Things I Stopped Buying After 60 ... And What I Buy Instead

Added: 2026-05-30

[00:00:00]At 30, I bought things that I thought successful women were supposed to buy.

[00:00:05]But at 60, I ask myself one question before I spend money now, and that is, does this actually make my life better?

[00:00:13]>> [music] >> It didn't bring me peace. Because somewhere along the line, I realized I was buying things that was adding stress and not bringing me peace. [music] And after decades working in the emergency room, raising kids, trying to keep up, and trying to keep where you look polished, trying to do everything right, I think I finally just reached an age where I value comfort more than appearances. [music] But tonight, this is just a cozy conversation from my couch with Fran in my pajamas. And I'm going to talk about things I stopped buying at 60. You want to sit with Mommy?

[00:00:49]Fran decided to bail. I don't think she wants to be on camera tonight. I'm talking about the things I stopped buying at 60, and the things I'll gladly spend more money on now. And the first thing I stopped buying, uncomfortable shoes. Absolutely not. If a shoe requires suffering, band-aids, a break-in period, no, ma'am. I'm already irritated. I spent enough years trying to squeeze my feet into the cute little shoes because I wanted to look polished and put together because I thought that's what women were supposed to wear.

[00:01:26]But now, if I can't walk comfortably through an airport >> [music] >> or a cute little mountain town, a farmer's market, or have a travel day in them, I'm not going to wear them. And the same with athletic shoes. I I don't want any of them binding my feet. I I want a roomy toe box, support, and comfort.

[00:01:46]I I I don't care if it's the trendy color or the the the must-have now brand. I'm not trying to cram my feet into some narrow little thing just because some influencer tells me that's the trending thing now.

[00:01:59]>> [music] >> My feet have carried me through over three decades in the ER working 12-hour shifts, hauling through airports, on mountain trails, and starting over again at 60.

[00:02:12][music] They deserve respect now. And yes, I'll wear Birkenstocks now. My daughter laughs at them constantly.

[00:02:19]>> [music] >> I've heard some people call them birth control shoes, but at this point in my life, that's not exactly what I'm worried about anymore. The older I get, the more I realize comfort is confidence.

[00:02:30]>> [music] >> And another thing I stopped buying, number two, cheap luggage.

[00:02:36]You buy it nice, or you going to buy it twice. I've traveled too much for that now. No, ma'am. When you travel alone as a woman, good luggage matters. I need wheels that are going to roll easy. I'm not going to struggle and fight with a suitcase trying to make it [music] to gate C27. Lightweight and durability matters. I need to be able to lift it into that overhead bin because I'm a carry-on luggage only traveler now.

[00:03:03]Somewhere along the line, I stopped caring about labels, and I worry more now about usefulness. Does it work well?

[00:03:10]Will it last?

[00:03:12]Will it make my life easier? Does it reduce stress instead of creating stress? That matters more now than impressing anybody. Another thing I stopped buying, clothes for an imaginary life. Does anyone else do that? Buy outfits for this fantasy version of yourself? Fancy dresses with nowhere to wear them? Tiny handbags that don't even hold your cell phone and your readers? Trendy clothes that look adorable online, but just don't [music] suit your life. Now, I buy clothing for the life I actually live.

[00:03:46]Comfortable pajamas, comfortable jeans.

[00:03:49]I don't even buy the ones with with the zip and button anymore. I mean, I still have a few pairs that I wear, but I'm loving those that are the yoga style pant tops that just pull on and they're not binding. And after you eat a starchy meal and you're bloated, they're not cutting into you. Buying rain jackets.

[00:04:09]I'm in the Pacific Northwest now. I'm buying travel clothes, things I can actually breathe in. One of my favorite things is sitting right here watching it rain, having my cup of coffee, and looking at the wildlife.

[00:04:23]Years ago, I might have thought that sounded boring, but now it's just peace.

[00:04:28]And speaking of comfort, one thing I'm going to spend money on now is soft merino wool clothing.

[00:04:34]>> [music] >> And even the bras and panties. Years ago, I would have looked at those prices and thought, "Oh, absolutely not." But now, I completely understand it.

[00:04:44]>> [music] >> It doesn't itch. It doesn't bind. It regulates your temperature.

[00:04:50]>> [music] >> So, if you do get sweaty, you don't sit in it feeling wet and damp and sticky.

[00:04:55]And ladies, let's just tell the truth for a minute because with the hormonal changes of perimenopause and menopause, some fabrics just become absolutely miserable. I don't want to feel sticky, sweaty, and overheated anymore if I can help it. And that includes the merino wool underwear. And I know my daughter just died a little bit that I even said that on here. But listen, at this age, I'm choosing comfort and I am not apologizing for it. Another thing I'll spend money on is my car. A Subaru changed my life more than I expected.

[00:05:27]Back in Louisiana, I didn't need four-wheel drive for the kind of life I led. But when I moved here to the Pacific Northwest, I knew I wanted to be able to get out and explore in the mountains and snow. And I'm not familiar with driving in that, so I needed a car I could be confident in. I didn't want to be limited to be able to get out there and enjoy nature and see [music] the national parks and be able to confidently make it through that mountain pass.

[00:05:54]>> [music] >> I didn't want fear to keep me from living. That car represented freedom to me, not status. And that matters so much more to me now than looking impressive in the parking lot. Another thing I stopped buying, random clutter.

[00:06:08]>> [music] >> Tiny gadgets and things that just gather dust. No impulse purchases that just ended up being one more thing to try to organize. After over three decades in the ER, my nervous system wants calm and peace now, not not clutter. I I don't want a home packed with stuff anymore. I want space and soft lighting, candle burning and a nice blanket. The older I get, the more luxury just like comfort and not [music] excess.

[00:06:38]I will say though I've got a thing for plants.

[00:06:41]I just love the feel of nature being indoors and I've I've probably kind of gone overboard on the plants, but they make me happy. Another thing I quit buying are products that promise to make me look 25 again. I'm not judging. I will say that I understand as a nurse, our skin can only do so much with the products that you put on it.

[00:07:04]It's going to be more so what you're feeding your body from the inside. Are you staying hydrated enough?

[00:07:11]>> [music] >> Are you eating the right foods? Those things are really going to help more so with [music] what your skin ultimately looks like. And heredity has a lot to do with it as well. [music] Something you're putting topically on your face can only do so much. These lines on my face, I've earned every one of them. Laughed and cried. I've worked in trauma rooms.

[00:07:33]I've raised children and I've sat with families in some of their hardest moments. I moved 2,600 miles away at 60 [music] to reinvent my life. So why would I apologize for looking like I've lived? These days I care more about looking healthier than looking younger.

[00:07:49]Another thing I've stopped buying is hair dye.

[00:07:53]I stopped dyeing my hair in 2020.

[00:07:56]I did color it one more time right before we left for our trip to Japan last spring.

[00:08:03]>> [music] >> I've let that grow out and fade out and I don't plan to color my hair again.

[00:08:08]Another thing I stopped buying is things to impress people I don't even know that well. That one took me a while to learn. I think as women we spend decades trying to look polished and together and successful, like we had it all together. But, I eventually realized people are more worried about themselves than to be concerned on what handbag I'm carrying. The older I get, the less interested I am in making a life that performs for other people. I'm building a life that feels good now and not one that simply looks good from the outside.

[00:08:40]And maybe that's what changed most at 60.

[00:08:43]>> [music] >> I stopped asking what will people think about this. I started asking how does it make me feel? That question changed everything. I spend money on things that generally make my life comfortable and happy and improve my daily life. I like my comfortable bedding. I like [music] to travel, have experiences, and good cookware.

[00:09:05]And I finally invested in a great set of knives.

[00:09:10]I've always just had one or two little random ones and then you lose a relationship or you get a divorce and who got the good paring knife, you know?

[00:09:18]>> [laughter] >> I don't know. I like my warm, comfortable pajamas, quality shoes, and things for frying. I like getting out in nature. Cuz the truth is, the older I get, it seems the less I need. Peace has become the real luxury and I think women need to hear that. You don't have to constantly perform for success.

[00:09:38]You don't have to constantly strive for youthfulness. You don't have to constantly strive for perfection. You're allowed to build a life that feels good for you. Okay, now I want to hear from y'all.

[00:09:50]What's something that you've stopped buying as you've got older? Or what's something you'll gladly spend more money on because it improves your life? Tell me in the comments because I think women in this age group start valuing things very differently at this age. And personally, I think that's a beautiful thing. Okay, y'all. I'll see you next one. Bye.