Frugal Friends Podcast

Episode Summary: “26 Things To STOP BUYING to Save Money in 2026”

Hosts: Jen Smith & Jill Sirianni
Date: December 30, 2025
Episode: #26

Episode Overview

In this lively and engaging episode, Jen and Jill count down “26 things to stop buying in 2026” — a playful yet practical list aimed at helping listeners save money, reduce waste, and rethink their spending habits as they head into the new year. Some picks are familiar, others controversial, and a few come with tough love and plenty of personal anecdotes. Together, they highlight the impact of mindful consumption, the allure of “money vampires,” and the importance of aligning spending with real values (and joy). Through humor, transparency, and challenge, this episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to cut back or start fresh financially this year.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Coffee-Related Expenses

• Single Serve Coffee Pods (03:59):

  • Jill admits using an espresso machine but underscores the cost difference: “Single serve coffee pods do cost four to ten times more per cup.”
  • Suggestion: Use reusable pods or switch to traditional ground coffee.
  • Quote: “Americans spend $38 billion on coffee annually. A lot of that is inflated from some of those like convenience costs.” – Jill (04:23)

• Starbucks Purchases (04:53):

  • Jen shares her personal journey away from Starbucks, citing habit, ethical concerns about corporate practices, and loss of local coffee shops: “I have distanced myself from Starbucks because of the practices that they use as a company…” – Jen (05:29)
  • Recommendation: Make coffee at home or support local cafés.

2. Tech & Subscription Traps

• Unlimited Cell Phone Plans (07:58):

  • Jill: “The average [person] uses 15-20 gigabytes per month… millions pay for 100 gigabyte plans… just paying for far more than you need.” (08:35)
  • Action: Check your usage and switch to lower-cost MVNOs (e.g., Mint Mobile).

• Phone Cases & Tech Accessories (10:52):

  • Jill introduces the Diderot Effect—one tech purchase leads to many accessory buys.
  • Advice: Buy one durable case; avoid themed/impulse purchases.

• Tech Upgrades (29:53):

  • Phones can last 5+ years, but people upgrade far more often.
  • “If you could keep your phone for three years instead of two… you’d save at least $4,000.” – Jen (30:38)

3. Lifestyle & Home Habits

• Gym Memberships (12:33):

  • Jen frames canceling as seasonal, not permanent: “It’s okay to just drop it. Pick it up again when you actually do [use it].” – Jill (13:29)
  • Free/cheap alternatives: home workouts, Facebook Marketplace equipment.

• Disposable Cleaning Products (13:55):

  • Switch to reusable cloths to save $150-$300/year and help the environment.
  • Jen: “I’m like making my own wet wipe.” (15:11)

• Seasonal Décor & Trendy Kitchen Gadgets (30:53, 35:08):

  • Avoid annual overbuying; focus on a small, curated collection.
  • Stick to kitchen basics; specialty gadgets usually collect dust.

4. Financial Health & Safety

• Branded Over-the-Counter Medications (15:14):

  • FDA requires generics to be chemically identical and they cost 2–5x less.
  • “Know that ibuprofen is Advil, that acetaminophen is Tylenol… figure it out. Buy the generic.” – Jen (15:54)

• Credit Monitoring Subscriptions (27:41):

  • Free weekly credit reports are available; only pay for added digital safety/ID protection.
  • Jill: “You don’t need to constantly be paying for just a credit monitoring subscription.” (28:00)

• High Fee Financial Advisors (34:28):

  • Jen: “Asset under management fees can consume 28–33% of your total investment returns over 30 years.”
  • Instead, seek flat-fee or advice-only planners.

5. Consumer Creep & “Money Vampires”

• Streaming Services (17:47):

  • Streaming costs have soared, average household has 4.5 services.
  • Jill: “Rotate your subscription like your gym membership.” (18:14)

• Influencer Emotional Support Subscriptions (19:16):

  • Jen: “Groups you pay for to get closer to the influencer… There’s enough free content to go around.” (20:43)
  • Focus on real-life relationships.

• Subscription AI Digital Tools (21:41):

  • Micro-subscription creep: “Average digital spender now has 7 to 9 recurring digital tools…many unused after the first week.” – Jill (22:12)

• Subscription Boxes (31:25):

  • “Churn rates 40–60% in six months… most subscribers keep less than 20% of their items long term.” – Jen (31:40)

6. Fast Fashion & Bottled Water

• Fast Fashion Micro-Hauls (22:52):

  • Impulse clothing buys, free returns, and the environmental cost: “66% of [fast fashion returns] go to landfills” – Jen (23:52)
  • Solution: Capsule wardrobes, secondhand first.

• Plastic Bottled Water & Multiples (24:52):

  • Plastic water is 2,000x the cost of tap; too many reusable bottles is clutter.
  • “If your toddler hid 17 of your water bottles… you have a different problem.” – Jen (25:15)

7. Supplements, Add-ons, and Overconsumption

• Supplements & Greens Powders (26:26):

  • “People are making so much money off this stuff…very little clinical evidence” – Jen (26:54)

• Travel Add-ons & Upgrades (33:22):

  • Most “protection” is already covered by your credit card; seat selection is often unnecessary.

• Brand New Toys for Kids (32:41):

  • Quality has dropped, prices surged, kids outgrow fast.
  • Buy used, rotate toys, avoid overbuying.

• Furniture Made of Particle Board (36:09):

  • Cheap furniture frequently breaks, leading to more waste.
  • Invest in quality secondhand pieces for longevity.

8. Parting Shots: Where the Hosts Draw the Line

• Alcohol (37:12):

  • “We cannot be spending entree money on one singular glass of liquid.” – Jill (37:19)
  • Both admit to cutting back due to cost, health, and enjoyment.

• Hobby Shopping vs. Doing (37:41):

  • “We spend more money on hobby gear than we do on actually doing the hobby. So we’re not doing it anymore. We’re doing the hobby.” – Jen (37:47)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You probably have something in your cart on Amazon that you're wondering, is it on this list?” – Jen (01:24)
• “Some [items] might make you angry. But we hope this helps you on your own financial journey.” – Jill (01:50)
• “You don’t have to monetize your hobby… you don’t need that stress in your life. Do something for fun.” – Jen (38:08)
• “By overconsuming, we take the specialness out of things that should be really special.” – Jen (31:12)
• “If you truly want a streaming service, it’s to stream content. The one you have has content.” – Jen (18:40)
• “Getting a dopamine fix through purchases causes the environment to pay the cost.” – Jill (24:11)

Listener Segment — "Bill of the Week"

[39:08] Listener Eve from Washington shouts out two real-life “Bills” — mentors and beloved community members — highlighting the value of investing time and money in real people, not virtual relationships.

Timestamps for Notable Segments

• Coffee & Starbucks – 03:59–07:48
• Tech Accessories & Upgrades – 10:52–12:33; 29:53–30:53
• Streaming & Subscription Creep – 17:47–22:39
• Fast Fashion Micro-Hauls – 22:52–24:52
• Supplements & Greens Powders – 26:26–27:41
• Cheap Furniture & Decor – 30:53–32:41; 36:09–36:59
• Travel Add-ons, Advisors, Gadgets – 33:22–36:09
• Alcohol & Hobby Shopping – 37:12–38:17
• Bill of the Week (Listener Eve) – 39:08–40:44

The Hosts' “Not Giving Up” List (42:20)

• Jen: Alcohol, caffeine, daycare.
• Jill: Gum (“It is my brand. Maybe hot dogs, too.”)

Tone & Style

Jen and Jill are witty, approachable, and occasionally self-deprecating. They don’t mind calling out their own habits and encourage listeners to find grace for their unique struggles. There's a balance of tough love (“Stop it!”) and validation (“We don’t all have to give up the same things”). Plenty of banter ensures the episode stays light while tackling real financial decisions.

Final Thoughts

If you want to challenge your spending habits, see which “money vampires” are sneaking into your life, or just need a supportive (and fun) voice nudging you to simplify for the new year, this episode offers a timely roadmap — full of actionable tips, laughter, and a little accountability.

Watch for the next episode, where they promise to explain all their inside jokes — and maybe help you create a joy-focused, values-driven spending plan for 2026.

For the full list of 26 items (and which ones sparked the most debate), listen to the episode or check their show notes/YouTube page!