Most people are aware of the environmental problem we’re facing, but they’re intimidated by one question – how much will it cost? Improving your lifestyle and preserving the planet can be affordable provided you organize well and focus your attention to specific aspects of life. Here are some budget-friendly ideas for creating a more sustainable lifestyle.
Shop locally
Shopping in local markets minimizes the negative impact on the environment created by transportation of goods. Instead of fossil fuel emission that would take place during transportation, shopping locally means that you can walk to the store, which is healthier. Also, you can shop for cheaper food.
Reduce waste
Statistics show that large amounts of food we buy ends up in trash. This food has been previously kept in refrigerators, which wasted quite a bit of energy. This can be prevented by prior planning of our daily meals and buying only what we need. It’s a great way to reduce our waste and save money. Controlling what ends up in the landfill has a significant influence on our planet’s health. Make your contribution by making a compost pile in your garden, by recycling and trying to implement zero waste home policy.
Proper care of home appliances
Treating your appliances with care is essential for improving their efficiency and ensuring they work longer. Wiping the dust of your refrigerator coils will make it work more efficiently and save you tons of money that would otherwise been spent on repairs. Also, covering your stovetop’s drip pans with aluminum foil will make it reflect heat better and it costs next to nothing. Switching to a greener lifestyle doesn’t involve spending a fortune and you can learn more about it by checking the video on this link.
Lights off
Turn the lights off whenever you leave the room to conserve more energy. Also, it’s a good idea to switch from your regular light bulbs to compact fluorescent ones, as they’re more energy-saving. Make a habit of unplugging appliances when they aren’t in use. Alternatively, you can plug them into power stripes that turn off when appliance isn’t being used thus preventing the consumption of “phantom” energy. Set your thermostat on a slightly lower temperature in winter and a slightly higher temperature in summer to minimize costs. In addition to that, lower the temperature when you’re not at home to prevent unnecessary consumption of energy. Consider contacting a local HVAC expert, perhaps at siriuspac.com/richardson-air-conditioning-services/, for example, and getting a programmable thermostat if possible.
Natural cleaning products
Cleaning products by big brands contain toxic materials that have a negative influence on our health. Apart from being dangerous for the environment, they also cost more. You can save a lot of money by switching to natural cleaning products. They’re incredibly easy to make as they require some simple ingredients like olive oil, vinegar, baking soda, and lemon. For example, if you have problems with cleaning your microwave, lemon juice will quickly save the day. The use of natural cleaning products means a cheaper way of maintaining a household and a cleaner indoor air.
Get rid of paper and plastic
Minimize the use of paper and plastic in your home as much as you can. Instead of buying newspapers or subscribing to magazines, read online editions. Shop for cloth napkins instead of paper ones. Bring your own, non-plastic shopping bags to the grocery store. These small changes won’t cost you anything and they still make a difference in the protection of our planet.
Switching to a greener lifestyle seems expensive at first glance, but if you look into it deeper you’ll discover plenty of economical ways to make a sustainable living and take care of the planet.
