Random Sustainable Things You Can Do If You’re Broke Like Me
Because inflation is nuts.
It’s been about 3 years since I started my zero-waste lifestyle, and gradually, I’ve been able to make permanent switches that have saved me money and headaches. Yes, it’s definitely more of an investment at the front end, but the fact that I never have to buy those replacement razor heads with the thick shave lotion bar on them for $13+ or that my body care products don’t have ingredient lists where I can’t read over half the damn things without stumbling over my words has been so, so nice.
But I also get that one of the major reasons that people don’t want to start making the switches is the initial upfront cost. And what if you spend the money only to realize you DON’T like/can’t use the product you just dropped a significant amount on (I’m looking at you, menstrual cups…)?
While I could provide you with a list of sustainable products that you can swap along with some Girl Math™️ to drive the cost-efficiency home, I feel like a lot of people in the sustainable/eco-friendly living space have done, are doing, and will do that. This is good, and it does give us as consumers options, but what about things that we can do that are eco-friendly and FREE?
With that being said, here are some things that I do and you can do too if you want to save the planet and your money:
SAVE YOUR SHOWER WATER - I have a Lowe’s bucket I keep in my bathroom, and before I take a shower, I plop it in the tub and it collects the water as it warms up. If I’m already paying for the water, why not catch it so I can use it instead of letting it go down the drain? I like to use the water for my indoor and outdoor plants, and if needed, I use the water to handwash clothes or to mop the floor. So, use some kind of vessel you have (you literally can use anything you already have that will catch water) to take that water and repurpose it!
SHOP/REVAMP YOUR CLOSET- I love clothes; after a closet audit I conducted, I’ve recently come to the realization that I have wayyy too many. Some of these things, I haven’t even worn in a year—so instead of donating them where they could potentially not even make it to the sales rack and end up in landfill, I’m taking time to style those clothing articles into outfits that make me WANT to wear them. I’m also putting my DIY skills to use and customizing them because why the heck not? You’d be surprised at the number of ways you can wear something, so feel free to experiment!
BE A TRASH PANDA - This isn’t the most aesthetic tip, but the thrill you get when finding a random pen on the ground or when you see a box of free items left outside on a curb is kind of addicting. Or, maybe you have a friend/family member who is planning to donate things they don’t need/use and you ask to rummage through. I have a tea tin full of free pens that sprouted out of the ground and a number of clothes and other items that came from people that were giving them away and I didn’t need to pay a single cent. Keep your eyes peeled and ask questions, and who knows, you might end up collecting some cool stuff for free!
BE A GOOD FRIEND - Hear me out: you should be a good person regardless, but a plus of being a nice person and having a community is the circularity that comes with it. When I have something in my closet that I don’t wear/need, I can turn to my girlfriends, and more often than not, they’ll take it off my hands, and vice versa. Sometimes faculty members bring fresh fruit and veggies from their gardens to share, and I’ve paid it back by making them zucchini bread. Or, I’m a regular at a few local coffee shops and the baristas let me know about upcoming events and deals ahead of time. Being kind to your community is one of the most beneficial things you can do and IT’S 100% FREE.
Hopefully, some of these tips can prove helpful and you can see a definite dent in your spending as you implement these into your life! Stay green, folks! ❣
