artwork by Leah Collier @herdaysoff

I want to preface this post by saying there are many ways in which I am privileged to be able to live the sustainable lifestyle that I do. I even wrote an entire post about it, and I *highly* encourage you to read it (or re-read it) before you continue with this post. Some of the things I talk about in this post required an up-front investment but have paid off in the long run. I recognize that I am privileged to be able to make these investments. On the other hand, some of the things I talk about in this post cost me nothing at all. It’s equally as important to share the ways in which I am privileged to live the life I do and the ways in which everyone can save a little money by living a more sustainable lifestyle.

First and foremost, I use what I have.

There is this crazy misconception that in order to live a low-waste lifestyle, you need to go out and buy all new, shiny, sustainable things. At the beginning of my low-waste lifestyle I thought I needed to buy brand new mason jars, perfectly matched tupperware, new reusable bags, a bamboo cutlery set, and even new sustainably made clothing. Unfortunately, I DID buy a lot of these things, and – let me tell you – it wasn’t cheap.

Recently I’ve been much more resourceful with what I already have. I use old pasta sauce jars for bulk bar purchases and for my favorite iced teas. I wrap regular silverware in a reusable “paper” towel and use it as a to-go cutlery set. I shop my closet. I mend what I break. Drop the misconception that you need to buy new things to live sustainably. The most sustainable thing you can do is use what you already have. If you order takeout or buy something in a plastic container, wash it and re-use it instead of buying brand new tupperware. If you have a plethora of glass jars (like I do) consider giving some to friends who are just starting their sustainability journey.

I waste less food & buy in bulk.

Over the past few months I have started experimenting with reducing food waste. When I buy beets or carrots at farmers markets and they come with greens still attached, I use them to make my own pesto (which is one less thing I need to buy!). I also save leftover veggie scraps in my freezer to make my own vegetable broth. All of this allows me to get the best bang for my buck and make something yummy while I’m at it.

In addition to reducing food waste, I have also reduced food-related packaging. I buy a lot of my dry ingredients in bulk – quinoa is around $1 per pound, popcorn kernels are about the same, and rice is about $2 per pound at my local grocery store bulk section. The process of buying food in bulk has allowed me to save some money on items that I eat regularly, but it has also made me pay way more attention to the amount of food that I buy and the value that I get for that food. Walking through a grocery aisle and picking out whatever bag of quinoa is available doesn’t quite make you think about the amount and price of that item compared to literally putting scoops of quinoa or candy or pine nuts into a jar. Being active in your food purchasing process is another way to become a more conscious consumer.

I’ve ditched disposables.

Last summer I switched from disposable razors to a safety razor. I found one on Amazon for under $15 and got a pack of 100 blades for $8. I was used to buying packs of women’s razors every few months, and that cost adds up over time (hello pink tax). The best part about this purchase was that it wasn’t something I needed to really save up for, compared to some of the other things I’ve really needed to prepare to invest in.

Here are some other reusables I love (in order of least expensive to most expensive):

• reusable bags (to replace shopping bags). Most of these I’ve gotten for free from different events or from shopping (like at Outdoor Voices, Reformation or Glossier). In LA we are charged 10 cents for every paper bag we use in stores, so this actually has saved me quite a bit of money over the past four years.
• reusable cotton rounds (to replace disposables). Mine are made from bamboo fibers and are SUPER soft.
• reusable bamboo towels (to replace paper towels and napkins). Even my roommates stopped buying paper towels!
• a menstrual cup (to replace tampons). I purchased this for $30 during a sale on Sustain’s site, but you can get it now on Amazon for 25% off! Sustain says this cup can last up to three years, and they estimate that to replace 720 tampons and save up to $314. Here’s another option that’s only $28.
• washable period underwear (to replace liners/pads) + a fun period leotard. Continuing on with the theme of reducing period waste, I have been using Thinx for the past year. Thinx are definietly not inexpensive, but I have built up a cycle set by using Afterpay (their free monthly payment partner) and by shopping their sales. Each memorial day weekend they have a pretty good sale, so keep an eye out for that!

I take public transportation.

Growing up in a suburb of Manhattan I grew up taking public transportation into and around the city. I used it more for the convenience rather than cost-savings, but I did become comfortable navigating on public transportation and, as a result, feel comfortable using it in LA. Though LA’s metro system is nothing like Manhattan’s, I take it whenever I can. I am privileged to live a two-minute walk from a metro line that can take me to Downtown LA or Santa Monica for $1.75 per ride. When I can’t use the metro, I use the carpool functions in ride-sharing apps to save on emissions, but also to save some money. My favorite is Uber Express, which drives you on a more direct route and could require a bit of walking, but also is significantly less than regular Uber Pool.

I have a car in LA for the first time this summer and already it has become clear how expensive it is to drive everywhere in LA. There are no public transportation options to get me to work, so I, unfortunately, have to rely on my car for transportation at least four days a week. The cost of gas really adds up, so when I do have the option to take public transportation – even if it means I have to spend some extra time or go a little out of my way to get to my destination – I take it.

Some other things I’m working on.

Something I’m trying this summer is collecting my aluminum cans and glass bottles to return through California’s CRV program. In California we pay an extra 5 cents or so on every glass bottle or aluminum can we buy in a store. If you bring it to a participating recycling center, you can get that amount paid back. I have started collecting my La Croix cans and kombucha bottles to recycle and am hoping to do my first return in a few weeks. I’ll keep you updated on how it goes on my Instagram. If you’re from California learn more about the CRV program here!

I have also been experimenting with making my own things. As I mentioned above I’ve been experimenting with food. I make my own pesto and plan to make my own veggie broth from leftover food waste. I have also been saving orange peels to make my own home cleaning solution. I’ll keep the peels in a jar with vinegar for a few weeks following this recipe and I won’t need to buy any more cleaning products (which are mostly water, BTW). I’ll be following this recipe. I also make my own toothpaste. And no, I’ve been to the dentist twice since making this switch and my teeth look “beautiful” according to my dentist. I use baking soda, coconut oil, and peppermint essential oil – all of which I bought in larger bottles, and all of which will last me through at least the rest of 2019. I recently purchased a secondhand sewing machine and am looking forward to playing around with making my own reusable bags, upcycling items in my closet, and getting creative.

For my entire life, my father has followed me and my siblings around the house turning off lights after we leave the room and unplugging our chargers once our various devices are all juiced up. I always thought this was annoying, but now that I get charged for utilities every month I understand why he’s done it for so long. Reducing your water use, keeping your heat/AC at a steady level, unplugging unused electronics and appliances, and line drying clothing can all directly reduce your utility bills. This summer especially I’m trying to be more conscious of keeping my apartment’s AC at a steady temperature (as the more you change it the more energy it uses!).