Five ways sustainable living can save you money in 2023

Trying to save the planet can often come with big price tags, especially when looking at sustainably made clothing and homeware. It might even feel like you have to pick between saving money and saving the planet. Luckily, there are so many ways to be eco-friendly that don't cost the earth - financially or literally!

Here are our top five eco-friendly things you can do to save money.

Get on your bike

It’s January which means there’s a chance you’ve made a New Year’s resolution to do more exercise this year. Unfortunately, gyms can be expensive and busy, particularly at this time of year. So, why not hop on your bike and get your blood pumping in the great outdoors? Cycling is carbon neutral, and it stops you having to pay for a stationary bike inside. Queen Elizabeth Country Park has a great selection of cycling routes for you to get started, no matter whether you’re looking to speed across the countryside or take things at your own pace.

You can also use it for transport, saving you money on petrol and reducing your carbon footprint. If cycling isn’t accessible for you, you can also go for a gentle walk outside instead of on a treadmill. If you’re looking for more suggestions about ways to exercise outside, we’ve made a guide to getting fit in the countryside.

Eat locally

You've probably notice that a lot of your food is imported from around the world, from nearby France to far off New Zealand. As exciting as it may seem, shipping out-of-season produce worldwide is a massive contributor to high carbon emissions. However, if you’re eating locally or growing your own produce, food has less distance to travel between the farm and your kitchen. This reduces your carbon footprint and helps the environment.

Eating with the seasons also means you can match your meals to the weather and enjoy the best tasting produce out there. There’s nothing quite like eating butternut squash soup snuggled up in a warm jumper or enjoying the burst of fresh tomatoes in the summer sun.

Buying local produce can save you money too. The cost of locally grown food is usually lower because it hasn’t had to travel as far, and if it’s bought directly from the supplier then you’ll typically avoid extra delivery costs. Staunton Farm Shop is a great place to get started, offering a range of locally sourced produce including fresh bread and vegetables, pickles, jams, oils, chutneys, ice creams and honey. So you can reduce your food miles and even save a few pennies in the process.

Buy second hand

It’s now easier than ever to buy clothes, furniture, homeware, and so much more second-hand, saving you hard-earned cash. The added benefit of buying pre-loved items is that nothing new needs to be manufactured. Any energy, waste, or carbon emissions that would’ve been created as part of making a new jumper doesn’t need to exist. So, head to your local charity shop and give your money to a worthy cause, knowing that you’re helping the environment out while you’re browsing.

Make homemade gifts

If you’ve got any birthdays or special occasions coming up, why not make your own gifts? The added charm and thoughtfulness that goes into handcrafted presents is sure to be greatly appreciated by your loved one, and it’ll probably cost you a bit less too. Making your own presents is also more sustainable as you can reuse things you already have on hand, without producing as much packaging and waste. If you’re stuck for ideas, here’s five sustainable gift ideas to spark your creativity.

Cut down on single use plastic

Finally, using reusable alternatives to single-use plastic can make a big difference to the environment and your wallet. Even things like bringing your own bags to supermarkets can make a difference. You won’t have to pay for new plastic bags, and less plastic will end up in landfill as a result. Most cafés also offer a discount if you bring your own reusable mug instead of asking for a disposable cup. These changes might seem small, but they’ll add up to make your life more cost-effective and sustainable.

Over to you

These are just five of the ways you can save the money by being eco-friendly. Share your favourite sustainable living tips with us on Facebook and Instagram, or connect with us by signing up to our newsletter.