There’s a lot of misinformation out there regarding how much it costs to go green. Many people will try to tell you that going green is more expensive than not doing so, but the fact is that this simply doesn’t have to be the case. By making savvy spending decisions, reducing spending in certain areas, and swapping shopping items for green alternatives, you can actually live in an environmentally conscious way, even if you’re on a tight shoestring. Here’s how to live green on a budget in 2022.
Don’t be afraid to seek help
First, there’s one thing we have to get out of the way: there is absolutely no shame in seeking help if you’re struggling to pay for your expenses. Living green or no, there’s a chance you might end up in financial difficulties, and if this happens, you should use any resources available to you. For example, you could look online to find lenders who will provide personal loans and quick loans to lift you out of a bind and set you back on your road to environmentally conscious budget living. Just make sure that you’re not suffering in silence when it comes to money.
Pick up cycling
If you’re looking to live green in 2022, then one of the best ways you can do that is to take up cycling. In essence, cycling is the most environmentally friendly way you can travel; there are zero emissions involved, because the power for the vehicle comes from your own exertions. This also means that you’ll improve your physical fitness significantly as you travel, which is an added benefit. Even a cheap bicycle will prove immeasurably helpful in living green on a budget, and your maintenance costs will be vastly lower than those associated with cars as well.
Grow your own vegetables and fruit
It doesn’t have to be difficult to grow your own vegetables and fruit. Many people think there’s a significant hassle involved in doing so, but the truth is that growing your own vegetables and fruit is as easy as planting seeds in the ground and watering them occasionally. That’s it; even if you don’t live in a particularly temperate climate, there are plenty of plants you can grow that will be hardy enough to survive even through harsh winters and other adverse weather conditions. By growing your own fruit and veg, you’ll save on buying expensive supermarket or grocery ingredients!
Ditch meat
Meat is a great source of protein, but if you want to live in an environmentally-conscious way, then you should drop meat from your diet entirely. Meat is one of the biggest contributors to the climate crisis thanks to the emissions the meat industry generates, so dropping it will help you to coexist more peacefully with the environment. You can easily replace meat with other proteins like beans or soya, both of which have a much less pronounced effect on the environment. This will also help you to broaden your culinary repertoire, as you’ll have to think of more creative recipes!
Shower less often and for less time
The UN Foundation says that lowering the amount of time you spend showering to five minutes could have a huge effect on the environment. If you shower daily, consider reducing the frequency to showering every other day, too; you don’t really need to shower every day unless you’re engaging in intense physical activity, and even then, it’s better to give your body time to breathe rather than dousing it in body wash and shampoo every day. It might also be a good idea to consider switching to a water-efficient showerhead, which could help you to reduce water usage considerably.
Switch your energy provider
Unfortunately, the UK is currently in the midst of an energy crisis, which means that many people will feel awkward about switching their energy provider. However, if you want to live green on a budget, then switching your provider is a good idea. You should research energy providers that are 100% green or that have a strong commitment to the green agenda, and they should be cheaper than your current provider, too. If you look carefully, you should find what you’re looking for, so be sure to spend time thinking about who you want your energy provider to be.
Buy seasonal ingredients
You may not know this, but buying seasonal ingredients is a good way to ensure that you’re doing your bit for the environment. You see, when a fruit or vegetable is in season, it costs less for suppliers to provide; there aren’t any import costs and it’s cheaper for farmers to harvest the plants. Food also takes less time to get to you, which also means it takes less energy when it’s being transported, which is a win for the environment.
Buy things pre-owned
By buying pre-owned or secondhand goods, you’re saving yourself a lot of money and also doing your bit for the environment. This is especially true for clothing; if you’re wearing secondhand clothes, then they’re not being tossed into landfills or doing anything else to harm the environment. Secondhand electronics, appliances, and vehicles are also a good idea; goods will often lose up to a third of their “value” simply by being pre-owned, but that doesn’t mean they’re any less effective in their purpose, so give them a new and loving home!
