Living a more sustainable life can be beneficial not only for your health and the planet but also for your wallet. Here are a couple of ideas on how to save money while reducing waste.
Buy quality clothes. When we’re trying to save money, we’re always searching for the cheapest options, like fast fashion. But buying a T-shirt to wear it twice before it literally falls apart means spending more money on a new one and sending even more fabric to landfill. Instead, opt for high quality pieces that might be more expensive at first but will save you money with their durability in the long run. You can also make your jewellery look pristine for years to come with this maintenance guide by Larsen Jewellery.
Read also: Cost per wear – your new approach to shopping
Use beeswax wrap. We get it, plastic cling wrap is available at every supermarket and is such an easy, traditional choice. But here’s the thing: one reusable beeswax wrap lasts at least a year, whereas the average family goes through around 24 rolls of cling wrap per year. So much waste! And so much extra money with every plastic wrap roll priced at $8-$15 and beeswax wraps at $20-$30.
Switch to energy efficient light bulbs. According to energy.gov, it only takes swapping five of the most frequently used light bulbs in your house for energy efficient ones to save $75 per year. Update all of them – and save even more! Using these bulbs also reduces greenhouse emissions from power plants.
Opt for reusable coffee pods. These nasty little things are swamping our landfills like nothing else! If you’re using a coffee machine with pods at home or at the office, how about investing in reusable stainless steel pods? Not only does it significantly reduce the amount of waste but also gives you more options of coffee flavours to choose from. There are also compostable coffee pods available these days – hardly a financial win but still a more environmentally-friendly approach.
Install a programmable thermostat. A handy device that controls your aircon/heating saves tons of money and energy and reduces pollution by simply switching the AC off when you don’t need it.
Use rechargeable batteries. Batteries are the nightmare of every environmentally-conscious person because they’re so hard to dispose of. Put rechargeable batteries into your gadgets, remotes and smoke detectors instead. Most modern rechargeable batteries are able to run as long as single-use ones on one full charge. Imagine, instead of buying a new one every single time, you simply plug it to recharge? Way cheaper and much more convenient.
Read also: Think before you bin it – how to safely dispose of dangerous items
Read digital books. Because, TREES! And also, digital books are much cheaper than paperbacks. If you install Kindle -a free Amazon reading app – on your computer, iPad or mobile phone, you’ll hardly ever have to pay over $10 per book. There is also Kindle Unlimited – a subscription service that allows you to read as many books as you like for only 9.99USD per month. Books on Apple Store are slightly more expensive but are still around $15-$20 per item. Can’t live without the addictive motion of turning real pages? A library card is your sustainable and budget-friendly solution!
Just, Don’t. Buy. Stuff. Seriously, it’s amazing to invest in a swimwear made of recycled fishing nets or an electro-car. But it’s even better to wear (or drive) what you already have. After all, it’s always the ‘reduce’ part of the ‘Reuse, Refuse, Refill and Reduce’ motto that we struggle with the most.
