The Real-Life Underconsumption Series: The Hidden Cost of Cute Cheap Home Stuff
Hey friends-welcome back! Before you toss another clearance candle in your cart or grab that $7 "weekend vibes" sign, let's take a minute together. This week's post is not just a cute rant-it's a reality check, and maybe the reason you haven't reached that savings goal yet.
If you're new here, I'm Meg Ann Lee, and this is Part 4 of my Real-Life Underconsumption Series. I'm currently on a no-buy challenge, decluttering for a move, and saving up to buy my first house. And yes-even as a hairstylist and blogger who loves a good aesthetic looking room-I've had to get really honest about how many little purchases were not so little after all.
"But It Was Only $10!"- me in 2024
We all say it. We all do it.
A $10 mug here. A $6 plant pot there. $14 for a "cute" bowl that you don't really use. It feels like nothing in the moment-like a reward, a harmless treat. But here's the deal: $10 here and there adds up fast when it becomes a habit. This is true especially when it's tied to emotions like boredom, stress, or the craving for a quick mood boost. While I'm all for treating yourself sometimes, the constant "treat cycle" can quietly kill your budget and clutter your home before you even realize it. BELIEVE ME.
When Cheap Isn't Actually Cheap
Let's talk quality for a second.
You buy a $5 candle from the dollar store. It smells good for maybe 20 minutes. The scent fades, the wax burns weird, and it ends up half-used in the back of your junk drawer. Now compare that to one high-quality $25 candle that burns clean, smells amazing, and you actually enjoy all the way through.
At first glance, the $5 one looks like the better deal. But if you buy 3-4 of those just to chase the same vibe, you've already spent the same (or more), and the experience was less. Cheap home stuff often equals cheap materials, low performance, and shorter life spans.
Emotional Spending, But Make It Decor?
Most of us don't buy a fifth throw pillow because we need one. We do it because it feels like we're refreshing our space. It gives us a sense of "new," or makes us feel a little more in control when life's messy. But the refresh you're craving? It's usually a feeling-not a physical object.
It is: Peace. Calm. Progress. And none of that comes from another $12 coffee table book you'll never open.
The $20 Rule That Changed My Perspective
During this no-buy challenge, I started keeping track of how often I said,
"It's only $20." By the end of a month, those $20 excuses added up to hundreds.
Hundreds of dollars I could have added to my house fund. Or knocked off my car balance. Or used to replace something that actually matters.
Now, I treat $20 with the same weight I'd treat $100. If I wouldn't spend $100 on five random things at once, why am I okay spending $20 five times on stuff I didn't even plan for?
So What Do We Do Instead?
I'm not saying your home can't be cozy or cute. But here's what's helped me:
- Make a "home wishlist" on your phone. Instead of impulse-buying, add it to the list and wait. If you still want it in 30 days, you'll know it's worth it.
- Treat yourself to peace, not things. A clean counter, fresh flowers from the grocery store, or a decluttered entryway can feel like a total reset-without the clutter or cost.
- Remember your goals. Post a note near your shopping apps or favorite stores. "Is this helping me buy my house?" is my current go-to filter. Instant perspective.
There's no throw blanket in the world that feels better than watching your savings grow.
While a $5 basket might not break your bank, the habit of buying stuff "just because" can hold you back in ways that matter.
So, the next time you find yourself about to toss something "cute and cheap" in your cart, pause.
Is it truly adding value to your home-or just taking up space?
Next week is the final part of the series-and we're talking social pressure, staying disciplined, and how to keep consuming less even when everyone else is doing the most because spending less can actually change your life. You won't want to miss it - Meg Ann Lee <3