Welcome

Welcome To Buy Less Crap

Buy Less Crap isn't about being tight. It's not about never spending money. And it's definitely not about feeling guilty every time you buy something. It's about making conscious choices with your money.

Most people don't have a money problem. They have a spending-awareness problem.

Small purchases, forgotten subscriptions, convenience spending and impulse buys can quietly drain thousands of pounds over time. Our goal is simple: help ordinary people understand where their money is going, build better spending habits, reduce waste and create more options for the future.

✗No complicated jargon

✗No get-rich-quick promises

✗No guilt trips about spending

Buy Less Crap. Spend With Purpose.

What Is Buy Less Crap?

Buy Less Crap helps people make better spending decisions. Through practical guides, challenges and real-life lessons, we encourage spending awareness, better habits and more thoughtful choices with money.

Practical Guides

Step-by-step approaches to spending less, saving more and investing simply — written in plain English, not financial jargon.

Real-Life Lessons

Honest reflections on what works, what doesn't and the mistakes made along the way. No theory — just experience.

Simple Challenges

Bite-sized ways to test your habits: no-spend weekends, subscription audits, coffee calculators and more.

No gimmicks. No hype. Just common sense.

Who This Is For

Buy Less Crap is for people who want a simpler relationship with money. If any of these sound familiar, you're in the right place.

You're Spending More Than You'd Like

You work hard but at the end of the month you wonder where it all went. You don't feel extravagant — but the numbers don't add up.

You Want To Invest But Don't Know Where To Start

You know investing is important. You've heard about ETFs and ISAs. But the jargon puts you off and you're worried about getting it wrong.

You're Busy And Want Something Simple

You don't have hours to research stocks or follow markets. You want a straightforward approach that doesn't require constant attention.

You're Tired Of The Hype

Every advert promises overnight riches. Every guru has a secret formula. You're looking for something honest — even if it's less exciting.

The Buy Less Crap Philosophy

Four simple steps. No complicated formulas. No spreadsheets required.

Buy Less Crap

Not deprivation. Not guilt. Just being more conscious about where your money goes. One less coffee. One less impulse buy. One less thing you don't really need. Small choices that add up over time.

Start tracking your spending →

Invest The Difference

The money you free up doesn't just sit there. It goes into broad, low-cost ETFs — simple funds that own bits of hundreds of companies. No stock picking. No market timing. Just regular, consistent investing.

How to get started →

Give It Time

This is the part most people skip. Compounding isn't exciting in year one. Or year two. Or year five. But by year ten, fifteen, twenty — it becomes the most powerful force in your financial life. The key is patience.

See what time can do →

Enjoy Life Along The Way

This isn't about eating beans and counting pennies. It's about spending on what genuinely matters to you — and cutting the stuff that doesn't. Money is a tool for living, not an end in itself.

50 ways to save without suffering →

Where Would You Like To Start?

Pick the path that fits where you are right now. There's no wrong order — and you can always come back.

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I Want To Spend Less

Start by understanding where your money actually goes. Then pick from practical guides on cutting impulse buys, killing subscriptions, and saving without making life miserable.

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I Want To Start Investing

New to investing? Start with ETFs explained in plain English, then learn the simple strategy I use myself. No jargon. No hot stock tips. Just what actually works for regular people.

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I Want To See The Numbers

Sometimes seeing the maths makes it real. Run your own numbers through the calculators and see what small changes today could mean over time.

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I Want To Learn More

Read the blog for regular updates on what I'm buying, what I'm researching, and the lessons I learn along the way. Plus deep dives into topics like fiscal drag and being a shareholder.

Who's Behind Buy Less Crap?

Hi, I'm Steve.

I'm a business owner, investor and firm believer that building wealth doesn't have to be complicated. At 66, I've learned that most people don't need a secret stock tip or a trading guru — what they need is a simple plan they can stick to.

I invest in ETFs, index funds and selected shares using platforms such as Trading 212, InvestEngine and Vanguard. I share what I buy, what I'm researching, the mistakes I make and the lessons I learn along the way.

There are no Lamborghinis here. No rented mansions. No promises of overnight riches. Just regular investing, patience and the power of compounding.

I don't claim to be a financial expert. I'm simply sharing what I do, what I learn and how I approach investing. If you're looking for a simple, no-nonsense approach to building wealth without the hype — welcome aboard.

Read the full story

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Buy Less Crap financial advice?

No. Nothing on this website is financial advice. I share what I do and what I've learned, but your circumstances are different from mine. All investments can go down as well as up. Always do your own research and seek professional advice where appropriate.

Do I need a lot of money to start investing?

No. You can start with as little as £1 on platforms like Trading 212 and InvestEngine. The amount matters less than the habit. Regular small contributions over a long period can grow into something surprisingly meaningful.

What's an ETF?

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a fund that owns a basket of investments — sometimes hundreds or thousands of companies — in a single package. When you buy one share of an ETF, you own a tiny slice of everything inside. It's a simple way to diversify without picking individual stocks. I have a whole page explaining this in plain English.

How is this different from other money websites?

Most money content falls into two camps: complex jargon that puts normal people off, or 'get rich quick' nonsense that doesn't work. Buy Less Crap sits in the middle — honest, simple, and based on what someone actually does with their own money, not what sounds good in theory.

Is Steve a qualified financial adviser?

No. Steve is not registered with or authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). He shares personal experience only. For advice specific to your circumstances, speak with a qualified professional.

Important Information

FOR EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY

This website provides general information about spending habits, saving, investing and personal finance. Nothing on this website is financial advice, investment advice, tax advice or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any investment. Steve is not registered with or authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). All investments can go down as well as up — you may get back less than you put in. Past performance is not a guide to future returns. Always do your own research and seek professional advice where appropriate before making financial decisions.