind but also slowly drains your resources and robs you of wealth-building potential.
By paying off high-interest debt, you could redirect the money you’re dedicating to monthly payments into a high-yield savings account or investment vehicles that may help you earn interest instead of paying it.
Bottom Line
At the end of the day, minimalism isn’t about filling trash bags or having bare countertops — it’s about intentional spending. Some of Bult’s takes may feel extreme, but the bigger point holds up: If something isn’t adding real value to your daily life, it may be quietly draining your wallet.
Keep what earns its space — whether financially or emotionally — and cut what doesn’t. Your budget should reflect your priorities, not impulse buys or outdated habits.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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