The world's consciousness is shifting to encompass a broader view of the effects of mass consumption. Landfills and floating islands of trash now make the news and open peoples' eyes to some of the ills the earth faces due to wastefulness. Time and advances in science and medicine help make what was once unfathomable easier to understand. Regular people are beginning to recognise the power they yield by making even the smallest changes. Though it can eventually help the world, families can look right at home at monthly expenses and devise ways to simplify and save. It may mean making a few quality purchases at the onset but long-term savings can be found by aiming for quality instead of blind convenience.
Water bottles made of mass-produced plastic are old news. Still, companies make them because too few people choose to get with the programme. Plastic, particularly when heated, can be very detrimental to ones health. Heat releases toxins from plastics, and studies have shown illnesses such as Endometriosis and late age dementia could be linked to plastic use. That means any item heated in a microwave or left in an auto can be harmful when used. To help save one's health and ultimately save money, have all family members switch to a stainless steel bottle or a Nalgene water bottle to take with them throughout the day.
Buy quality items. This may seem counter-intuitive when trying to save money. However, good quality items are built to last and should also have a better-than-average warranty that comes with. Of course quality items should mostly be considered when looking for things to keep for the long-haul. When children are quickly growing out of clothes it makes no sense to overspend. Yet a solid armoir or some other solid piece of furniture could ultimately be more affordable than a cheap dresser that has to be replaced more often. Good quality shoes that can help prevent injuries later in life would also be considered a wise use of money. Though the purchase may not seem like saving now, it most certainly will reveal its benefits later in life. Plus better shoes simply last longer.
Thrift and turn a profit. One of the best ways to save money and help out the planet it to buy second-hand clothes and furniture. Granted this may not suit everyone but at the very least those discomfited by buying clothes could at least donate unused apparel. Thrifting can also be a terrific way to bring in extra income as a cottage industry. Do research to learn about a niche item or collection. Also be sure to see if the market it over-saturated with like items already. If not, then simply buy low and sell high.
Trade with friends and family. Pride is totally understandable, yet it makes getting through tough financial times that much more difficult. So if your sister has children's clothes your children can use, take them! If moving to a new home and your mom offers an old set of dishes, say thank you and use them! You, too, most likely have unneeded items that could possibly be beneficial to them, so why feel embarrassed? Plus feel good in knowing that those reused items not only saved money, they made your own carbon footprint just a wee bit smaller.
Trying to save money can sometimes feel as insurmountable as saving the planet. Yet with both all small positive steps can lead to cumulative big change. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the process, look at life's expenses and try to come up with clever and contentious ways to get what's needed without taking on much more expense. Once in the mindset of conserving and reusing items, a world of saving will open up to you. It may not mean the old life of picking up and tossing away items before giving them the first thought—it will mean slowing down some and living a higher quality of life, no matter what the budget