6 Budget-Friendly Tips For Going Green

 

by Amber Styles

Hello young mommies! I know a lot of us are SAHMs or young professionals still getting established and comfortable financially as we strive to provide the very best for our little ones. And even if you’re quite situated, who can resist stretching a dollar? Here are some simple tips for going green without shelling out good money:

1 – Go to the library – I love taking my little one to pajama storytime and discovering new friends through the books on the shelves. And I don’t have to get tired of reading the same stories over and over and bedtime, because there is a seemingly endless supply to explore! Don’t forget to give yourself a pat on the back for supporting strong literacy skills too!

2 – Shop smart for organic and local food – Walking through the aisles of a natural foods store can be an amazing and calming feeling, until you get to the check out. If you are interested in avoiding pesticides used in conventional farming practices, head out first to discount stores like Aldi’s for deals on organic foods, or look for deals if your grocery store has a certified organic store brand. You could go one further and speak with local farmers about how they grow their produce, and become part of a CSA that uses sustainable practices. Community Supported Agriculture allows you to pay upfront for a “share” of a farm’s healthy harvest. You can find a group near you at websites like LocalHarvest.com.

3 – Reuse toys & clothes – Help avoid perfectly good items ending up in landfills by buying gently used clothing at local garage sales and thrift stores. I am constantly amazed by the designer deals I find, especially on baby clothes, some of which have never been worn! Make sure to keep the cycle going by giving away suitable items your little one has outgrown to another family with younger kids (you can make money too, if you sell it to a consignment shop!).

4 – Buy or plant a houseplant – Plants like aloe vera help clean the air in your home, which can be full of volatile organic compounds and other contaminants. No need for some fancy purifier! The gel in aloe vera leaves also doubles as a soothing rub for burned skin after a sunny day.

5 – Stop wasting money on toxic cleaning products – It really is amazing what a little soap and water and a lot of elbow grease can clean. Look for a cleaner without harsh detergents and skin irritants to use around the house. You can even use items like fresh cut lemon halves to clean shower scum, or orange peels in vinegar to make a household cleaner that won’t worry you when Baby decides to lick the table (you know it happens!). And all your carpet needs to be clean and fresh is a sprinkle of baking soda and lavender essential oil.

6 – Close the blinds – I absolutely adore sunlight, but you will save money on your electric bills by if you don’t make the AC work harder to cool your home with the sun warming it up. And it makes a great excuse to get outside and play so you can enjoy the summer sun! And if you do leave the house for much of the day, such as to go to work, turn off the AC and wait until you get back home to switch it back. It turns out that it takes less energy to cool down a room than keep it cool for an extended time.

I hope this post inspires you to think outside the box to improve the health of your family and the planet. I’d love to hear about any other “eco-nomical” advice of your own!

Amber Styles is a young mom, wife and student. She blogs at The Yuppie Hippie.