When we talk about saving money, we often talk about things you should stop buying. I have written several posts in the past, focussing on things you should stop buying to save more more. And while all of those tips work, there are some things you SHOULD buy, that will save you money.
In this post, I am sharing 12 things that you NEED to buy, that will end up saving you thousands in the long run. If you’re curious about other ways to save money, find the related posts here:
- 15 Stupid things I stopped buying to save money
- 17 Things I don’t buy as a minimalist
- 10 Things a Minimalist would never buy
- 17 tips to cut your grocery bill in Half
- 28 Unusual ways to save money
But, for today’s post, let’s get shopping.

15 things to buy that will save you money
#1: A water bottle with a filteR:
A reusable water bottle that comes with a filter is a no brainer. And even though the $20-$30 dollar one time price might seem like a lot, but think about how much money you’d be saving. A reusable water bottle will allow you to stay hydrated all day, at a fraction of the cost, if you were buying water bottles every single time.
And think about how much waste you were generating before. So it’s a win-win situation really. And when you’re hydrated, you are less likely to drink sodas and other sugary drinks like processed juices. So it’s good for your health too.
#2: Good quality Classic clothing items:
I always find that investing in some good quality classic wardrobe staples goes a long way. And in the long run it’s way better than buying cheap trendy clothes that you’ll once wear once or twice.
So instead of buying clothes that you will only wear a few times, invest in pieces that you will wear time and time again. And in the long run, that cost will be worth the price.
#3: buying groceries in bulk:
Although when you’re buying groceries in bulk, you end up spending more than you usually would. But it’s understandable why wholesale groceries are cheaper. Buying in bulk means getting a lower price and less frequent visits to the grocery store.
And less visits to the grocery stores means you’re less likely to buy things that you don’t need. We all know it, it happens to the best of us. Also, buying in bulk means less wastage, because you will be using the same ingredients to cook your meals> just make sure that you are only buying things that you use on the daily.
#4:A Brita water filter or RO system:
If the tap water at your home is not safe for drinking, instead of buying water bottles, you could consider buying something like a Brita water bottle.
It’s really easy to use and will save you hundreds of dollars per week, if you think about it. If that’s not your thing, consider getting an RO installed. It’s a little expensive but is totally worth it in the end.
#5: A kindle:
If you read a lot of books, consider getting a kindle. It’s a one time purchase.
And you’d be surprised to see how much money you can save on books because the ebooks are so much cheaper. And books are so expensive anyway.
It’s also really portable that makes it convenient to take anywhere with you. And you don’t have to worry about making space in your bags too.
And the best thing is, you don’t have to worry about making space in your apartment.
#6: Reusable glass containers:
Reusable glass containers are the way to go if you want to save money on daily lunches. On an average lunch costs you anywhere between $12-$15 and if you buy lunch everyday, you can save hundreds of dollars per month.
And it’s great for your health too. Because it means you’ll be having a lot of home cooked healthy meals. Just make sure you are investing in good quality glass containers that are microwave and dishwasher safe.
#7: Basic tool Kit:
Every once in a while, things break. Or you need to drill some holes in the walls to hang pictures.
So it makes sense to buy a basic tool kit, so every time something breaks you don’t have to call someone to repair it. We all know how expensive it can get. We invested in a basic tool kit a few years back and it has saved us hundreds of dollars over the years. The basically pay for themselves and then some.
#8: A hair groomer/trimmer:
This one is again a no brainer. Instead of going to the salon every few weeks, consider getting a hair trimer or a hair groomer.
And you can do the basic trimming at home, between your salon visits. In fact, for the last couple of years, I have been cutting my husband’s hair. It’s not that difficult once you get the hang of it. And we absolutely love our Philips trimmer. It has an amazing battery life and is waterproof as well. And all the attachments that come with it make it super easy to use.
#9: A book that teaches you to manage money:
Educating yourself when it comes to managing money is so important. And while there are tons of resources online that will teach you how to budget and how to save money, nothing compares to a good book. Years ago I was in a position where I was not saving any part of my income and I have come a long way. And reading good books has helped for sure.
Here is my list of best Money related books that will teach you to be rich. Invest in a good book and put what you learn to practise.
#10: A coffee Maker:
If you drink coffee regularly, this one is a no brainer. And I guess you don’t need me to tell you that getting starbucks every single day can get expensive really quickly. Because it all adds up.
And even though getting a coffee maker may seem like a bigger cost than your $3-5 dollar coffee every day. But in the long run, it will pay for itself. And if you are someone who loves their coffee and ends up getting a starbucks, consider investing in a coffee maker to save hundreds of dollars every month.
#11: REUSABLE TRAVEL THERMOS MUG:
So you are making coffee at home, the next thing you need to invest in, that will save you money is a thermos mug. I bet you don’t like drinking your coffee cold (unless it’s cold coffee). So invest in a reusable travel thermos mug and keep your cuppa warm or hot (whatever you prefer). I loved taking it with me to work every day and it saves so much money when you look at the bigger picture.
#12: Space heater:
I don’t understand why people waste so much money on utilities to heat their entire house when they sleep in one room. Doesn’t make sense, right? It’s also not that great for the environment. So consider getting a space heater if the weather is not too extreme where you live. I know in some parts of the world, you absolutely can’t go without having your whole house heated, but if you can, think about a portable space heater.
#13: A portable Air cooler:
Same as a space heater, a portable air cooler is great too. We use a water based cooler and it is the best thing ever. So much better than an air conditioner in my opinion. And you can simply turn it on in the room where you are and save so much money on your electricity bill.
#14: An herb garden:
Do you ever buy herbs to use in a dish but then you use only like a small part of the bunch and the rest goes to waste? Or maybe you do dry them and freeze them in olive oil in your ice cube tray. But there is nothing like fresh herbs when it comes to seasoning.
And one way to always have fresh herbs and to not waste them is to start your own little herb garden. They are quite low maintenance and don’t take up a lot of space too. If you do not have the space in your apartment, you could even do a vertical herb garden. There are so many ideas that can be found on Pinterest. So start an herb garden today.
#15: RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES:
Rechargeable batteries are life changing. And so so good for the environment too. If you are still using use and throw batteries, think again. I am sure you have a hundred things in your house that run on batteries. From so many remotes to your kids toys and torches etc. And I bet they always run out when you need them the most and you can never find spare batteries. So consider investing in rechargeable batteries and you’ll never have to worry about nay of these things again. And think of how much less waste you’ll be creating. Such a win-win!
There you go. 15 things you SHOULD buy to save you money. Who would have thought buying things could help you save more. But here we are. Do let me know what are some of the investments that help you save money in the long run and which one of these are you going to try.
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