Over the last few months I’ve been obsessively researching going green tips to help me create a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle.
Since about June or so I’ve been slowly making changes to create a more waste-free life (I’m nowhere near there, but I aim to eventually), and with every change I’ve made I’ve noticed something: going green is actually really great on your wallet.
Once I started thinking about it, it made a lot of sense–when you’re living a green lifestyle, a few things are going to happen that help you get the most out of the products you use.
I have noticed a real change in spending habits whenever I am focusing on green living. So here are 10 going green life-truths that I’ve found really make a notable change in how fat my wallet is and I thought I’d share them with you now!
1. Going green helps you buy fewer products
If you’re focusing on reducing your environmental impact, you naturally buy fewer products. Buying fewer products = spending less money = more money in your bank account. It’s pretty simple, really.
2. You use more raw ingredients rather than pre-made items
For example, instead of buying a hot chocolate at Starbucks for around $4, I can make my own at home for around 15 cents using cocoa powder, sugar, and a bit of cinnamon or just buying hot chocolate powder in bulk. There’s no comparison.
3. You actually use the products you have
If you’re focused on reducing waste, you are more likely to actually use the products you have. Instead of hoarding 27 different body butters, you actually use the ones you have instead of buying more.
4. You make your own food
I know, I know, I’ve starting to sound like a broken record, but making your own lunches can save you so much time and money! As well, you’re creating less packaging waste since you can use re-usable containers to bring it to school or work. Think about it: even if you just bought a 6-inch sub every weekday, that’s about $25 a week, whereas you can make yourself lunches out of leftovers for less than $7 a week (Monday-Friday) quite easily. That’s saving $18 a week. Over the next 5 years, packing a lunch has saved you a whopping $4,680.
5. You invest in a few, reusable items
Although this can seem at first like you’re spending more money, look at it long term: instead of buying a bottled water on campus every day for $1, buying a $10 water bottle and then filling it up is saving you money in only two weeks. This is seen in so many things–cotton pads for taking off makeup, for instance, are about $2-4 a package which lasts me about 2 months on average. I sewed myself a bunch out of some old cotton flannel pyjamas for free and can re-use them until they fall apart in years. I know that’s not that much, but it’s a coffee every week!
6. You have lower electricity bill
By focusing on hand-washing dishes most of the time and turning off lights we cut our electricity bill by about $5-7 a month, which is about a 15% decrease for us (Who doesn’t want 15% off their electricity bill?!)
7. You get creative
This may not seem like a money-saver, but as you’re trying to spruce up a room or make a new body butter you have to stretch yourself. What can you substitute in this recipe? How can you reorganize the decorations you already have all over the house to give this room new life? Are there any DIY projects you can create using rags or scrap fabric?
I’m working on a rag rug right now that is using up all my extra fabric from quilting and sewing projects over the years as well as clothing items that can no longer be worn. It’s saving us a ton of money since an area rug costs mucho dinero, it’s fun to make, and it uses up stuff that would have otherwise gone into a landfill!
What are some positive benefits of going green you have experienced? Share them in the comments below and we’ll chat!
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