Living a sustainable life at home may sound expensive (thanks to influencers and Greenwashing), but did you know you could actually save a lot of money by doing this?
Sustainability is all about using what you already have, and you can save a lot of money going that route. So, here is exactly how sustainability and frugality can be intertwined!
1. Grow your own Vegetables & Fruit
Growing your own vegetables is a great way to be sustainable. The first step is to find a good patch of soil to plant your vegetable seeds. I think it’s also important to avoid using chemicals and instead rely on locally available materials and resources for fertilization. Starting a compost pile or bin, employing rain catchment systems, using native plants, and reusing materials are also great ways to practice sustainable vegetable gardening.
2. Buying Local Foods and Bringing Your Own Containers
I found that shopping locally at my town’s farmer’s market is a great way to save money, but also to eat produce that’s in season. This way, I know I’m getting the best nutrition and it’s also nice to try something new each season.
I also find that buying in bulk helps a lot and often you can get a slight discount for buying not-so-perfect (but still very edible) fruit and vegetables. There are so many benefits of buying local foods – not only do you get fresher and healthier food, but also you can support the local economy and environment.
The best part is that it’s not just about what you eat, but how you eat it too! Bringing your own containers is a simple way to reduce waste in landfills. It’s also a great way to save money on groceries because the containers can be purchased for cheap or even made at home. You’re producing less waste while at the same time saving quite a lot of money.
3. Consuming Less Food and Packaging
Did you know that packaging is the second largest contributor to global landfills? A lot of things go to landfills, and this is something everyone is contributing to.
Consuming less food and packaging will help the environment by reducing pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and waste. It will also save money for the consumer. So, why not skip out on processed foods? You’ll save money and eat healthier. Plus, you could even look into bulk shopping.
4. Saving money on toiletries, soap and shower gels
We use these all the time and I’ve recently noticed how much the cost ads up. The good news is that there are several ways to save money on personal toiletries, soap, shower gel, and toothpaste.
One way is to buy in bulk. This can be done by purchasing larger sizes of products or by buying multiple items at once. Another way is to switch to generic or store-brand products instead of name-brand products. In my experience, they work just as well as the brand names.
Additionally, using coupons and taking advantage of sales can also save money. Finally, being mindful of usage and not wasting products can help stretch them further.
5. Saving Energy at Home
Energy costs are on the rise but living sustainably case help you save on energy cost. It’s important to take steps to save energy at home. There are many ways to save energy at home. One of the most important things is to check your insulation. Insulation can be installed in your attic, basement, walls, and floors. It helps keep the heat in during winter and cool air in during summer. But there are other ways how you can do it.
– Turn off lights when leaving a room
– Unplug electronics when not in use
– Use natural light whenever possible
– Turn off the water while brushing teeth or shaving
In general, you’re using less. Therefore you’re spending less. Of course, things like insulation need to be taken right into account too.
6. Driving Less & Using Public Transportation
In order to save money and the environment, more people are choosing public transportation over driving their cars. There are many benefits of public transportation, such as saving money on gas, reducing carbon emissions in the air, and getting exercise while waiting for the bus.
If you drive less, you will be able to save more money in the long run by avoiding expensive repairs and fuel costs. Public transportation can be a good alternative for people who want to drive less or have trouble with driving due to disabilities or other reasons.
7. Extending Life of Household Goods
This could tie into clothes as well, but if you think about it, you’re saving money by buying parts to fix your washing machine rather than buying a new appliance, right? So, why not do this instead of throwing out the entire appliance?
Stay in touch
Hope this post inspires you and of course, I’d love to know what you think! Let me know in the comments below or find me on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter and add the hashtag #practicalfrugality so that I can see your post.
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Magdalena
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