Planet-friendly choices aren’t always wallet-friendly, but it is possible to save money while you’re saving the planet...
Spend to save
Some eco products cost more to start with, but save you money over time. A reusable water bottle and washable kitchen sponges will pay for themselves pretty quickly. Reusable nappies can be picked up second-hand (Facebook pages like this one have lots to choose from). And it’s worth searching Etsy and Facebook for bargain cloth sanitary pads (CSP).
Buy in bulk
Again, buying in bulk costs more to start with but should save you money in the long run. Take our five litre bottles. They save on plastic waste and also save you money per litre. Bulk buying kitchen cupboard staples often saves you cash. Sainsbury’s two litre can of olive oil is 11 pence a litre cheaper than the 500ml bottle and it’s plastic free. (With their tops cut off, the tins make handy storage containers for pens, jars of herbs, and knick-knacks.)
Embrace second-hand
Whether you throw a swishing party with friends, buy your family’s clothes from eBay or search Facebook Marketplace for furniture, toys and more, buying second-hand rather than new is better for the environment and your wallet.
Rent and borrow
Do you really need to own an electric drill, or could you just borrow one? Do you have to buy a new evening dress or could you rent one from a service like Hire the Catwalk, Girl Meets Dress or Dream Wardrobe?
Buy local
Local produce is sometimes (though not always) cheaper. And it doesn’t have to be inconvenient. Some local greengrocers now offer veg delivery schemes.
Switch to save
Green energy is now often cheaper than electricity from the bigger suppliers. Bulb is 100% renewable and says it’s over £270 cheaper than Big Six standard deals. Octopus can also work out cheaper than standard deals. Ethical current accounts don’t tend to cost more than ones that invest your money in fossil fuels, and savings providers like Charity Bank and Ecology Building Society offer competitive rates of interest.
Reuse, reuse, reuse
We’ve grown used to a throwaway culture, but so many ‘disposable’ items can be used time and time again. Cereal packet bags are ideal for keeping bread fresh for longer. Plastic takeaway cartons can be washed and reused for packed lunches. (Disposable bottles shouldn’t be reused for drinks, however, as there’s a danger of the chemicals leaching into the liquid.) Foil can be washed and reused numerous times. Stained clothes can be cut up to use as kitchen cloths or reusable wet wipes.
Plan in advance
Writing a weekly meal planner can help you to cut down on food waste, trips to the shop and money. Packing sandwiches and snacks for a day out means you’ll less likely to buy food wrapped in plastic.
Embrace technology
Apps, websites and social media pages can be useful for inspiration and for connecting you to other like-minded people. Olio lets people in local communities share unwanted food; Freecycle helps you find furniture, toys and other items for free; and Oroeco helps you to track your carbon footprint and work out which lifestyle changes will have the greatest impact.
What are your favourite tips for saving money and the planet? Share them with us @FaithInNature