There are so many reasons to go green. Some people are extremeley passionate about the enviornment, some love animals and wildlife, some becuase they want to do something to stop the pollution and a lot of people are worried about climate change.
There is one other reason. And sometimes this alone can become a major driving force behind a person to live a more eco friendly lifestyle.
Money.
I grew up in a family where money was sometimes tight and my dad would sometimes go out of his way to switch off lights, use less water, reuse and recycle whatever he could...we joke that he didn't even know it, but he was the first environmentalist in our family. Now as a family of four, I still live by these values and I can't help being extremely careful with how we spend our money. In this article, I'll show you 50 simple ways you can save money and the environment by reducing your utility bills, your family food budget, your travel allowance and your personal expenses.
I believe that changing our mindset is the first and the most fundamental step in living a more sustainable lifestyle. If we can program ourselves to start asking some hard questions, 'do I need to buy this?', 'can I use less of that', 'can I save this', I think half the battle is won. And it all starts with our homes.
Going Green At Home
Use less energy, start switching off lights and appliances when they are not in use or dry your clothes on a washing line.
Request a smart meter from your utlity company. It will show you how much energy you are using in real time and help you cut down on consumption during peak times.
Use less water, consider timing your showers, turning off the taps, or checking for water leakages. And don't forget, if it's yellow, let it mellow, if it's brown, flush it down.
Choose the 'eco' function on your dishwasher and washing machine.
Load your washing machine to it's full capacity. Do the same for your dishwasher.
Replace your light bulbs with energy efficient ones. This might be one your biggest savings!
Invest in water-efficient fixtures, such as water aerators or low-flow shower heads.
Place a bottle filled with bricks and water in your toilet tank and reduce the amount of water that is used for flushing.
Switch to renewable energy. In this article, you can see a comparison of green energy providers in the UK and how much you can save each year.
Make your own cleaning materials using natural ingredients. All you need is 1 cup vinegar and 1 cup water and you have an all purpose cleaner which is pretty much all you need 80% of the time.
No need to buy air fresheners or candles. Pour a few drops of essential oil in a water bottle (or a diffuser) and spray for a clean and fresh smelling home.
And an abvious one...buy less stuff for your house or buy second-hand. You won't just save money, but will spend less time cleaning and sorting things out.
Buy a water butt kit and use the rainwater collected from your roof to water your garden. The kits are suprisingly quite economical and it's a great way to save on your water bill.
Going Green in the Kitchen
Avoid wasting food by planning ahead, buying only what you need and using up leftovers.
Eat less meat. Include meals with lentils, grains and vegetables. These cost signficantly less, are good for your health and also help to reduce your carbon footprint.
Cook from scratch. It's always the healthiest, cheapest and environmentally friendly option. No brainer there. We've recently started using a meal delivery service and yes there is plastic packaging but not as much as you would think, we've managed to cut down our food bill and our food waste. Some services also offset the carbon footprint of your order.
Buy fewer cutlery, crockery and cooking utensils that you will actually use. This also means less cleaning, and saving more on your energy and water bills.
Buy non-perishable items in bulk containers, preferably in a bottle or a box that can be recycled or composted.
Use re-usable kitchen towels instead of paper towels.
Grow your own vegetables and herbs in your garden, balcony or on the kitchen window.
Buy from your local co-op. You will save money and support small businesses.
Compost your food waste and feed your your garden.
Going Green with Fashion & Beauty
What colour suits you? What fits you best? Get to know your style and then stick to it. This way you will buy less and only those clothes and shoes that you lactually ove.
Create a capsule wadrobe. Layer up and down depending on the season. Choose timeless and classic accessories to go with your wardrobe, this is why we've curated a collection of vegan bags and wallets in neutral colours that go with multiple outfits and ocassions.
Shop secondhand at thrift stores and vintage boutiques.
Invest in quality pieces that will last you a long time and also those that won't go out of fashion. You will save a lot in the long run. At House of Ethics, we love using cork leather as a sustainable material that is built for longevity and durability. As cork leather bags and wallets are water-resistant, you can use them all year round too.
Give old clothes a new life and repair or mend them. If nothing else, cut them into rags and use them for cleaning your home.
Host a clothes / bag swap party and exchange your pre-loved items with your friends.
Make your own beauty products from natural ingredients that you already have in your kitchen. Coconut oil makes a great mosturizer, it also works very well as a hair conditioner.
Consider using a menstural cup or reusable sanitary napkins.
Avoid buying unecessary products. Do you really need a separate scrub for face, body and your feet?
Going Green With Your Kids
Reuse paper from your home printer for crafts and scribbling.
Buy secondhand toys and you will save a fortune!
Invest in rechargeable batteries for toys.
Get a library card instead of buying new books.
Stop buying disposable wipes and tissue paper and use handkerchiefs for runny noses (I actually use burp cloths from when they were babies).
Switch to reusable or cloth nappies, these are especially useful when you start toilet training them.
Going Green On The Go
Buy a one-time reusable water and cut down on your plastic consumption.
Bring your own shopping tote bag and avoid paying a fee for purchasing plastic carriers.
Stop buying coffee. Instead drink your homemade coffee in an insulated travel mug.
Work from home on 1 - 2 days / week if possible and hold a virtual meeting with your team / clients. Flexible working hours will also help to save you on fuel.
Find a car sharing club online and share the cost of fuel.
Learn to drive more efficiently. Read these tips to find out how.
Ditch the car and choose to walk or cycle, especially for shorter journeys.
Going Green with Leisure
Download electronic and audio books. Books on kindle can be cheaper, and you get to save not just paper but the environmental cost of packing and shipping the books.
Plan a staycation instead of going on holiday this summer.
Shop, stay and eat at local businessess while on vacation, it's often the cheapest option and a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture and support the local economy.
Indulge in experiences instead of buying souveniors or gifts.
Avoid taking an expensive gym membership and go outdoors. Take up running, cycling, hiking or a water sport and save money while you stay fit.
Ask friends and family to donate to your favourite charity for your birthday this year.
I hope this blog was helpful in giving you some money saving tips on living a more sustainable lifestyle. Time and time again, I have noticed how much differenet my life is now that I practice to live more simply and bit more consciouslly...I have more savings, I have better health, I have more time and most of all I feel more present with my family. How about you? Which actions do you believe you can take that will help you save more this month?
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