by Serina Bird
Can you save money while living sustainably?
Yes, you can. And in my own way, I’ve been making some sustainable choices for years – whilst saving money.
Climate change often seems bleak and apocalyptic, a crisis that is an unfolding inevitably with individuals helpless to prevent it. Or the only way to do anything is to pour a fortune into high-tech, expensive, or green products to do anything about the problem.
But there are many things people can do that is both good for our wallet and also for the environment. The power of small actions by many individuals can result in enormous changes.
Four years ago, I helped my eldest son participate in a primary school contest aimed at reducing carbon emissions in the house.
At first, I didn’t feel enthusiastic about the challenge. I was a single parent with two young kids, working full time, severely time-pressed and trying to save, save, save. I didn’t have the time or energy to go and install double glazed windows or buy fancy green laundry products. I thought the challenge would disintegrate into one of those parental failure moments I deem ‘bad mother syndrome’.
But then I looked at what was on the list of things you could do to reduce emissions, and it suddenly dawned on me: the frugalista lifestyle is more than just saving money. I was also an environmental warrior.
Just by choosing to step off the hyper consumer treadmill, I save money, and I help the environment. By making a conscious decision to say no to junk that I don’t really need and doesn’t bring me joy, and instead embracing a more sustainable lifestyle, I save a fortune, and get to be an environmental warrior to boot. Here are some examples of things I do that saves money and helps the environment:
Getting things for free through the Buy Nothing Project
Rather than buy something new from the shops (or online), rejoice in the abundance of my community. A member of my group recently gifted me a kite (great for my kids to play with), and another gifted a candy thermometer (bring on toffees). And I’ll be giving away some no longer needed kitchen items. Karma goes around in this fabulous group.
Savings: up to $500 a year, sometimes more
Community goodwill: priceless
Environmental impact: medium - less items ending up in landfill
Using my local library
Before rushing out to buy a new book, DVD or CD, I always see what your library has on offer. This week, I picked up a brand new book about podcasting, two CDs and two DVD sets. Local libraries have also been such a blessing for my kid's books, as they go through them so quickly.
Savings: around $400 a year.
Learning and enrichment: thousands of dollars
Environmental impact: high - less printed media and multimedia
Insulating our home
The winters go down to around minus 8 C where I live, and we had a record three days over 40 degrees in summer. We enhanced our insulation with bubble wrap (yes, it works) while also relying on quality curtains. We only heat our homes to 18 to 20C in winter, and cool to 24 to 25C in summer.
Savings: we save at least $500
Environment impact: reduced emissions
Choosing second-hand clothes
I rarely buy brand new clothes. Instead, I shop at community op shops or participate in clothes swap with friends. I’m a proud second-hand rose. I give generously too, and I find that people unexpectedly give me things.
Savings: Up to $100 per month
Community: high, especially if supporting local op shops
Environmental impact: helps reduce fast fashion that goes to landfill
Using active transport
We try to walk or cycle wherever possible. This saves petrol, wear and tear, parking and the need for a gym membership. It also enabled us to only use one car between us.
Savings: over $5,000 a year
Wellbeing: high
Environmental impact: high, fewer emissions
Pegging out the washing
Did you know that an average clothes dryers cost up to $1.17 per cycle? We rarely use our clothes dryer, preferring to peg out in the sun. I find our clothes last much longer as well.
Savings: around $56 per year
Environmental impact: high – use free solar and wind power instead
Saying no to plastic water bottles
No self-respecting frugalista would pay money for bottled money – crazy! Australia has some of the best water in the world. We keep drink bottles handy and fill up tap water for free when we need to. We also avoid bottles or cans of soft drink as well.
Savings: $150 a year
Environmental impact: high – reduced plastics and reduced landfill
Using environmental cleaning products
Yep, I make my own laundry powder. And surface spray, wool mix and dishwasher tablets. The ingredients are cheap, easy to source and kind to the environment. And they don’t take too long to make either.
Savings: $250 a year
Environmental impact: high – fewer pollutants in your home and waterways
Perhaps not surprisingly, my son won the contest at his school. We are still not perfect, and there is still more we can do as a family, but at least this is a start. And that’s it: you can make choices that will be save you money and save the environment. The little things matter and add up. So don’t feel like you are helpless – there is lots that you can do, and I hope you will feel inspired to take a first step.
