Have you ever wondered how much time and money you have wasted to get an Instagram-worthy life? Well, it’s time to get real and go low-waste. Your bulk and fancy food, your plastic water bottle, your hundred-dollar face cream – all that is just an illusion of how fulfilling life can be. Going low waste is simple, so don’t fall for the trap! You might feel intimidated initially because you think it’s expensive to go low-waste, but in reality, it might even cost less than your regular wasteful life.
Here are some tips from my side that will surely help you go low-waste on a budget:
Get An Easy Minimalist Lifestyle
If you are the kind of person who likes to pick up new things now and then, shopping for low-waste products might be overwhelming. So first, consider getting rid of unnecessary possessions – if you have them, use them or lose them! Try to incorporate only those items that are essential in your life. You can sell your extra belongings to earn some extra cash or donate them to someone who might find them useful. If you find it tough to give away your belongings, you could consider donating to charity instead.
Search In What You Already Have
We often buy new things and forget to use the old ones. So instead of going outside and buying something new, try using what you already have. Chances are, you probably have a lot of stuff that you can reuse. For example, you might have extra fabric from the dress you made for your friend’s wedding last year. You could reuse that to make a pillow or a tablecloth for yourself! Or maybe those extra shoes you possess are looking a little dull. Rather than buying new ones, you could use some shoe polish to make them look like they’re brand-new! Don’t throw away your old bottles! Use them for essential oils! Pour some drops of lavender essential oil into the spray bottle and fill it with water. Spray it around your house as an air freshener. Though you may think about the price of essential oils, we have got your back! With beauty deals and coupons, you can buy bundles of essential oils at less price.
Visit A Thrift Store
If you want to buy inexpensive clothing, you should visit a nearby thrift store. Thrift stores are the best place to buy things that will not cost you a lot of money, and you can get them at a meager price here. You can find some excellent stuff in these shops as they sell all kinds of stuff from different people. A lot of those items you will find are barely used. Keep in mind to do some research before heading to a thrift store. By asking around, you can find a place where you can shop high-end brands at throw-away prices. Also, take your time and bring a friend for advice. Sometimes people buy what they see, but you can shop for the best pieces by taking some time.
Avoid Food Wastage
We often buy food items that may go to waste soon because their life span is not as much as other items. For example, if you have bought a packet of spinach, try cooking it all simultaneously instead of just buying vegetables according to what you need. This way, the remaining vegetables will not go to waste, and you will also save money. Otherwise, get to know about specific tips to preserve those things properly.
Saving Money On Groceries
When you visit the shops, you should always check out everything on offer because you can end up buying many items that don’t go on sale often, and since they are on offer, you will get an excellent bargain. Also, make a list before going grocery shopping. And don’t buy unnecessary tempting items. Take a tour of your pantry before heading to the grocery, buy those needed and essential. Avoid bulk buying as most of the time, people buy in bulk but then throw away the items because they expire. Also, use grocery coupons to save some amount on your daily essentials. By browsing CouponGot coupons and deals, you can find amazing grocery coupons to get the maximum discount on your purchase.
Repurposing of Items
People often think about throwing away certain things, but if you creatively use them differently, then it won’t be considered a waste. For example, you can use the water left over after boiling potatoes or pasta to water your plants. Another example is using old tins as storage for screws and nails to avoid getting lost anymore.
Keep A Neutral Home Decor
In the past decade, neutral colors have been trendy in home decor. The popularity can be attributed to many people realizing that they don’t have to spend a lot of dollars to make their homes look modern and stylish. Neutral colors match all kinds of furniture, which means you get a lot more flexibility while decorating your home.
DIY On A Dime
Most of these ideas cost less than $30. They can be made with household materials like vinegar, baking soda, coconut oil, toothpaste, baby powder, aluminum foil, hydrogen peroxide, and rubbing alcohol (for acne). Most of them are also very eco-friendly! Salon alternative? If you use a small amount of baking soda to wash your hair with apple cider vinegar for the “conditioner,” you can make your shampoo/conditioner for close to nothing.
Choose A Favorite Product And Stick To It
This will make it easier for you to shop low-waste because usually, one product type would have only one or two items under it, so you could buy those instead of looking through the whole section. For example, if fabric softener sheets are your thing, get that whenever you go to the store! Or if you don’t mind wet wipes, then get those!
Make Your Own (Organic) Beauty Products
This is not only creative and fun, but it’s also the CHEAPEST option! You can make face masks, shampoo, conditioner, or even toothpaste. You can choose recipes from the internet or make your own as I do! 🙂 Search beauty products you used to buy and see if it’s possible to make them at home- eco-friendly AND budget-friendly!
On a Final Note
Frugal living may benefit you in the long term. By keeping your budget and expenses low, you can save money for the future. It also benefits you from being confident of what life gives you ahead. You don’t have to worry about big brands or continental food. You can enjoy life on your own!
