We throw our money down the toilet buying products and services that we absolutely don’t need, and more often than we realize. Here are some examples of purchases that are a big waste in more ways than one.

Pre-cut foods

Carrots, broccoli, pineapple, and other pre-cut fruits and veggies can be handy when it comes to making lunches, but the time you save comes at a price. Pre-cut foods can be more expensive than whole fruits and vegetables. Not to mention that they’re often wrapped in plastic, which creates more waste.

Disposable razors

Disposable razors can be used about six times, so you use about 52 a year at approximately $1.25 each, plus all the plastic they’re wrapped in. To create less pollution and save money, consider switching to a reusable razor with metal blades or an electric shaver.

Bottled water

According to recent studies, water bottled in Canada contains plastic microparticles. On top of that, there’s the pollution caused by the millions of plastic bottles that hold all that water. In countries where tap water is generally of a high quality, using a reusable water bottle is a smart choice.

Extended warranties

Need a new appliance? It’s a safe bet that the salesperson will try to sell you an extended warranty. But these warranties are often useless. In many provinces and states, items that are rented or sold are covered by a legal guarantee. Under these basic guarantees, the good that you’re buying has to be able to be used for its intended purpose for a reasonable amount of time, taking into account what it’s used for and the price you paid. For example, it would be reasonable to expect the new fridge you just bought for $1,200 to last longer than 18 months.

Greeting cards

Instead of paying $5 for a greeting card, why not send your best wishes by email or through an e-card? It’s free and will make the recipient just as happy.

Wrapping paper

Next time you’re wrapping a present, consider using a reusable bag or box instead of wrapping paper. Or why not use paper you already have on hand, like old newspapers or magazines, to create your own one-of-a-kind wrapping paper?

Diaper pails

Baby doesn’t need all the latest gadgets to be happy, and neither do you, as it happens. You can get along just fine without a diaper pail for disposable diapers. Although there are different types, they’re all pretty expensive (at least $50) and many wrap the diapers in an extra layer of plastic, which makes it even more impossible for them to decompose in a landfill. A securely closed diaper in a regular garbage can doesn’t smell any worse than a diaper in a diaper pail.

Moist towelettes

Moist towelettes are handy for wiping your hands or the baby’s bum, but a cotton washcloth can do the same job for less. You can also make your own wipes to save money and waste.

Baby monitors

Unless you live in a mansion, when your baby cries, you’re going to hear it. Plus, baby monitors often pick up baby’s every little movement, causing you to wake up and rush in for no reason. Not to mention the fact that you’ll only use it for a few months anyway.

Home fragrances

Aromatherapy diffusers, scented candles, sprays… The retail market is full of products designed to mask unpleasant odours. But these products are usually expensive and, since they give off VOCs (volatile organic compounds), they can be harmful to your health. So how to get rid of stinky smells? Try an air purifier or make your own potpourri with sprigs of thyme, eucalyptus, or lavender.

Overpackaging

Avoid overpackaging, especially products wrapped in polystyrene (number six plastic). It can be hard to avoid at the grocery store, where polystyrene trays covered in plastic wrap are used to package meat, fish, and vegetables. This type of plastic isn’t recyclable and takes hundreds of years to decompose naturally in the environment. Instead, try to buy bulk fruit and veggies, as well as food items sold in cardboard boxes or recyclable containers. You can also bring your own containers to the grocery store.

Power tools

Before you buy a power tool you’ll probably only use a few times, like a circular saw, check if you can borrow or rent one. You’ll save money and storage space.

Detoxes

After the excesses of the winter holidays, many people opt for a detox cleanse to lose weight, clean their liver, and purify their body. But not only do detox cleanses not work, but they can actually be bad for you. If you follow them to the letter, it’s true that you’ll lose weight, mostly water weight and muscle mass, but your metabolism will also slow down. That means that when you’re done detoxing, you’ll quickly put on the weight you dropped, and possibly some extra, but your body won’t be any “cleaner” than when you started.

Homeopathy

In the last three hundred years, homeopathy hasn’t managed to prove that it’s more effective than a placebo. Might as well skip the natural health products aisle next time you come down with the flu or an ear infection.

Hamburger patty presses

Do you really care that much that your hamburger patties are perfectly round?

Rice cookers

The rice cooker is another kitchen gadget that you can do very well without, unless you have a lot of storage space in your kitchen or you really love your grains.

Plastic ice cube bags

Reusable ice cube trays are just as handy as bags, but they’re much cheaper per use and generate way less waste.

Licenced products: toys and games

SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, Snow White, and other cartoon characters can be found on a wide array of licenced products like toys, puzzles, figurines, and more. However, the quality of these items isn’t always as high as you might expect, so make sure you check before you buy.

Plastic cotton swabs

Doctors say that cotton swabs cause eardrum injuries and recommend using a washcloth to clean your ears instead. Another good reason to avoid plastic cotton swabs is that they often end up in our lakes and oceans. In 2020, France banned cotton swabs with plastic stems.

Double insurance

Going on vacation? Double check if your employer’s group health insurance plan covers medical and hospital fees when you’re abroad before you take out travel insurance, and avoid paying twice.

Depreciation on a new car

Depreciation can account for up to 40 per cent of the cost of owning a new vehicle, so don’t forget to consider it when buying a vehicle.

Plastic straws

Like cotton swabs, plastic straws often end up in lakes and oceans, where they’re a major threat to fish and other aquatic wildlife that are already swimming in an ocean of plastic. Consider buying stainless steel straws or straws made from recyclable cardboard. Or skip the straw altogether.

Cleaning products

These days, it seems like only the strongest cleaning products (“new and improved” versions and solvents) or antibacterial agents can get rid of germs. But believe it or not, a bit of water, baking soda, vinegar, soap, and elbow grease is all you need to keep things sparkling around the house, while a bleach solution can disinfect practically anything.

Duplicates in your telecom bundle

Do you have a landline, even though everyone calls you on your cell? If so, you’re paying double. Take a look at your telecom bundle and cancel anything you don’t use (call display, call waiting, etc.). Review your services on a regular basis to make sure it’s meeting your current needs.

The “pink tax”

According to a 2015 study published by the Department of Consumer Affairs in New York, women pay 7 per cent more than men on average for similar products in 47 per cent of cases. The study compared prices for 800 products in the categories of personal care, adult clothing, senior/home care products, toys and accessories, and children’s clothing. Female consumers paid more than their male counterparts in each of the five categories of goods studied. To avoid paying the “pink tax,” compare the price with the version for men and buy whichever’s cheaper.