Top tips to save the 🌎Earth and 💸 Money this Earth Day
This Earth Day (Saturday, April 22, 2023), let’s focus on ways you can save money while saving the planet. Here are my top tips for accomplishing both.
1. 🕯Turn the lights off!
Have you ever travelled through a city late at night and wondered why more than 50% of it is still illuminated, when we know there is no one working in those offices, or very few people window shopping or billboard reading? I’m hoping there are some sort of global energy czars working on fixing that. But we CAN fix the same things in our own domains. When you leave a room, turn the lights off. Simple. You can also turn thermostats down a notch, wear another layer while inside, and use energy-efficient lighting and appliances.
2. 🚫 Buy nothing.
Have you seen the ‘Buy Nothing’ movement? You can access your local ‘Buy Nothing’ groups on FaceBook. I also love FreeCycle, where you subscribe to your local group and offer and peruse items. Instead of putting your used (and un-used) household items in a landfill, put it out there first. You’d be amazed at what people are happy to recycle and take off your hands. I’ve given away a toilet (when replacing it with a higher one for an older relative), and I’ve seen unopen bags of mozzarella cheese gladly being accepted by someone.
And thrifting clothing items is a fun way to be more creative with your style and make dent in the ‘throw away’ clothes trend which clogs our landfills. Plus, it is so fun when you make a great find. I’ve thrifted an Armani blazer for $1, and my girls have found unique gala dresses for less than $10.
3. ☕️ Use reusable bags, water bottles, and travel coffee mugs.
This has been around for so long now, I hope most of us are doing this. In the Boston area, we are often charged for the store bags, and as I don’t like paying extra fees, I’ll carry the items home in my arms or my own bags. I put a hanging shoe rack on the back of a door in my kitchen to hold our water bottles and coffee mugs.
4. 🥒 Grow your own food.
Even if you live in a small space, it is possible to grow your own herbs in small planters. And if you’re lucky enough to have room for a larger vegetable patch, nothing beats the flavor of your own cucumbers, lettuce, raspberries, and basically anything you grow on your own. Plus, gardening can be meditative and a great learning experience. I’ve learned over the years that I don’t like thinning carrots, so I no longer plant them. Cucumbers basically work great, and I also love planting snap peas, basil and tomatoes.
5. 🌿 Make your own eco-friendly cleaning supplies.
Many of the cleaning products we traditionally buy are expensive and also harmful. There are a million sites out there that teach how to make our own cleaning solutions – which are cheaper and so much better for us and all of our loved ones – including the furries!
6. 🚎 Use public transportation.
I think this one has slightly resolved itself as less people are commuting daily. But, if you do have to commute, consider walking, biking, ride-sharing, and using public transportation.
7. 🧑🏽🍳 Cook at home.
I know that I’m enjoying eating out and being around people more, but I do try to balance my family’s nights out with eating at home in order to pay attention to our food budget. Especially as the cost of eating at restaurants has risen and we have new fees to support all the support staff.
8. 🌻 Invest responsibly.
Every investment we make comes with a choice. Do we want to support companies that harm the environment while producing their product? Or do we prefer those companies that use renewable energy and prioritize environmental stewardship? There are many ways to invest according to our values. To learn more, refer to my blog on values investing.
Obviously, there are MANY more important earth and money saving tips – and I’d love to hear yours! I would also argue that by taking your own financial planning seriously, you’re more cognizant of your own resources and potential impacts of your choices on the environment.
Peace ☮️ love ❤️ and happy Earth Day 🌎,
Catherine
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