8 Ways to Save Money - Sustainably
These eco-friendly money saving tips include resourceful ways to make small changes to your daily habits that can really add up over time.
Reduce: Buy less and choose what you do purchase carefully. One way to begin is to initiate a spending hiatus for one month when you do not purchase anything unnecessary or unneeded. During this time, focus on immediate needs (food, shelter, utilities, etc) and, if possible, purchase what you can from local or regional businesses.
Repurpose: Consider items you already own and how to repurpose them in creative ways. With the kids at home this could include upcycling items for art projects or, like we did at our house, repurposing an older picnic table into a cold frame for our garden bed. The opportunities abound!
Reuse: Buy from second-hand stores, purchase pre-loved items from online marketplaces or consider a trade/barter system for goods and services. For example, there is a Facebook page titled “Buy Sell Swap Wheat Ridge (CO)”. Additionally, instead of buying something outright, try renting or borrowing items that you may only need for a one-time use or a short, project specific time frame.
Recycle: Sell or donate your used goods that still have life left in them. If they can’t be fixed or repurposed, opt for recycling to divert them from the landfill. Earth911.org provides information and resources for hard-to-recycle items your local hauler won’t take.
Revitalize: Change up your transportation mode by riding your bicycle or walking instead of driving when you can. This will save money on gas and auto maintenance and provides an opportunity for some exercise.
Regenerate: Grow your own food, or source seasonal produce from local farms that offer direct-to-consumer savings. Garden.org has resources for gardeners of any level, from beginner to old hat. The Wheat Ridge Gardeners page on Facebook is also a wonderful forum to chat directly with community members for local tips + tricks. If you would rather source seasonal produce from local or regional farmers Jeffco has a list of producers.
Replenish: Cook at home, from scratch when possible. There are many low-budget, quick to make meals that are healthy for you and your pocketbook. Creating a basic meal plan and setting aside a few hours a week for meal prep can help you save throughout the week. Cooking Matters is a great place to go for menu tips and recipes.
Re-think: Think about how you use energy and water in your home. There are many ways to save these resources, including turning off the tap, insulating your water heater, installing a programmable thermostat, turning off (and change to LED) lights, line drying clothes instead of using the dryer.
Have other ideas about how to mindfully use our resources? We’d love to hear from you.
