Greenwashing culture is hard at work trying to convince us that we MUST buy the latest and trendiest ‘green’ products in order to feel as though we’re saving the planet. This type of marketing also has people convinced that eco-friendly living is expensive and unaffordable for most. We’re here to argue that this is not the case. In fact, when done in the spirit of resource sustainability, an eco-friendly lifestyle should be significantly less expensive than the alternative.
Here are 5 lifestyle tips that will help save money while being kind to our planet:
Borrow or Rent
While consumer culture perpetuates the idea that “ she who owns the most stuff wins”, we can challenge this mentality by saying NO to accumulating massive amounts of material possessions. Before going shopping for a new item, ask yourself “how many times will I use this item and could I borrow or rent it instead?” See our post on Shopping Mindfully for some great suggestions.
Shop Second-Hand
Once you’ve determined that it does in fact make sense to purchase an item instead of renting or borrowing, see if you’re able to buy it second-hand from a thrift shop, antique market or even online. There are many benefits to shopping second-hand: you’ll save money, do something good for the planet, and there's also a good chance that you’ll end up with some pretty cool and unique pieces.
Single Use Items
Napkins, tissues, tampons, plastic razors, paper towels and bottled drinks are a few examples of single use items that, over time, can add up to a tremendous amount of waste. Thankfully there are a plethora of reusable options available, making the switch to a more eco-friendly lifestyle feel seamless. While the upfront cost may be higher, you will save money in the long run. Our friends at Logan & Finlay have a great selection of eco-friendly, low waste, and reusable goods.
Barter + Trade
Before money was commonly used for the exchange of goods and services, people used to barter and trade, meaning that goods and services were exchanged without the use of money.
Although it is now less common, today people continue to barter and trade their goods, labour and time with people in their communities. Keeping these transactions at a local level helps to ensure that the environmental footprint is as small as possible and also serves to strengthen bonds within communities.
Enjoy Free Green Spaces
Get outside and enjoy nature! There are loads of beautiful and accessible public green spaces that you can enjoy without spending a dollar. Beaches, parks, botanical gardens and forests are a few of our favourites. Grab your favourite blanket and head for a day at the beach, a picnic at the park (no single-use items please) or a beautiful hike in the woods.
These suggestions may sound insignificant, but we truly believe that small actions and choices repeated over time can lead to great change both for our lifestyle and for the planet.
Until next time,
Stray & Wander