14 Ways to Save Money and the Planet
- Clara
- May 6, 2022
- 8 min read
Congrats! You're sober (and reading this article) and if you're not sober, that's okay, too. You still want to save money and the planet.
I know one reason I got sober (besides the fact my life was a dumpster fire) was to save money. Another positive I didn't think about though, was how drinking was increasing my carbon footprint. Think about all the wine and beer cans you tossed out (recycled or not), all the bottle caps that are now in the ocean, the countless vodka and tequila bottles you threw in the dumpster with a clank of shame. You aren't using and buying all those things anymore! If your DOC wasn't alcohol, think of all the joints, lighters, foil, syringes, and pill bottles you're not discarding anymore. Not only are you saving your life, and your money, but the planet.
I know for me, when I first entered sobriety I had nothing. Money being one of those. Being ecofriendly always seemed expensive to me, something that rich people could afford to do. Driving an electric car, buying reusable bags and a compost bin. As it turns out, being able to decrease your carbon footprint isn't only for the rich and can help you save money.
Here are 14 ways (aside from staying sober) you can save money and the planet;
1) Bring Reusable Bags
Yes, at first you have to pay for reusable bags, but with groceries stores in most states charging per bag (in San Francisco it's $0.25 a bag), buying those bags will definitely save you money in the long run, and in turn save you from throwing out plastic bags that take forever to decompose. Buying just one $2.00 bag could pay for itself in as little as 4 or 5 grocery trips. The reusable bags are also way cuter, and make great totes to carry other things like books, clothes and school or work supplies.
2) Opt for Glass
Again, while glass options might at first be more expensive, over a period of time, not having to replace your plastics will save money and the environment. Glass is also great because you probably have a lot of it laying around your house; pasta sauce jars make great drinking glasses and vases, old candles make great storage, wine glasses you don't use anymore make great tealight candle holders for a romantic dinner (alone or with someone special).
3) Say No to Receipts
Almost all businesses now have an option for an emailed receipt or no receipt at all. Ask yourself before hitting those buttons if you really need a receipt for what you're purchasing. Moreover, having virtual receipts might even make budgeting easier. If you're a virtual budgeter, having those receipts right in your email is probably easier than having to track down a bunch of paper slips. Did you know, receipts aren't even recyclable? Yes, they're paper-- but the harmful inks used by receipt printers cannot decompose or be recycled. Don't believe me, here's a link!
4) Consign or Donate Clothes
This is a pretty well known one. Consigning clothes gives you some extra cash in your pocket and gives your clothes a new life. While donating doesn't pay you, you can write these donations off on your taxes and get paid later. Don't have time to go to a consignment shop? Annoyed that you end up having to then make a trip to Goodwill for all the items they wouldn't take? Try thredup.com anything they can't sell, they safely recycle and they send you a convenient bag to your house, saving you a trip (and gas $$$).
5) Donate Food
This is another one that sounds simple but so many people (myself included) forget. If you're like me, you clean out your pantry once a month or so. What do you do with all that food? Throw it out? Did you know that anything that's individually packaged, non-perishable and not expired can be donated to the foodbank? Crackers that are open or stale? Veggies that you aren't going to be able to eat before they go bad? Berries that are a little too mushy? Depending on where you live, you may have a local farm that would be more than happy to take these food donations. Think about the cute fuzzy creature you'll be feeding and how much less waste you'll be creating. With donating food, like donating clothes, you can also write this off on your taxes-- an added bonus!
6) Compost
I'm not going to lie and say I'm a compost expert, but I do partake. Do you compost already? Not sure where to start? Here are some resources and benefits;
7) Give your Plastic Bags New Life
At this point, most of us are well aware of the dangers of plastic bags to the environment. If you still live in a place that gives out plastic bags like Halloween candy, just prefer them from the store, or order a lot of take-out (see number 9), you probably have a place in your house with a plastic bag full of plastic bags. What can we do about this? I personally try to give all of my plastic bags 3-4 lives. What does this mean? Whatever originally comes in the bag is one life, then I will usually use the bag again either for another grocery or store trip, or to carry things. For the third or fourth life there are many uses; use the bag as a garbage bag in your car just hang the handle through the headrest, pick up pesky pet waste, use it as a trash bag liner (save $$$), when traveling use the bag instead of a Ziploc and tie the top to avoid messy spills, cheap lunch bag, and so many more options.
How do you reuse your plastic bags?
8) Reusable, Refillable and Bulk Cleaning Products
In this day and age, with climate change as a higher priority and consciousness almost all cleaning products, hand soap included, have bulk and refillable options. By buying in bulk, first off you save money! Secondly, even though those individual hand soaps from Bath and Body Works are adorable and smell so good, you're throwing out each and every one of those little bottles when you're done. Brands like methodproducts.com and softsoap.com/en-us sell bulk, refillable bottles so you can reuse those hand soap bottles again and again. Cleaning brands like www.windex.com/en-us have also hopped on the refill bandwagon and sell larger bottles of the cleaning spray so you can reuse those spray bottles. Not only are companies thinking outside the box, but you can. Thoroughly wash out those containers and give them a new life! Get creative!
Like plastic bags, I would love to hear what you do with your old spray bottles.
9) Avoid Delivery and Take-Out
How often do you buy a $13 burrito on a delivery app and after everything else is added, it comes to $30? I swear this used to happen to me weekly in my active addiction when I was too drunk to drive but really craving Chipotle. Those delivery fees and taxes, plus tip really add up. Beyond just the financial cost of delivery, think of all of the gas being burnt by drivers driving in circles and circles. These carbon emission increases and delivery fees don't just apply to food apps, companies like Amazon and other delivery services pollute the planet with the multiple ways they bring you overnight shipping. Additionally, most deliveries come with SO MUCH excess packaging, like packing peanuts and bubble wrap. I know I hate when I get a giant box for one tiny object. On top of these reasons, most take-out containers, packing slips and aforementioned packing peanuts are also not eco-friendly. Most are Styrofoam and wrapped in plastic bags (see number 7 for ways to decrease your plastic bag waste), both of which are terrible for the environment. Next time before you order from Amazon or UberEats, ask yourself if this is something you can't get yourself closer to home or even within walking distance. Support a local restaurant during these hard times and pick up something to go while you're already out to save gas. Make a thorough list before hitting Target and Walmart so you get anything you may be tempted to buy that week on Amazon. Do the planet and your wallet some good by avoiding deliveries.
10) Hold on to Gift Bags
Every gift that I'm given in a gift bag, I keep the bag! These bags can be repurposed for the next holiday or birthday and no one is going to know! Not only am I avoiding throwing something else away but I save money and time by not having to buy a new bag for the next gift I give!
11) Skip the Produce Bag
Like the plastic grocery bag, and the receipt, ask yourself, do I really need to use another plastic bag? The answer is probably no. Almost all of the produce we buy we wash and peel or prepare in some way or another that prevents us from eating anything harmful that may be on it. Next time you're at the grocery store, save the planet a bit by skipping the extra plastic produce bag for your fruits and vegetables. Still want to protect or keep your produce together? Consider a reusable bag option. Almost all farmers markets sell them!
12) Walk, Bike, Bus, Carpool
Another often overlooked way of saving money and the environment is changing your way of transportation. Walking and biking are completely free, and great for your health! Taking a bus is always going to be cheaper than owning a car, paying insurance, and getting gas (especially now with gas at $5 or more). Carpooling is great for many reasons. You can take the HOV lane for faster travel times, you can split the price of gas and avoid toll costs in some areas. Plus, you have the added advantage of a duet for car karaoke or someone to listen to you rant about work. It's basically free therapy!
13) Use Those Reusable Cups
Like some of the aforementioned suggestions, buying reusable cups might be more expensive at first, but after a while, they pay for themselves. With Covid restrictions mostly lifted, coffee shops are allowing you to bring your own personal cups again and most places offer a discount when you do. Did you know Starbucks gives a personal cup discount? The dollar store has cute iced and hot coffee cups for ONLY $1!!! Want a cuter one that may be more on the pricier side? Consider using purchasing it as a reward with all the money you're saving by being sober (and other things on this list). Ask for one for your birthday! This is one of the best and easiest ways you can help decrease your carbon footprint. Added bonus is that these reusable cups are often more insulated and keep your drinks hot or cooler longer. Still not ready to make the switch? Make a small change by skipping the straw. The new sippy-cup lids are recyclable and convenient. Unlike straws, they can be turned into something else instead of ending up in a landfill.
14) Question your Spending Habits
Last but certainly not least, question your spending habits. Do you really need to be using gas money to drive all the way to the mall just because you're bored? Can you carry the 3 things you just bought at the grocery store to your car without a bag? Is this a piece of clothing you're going to get multiple uses out of, or are you just going to toss it after this event? It seems so simple but by asking yourself simple questions about where and what you're spending your money on, I guarantee you will watch your money last a little longer.
Sober broke girl. Save those pennies and the planet in anyway you can. We're all going through this thing together. Be kind to yourself and our Earth.
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