Living a greener lifestyle doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. With some small changes and a bit of creativity, I’ve found many frugal ways to reduce my environmental impact while sticking to a budget. Here are 10 frugal tips to help you live greener without spending too much green.
1. Reduce Food Waste
Food waste contributes major greenhouse gas emissions. I’ve significantly cut down on my food waste by planning meals, using leftovers creatively, and freezing extra produce before it goes bad. Meal planning ensures I only buy what I need and reduces impulse purchases. Getting creative with leftovers like turning leftovers into new meals helps cut down on tossing stale food. Freezing extra fruits and veggies that I won’t use right away avoids spoilage and waste. With some planning and ingenuity in the kitchen, reducing food waste is an easy and frugal way to go green.
2. Buy Secondhand
Shopping at thrift stores and garage sales keeps used goods in circulation and out of landfills. I furnish my home, fill my closet, and find unique treasures almost exclusively secondhand. Buying quality used goods at a fraction of retail price is easy on the wallet. And keeping used goods circulating through reuse and resale has major environmental benefits.
3. Use Reusable Alternatives
Many disposable plastic products have reusable alternatives. Investing in a few key reusable items eliminates waste and saves money over time. I use reusable shopping bags, produce bags, water bottles, and coffee mugs. And I’ve swapped disposable items like paper towels, plastic wrap, and zip top bags for reusable dishcloths, beeswax wrap, and glass storage containers. The small upfront investment in reusable alternatives pays off with less waste and spending.
4. Conserve Energy
Simple habit changes around the house conserve energy and lower utility bills. I save energy by turning off lights when leaving a room, using LED bulbs, sealing drafts, adjusting the thermostat seasonally, and running full loads in the washer, dryer and dishwasher. I also utilize my crockpot and use small appliances like the instant pot to cook meals in an energy efficient way. These small daily measures add up to real energy savings.
5. Use Bar Soap Over Liquid
I’ve ditched disposable plastic liquid soap and body wash bottles by switching to bar soap. Bar soap lasts longer than liquid, reducing plastic waste and cost over time. And bar soap packaging has much less plastic. To find environmentally friendly bar soaps, I look for options that use natural ingredients and come in minimal paper or cardboard packaging. Using bar soap is an easy way to be more sustainable in the shower for less.
6. Grow Food at Home
Growing some of my own fruits and vegetables saves money at the grocery store and reduces the environmental impact of food transportation. I save money by growing herbs and greens in container gardens on my balcony and windowsills. And I get exercise and fresh organic produce from maintaining a small raised bed for tomatoes, peas and other crops during summer. Even devoting a small outdoor space or container to homegrown food makes a greener impact.
7. Walk and Bike More
When possible, I opt to walk or bike for shorter trips instead of driving. This eliminates transportation emissions, saves on gas money, and gets me outside exercising. I plan my weekly errands strategically and combine multiple stops into one trip I can walk or bike to. For longer commutes, I take advantage of public transport options when available. And I carpool with coworkers for events. Choosing to walk, bike or share rides reduces my environmental footprint without an added cost.
8. Reduce Single Use Plastics
Avoiding single use plastics saves money and reduces waste. I pack lunches in reusable containers instead of disposable plastic bags. I steer clear of unnecessary packaging when shopping. And I make my own cleaning products that come without disposable plastic spray bottles. Small daily choices to avoid disposable plastics accumulate to make a larger sustainability impact over time.
9. Borrow and Share Instead of Buying New
Before purchasing a new household item, I first look to borrow from neighbors and friends. Many neighbors are happy to loan out specialty kitchen tools, lawn equipment, and other items that would otherwise just be gathering dust. I also utilize public libraries for books and movies instead of purchasing. And I join local Buy Nothing groups to share household goods within my community. Borrowing, sharing and repurposing used goods saves the cost of buying new.
10. DIY Household Cleaners
Store bought cleaners come with disposable plastic bottles and expensive price tags. Instead, I make my own all-purpose cleaner, window cleaner, tub scrub, and other household cleaners from a few simple natural ingredients. My usual ingredients include baking soda, vinegar, lemon, and castile soap. DIY cleaners work just as well without harsh chemicals or the expense. And I get to reuse and repurpose glass spray bottles instead of disposing plastic ones.
With some effort, living sustainably on a budget is achievable through everyday choices. Small steps to reduce waste, conserve energy, and reuse goods make a meaningful environmental difference and leave some extra green in my wallet. What frugal tips do you have for living green? I’d love to learn any creative ideas!
