Living on a budget might seem like an eco-friendly act in itself, but in most cases, this isn’t strictly true. By opting for cheaper options, you can often find that packaging, manufacturing costs and so much more are actually worse for the environment. So, when we do find ourselves strapped for cash, how do we save the pennies while staying eco-conscious? While companies such as Wizzcash loans may be there in the case of a financial emergency, saving the pennies on a day-to-day basis is simple – and you can be eco-friendly too. You just have to read on to find out!
- Use Cloth Napkins
If you’re an avid napkin user, you’ll know just how many are thrown away at the end of a meal or a party. Now think about that amount in every household all over the world, and how the non-recyclable ones will be piling up in rubbish tips all over the world. By using cloth napkins, you eliminate the throwing-away process completely. Not only will they save you the costs of having to buy napkins on a regular basis, but they are also far more durable, and a quick wash will set them right back to normal.
- Grow Your Own Food
In the UK climate, growing your own food might seem like a struggle, but there are plenty of fruit and vegetables that you can choose from to grow for yourself. Not only does growing your own food stop you needing to buy it from the supermarket, it’s also a great way to reduce waste and just think – there’s no wrapping or cartons to throw away!
- Use The Sun
The sun is a valuable, yet wondrously free way to save money. You don’t need any expensive equipment to harvest the power of the sun – you just have to open your curtains! The sun will heat your house during those colder winter days, or shut the curtains if you want to stay cool during the summer months. If you want to go green for the long-term, you could invest and indulge in solar panels to provide you with a clean, cost-effective energy source year-round.
- Adjust Your Laundry Habits
Doing the laundry can take up a significant chunk of your budget, and have an adverse effect on the environment too. However there are a few things you can do to reduce your laundry bill and water usage:
- Wash in cold water
- Use less detergent
- Line-dry your washing
- Replace an old, clunky washing machine
- Run full loads rather than small ones often
- Skip fabric softener or find a budget-friendly detergent with this included!
- Try A Spend Fast
If you’re truly stuck for money, try not spending anything for as long as you can. For a week, or a month, or any given period of time, reduce your costs to only those that are absolutely necessary. Don’t buy anything that you don’t need to survive, and you’ll be amazed just how much you can save. For entertainment, you’ll be happy to know there are plenty of free things to do, from museums and galleries, to taking advantage of free trials on favourites like Netflix and Amazon, you could be spending your month enjoying yourself but barely spending anything!
