Living Sustainably on a Budget: 7 Eco-Friendly Habits That Save You Money
You can’t help but see them on social media: the “eco-warriors.” They hold up a single mason jar full of trash from the whole year and make their own kombucha from a strange organism called SCOBY.
It can be very scary, but it can also be very inspiring. For the rest of us who are busy with work, bills, and other things, the idea of a zero-waste lifestyle can seem impossible. People think that being eco-friendly costs a lot of money, takes a lot of time, and means changing your whole life.
What if that’s all wrong?
What if I told you that some of the best choices you can make for the environment will also help you save money? Don’t feel bad about it or feel like you have to do it. This is your guide to living sustainably on a budget, with a focus on small changes and habits that are good for the environment and your wallet.
The Myth of the “Perfect” Environmentalist
First, let’s make one thing clear: there will be no judgment here. You don’t have to be perfect. The world doesn’t need a few people to do sustainability perfectly; it needs millions of people to do it imperfectly. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about making progress. Every little thing you do adds up to a huge effect on the whole.
The Golden Rule: Cut down first, then replace
Before we even think about buying a single reusable item, let’s adopt the most powerful and cost-effective habit for the environment: buying less. The best thing for the environment is not buying anything. Before you buy anything, ask yourself:
Do I really need this?
Is it okay to borrow it from someone?
Is it possible to find it used?
This change in thinking is the key to living a long and financially smart life. Now, let’s talk about the simple changes that will save you money.
4 Kitchen Changes That Will Pay for Themselves Quickly
The kitchen is where a lot of waste and spending happens. Taking it on first gives you the biggest and most immediate wins.
1. Stop going to the cafe every day (and using paper cups)
That $5 latte every day? It costs you more than $1,800 a year and makes a lot of cups that can’t be recycled.
The Swap: A classic French press or a reusable coffee pod, like the Keurig My K-Cup.
The Savings: I once made oat milk myself. It was a gray, lumpy mess. When I focused on my daily coffee, the game changed. I stopped going to the expensive coffee shop and started using a reusable pod with my favorite ground coffee. I started saving more than $20 a week right away, and my trash can was a lot less full. It taught me that the best habit is one that you will actually stick to.
2. Stop using paper towels
Paper towels can be a sneaky way to ruin your budget. They cost between $180 and $250 a year for the average American family.
The Swap: a set of Swedish dishcloths or plain microfiber cloths.
The Savings: A pack of 10 Swedish dishcloths costs about $15 and can replace up to 150 rolls of paper towels. At the end of their life, they can be composted, machine washed, and are very absorbent. You only need to buy them once, and they’ll last for at least a year.
3. Change the way you wrap your food
Plastic wrap is hard to use, can’t be reused, and is bad for the environment.
You can trade beeswax food wraps for a set of silicone stretch lids.
The Savings: These only cost $15 to $25 for a set, but they last for a year or more, so you won’t have to keep buying rolls of plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
4. Buy in bulk (the smart way)
Buying things like rice, pasta, oats, and spices in bulk at the grocery store is a classic way to save money.
The Swap: Bring your own glass jars or cloth bags that you can use again.
The Savings: The cost per ounce is usually much lower because you don’t have to pay for fancy packaging and advertising. You can also buy the exact amount you need, which cuts down on food waste by a lot, which saves you even more money.
Three More Ways to Win at Home Besides the Kitchen
The savings don’t end in the kitchen.
5. Be a “Thrift Store Hero”
Fast fashion makes a lot of trash and pollution. The cure? Accepting secondhand.
The Habit: Before you buy new clothes, furniture, or books, look at your local thrift store, consignment shop, or online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace and Poshmark.
The Savings: It’s clear that you’ll save money because you can get high-quality, one-of-a-kind items for a fraction of their original price. Instead of just clicking to buy, it makes shopping a fun treasure hunt.
6. Change to LED light bulbs
This is one of the simplest changes you can make that you won’t have to think about again.
The Swap: When your old incandescent bulbs burn out, switch them out for LEDs that use less energy.
The Savings: LED bulbs use at least 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last up to 25 times longer, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. This easy change can help you save more than $100 a year on your electric bill.
7. Learn how to prepare food well
How much food do you throw away every week? For the average American family, it’s worth about $1,600 a year.
The Habit: Spend one or two hours on Sunday planning your meals for the week, chopping up vegetables, and making a big batch of a staple food like chicken or quinoa.
The Savings: When you have a healthy, tasty meal ready to go in your fridge, you’ll be much less likely to order expensive takeout on a busy Tuesday night. You use up all the food you buy, which cuts down on food waste by a lot.
Your wallet and the world will be grateful. Being good to the environment doesn’t mean giving up things. It’s about being smarter, more purposeful, and better at using what you have. It’s about realizing that the things that are good for the Earth are often also good for your own finances.
Pick one thing from this list to start with. Only one. Learn how to do it, see how it helps your budget, and then add another. You can do this.
What is one easy, long-lasting change you’ve made that you love? Please leave your best tips in the comments below to help others.
