Did you know that living a sustainable lifestyle can also save you a lot of money?
There are many ways that you can make a difference in the environment and start living more sustainably. These sustainable frugal living tips not only help you save money but will also let you start living more sustainably, which is good for you, the environment, your wallet, and the world.
Wherever you start, every small choice makes a big difference.
1. Reduce Water Usage
Reducing your daily water usage is a great way to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Some practical ways to do this include taking shorter showers and turning off the water when you don’t need it.
2. Use Energy-Efficient Appliances
Some types of appliances take up much more energy than others. Make the switch to more energy-efficient appliances instead of standard models.
Read More: 1 in 5 Americans Struggling To Pay Utility Bills on Time Amid Historic Rate Hikes
3. Start Using Public Transportation
Driving a personal vehicle emits carbon monoxide into the environment and uses fuel. Consider using public transportation instead to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Public transportation can often be cheaper than buying and keeping a car.
4. Carpool or Rideshare
Another way to reduce your negative environmental impact is by carpooling with friends, family, or coworkers. Plus, you’ll be saving on gas money!
5. Walk or Bike for Short Trips
Headed to a store that’s only a couple of miles away? Why not walk or bike instead of hopping in the car?
6. Install Solar Panels
Solar panels work by converting sunlight into electric energy, making them an eco-friendly and cost-efficient choice.
7. Compost Organic Waste
Not everything belongs in the trash! Start a compost bin or pile for any organic waste, such as food and vegetable scraps.
8. Reduce Meat Consumption
Eating less meat can help you live a more sustainable lifestyle by lowering greenhouse gas emissions. You will also save a lot of money by reducing your grocery bill.
Maintaining a meat-free and dairy-free diet helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and drought-like conditions. Of course, you don’t have to completely cut out meat and dairy. Even small, occasional dietary changes help!
Read More: How To Save Money on Food
9. Plant a Garden
Grow your own food at home and enjoy the many benefits of fresh fruits and vegetables. If you do it properly (don’t go splurging on lots of equipment), you’ll save money, too.
10. Recycle Paper and Cardboard
Many people aren’t actually recycling items when they can be! Paper and cardboard are both recyclable, in addition to plastics. You can also use them in your house for scrap paper or give them to your kids to use for crafts and projects.
11. Use LED Light Bulbs
LED light bulbs are more energy efficient than traditional lighting and are longer-lasting. So switching to LED light bulbs is not only more sustainable but will also save you money.
12. Lower the Thermostat in Winter
Lowering the thermostat during colder weather is a good way to prevent heat loss and save energy.
13. Increase the Thermostat in Summer
Increasing the thermostat during warmer weather is a proven way to reduce your overall energy consumption. Experts recommend setting your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re away for maximum effect.
14. Insulate Your Home
Insulating your home reduces its overall energy use, helping you live a more sustainable lifestyle. This will help you save money by lowering your heating and air-conditioning bills.
15. Buy Secondhand or Vintage
Try going to secondhand or vintage stores for your clothes and household shopping. Not only does this reduce eventual landfill waste, but it’s also cheaper!
16. Use a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat helps you maintain temperatures and reduce energy use even when you’re not at home. This will help you save money by making sure you aren’t forgetting to lower your thermostat when you are at work.
17. Invest in Energy-Efficient Windows
Energy-efficient windows prevent heat (or cool air) from escaping your home. This minimizes the use of AC and heating units, helping save energy!
18. Minimize Food Waste
Minimize your personal food waste by meal planning, reusing leftovers, and only making reasonable portions. This will help you save money on your grocery bill.
Read More: How To Save Money on Food
19. Reduce Single-Use Plastics
Cut out single-use plastics and move towards reusable items instead. You won’t have to spend money as often.
For example, use a reusable water bottle and fill it up at home or at reusable water stations. This will help you avoid spending money on drinks.
20. Limit Air Travel
Flying might be quick and convenient, but it’s not great for the planet. Limiting your air travel when you can is a good way to live a more sustainable lifestyle. And of course, flying can be expensive, so you’ll save money.
21. Buy In Bulk
When you buy items in bulk, you help to reduce unnecessary packaging waste. You can also save money on bulk items.
22. Use a Clothesline Instead of a Dryer
Dryers use up large amounts of energy – why not use the old-fashioned clothesline method instead?
23. Reduce Fast Fashion Consumption
Fast fashion is unethical and leads to a huge amount of landfill waste. Try shopping for your clothes more ethically through thrifting or environmentally conscious brands. You should also buy fewer clothes; go shopping in your closet instead of buying new items for every occasion.
24. Repair Clothing
Dealing with a missing button or a ripped sleeve? Instead of going out and buying new clothes, why not try repairing them first? All you need are some basic sewing skills, thread, and a needle!
25. Turn Off Lights When Not in Use
Turning off lights when you’re not using them is simple and good for the planet! Plus, you’ll save on electrical bills.
26. Unplug Chargers When Not in Use
Unplug unused chargers and charging blocks from the wall to save energy! Did you know that even when not being used, items that are plugged in still use electricity and hike up your energy bills?
27. Take Shorter Showers
Taking shorter showers is one of the best ways to limit your water usage on a regular basis. Plus, you’ll have more free time afterward. Of course, you’ll save money on your water bill as well.
Read More: Frugal People Share the One Habit That’s Saved Them the Most Money and They Are Spot On
28. Keep Tires Properly Inflated
Properly inflated tires use less fuel while driving, polluting the environment less, and saving you gas. Many tire shops will inflate your tires free of charge, or you can do it yourself at many gas stations.
29. Use a Push Mower
Push mowers are the most eco-friendly model of lawn mower out there since they aren’t battery-powered or gas-powered. Of course, you can also reduce your lawn size and replace lawn with flowers and shrubs to save money that way also.
30. Reduce Lawn Size
Consider reducing the size of your lawn and planting flowers or other plant life instead. This will help improve biodiversity and minimize energy spent on lawn maintenance. And you won’t have to mow your lawn as much.
31. Install a Rain Barrel
Rain barrels capture rainwater that you can use later in place of a less natural water source. This can help you keep your garden watered without spending extra money.
32. Repair Small Appliances at Home
Before you rush to buy a new coffee pot or blender, why not try repairing it at home? Most appliances come with a manual that contains troubleshooting information you can use.
33. Use Cloth Diapers
Cloth diapers are reusable diapers that you can wash and dry at home instead of always buying disposable ones. Avoiding disposable diapers reduces landfill and packaging waste and saves you money!
Read More: Having a Baby? Here’s How To Save Money on Baby Expenses
34. Cut Out Napkins and Paper Towels
Tired of constantly throwing away napkins and paper towels and having to buy more? A sustainable alternative is using washcloths or rags that you can reuse! You can save further by using old and faded clothing for your rags.
35. Fix Leaks in Your Home
Fix any small leaks in your home before they cause further damage that will eventually need to be redone or replaced! You’ll save money on your water bill, too.
36. Eat Seasonally
Seasonal eating is when you eat food that’s naturally growing at the time. This food typically doesn’t travel as far, which is great for the environment. These foods are usually significantly cheaper as well.
37. Reduce Junk Mail
You can reduce your junk mail by opting out of consumer lists online or by refusing and returning unwanted mail. Not only will this reduce the company’s consumption, but you’ll reduce the chance of temptation entering your home.
38. Use Rechargeable Batteries
If you’ve never used rechargeable batteries before, let this be your sign to start. They work just as well as standard batteries but can be recharged and used for much longer.
39. Practice Minimalism
Minimalism is the practice of removing clutter from your life and only keeping what holds true value to you. Practicing minimalism goes hand in hand with reduced waste and excess.
40. Share or Borrow Tools and Equipment
If you’re working on a project and need a specific tool, don’t rush to the store to buy it. Instead, ask around with friends and neighbors. Maybe one of them has it and will let you borrow it!
41. Repair Electronic Devices
It can be very disheartening when your electronic devices start breaking, and many people rush to purchase a new one. Instead, see if you can get it repaired. It will save you lots of money in the long run!
42. Practice Eco-Friendly Landscaping
If you put effort into maintaining a yard, there are several steps you can take to do it more sustainably. Some examples include cultivating native plants and composting. As seen above, you can save money by needing less landscaping, less water, and less electricity.
Don’t overwater in your garden! Instead, practice water conservation and only water your plants as much as they need.
43. Take Advantage of Natural Lighting
Open your blinds and let the natural light in instead of keeping all the lights in the house on. You’ll probably feel better as well.
44. Use a Smart Power Strip
Smart power strips shut off unused items for you, saving electricity with little to no effort.
45. Repair and Reuse Furniture
It’s always best to repair household items when possible instead of buying new ones. Furniture can be refurbished and reused instead of being discarded and replaced.
46. Install a Rain Garden
A rain garden is a landscaping depression formed on a slope that increases the reabsorption of rain runoff. Its primary purpose is to keep your landscaping watered using natural rainwater.
47. Use a Clothes Dryer Rack
A clothes dryer rack is another alternative to an electric dryer that’s cheap and easy to use! Air-dry your clothes to reduce energy costs associated with drying machines. Use a clothesline to dry your clothes.
48. Eliminate Disposable Razors
Toss out your disposable razors and use an electric shaver or safety razor instead. Safety razors are an eco-friendly way to keep up with hygiene without contributing to landfill waste. Even the blades can be recycled!
49. Reduce Car Idling Time
Do you make a habit of sitting in your car for several minutes while it is running? Shut off the engine instead of leaving it on to reduce toxic emissions.
50. Use a Reusable Menstrual Product
Reusable menstrual products help reduce the waste created by disposable products. And as women know, menstrual products are expensive and add up pretty quickly!
51. Reduce Screen Time
Reducing your screen time can help save energy, as well as lower harmful emissions. This will also help you save money by using less electricity and being less influenced by “influencers”.
52. Reduce Food Takeout and Delivery
Food takeout and delivery are convenient, but they come with many disadvantages. From wasteful packaging to transportation emissions, sometimes cooking at home is the most sustainable option! And of course, it’s really expensive and adds up quicker than you think.
53. Reduce Disposable Diaper Wipes
Diaper wipes might seem essential if you have a baby in the house. However, there are actually several other options. A great alternative to disposable diaper wipes is simply reusing soft washcloths.
54. Avoid Impulse Buys
Impulse buys might seem harmless and fun, but they can actually have a negative impact. This is because when you buy things impulsively, you often end up not using them! Reduce your waste by avoiding impulse buys altogether.
Read More:
- 15 Frugal Living Tips From the Great Depression
- 100 Incredible Money-Saving Hacks
- How To Live Below Your Means: Mastering the Art of Financial Discipline
