Climate change is a problem we are all collectively facing. That is why the green style of living has been growing in popularity. On the contrary to popular belief, going green doesn’t make our lives more expensive. Sometimes, going green can even save us more money.
In this article, Tutor Hunt has picked out some simple ways to go green whilst on a budget. On the other hand, preparing for climate disasters is something we believe is important in the world we live in today. This way, you don’t just save money but prepare for the inevitable, like energy outages, market collapse, and growing your food, as well.
10 Ways of Going Green on a Budget
Here is a list of the 10 things we did when we went green that saved us extensive amounts of cash. These tips aren’t just there to make your bills shrink, but to make your consumption lower. Thus, lowering pollution to the environment and your personal carbon footprint. Stay tuned to read our 10 tips:
1. Buy in Season
Who doesn’t love a hot, homecooked meal? One of our favorite ways to cook is with fresh produce, and as most of us know, vegetables and fruits have their seasons. This means you will more likely find in-season apples in July than in December.
These ripening times are easy to remember, especially if you try gardening them yourselves. When buying fruits and veggies in season, their price will be lower. This way, you can eat organic foods while staying within your budget.
2. Green your Commute
This way to go green will not just help you with budgeting, it will help you save on gas money and it’s healthy. Knowing this, why haven’t we all started cycling or walking? So, on the way to work tomorrow, if possible, try to ditch the car and walk there. If work is too far away, try carpooling or using the bus.
In any case, lowering the amount of time spent in your car will lower carbon emissions, but will save you gas money too and help you stay within your monthly budget. In the scenario of a fuel outage, finding another way of transportation is crucial, so why not start your preparation in advance?
3. Wash Clothes on Low-Temperature Cycles
Washing your clothes in cold or colder water can save you money through energy bills. Using the shortest washing cycle saves you both time and electricity. But that’s not all. Switching to a shorter and colder cycle will make your carbon footprint smaller too.
You can only top this if you’re using an eco-friendly detergent. Also, using detergents in cold water does not minimize their effect. All in all, saving on water temperature in your washing machine, can help you save the environment, but also your budget.
4. Reuse Products
Waste from single-use plastic in our environment is a huge hazard to us and the wildlife. Using single-use plastics is impossible to avoid today. Eventually, every particle of this plastic will, even when recycled, end up in a landfill or the ocean. By reusing products to the max, you can minimize their effect on the environment. It will also save you money and help you stay within your budget while going green.
The most obvious tip is to use a reusable or glass bottle, but most of us do this. You can try shopping at second-hand stores. There, you can find anything, from a pair of rain pants, survival vest to hiking boots.
In the end, reusing products of everyday use is important not just for minimizing waste or saving money, but it’s a skill most of us should learn. The reason behind this is simple: If anything were to happen to our economy or society, the commodity of single-use would be the first to go.
5. Pay Bills Electronically
Using less paper is a great way to start your going green on a budget journey. Therefore, having less paper and mail, in general, will make your life much easier.
The greener alternative is to pay your bills through phone or app. This alternative will cut down on your recycling and is less of a hassle. So, if you still have your bills sent to you in a tangible shape, make sure you switch over to electronic pay as soon as possible.
6. Unplug
This tip does not just apply to those of us needing a break from our phones. One needs unplugging when they want to save some electricity, too. Meaning, unplugging your appliances is great for both energy usage and your wallet.
So far, you surely have heard about vampire appliances, the energy users in your home, that steal energy from you. That is why we recommend unplugging the electric oven, TV, and dishwasher when not in use. This is a great tip if you want to prepare for times where energy would be scarce, but also help you manage your energy budget.
7. Repair
Just throwing something out when it’s got a broken leg or doesn’t match your new color scheme is easy. But repairing it is much better for the environment. Needless to say, knowing how to repair something braces us for unforeseeable future events.
That’s why we recommend repairing your furniture and appliances, before throwing something out. Fix your table’s leg or paint over it, to make it last longer. This will, like most of our tips, also save you a lot of cash and help you stay within your budget.
8. Use Natural Cleaning Products
Except for the environment outside, many people don’t want harsh chemicals in their home environments either. Therefore, some people have turned to DIY cleaning products.
Except for saving money on chemicals, these DIY options are also good for the environment and teach you what to use for cleaning in times of emergencies. Finding the right cleaner for any surface is easy if you do your research, so try this tip out too.
9. Try Gardening
Gardening will save you a lot of money in your food budget. Growing your own vegetables without pesticides is amazing, especially if you do it in your backyard.
Even if you live in an apartment, you can choose to plant in a community garden. This knowledge will help you in the future by preparing you for various events climate change is leading to. Right now, it gives you colorful and delicious fresh produce to take home and enjoy.
10. Upgrade Your Home
Through your green lifestyle, you might find that you need to make your home more energy-efficient.
This means things like installing smart plugs that monitor your energy usage, to insulating your walls to keep heat inside. Some smart devices might cost more, but in the end, they still save you a good portion of your budget in the long run.
Conclusion
Remember to have the environment in mind when choosing to do any of these 10 tips. But, going green on a budget isn’t just good for nature, it’s good for your wallet too. Saving some money on bills and transportation is surely an excellent motivator for most of us.
We hope our article helped you in choosing the best ways to go green on a budget. Also, that you won’t stop your actions just on reading, since both climate change and climate catastrophe are an immense threat to all of us.
Salman is a prolific environmental writer, and has authored more than 500 articles in reputed journals, magazines and websites. He is proactively engaged in creating mass awareness on renewable energy, waste management, sustainability and conservation all over the world.
Salman can be reached on salman@cleantechloops.com
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