Spending as little as possible while enjoying life is essential to sustainably. That way, you'll have more money to save and invest while helping the environment by reducing your carbon footprint.
Here are some of the best ways to save money and live sustainably that won't sacrifice your lifestyle or bank account balance.
Buy vegetables in season
A great way to save money is by buying in-season vegetables. In-season vegetables will be much cheaper because they will be easier for the farmer to grow. Plus, they taste better too!
You could buy them fresh from the local market or find an excellent online grocer like Fresh Direct or Local Harvest with in-season produce. Some local green markets also offer great deals on seasonal produce as well!
Create your own cleaning products
Making your own cleaning products can save you a lot of money, and it also means you have more control over what goes into them. For example, if you have a problem with specific allergies, you won't have to worry about accidentally exposing yourself when cleaning up around the house.
And on top of that, making your own cleaner also reduces our carbon footprint because no energy is used for transporting anything.
Grow your own garden
A practical way to save money on groceries is to start your own vegetable garden. All you need is soil, a pot or planter with drainage holes, potting mix, water, and a planting container. The variety of vegetables you can grow in containers depends on the size of the container.
Vegetables such as tomatoes, green beans, peppers, squash, and eggplant can all be grown in containers that are at least 18 inches wide or less. Use stakes or poles to support growing larger plants like pole beans or cucumbers.
Fill the container with planting mix (a mixture of soil, peat moss, and vermiculite) so it reaches halfway up the side before adding water.
Do more with less
After coming up with a list of your most essential needs, remember there are many ways to meet those needs without compromising quality.
For example, rather than buying new clothes every season or when they wear out, shop at places like ThredUp, where you can purchase gently used designer clothes for up to 50% off.
This way, you're saving money on a new wardrobe and doing something good for the environment.
Focus on value over price
You can save money and live sustainably with just a few minor changes. By incorporating sustainable practices in your life, you can reduce your carbon footprint, help alleviate poverty worldwide, reduce consumption, use natural resources more efficiently, and so much more.
The three easiest things that anyone can do to make a difference are: to eat lower on the food chain, recycle (both electronic products and paper goods), and consume less overall. These changes will have both ecological benefits and savings for you at home!
Find better alternatives to everyday items
Brown, bag your lunch. Shopping for groceries on a set day once a week can reduce unnecessary impulse purchases.
Buy in bulk when it makes sense
Significant discounts are often found at warehouse stores like Costco, BJ's, Sam's Club, and Amazon Prime Pantry. Consider signing up for an account with one of these retailers to take advantage of monthly offers tailored to your needs.
Another example is purchasing a whole chicken instead of individual pieces. This can be less expensive than buying the parts separately, but you'll have to cook or use all the meat simultaneously.
You could also look for larger package sizes like extra-large coffee cans or jumbo bags of rice since they're typically cheaper per ounce than their smaller counterparts.
Don't buy what you don't need
One of the best ways to save money is to avoid shopping. If you really need something, search online for a better deal. Consider secondhand stores or swap markets with what you are looking for at a fraction of the price.
If you still need it, wait until the end of the month when many retailers will discount their items by 20%.
