Spring is finally here! The grass is green and plants are finally beginning to grow in Minnesota! All of this green, reminds me of all of the great reasons to live more sustainable lifestyle. Curious how you can save the earth and save money at the same time? Check out some of these frugal sustainability ideas:
- Eat Local: Frequent some of your city’s sustainable restaurants and coffee shops if you are in the twin cities check out these. Buy your groceries at the Farmer’s Market or your neighborhood co-op, join a CSA, or grow your own produce in a garden. Don’t have enough space for a garden in your yard? Reserve a space in a community garden or urban plot.
- DIY: You can save a lot of money by creating your own green products. Make your own household cleaners and beauty products. Grow your own medicinal herb garden. Make your own gifts!
- Shop Smart: Buy eco-friendly, local products with less packaging. Don’t buy more than you need, only buy what you will use. Transport your groceries with refillable canvas bags, if you must use paper or plastic bags reuse them.
- Save Energy: Unplug appliances. Switch off lights when you leave the room. Turn down the thermostat a degree or two, for every one degree you can save 3% on your bill. Consider three-way lamps; they make it easier to keep light levels low when you don’t need a lot of light. Change three of your household light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs.
- Save Water: When washing clothes wash only full loads, use cold water and dry your clothes on a clothesline. Knock two minutes off your shower time.
- Transportation: Bike to any destination within 1 mile of your home. If you must drive, combine all of your errands into one trip.
- Reduce, Reuse and Recycle: Recycle and Compost. Bring a refillable water bottle rather than drinking bottled water. Bring your own coffee mug to the coffee shop instead of using disposable cups. Don’t print documents that can be easily read electronically. Use refillable binders instead of notebooks. Buy used clothes, furniture, and books. Check out freecycle.org a non-profit movement of people who are giving and getting stuff for free to promote less waste. It’s like craigslist but it is free.
Challenge yourself by incorporating at least one of these habits into your lifestyle! For more information visit this site on Frugal Sustainability.
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