25 Products You Think You Need, but Really Don’t

The power of marketing is incredible.  It moves billions upon billions of dollars every single day by driving mental models such as mere association, absorbed in ways we don’t even fully comprehend.

"Their" goal is to make you buy things you don't need but you still purchase. Here is a list of 25 things you don't need but you still have them:

1. Aftershave

I shave once or twice a week. And when I do, I rarely splash on aftershave. The reason you are told you need it is to close your pores, but they’ll do that on their own with a splash of cold water. Aftershave has one purpose, and that’s to make you smell nice. If that’s what you want, buy it for that. But you don’t actually need it.

2. Body Scrub

Those fancy scrubs filled with crushed peach pits or other granules are not required at all. A simple washcloth or loofah will do the job just as well.

3. Leave-In Conditioners

They promise silky-soft hair, but in actuality they can coat the hair in fragrances and other ingredients that can build up over time, making your hair look and feel worse. And you’ll buy more leave-in conditioner to combat it!

4. Cellulite Creams

It’s snake oil. It’s silly. It’s nonsense. Nothing you can buy in a bottle or tub will get rid of cellulite for you, so don’t go out and buy it. Seriously.

5. Toner

In the old days, soaps used to leave a nasty film on your face. They don’t any more. So toners are a waste of time and money.

6. ChapStick

Any lip balm really. Did you know that lip balms contain alcohol? Guess what alcohol does to skin? Dries it. You’ll be reapplying your lip balm all day to combat the effects of your lip balm. Lips, 99% of the time, are self moisturizing. So leave them alone.

7. Shower Gel

Crammed with petroleum by-products and chemicals, shower gel may smell nice but it isn’t necessary. Keep it simple. Use a bar of decent soap and a washcloth. And if you're out of soap, water and a good scrub with your washcloth will do the job.

8. A Gym Membership

You don't need a gym membership to get in shape. Most people don’t get anywhere near the use out of them that they should. If you’re hell bent on getting fit, save yourself a lot of money and jog, take the stairs, do pushups and sit ups, and find other ways to stay in shape without the need for an expensive monthly fee.

9. "Diet" Meals

Those low calorie meals are quick and easy, but they are nutritionally lacking what you really need. The process involved in making them — freezing, defrosting, and so on — kills flavor and nutrients. Eat a healthy balanced diet and eat smaller portions.

10. Exercise Gadgets

Ab toners, butt lifters, and all those other fitness inventions prey on your wish to get fit quickly and easily. There’s no such solution. They are gimmicks, they never do what you think they will, and you will sell them for a quarter of the price in a yard sale, or let them rot in the basement.

11. Fancy Athletic Clothing

You’ll see people spending a fortune on wicking materials, silver-infused fabrics, breathable name brand clothing, and all sorts of other designer gear. All you need is a pair of sneakers that give good support, a cotton T-shirt, and a pair of socks and shorts. That’s it.

12. Miracle Pills

Don’t be fooled by fat burners and "silver bullet" remedies. With a balanced diet and exercise, and a lot of hard work, and you’ll get the results you need. Pills just shrink your bank balance.

13. Crib Bumpers and Bed Sets

They’re pretty, cost a lot of money, and will never get used. They’re also unsafe and shouldn’t be in the crib. Don't bother.

14. Wipe Warmers

You can warm wipes in the palm of your hand for a few seconds if you want, but honestly, babies really don’t need them.

15. A High Chair

These things are bulky and end up in the basement or garage. Buy a strap-in booster seat to use with your regular chairs. And when you don’t need it, you can store it in the corner and still have full use of the dining set.

16. Baby Monitors

Unless you live in a Bill Gates style mansion or have a hearing issue, there’s really no need to buy a baby monitor. 

JP, a friend of mine, parent of three. He can tell you that whenever his youngest cries, his wife and JP both hear it. Sure, they bought a monitor, like "good parents" do. But they don’t use it any more. The interference was more annoying than anything else, and they have never, ever slept through their infant's crying. 
As these things can set you back several hundred dollars, you should really save your money.

17. Walkers

Think about this — we have been walking for centuries, and we didn’t need walkers to assist us. Babies will pull up on furniture, your leg, anything they can find, and will figure out walking on their own. You can help, using your hands to guide them. Walkers are fun, but not necessary.

18. Changing Pad

At about $30, they’re not that expensive, but you don’t need one. A lot of moms I know create them using folded towels or blankets.

19. Washing Machine Cleaners

First, they sell you the latest, greatest way to wash your clothes. Then you find out the new washer needs regular cleaning, too, with expensive packaged cleaners. Don’t bother with them. Just add two cups of white vinegar into the drum and run a regular cycle.

20. Silver Jewelry Polish

Want to brighten those valuables? Mix a little toothpaste with baking soda, scrub with a toothbrush, then rinse with warm water and buff with a dry cloth.

21. Cord Organizers

As our lives get more cluttered with gadgets, they also become filled with cords and wires. Don’t buy fancy cord organizers. A simple toilet paper tube will do the job. If you cover it in black tape, it won't look like a toilet paper tube, either.

22. Paint Remover for Hands and Skin

You’ll see a lot of products offering great solutions to the painted hands problem. But it’s not such a problem at all. A dab of olive oil will remove the stains just as well.

23. Hard Water Stain Remover

Products like CLR will do that job, but for a price. You can do it with products you already have at home. Combine a teaspoon of vinegar with two tablespoons of salt, and mix into a paste. Then, scrub it in, and watch those hard water stains disappear.

24. Drain Uncloggers

When you buy these, you really do pour good money down the drain.Baking soda is your friend here — just pour a 1/2 cup down and watch it go to work. If it needs a little help, a wire coat hanger can help.

25. Dryer Sheets

A little dab of fabric softener on a hand towel will actually do the same job. The towel is reusable, and fabric softener is way cheaper than dryer sheets.

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