Join The Movement and Save Money While Saving The Planet

Is there anything better than saving money? Well, perhaps saving the planet is high on your list, too.

Every dollar saved is a victory, but it can also be victorious for the planet, too. Here are a few ways you can make your life more eco-friendly - while also saving some serious coin.

Borrow or Rent

Many people assume that in order to save the planet, they need to buy the latest and greatest “green products.”

That’s a dangerous misconception - and it’s one driven by major corporations and influencers who only stand to gain from you spending more money on the “eco-friendly” products they’re recommending.

The truth is that you don’t need to spend a dime in order to save money and help the planet- you just need to change up your habits.

One is to consider your purchasing habits. Our consumerist society promotes the idea of owning tons of stuff. However, you can challenge this idea by saying no to having to own absolutely everything.

The first step is to consider whether you actually need an item - or whether it’s just something you want. If it’s the latter, know that it’s still okay to acquire that item - but you should give a second thought to how you go about acquiring it.

Rather than buying something, can you borrow it from a friend or rent it? How many items do you have in your house that you rarely use? Chances are, many of these items are things that you could have borrowed or rented instead of purchasing.

Some examples include items like books, tools, party supplies, toys, vehicles, camping gear, and more. The next time you need something, ask yourself, “could I borrow or rent this from someone else instead?”

Not only will you save money, but you’ll have less clutter filling up your home, too.

Shop Second-Hand

Just as it often makes more sense to borrow or rent an item, it often makes more sense to shop secondhand than to buy new, too.

There are all kinds of secondhand items in thrift shops and rummage sales that are just waiting for new homes. Not only do these items always cost significantly less than brand new items (with many being gently or never even used!) but hunting for these treasures at thrift stores is also an incredibly fun activity.

The argument that many people have to shop secondhand is that they just don’t have the time to go on these little treasure hunts - and that’s a fair analysis! However, there are ways around this dilemma, too. There are all kinds of secondhand marketplaces that you can peruse in the comfort of your own home when you have free time.

Examples include Craigslist, Facebook marketplace, eBay, Etsy, and more.

BYO Drink Bottle

How many times have you bought a bottle of water, simply because you were thirsty and not anywhere close to home?

Too many of us rely on single-use plastic water bottles to quench our thirst, and this is an easy swap you can make for a more eco-friendly lifestyle.

Whether you’re going to work, school, or traveling, make sure you bring your own water bottle. Very little plastic is recycled around the world, with the remainder being burned, landfilled, or thrown into the natural environment. Plastic is cluttering up our oceans, killing wildlife, and having a major (and negative) impact on our health.

Stop contributing to that crisis. Instead, bring your own refillable water bottle with you wherever you go. You’ll help save the environment and save some cash of your own, too.

Limit One-Time Use Items

Water bottles aren’t the only single-use items you need to stop using. If you really want to help the planet and save some money, you should put some thought into other products that you can nix.

Things like napkins, paper towels, tissues, cling wrap, plastic razors, tampons, and even diapers are loaded with plastic, from the way they are constructed to the way they are packaged.

The good news is that there are plenty of reusable options you can use instead. While reusable pads might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it’s easy to make the switch in places that you’re the most comfortable with. Start with just one of these products and go from there:

• Food wrap and disposable to-go containers

• Plastic utensils

• Shopping bags

• Cleaning products

• Dish soap

• Sponges

• Food storage jars

• Coffee cups

• Teabags

• Coffee filters

• Paper towels

• Personal care products (razors, soap, cosmetics, etc)

• Menstrual products

Grow Your Own

Gardening is a fantastic hobby for so many reasons. You can save money, have more control over your health and diet, and of course, positively influence the health of the planet.

Many people believe that gardening is not an option for them because of where they live. Think again! Even if you live in a crowded apartment in the middle of a city, growing your own food is still a realistic possibility.

The secret? Get creative!

For example, if you live in a crowded city apartment, you can still grow your own countertop herbs on a windowsill. No sunny windowsill? No problem. Invest in a set of eco-friendly LED grow lights and you can grow plants regardless of the conditions.

You can even regrow many types of fruits, vegetables, and herbs from scratch - meaning you won’t have to worry about buying expensive seeds and seedlings from the store. Examples of foods you can regrow from scraps include lettuce, avocado, pineapple, and celery.

Avoid Private Transport Where Possible

In some rural parts of the world, public transportation is, sadly, not much of an option. However, that’s not the case for most people in most cities.

Consider some eco-friendly alternatives to driving your own car (by yourself) everywhere you need to go. Options include public transportation (buses, subway systems, trolleys, and ferries) as well as walking and cycling.

If you’re unlucky enough to live somewhere in which public transportation is not an option, there are still ways you can save money and cut back on air pollution. An example? Carpooling or ridesharing.

It’s important to note that these switches not only cut back on how much gas you will use, but they can reduce the miles you put on your car (reducing wear and tear). In many places, there are discounts or other financial incentives for people who choose to carpool or use public transportation, too.

Work Out at Home

There’s no question about it - engaging in regular exercise is one of the best things you can do for your health.

However, far too many of us are spending a lot of unnecessary money on gym memberships. If you spend hundreds to thousands of dollars each year on a gym membership, there’s a good chance that you aren’t taking full advantage of it - and it’s an unnecessary expense that you can easily forego.

Set up your own gym space at home. Consider which machines or equipment you use most often at the gym and think of ways you can recreate that effect at home. Chances are, you’re like most people and stick to a few tried-and-true exercises.

Invest in a set of dumbbells or kettlebells, an exercise mat, and perhaps a treadmill. Even though these things cost money upfront, you’ll likely recoup them in the first few months of use alone.

Not sure what exercises to do - or perhaps used to working with a fitness instructor or personal trainer in a class setting? Don’t worry - there’s a solution for that, too. It’s easy to find yoga practitioners, kettlebell instructors, and even running coaches - all right online. They’ll offer you all the fitness tips and videos you need for at-home guidance.

Plus, with all of your gear right in your own living room, you’re much less likely to make excuses and avoid getting in that sweat session you so desperately need!

Enjoy State Parks and State Forests

Visiting and spending time in nature is undeniably good for our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Many of us realized this amidst the COVID-19 pandemic when other options for entertainment were more or less limited.

The good news about this is that spending time in nature is free - and it’s great for the environment. This is an eco-friendly lifestyle habit that can save you money, improve your health, and help the planet all at once.

You don’t have to pay an entry fee for most “green” public spaces. These include national parks, local beaches, city parks, state forests, and botanical gardens. Even those that do require a fee put the money toward good use - most of the time, these fees are used for conservation or upkeep.

Next time you’re looking for an activity to fill your time on the weekend - or perhaps an idea for a family vacation - consider doing something in the great outdoors, like going hiking or taking a family camping trip.

Do It Yourself

Doing things yourself can save a lot of money. You won’t have to worry about outsourcing expenses to someone else - and you’ll also build a ton of self-respect as you tackle tasks that you once thought you never could.

Again, the Internet is a treasure trove of information if you want to get started with a more DIY lifestyle. You can teach yourself just about everything, from how to fix holes in your socks to how to do an oil change on your car. YOu can even learn how to cook your own food and bake your own bread!

If you have the will, the Internet has made sure that there is always a way. This is a great way to save money, time, and of course - help the planet all at the same time.

Worst case scenario, if you do need to outsource something (doing your own plumbing or electrical work might not be something you’re comfortable with - and that’s okay!), you might want to see if you can barter or trade as payment instead of offering a cash payment.

Sometimes, this is frowned upon, but in many places and neighborhoods, it’s still a totally legitimate way of doing business. Not having to exchange money is a great way to reduce your expenses while maximizing the bonds you have with other members of the community.

Don’t forget-  it’s not just items you can barter or trade, but services. If you have a knack for carpentry and your friend is a wonderful plumber, team up and see what you can trade with each other in exchange for helpful labor.

Other Eco-Friendly Lifestyle Habits

The list above is, of course, not an exhaustive list of everything you can do to improve the health of the planet and save money. There are countless other ways you can go about these simple swaps.

For example, stop using dryers! Not only do they damage your clothing, but they use more energy than anything else in your home. Dry your clothing on the line, and you’ll not only cut back on the number of clothes that become damaged or destroyed by the dryer (reducing the number of clothing items you need to repair or replace) but you’ll also save on your energy bills, too.

You can even switch to power strips with on/off buttons. This sounds like a stupidly simple swap, but the reality is that, if you have a power strip with an off switch, you can power down all of your attached appliances at once - rather than having to unplug them individually. No more energy vampires draining your wallet and destroying the environment!

There are dozens - if not hundreds - of other potential swaps you can make, too. Start by rethinking your daily routine and think of ways you can substitute to help you save money, time, and energy use.

Rethink Your Lifestyle Habits Today For A Better World Tomorrow

You don’t need to go all out and buy a new, hybrid car in order to live an eco-friendly lifestyle. There are small, simple changes you can make that will not only help the planet - but they’ll benefit your wallet, too.

Turn your lights off when you leave the room. Use reusable shopping bags. Rethink your recreation routine.

Whichever one of these eco-friendly lifestyle habits you choose to implement, know that you’re making a smart choice - and on so many levels!

Karen A Mulvey is a personal social blogger and mom with 14 years of experience in the every day world of motherhood and sustainable product research. Karen is on a mission to help everyday families select sustainable, non-toxic organic products, stop stressing about uncertainties on sustainable home goods and apparel, and start living the life they’ve always wanted.

Follow Karen at @karenAmulveycs | Karen A Mulvey

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