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The world is slowly moving toward sustainable living, and sometimes, being eco-friendly comes with a premium price tag. But not always.
Switching to eco-friendly products does not have to be a burden on your budget and is easier than you think. These eco-friendly swaps are simple and can save you money.
1. Use Reusable Water Bottles
Plastic waste is one of the largest problems our planet faces today. The United Nations shared some scary facts: a staggering one million plastic bottles are purchased each minute, and according to Statista, only 15% of the world’s plastic is recycled.
A simple swap is reusing your water bottles instead of buying a new one every time you go out. Nowadays, water bottles are an accessory, so you’re bound to find a style that suits your taste and budget.
2. Say No To Plastic Bags at The Store
Have you ever noticed how much you pay for plastic bags each time you go to the store? 15 cents per bag can add up pretty quickly, and you’re just contributing to the world’s plastic problem.
Bring reusable shopping bags on your next shopping trip to save money and the environment. You can make yours at home from old fabric lying around or purchase naturally biodegradable cloth bags. Store them in your car to prevent you from forgetting them.
3. Invest in Reusable Straws
Ditch the plastic straws and invest in reusable straws. They are a great alternative to single-use straws and are made from materials like glass, stainless steel, and silicone.
Many reusable straws come with a bag to make carrying them in purses easier, and they’re easy to clean.
4. Swap Plastic Containers for Glass
Reorganize your cupboards with glass containers instead of plastic. They look nicer and are better for the environment, and you no longer get that plastic-small in your favorite snacks.
While they are more expensive initially, they can last a long time if kept well.
5. Reusable Paper Towels
Paper towels are a must in the kitchen for cleaning up spills or drying the counters. But they’re not particularly good for the environment. Paper towel production is known to contribute to deforestation.
As an alternative, you should use cloth towels. Some companies make packs of reusable cloth “paper” towels that come on an easy-to-use roll.
6. Bulk Buying
Bulk buying your pantry staples is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint because you’re making fewer trips to the store and cutting down on packaging waste. Buying certain grains, nuts, and spices in bulk is more affordable.
Store your grains, nuts, and spices in glass storage jars. Some stores will give you a discount if you bring your own container to fill it.
7. Try Composting
Composting food scraps and yard waste can minimize the amount of waste your household contributes to landfills. You only need a large container, and you can add things like coffee grinds and vegetable peels.
This is also a great fertilizer you can use in your garden, saving you money on garden supplies.
8. Make DIY Cleaning Detergents
Cleaning detergents are full of harsh chemicals and often come in plastic packaging, which just adds to the packaging waste problem. Instead, you can make your own cleaning detergents using eco-friendly ingredients. Plus, they’re cheaper.
Use pantry staples like vinegar, baking soda, and your favorite essential oils. Lemon is more than a fruity accompaniment to your drink. Its antibacterial properties make it an excellent cleaning detergent.
9. Make Natural Air Fresheners
Nothing beats stepping into a freshly scented room, but the air fresheners you find in your local store come with unnecessary plastic packaging. Skip this and make your own natural air fresheners with your favorite scent.
You can make your own reed diffuser with bamboo-based materials or sticks, essential oil blends, and a glass container.
10. Use Reusable Razors
Throw out those disposable razors and invest in a good-quality reusable razor. The blades are only needed to be replaced as needed, lowering your plastic consumption and saving you money.
The great thing about reusable razors is that they come in a wide variety of fun designs and styles for different needs.
11. Choose Solar-Powered Lights
If you live in an area with plenty of sunlight, swap out those electric lights and use solar-powered lights to brighten your outdoor spaces. Solar-powered lights are a game changer because they’re energy-efficient and cost-effective.
You can use solar power in your home. The initial investment can be high, but when your next electricity bill comes in, you’ll see that it pays for itself.
12. DIY Gift Wrapping
San Diego State University says 2.6 billion pounds of wrapping paper is thrown into U.S. landfills. So, the next time you’re tempted to buy that brightly colored wrapping paper, remember there are plenty of things you can use in your home instead.
Some great DIY gift-wrapping ideas include using recycled paper and fabric scraps.
13. Make Your Own Beauty Products
Some great eco-swaps include changing your commercial beauty products into DIY ones you can make using natural ingredients. You can make everything from body butter and styling wax to face toners and oils.
Essential oils, coconut oil, aloe vera, herbs, and shea butter are popular natural ingredients you can try.
14. Go Thrifting
Don’t buy new when you can get thrifted items for a fraction of the price, which has a lowered environmental impact. Whether it’s clothes, furniture, or electronics, your choices are endless.
Visit your nearest thrift store or browser online marketplaces.
13 Frugal Habits You Have Never Heard of, but You Should Know
Are you ready to give your savings account a healthy boost? In today’s world, being frugal isn’t just about clipping coupons or skipping that morning latte. It’s about discovering creative, lesser-known strategies that help you keep more of your hard-earned money. We’ll unveil 13 frugal habits you’ve probably never heard of but should know. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill money-saving tips. These are game-changers! These habits will help you save more, spend less, and ultimately achieve financial freedom.
The 41 Biggest Wastes of Money
If you’re looking for ways to earn more money to put toward your goals, start by examining your spending habits. By tracking your spending and seeing where every dollar goes, you’ll likely find several instances of spending money you don’t have to. It could be little things that add up or recurring monthly expenses that are an utter waste of money.
Once you eliminate your bad spending habits, that money can go toward your emergency fund, paying off debt, or other essential things. Here are the 41 biggest wastes of money to look out for.
- Read More: The 41 Biggest Wastes of Money
