Eco-friendly living on a budget | top tips for saving money and helping the environment

Collaborative Post | It's important to take care of the environment, but sometimes it can seem like going green is expensive. That doesn't have to be the case. Living an eco-friendly lifestyle on a budget is possible, and it can even help you save money in the long run. Here are some top tips for reducing your environmental footprint without breaking the bank. From buying second-hand and using LED bulbs to switching to an electric car and investing in your own home charge point, there are plenty of options for living a sustainable lifestyle without emptying your wallet. Not only will you be helping the environment, but you'll also be able to keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket. Read on to learn more about how you can save money and help the planet at the same time.

Eco-friendly living on a budget (Photo by Lenka Dzurendova on Unsplash)

Buying second hand

Buying second-hand not only reduces your carbon footprint but also helps you save money. For example, when you need furniture, clothing, or appliances, you can check out charity shops or online marketplaces for eco-friendly and cost-effective options. When you buy second-hand, you're not only saving money but reducing the amount of stuff that ends up in landfills. This means there's less demand for manufacturers to produce new products and materials, which means less energy is being used, and fewer harmful emissions are being released into the environment. 

Switch to an electric vehicle

If you own a car and use it regularly, consider switching to an electric vehicle. Not only is an electric car better for the environment, but it's also much cheaper to run, and will help with saving money on driving as you age. This is one of the easiest ways to reduce your carbon footprint and help the environment. You can also make the switch sooner by looking into leasing an electric car if you can't afford to buy one outright or don't want to commit to a finance deal.

Investing in an electric car home charge point

If you own or lease an electric vehicle, it's important to have a place to charge it, so you don't have to plug it into a public charging station. A home charge point will help you reduce your carbon footprint and save you money, as you won't need to pay to use the ports at your local garage. This way, you'll be able to charge your car from the comfort of your own home, which will save you a lot of time and hassle. Most electric cars can be charged in under eight hours, but it will depend on the size of your car and the power of your charging point. To learn more about how long it takes to charge your electric car, take a look at this guide from LV ElectriX on home charge point timings.

Swapping to LED bulbs

Switching to energy-efficient light bulbs is one of the easiest ways to reduce your carbon footprint and save money. Instead of using old-fashioned light bulbs, invest in some energy-efficient LED bulbs. While you might spend a little more on these bulbs than you would on traditional light bulbs, they're definitely worth the investment. LED bulbs not only last longer than traditional bulbs but also use a fraction of the energy. This means that you'll save money on your electricity bills and help the environment in the process. 

Shopping with a sustainable clothing brand

While you might not think about the clothes you wear as being eco-friendly, they can make a huge difference to your carbon footprint. Instead of shopping at regular clothing stores, look for eco-friendly brands. Eco-friendly clothing may cost more than regular clothing, but it lasts longer. You can also extend the life of your clothes by washing them on a lower heat setting and not ironing them. By shopping at eco-friendly clothing brands and extending the life of your clothes, you can reduce your environmental footprint and save a lot of money. Try to purchase ethically sourced clothing when you can. Ethical clothing is produced under fair working conditions and sustainable materials. This can help to prevent child labour and protect the environment while saving you money in the long run.

Cutting down on food waste

One of the easiest ways to reduce your carbon footprint is by cutting back on food waste. This might seem impossible if you're a regular shopper at supermarkets, but it's easier than you think. Try to plan meals in advance, and don't buy more food than you need. If you have leftovers, don't let them go to waste. Instead, freeze them so they last longer, and you can use them in future meals. Eating at home is one of the easiest ways to reduce food waste. If you can, start growing some vegetables in your garden and make your own fruit and vegetable smoothies. This will help you reduce your carbon footprint and save you a lot of money by cutting down on your weekly food shop.


​Disclaimer: this is a collaborative post