Living Sustainably on a Budget

As the pandemic has continued, many of us have had to reassess our finances and redo our budgets. I recently read something that both resonated with me and made me laugh:

Mom had been canning and quilting and catching wild yeast for sourdough starters since before I was born – when those were still things poor people did, before the Great Pinterest Revival.

Dessa, My Own Devices

It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that sustainability is expensive or that it requires a lot of new things, but the exact opposite can be true as well. I have talked a bit about this in a previous post. Sustainable living isn’t a lifestyle trend that white women wearing neutral-toned clothing on their perfectly curated Instagram accounts invented. These are practices that people of all walks of life can embrace and have for centuries.

Here are a few of my top tips for living sustainably on a budget.

Stock your pantry with bulk dry goods

Finding yourself having to stretch a bit longer between grocery runs, or unable to eat out / order in as often as you used to? This is where a well-stocked pantry can save the day.

Buying food staples like rice, grains, and beans in bulk is a great way to keep costs and waste down. By purchasing from bulk bins you are able to use your own bags and totes, eliminating plastic packaging from the scenario. Since these items aren’t pre-cooked, they last a long time before going bad or getting stale. Be sure to store these items in sturdy, non-porous containers so that they keep. We use old glass jars in our house, and it works perfectly.

Having pantry staples on hand makes it easier to throw together a meal with protein and fiber that will help fill you up without breaking the bank.

Make your coffee at home

Since most of us don’t have an office to get to in the mornings these days, you may already be doing this. If not, now is a great time to start, especially since most good coffee shops can be a bit pricey, and very few are allowing you to bring in your own mug or cup right now.

When you make your coffee at home, you can A) save money, B) reduce plastic use, and C) make sure your coffee comes from an ethical source!

Maybe you are fine with drinking your coffee black or with a splash of milk, but I am a sucker for a flavored latte. This is my go-to recipe for a budget-friendly option:

Iced Cinnamon and Honey Latte⁠ ⁠

Instructions:⁠

Add ice to glass. Pour in coffee, milk, and syrup. Stir or shake to combine. Grate a bit of fresh cinnamon on top. Adjust ratios to taste.⁠ ⁠ ⁠

For Cinnamon Honey Simple Syrup:⁠

3/4 cup water⁠
3/4 cup honey⁠
3 cinnamon sticks ⁠
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract⁠ ⁠

Instructions:

In a small saucepan, bring water, honey, and cinnamon sticks to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat, and let simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, and let cool completely. Store in a jar in the refrigerator between uses.⁠ ⁠ ⁠

Tip: I make a big batch of espresso or cold brew at the beginning of the week and then stick it in the refrigerator so that all I have to do is pour, stir, and go in the mornings.⁠

Dust off your bicycle

Another way to live sustainably on a budget? If you have a bike around, you have a great opportunity to reduce your carbon footprint AND your monthly expenses.

If you are looking for ways to stay active without paying for a gym membership, riding your bike is a great way to get some exercise without spending any money. You can map out different routes to keep things fresh and see more of your city while you pump your legs and breathe in some fresh air.

Bicycles are also great for running errands. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend picking up a full load of groceries, but quick things like going to the post office, picking up a few pantry staples, running to the pharmacy, etc. can all be done easily on a bike instead of driving your car. This option allows you to cut your carbon emissions and buy gas less often, which is a win-win if you ask me.

Stay tuned for Part 2!

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Featured Photo by Noah Buscher on Unsplash