Recently I’ve moved out with my SO, and we’ve made some small lifestyle adjustments from the way we were raised (pretty heavy consumerism) to save money for the future, and trying to minimise our impact on the environment. We’ve incorporated elements from a zero waste, frugal and minimalist approach, but still have a life we enjoy and don’t have to think too hard about choices.
Food is one of the biggest areas for savings and our grocery habits are a huge opportunity to do better at by the environment, because eating is something we all do every day.
Groceries can be as cheap as you make them. I started shopping at wholesale fruit and veg markets because I wanted to reduce plastic, but was pleasantly surprised how cheap the cost is. I can fill a trolley with fruit, veg and herbs for around $30-40 AUD, without plastic wrapping, which lasts us two weeks. There is also a farmers market closer to the city where you fill a fruit crate box with as much veg as you want for $15 (Pino’s Produce if you google it).
The second part of our shop comes from Aldi which is cheaper than other retailers. We still buy meat once a fortnight but have heavily reduced consumption for health reasons and this saves the most. I cook lots of vegetarian Indian curries, Asian noodle dishes, Italian pastas, soups and tray-bakes. For something where I do use meat, like bolognese, I will use half the volume as red lentils and grated carrot/zucchini/mushroom/tomatoes.
Dried lentils/pulses are dead cheap and can easily be added for extra fibre to a sauce, soup or salad. Even throw them in the rice cooker with your rice. Add spices, fresh ginger chilli herbs and garlic to everything.
Don’t waste food- compost it in the backyard or get a worm farm. I live in a rental and have dug scraps straight into the garden. If you don’t have time for this, freeze all your carrot tops and onion peels (+ any veg) to boil to make stock.
Gardening is awesome and I started it to get rid of food waste. Our landlord didn’t mind us planting silverbeet (Swiss chard) and tomatoes which grow with nearly no effort. We also replant the ends of spring onion after use and have an endless supply of that. A 99c packet of coriander or basil seeds will give you herbs all season long.
Toiletries wise, we started buy recycled toilet paper (who gives a crap) which is plastic free and in bulk. I use a teaspoon of bicarb soda to wash my hair because all shampoos give me an itchy, flakey and oily scalp, bicarb is super cheap. Use a bar of soap. Vinegar and bicarb are also great natural cleaning products. For women, try reusable pads rather than putting more plastic in landfill and your period is no longer a monthly expense.
I moved close to work and walk there now instead of using my car. Since I stopped using it I have discovered a park nearby that has a measured walking track and free exercise equipment circuit, so I don’t need a gym membership. Shops are in walking distance too. There is a horse club and dog park nearby so I get free enjoyment from being around animals even though we don’t have a pet.
All of our furniture we got second hand from Facebook market place, charity shops or free from a “buy nothing” group.
These are just some of the ways we save money, not strictly, but through little improvements to try be more conscious of our impact and save money where we can.
October 02, 2019 at 08:38PM
