10 Things That Are No Longer Worth Your Money

Key messages: 10 things no longer worth the money (with practical alternatives)

1) Restaurants (especially with tipping)

Going out to eat now feels overpriced due to:

• Smaller portions
• Worse quality
• Higher menu prices and higher expected tips

Alternatives

• Host friends at home instead of going out (less noisy/chaotic/rushed)
• Potlucks: have everyone bring something
• Meal prep, but “light prep” (prep the annoying parts, cook fresh when you want to eat):
  • Chop/dice veggies ahead
  • Pre-mix garlic/onions and freeze in portions
  • Pre-make marinades/sauces/spice blends
• Invest in basic quality kitchen tools (sharp knife, good cutting board, decent cookware) rather than lots of gimmick appliances

2) Fast food

Fast food is no longer “cheap” because prices have risen and portion/value has decreased.

Alternatives

• If you need something quick, buy at the grocery store instead (sandwiches, prepared hot-bar foods, more options—often cheaper and healthier)

3) Delay/neglecting healthcare because appointments are hard

The creator describes trouble scheduling a dentist cleaning (missed calls + long lead times).

Alternative (sponsor)

• Use ZocDoc to find and book highly rated in-network doctors fast:
  • Compare specialties and read reviews
  • See real appointment openings
  • Book instantly online (typically within 24–72 hours, sometimes same day)

Emphasis: don’t put off making the appointment.

4) New phones (buying the latest model)

Upgrading is portrayed as unnecessary since improvements are incremental (typically slightly better camera/battery).

Alternative

• Buy the cheapest phone that meets your needs and use it 5–6+ years
• When it dies, buy the oldest still-available model at that time (not the newest)

5) Buying a new car vs. saving/avoiding debt

Used cars aren’t the bargain they used to be; the price gap versus new is often small.

Alternatives

• Avoid vehicle debt: if you must finance, the creator says you can’t really afford it
• If you already have a good older car: keep it running (“baby it,” maintain it to stay on the road)
• If you need a vehicle:
  • Buy brand new only if it fits your budget
  • Otherwise buy a cheap “beater” (around $5k or as low as possible) and pay yourself first:
    • Put what you’d pay monthly into savings
    • Example: within ~3 years you might have enough to buy a new car with little/no debt

6) Streaming services

Prices have increased, and content is fragmented across platforms.

The average household is described as spending about $70/month on multiple services.

Alternatives

• Calculate your monthly streaming spend
• Redirect that budget into other entertainment (movies, concerts, physical media)
• Use secondhand CDs/DVDs:
  • No ads, no recurring fees, no risk of losing access

7) Thrifting (as typically practiced today)

Concerns include:

• Rising thrift prices
• Risk of secondhand items being dirty/rusty

The creator also mentions a strong bed bug phobia, making secondhand furniture/clothing less appealing.

Alternatives

• Prioritize quality over quantity:
  • Buy a few good items new and keep them a long time
  • Choose items you’ll actually use often
• If shopping secondhand:
  • Prefer Facebook Marketplace / online listings where you can negotiate with a real person
• Avoid scams/false charity claims:
  • The creator claims many thrift stores “donate profits” but actually profit heavily

8) Dollar stores

“Dollar” pricing no longer matches reality; items often cost $3–$10.

Alternative

• Largely avoid dollar stores, since comparable items are often cheaper elsewhere or the product quality doesn’t justify the price

9) Coffee shops (regularly buying drinks out)

Coffee shop drinks are framed as bad value:

• About $8–$9 for something made from cheap ingredients and enjoyed only briefly

Alternatives

• Make coffee at home (faster than driving + drive-thru; “pennies”)
• If you like lattes/cappuccinos, consider an espresso machine—treated as a hobby and potentially cheaper over time
• Keep coffee shop visits for social occasions, not daily caffeine purchases

10) Alcohol (especially buying drinks out)

Drinking out is described as increasingly expensive:

• Draft beers over $25 for two after tax/tip
• Cocktails can be around $20 each

Even groceries are rising (beer six-packs priced higher than before).

Alternatives

• Reconsider alcohol use:
  • If you drink socially, try skipping it—you may still have fun without it
  • For occasional/light drinking, choose a cheaper/healthier substitute (or skip getting intoxicated)

Bonus (within the set): Buying stuff only because it’s on sale

“Sales” are framed as price-markup games; impulse purchasing is encouraged (Black Friday/Boxing Day called out).

Alternatives

• Don’t buy “just in case” or items that only seem like a good deal
• Only buy things you:
  • planned for
  • actually need/want
  • have thought about
• Cautionary example:
  • Buying the wrong size jeans on sale led to paying more later when the correct size was purchased

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Notable locations/products/speakers mentioned

• Speaker/creator: Nicole (Instagram: according_2 Nicole; Patreon mentioned)
• Sponsor: ZocDoc / zocdoc.com (doctor booking service)
• Brands/products
  • iPhone 11 (and iPhone 13/14 as cheaper fallback)
  • Toyota RAV4 (2013 example)
  • McDonald’s, Taco Bell (fast food examples)
  • Spotify (AI songs concern)
  • Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Prime Video (streaming examples)
  • Dollar store items concept; “Dollarama” mentioned
  • Starbucks (coffee price framing)
  • Beer brands: Stella Artois, Heineken
  • Thrift store example: Value Village
• Cities/region reference: “Across the country” (US-focused, Associated Press poll referenced)