https://www.reddit.com/r/minimalism/comments/1i9dp8i/i_stopped_buying_duplicates/
created by Wildwise_ on 25/01/2025 at 03:12 UTC*
699 upvotes, 46 top-level comments (showing 25)
I used to be that person who always bought backups like extra clothes, kitchen gadgets, notebooks because of my 'just in case ' and ‘what if I run out?’ mindset. I thought it made me prepared, but over time, all those extras started to take over my space and stress me out.
And about a year ago, I decided to stop buying duplicates altogether. Instead, I challenged myself to fully use what I already have. At first, it felt weird, but now it’s become second nature. My home feels so much lighter, and I’ve realized how little I actually need.
Letting go of the ‘just in case’ mindset wasn’t easy, but it’s definitely been worth it.
Comment by Gufurblebits at 25/01/2025 at 03:23 UTC
236 upvotes, 1 direct replies
The 'what if I run out?' problem is HUGE. I finally - after years - convinced myself that, if I run out, I can - and get this - get another! OOOOOH!
The sun will rise tomorrow if I don't have something. Makes me get out of the house for awhile, go for a walk, y'know? Such a weird concept for me for a long time, but I've been good now for years.
These days, I don't care, but man, unwrapping the 'but what if I run out?!' panic from my brain took some serious scrubbing.
Comment by 792bookcellar at 25/01/2025 at 03:24 UTC
172 upvotes, 2 direct replies
My mom explains it as “let the store stock the extras” because you can get it from the store when you need it.
It’s helped me not buy (for example)5 shampoos just because I have a coupon.
Comment by throwaway_agbros at 25/01/2025 at 05:47 UTC
43 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I'm an extreme couponer, as in I buy things for free/cheap all the time. A few years into couponing, I ended up selling off most of my stockpile when I realized the quantity I was buying surpassed the rate I was using them at.
Now, I have a dedicated closet with a 6 month supply of consumables. I consider myself a minimalist, but keep a stockpile because I'm also frugal. I can't justify paying more than 75 cents for a tube of toothpaste after a decade of getting it for free. Couponing is a hobby for me and minimalizing items from other aspects of my life allowed me to have a specified place for it all.
Comment by Calm-Possibility-180 at 25/01/2025 at 03:38 UTC*
70 upvotes, 2 direct replies
I worry that something i love will be discontinued so I want to have extra...
Comment by CosmicDreamer_07 at 25/01/2025 at 03:19 UTC
48 upvotes, 4 direct replies
This is also me. Yesterday, I bought a new pair of jeans that I love, and I’m trying to resist going back to purchase another pair.😄
Comment by SilentRaindrops at 25/01/2025 at 04:29 UTC
23 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Overall I agree but I do allow myself some exceptions especially with items that are hard to source, hard to carry home without a car, like cat litter or bags of food. As I am short, I will buy duplicates of some clothes if I find something that fits well although I will try to buy multiple colors.
Comment by Taminella_Grinderfal at 25/01/2025 at 04:32 UTC
24 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Me too, I’m working through a phase of using up all my extra cosmetic, body lotions, fragrances, etc. And declutterring my mom’s house is a great motivator, she has like 3 or 4 of *everything* and it’s making me crazy. I think of it this way, I live less than 5 miles from a store, even if I do run out of something, I can get more quite easily.
Comment by Kelly1972T at 25/01/2025 at 05:09 UTC
19 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I have a friend who loves to “stock up” whenever there is a sale. She justifies by saying she got such a good deal. Ironically she had to much stuff and it was unorganized that she could never find it. And then she’d go out and buy more. It was painful to visit her apartment and see all the shopping bags with unopened products and receipts still inside the bag.
Comment by Uni457Maki at 25/01/2025 at 04:54 UTC
17 upvotes, 1 direct replies
It really helps save money not to have all extra backups. I found that using coupons can be a big trap that causes me to buy more than I need just to make use of the coupon.
Comment by corgiboba at 25/01/2025 at 06:47 UTC
13 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I only buy duplicates of the 1 thing I love instead of trying random products to see if it works for me. For example, if I find the perfect face moisturiser, I’ll buy probably 3-4 when they go on sale. Because every time I tell myself, “I’ll buy it when I run out”, they always discontinue it or change the formula.
This will give me a few months to go out and experiment and find a good replacement, instead of having to just rush out and buy random temporary ones which I’ll probably get rashes from and it’ll just sit in my cupboard.
Comment by Responsible_Lake_804 at 25/01/2025 at 07:29 UTC
11 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I totally understand this mindset because trend mean that once you find a product you like—shoes, a notebook, whatever—by the time you’re ready to replace it, it’ll never be made again :/ I like consistency.
Comment by Objective-Lab-1734 at 25/01/2025 at 13:21 UTC
12 upvotes, 0 direct replies
This was me. A declutterer I follow says "if you can replace it in 20 min or under $20, extras aren't needed"
Comment by Wily__Giraffe at 25/01/2025 at 13:32 UTC
12 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I’ve done the same thing at the grocery store…grabbing two or three of something. With limited storage, I thought to myself, “Why am I doing this?” Now I let the store be the storage unit. I buy less, use what I have, and save more. I cannot believe how much money I put into my savings account at the end of the month! The other thing that benefitted me was remembering that sales come around again.
Comment by makingbutter2 at 25/01/2025 at 08:08 UTC
10 upvotes, 0 direct replies
The only thing we need duplicates of is Toilet 🚽 Paper 📝
Comment by Melodic_Highlight_26 at 25/01/2025 at 08:22 UTC
9 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Great job on letting go of buying duplicates! I was in the same boat. I'm glad I adopted a minimalist approach, and now I focus on decluttering.
When it comes to clothes, I used to buy the same items multiple times. There's usually no need for that, and now my wardrobe is full of similar-looking pieces. I challenge myself to avoid buying anything new unless it’s truly necessary.
Comment by seventieswannabe at 25/01/2025 at 08:46 UTC
5 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I think it all adds up to practicality too. I’ll stock up on food items if it’s something I enjoy and takes me away from running outta the house just to repurchase the same thing again.
But stuff like clothing and cosmetics or household items, I think you’re more likely to be considerate of. I find I’ll go through a bottle of foundation a lot more quickly if I have two on hand oppose to just the one. I get a sense of appreciation for what is there I suppose.
Comment by hoperaines at 25/01/2025 at 16:06 UTC
6 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I make myself shop at home first. If I already have it, I don’t buy it again.
Comment by mooky1977 at 25/01/2025 at 07:38 UTC
4 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Always have extra shitter paper though!
Comment by wilemhermes at 25/01/2025 at 13:12 UTC
5 upvotes, 0 direct replies
We're living in a society that gives you the possibility to buy a replacement so easily and quickly, that that's the last thing that I'm afraid of. We thank you for your choice to change the habit now, environment will do that later ✌️
Comment by BettinaVanSise at 25/01/2025 at 13:43 UTC
6 upvotes, 0 direct replies
This speaks to me at my core. Why do I do this? (I have improved a lot recently but the desire to stock up is difficult to resist.
Comment by 1in2100 at 25/01/2025 at 07:28 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
This a big issue for me as well. I am trying so hard to find a way to stop so your post could not have come at a better time for me.
I buy backups of everything from clothing to pillow covers for the pillows on pur couch. Also my favorite bags.
Comment by -_-------J--------_- at 25/01/2025 at 10:46 UTC
5 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I needed a new garage opener after my last one died. It was 20$ and I almost bought 2
But i thought, this is a huge big box store, I can just get another later if i need it.
Only bought one
Comment by ElfPeep at 25/01/2025 at 19:16 UTC
4 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I'll never be a minimalist because my hubby and I just love stuff. Our goal, though, is to declutter. It is slow going but we will get there. I'm trying to be in the "we have it at home so let's use it first" stage.
We are also big fans of buying duplicates in different colors. I literally did this with shirts the other day. But when I do that, old ones have to go to the donate pile.
Comment by womp-the-womper at 25/01/2025 at 19:54 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I only buy duplicates of clothes I really love because you never know when they’ll stop making them
Comment by Busy-Beginning-4044 at 25/01/2025 at 05:42 UTC
4 upvotes, 0 direct replies
But what if you run out and the store runs out? Remember Covid and toilet paper? 🫣