Guest Post by Sarah from I Blame My Mother
Usually when I think of going green, I think that I have to spend lots of money to do it. These suggestions actually help you SAVE money. I have cut back a ton on my household supplies by using methods that would be considered green. If you don’t buy into all that green stuff, then you can use these ideas for their money-saving merits alone.
1. Cloth napkins – It takes little or no sewing skills to accomplish these, and they will last almost forever! Yes, you will have to launder them, but just throw them in your towel load. They don’t take up much room. I have girls and they love our pretty napkins. I made napkins for home use out of a clearance tablecloth and bought cloth hankies and pack them in my girls lunch boxes. (They are fancy!!) Use an old tablecloth, leftover fabric, whatever you have laying around. You CAN sew four (semi) straight seams. Never buy napkins again. Simple.
2. Stop Shampooing – Do you know how hard shampoo is on your hair? Cut your shampoo bill in half by only shampooing every other day (your hair will thank you) or go the “no-poo route.” It isn’t an exact science, so you’ll have to experiment with what works for you. I have oily, thin, wavy hair and it’s working for me. I’m the one that would buy $20 shampoo at the salon. Now I use conditioner, a little baking soda and vinegar a few times a week, and I’m all set. There is the original No-Poo method HERE, the Curly Girl method HERE (reinvent your curls!)….and I’m sure you can find more. Play with it. Get through the first few weeks and you’ll love it. Bottom line – better for your hair and save money on less or no shampoo.
3. Stop using your deodorant – You won’t stink. Now before you think I have lost all hope at normal hygiene, you will be replacing your deodorant with a crystal deodorant stick. It costs about $6.00 and lasts an entire year. I know with deals and coupons deodorant is one of those products you often get free, but it could be harmful. The Crystal is aluminum- and paraben-free. Antiperspirants have an aluminum-based compound as their main ingredient which are controversial ingredients and, potentially, unhealthy. Same story with parabens. If you don’t believe the hype on unhealthy additives, then the best selling point is that it NEVER will leave a white residue on your little black dress. I hate when that happens!
4. Stop throwing away the trash – Keep those glass containers. Empty apple sauce, spaghetti sauce, pickle jars, etc., are all great containers to store leftovers. They don’t pick up smells from other foods. They are safer than plastics (come on, admit that plastics can leach into foods). They even freeze well (I make a huge batch of spaghetti sauce and freeze in glass containers. Just remember to leave room for expansion). They are FREE if you are already using the products that come in them.
5. Remember to bring your bags – I love my reusable bags. I have THESE net bags which are compact, hold a ton, and are washable. They do have a bit of cost upfront which I will eventually make back because Albertson’s gives a reusable bag credit (only $.05 per bag…but still, it adds up). If you don’t want to spend much money, buy the bags that about every store is offering for less than a buck….or use all of those tote bags that somehow accumulate in the house.
6. Diva Cup – Very easy to use, enough said.
7. Soap Nuts? Are you nuts? I recently bought a 2-pound bag of soap nuts for $26.95. They will last me well over a year (over 320 loads) AND they really do clean well and soften. No need for detergents or fabric softener. I would have to find a 32 load bottle of high efficiency ALL for $2.70 to beat that.
So there you have it. You CAN combine frugal and green. Every little bit helps (the pocketbook and the planet)! What frugal and green combos can you come up with?
