Green living is a hot-button issue, and is something that many are trying to transition into. The problem is, sometimes green living appears to be far more expensive than just keeping things the way they are. There are some things you can do, however, to live greener without stretching your budget too thin. Below is a list of five things you can do to live green and be able to afford doing it in the process.
1. Buy what you need when you need it. Making a shopping list is very important, especially when buying green. Since some green items cost more than their less eco-friendly counterparts, it can be tempting to forego the green items to save money. Remember that increasing demand for greener, more sustainable goods helps to eventually bring prices down. Try eliminating impulse buying to bring your shopping bills down.
2. Join a co-op. Co-ops are a great way to support local growers and merchants and can help you to save money at the point of sale. Most co-ops require a little bit of volunteer time each month to maintain membership, but this is time well spent where you can connect with other like-minded individuals who are also trying to maintain a better way of life for themselves as well.
3. Buy in bulk. Another piece of advice when it comes to living green and ultimately saving money is to buy in bulk. You can save a lot of money per unit if you buy more. Recycled paper goods, such as toilet paper and napkins, are cheaper when purchased in large amounts. The same goes for many packaged organic foods and snacks.
4. Shop around online. There are many excellent websites where you can purchase green goods for far less money than you would pay in stores. Shopping around online is especially convenient, as you don’t have to leave home or travel far across town to get the things that you need to live green. Online shopping for green goods gives people who live in areas without green alternatives the ability to procure the items they want at an affordable price. Buying directly from the company also cuts out the middleman, thus saving you more money.
5. Buy used items. Nothing says green like reusing and recycling, and this goes for many things, such as furniture and clothing. By purchasing used and vintage products, you are breathing new life into something that someone else decided they did not want. Rather than encouraging excessive production by purchasing clothing from a large retailer, buying used from companies like Goodwill also puts your money toward a good cause and you can feel good knowing your money is helping others while saving at the same time.
This post was contributed by Heather Johnson, who writes on the subject of green shopping . She invites your feedback at heatherjohnson2323 at gmail dot com.
