Easy Ways to Live More Sustainably (and reduce your monthly bills!)
- Molly Ishmael
- Apr 23, 2022
- 10 min read
Updated: Apr 24, 2022
Happy Earth Day weekend! I'm sure we're all grateful for this beautiful planet God gave us to live on, care for, and enjoy. In honor of Earth Day 2022, here are seven EASY ways to live more sustainably - and bonus, save on those pesky monthly bills, too!
From reducing utility bills to minimizing consumption at the grocery store, here are a few things I've personally tried that are really easy to incorporate into our modern lifestyle while still honoring the wisdom and admirable habits of the old-timers! And yes, we definitely save money with some of these tips, as well!
My daughter wears her "Make Every Day Earth Day" t-shirt while playing with her new bubble maker in the backyard.
I'll be honest. As much as I enjoy being active, sometimes it's tempting to just stay in the house vegging in the AC, especially in the Florida summer. But our daughter reminds us to spend more time playing outside more, watering the plants (which isn't work if you ask her) and go on walks. These are a few of her favorite things right now. I want to foster that love of nature and so we usually go outside several times every day. Right now, we do things like play with bubbles, weed the flower beds, and even just check the mail, and hopefully when we move into the new house we will also have veggie gardens and animals to take care of. There'll be no resting on our laurels then!
If you're like me and interested in living more sustainably but you're not exactly ready to go off-grid like in the TV shows, then scroll down for my ideas of "Easy Ways to Live More Sustainably (and reduce your monthly bills!)"
Easy Ways to Live More Sustainably (and reduce your monthly bills!)
Storing clean water in reusable containers is not only sustainable, it's tasty!
1. Ditch the Plastic Water Bottles (Use THIS instead!)
Back when I worked for Marriott, I remember that one of the trainers highlighted a signature niceties in all their vacation club locations and hotels: a huge glass jug of ice water usually infused with citrus, cucumber, or strawberries; these are in the lobby and guests can help themselves anytime. Refreshing! I definitely loved it during training... in July... in Orlando. It was brutally hot and I guzzled that fancified water every chance I could! Along those lines, the same could be done with a Britta container or any other water dispenser. Simply place the fruit in the area where the filtered water goes (not the filter area itself, it could clog.) Alternatively, store water in a large pitcher and top it with the fruit or veggies of your choice.
Single small water bottles are one of the most wasteful things we do in American society according to some sources. But understandably, some of us must filter or buy our water: for example, where we live in Florida, tap water has high levels of sulphur that make it taste revoltingly like rotten eggs. Blagh! Where I grew up in Pennsylvania, a number of people either had well water, access to fresh mountain spring water, or purified water from local rivers flowing right from the tap. But seeing as that's not always the case, what to do if your tap water tastes yucky?
There are several options. We use a Britta to purify the tap water then pour it into tumblers to keep it cool and drink it through out the day. I like a squeeze of organic lemon or lime juice, too. (On another note, we can't wait to be able to hopefully grow citrus trees on our land; that will save a bundle in store-bought lemon juice!) But no matter how you choose to filter or store your water, try a reusable filter system or perhaps buy larger gallons of water versus 8-ox or 16-oz small bottles that get chucked after each drink. Not only is this more sustainable, you'll save money in the long run!
Our Britta has lasted many years and it's still going!
Does anyone else prefer straws? I don't know why, I just love them!
2. Try Reusable Straws (but not the dangerous kind!)
Ok, I LOVE drinking from straws! Some people do, some don't. Yes, I know how wasteful single-use plastic straws are, but let's be honest, paper straws are awful. And they require trees to be cut down and are single use... actually they're more like half use as they become soggy long before your drink is gone! If you're like me and you like straws that actually work, please allow me to recommend one of my favorite online finds below!
I recently heard a very judge-y podcast from a lady who, in answer to the question what does she suggest to replace plastic or paper straws, self-righteously simpered, "I simply lift the cup to my lips." Pause for effect. Granted, she's not wrong... She DID acknowledge some people have medical issues requiring the need for straws. But what she did NOT mention was there is a fantastic reusable straw option out there that would benefit those who need straws AND anyone who happens to prefers them!
And NO, the answer is not metal straws (in my opinion). Those things terrify me! Maybe the media got to me, but I've heard one too many stories of people who accidentally impaled themselves. One lady famously had a metal straw go straight through the roof of her mouth to her brain and sadly died. They also tear up your gums and can chip teeth. Just google "metal straws kill" and you'll see why I steer clear. With a toddler in the house and myself being a klutz? Ummm... just no.
I've been using washable silicone straws for years and they are fantastic! Buy once and never buy straws again? Yep, cha-ching! They fit in most slots for regular straws and are comfortingly soft, even better than the regular old hard plastic straws, in my opinion. Available in many cheerful colors, you can also cut them to fit shorter cups, which is what I did for my shorter tumblers. Bonus, my daughter enjoys getting to pick the color she wants on a given day. Easily pop these in the dishwasher and use the pipe cleaner that comes with them for free, and you're good to sip another day! No need to buy more for years to come. (And no need to throw anything in the trash heap, either.:)
This is one brand I've tried; cute colors and they hold up so well!
Every small effort counts!
3. Create a Patio Garden
Even if it's small, a tiny potted garden can do a lot of good! We all know plants clean the air, not to mention that eating fresh herbs and veggies provides lots of nutrients! But did you know that the very act of caring for plants is actually good for mental health? It's practically like therapy!
One of many sources on this topic:
I'm also reminded of one of the very first instructions ever given to humankind on earth: to take care of the garden. "And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it." - Genesis 2:15
AND of course, every piece of food we grow is one less piece that has to be flown in on an airplane or driven to the grocery store on a gas-guzzling truck. Nothing against that industry as I'm sure we're all grateful for the ability to import, trust me! But why not cut back on bringing food from across the country when we can easily grow some of it in our own backyards?
The tiered herb garden returns! I've shared this a few times, but it's just so great.
Whatttt.... it turns out that light is free?!
4. Open the Blinds (instead of turning on the lights)
This is something my husband got me into doing. I used to sleep with curtains or blinds closed but he leaves them open. I now love the natural light streaming in but a word of warning: there's no more sleeping in if you keep your blinds open! When that morning sun rises, so will you. It's amazing how our bodies react to sunlight. Once I got used to it, it's a beautiful thing! It's also much more gentle on the eyes compared to waking in a dark room them flipping on glaring electric lights.
If you need privacy but still want the benefits of rising with the sun, perhaps give the window film below a try. I've used something similar in several homes and it's worked out well every time. Lights still filters in but it's harder to see much through the glass, perfect if your windows or doors face a neighbor's house or a busy street.
Bonus, this product reduces energy use as it partially blocks sunlight heat!
Does following nature's cues provides the best rest?
5. Go to Bed When it Gets Dark(ish)
Have I lost my mind? Go to bed when it's DARK OUTSIDE??? That could be 5 pm in the winter!
In reality, we aren't jumping into bed the moment it gets dark, but most of us could probably go to bed earlier in general. I'm mainly preaching to MYSELF right now. This is an area where I really struggle. I tend to stay up later than my entire family so I can catch up on mom-stuff after everyone is sleeping. It's my only quiet time all day. Emails, social, reading, and my girly TV shows, not mention finally cleaning and organizing without a toddler instantly undoing it, are just a few of the late-night activities I enjoy.
But yes, I've read the studies. Hours of sleep before midnight are somehow more nourishing than those after! And not only will an earlier bedtime save electricity, it will help your body return to it's natural circadian rhythm: winding down when it gets dark and rising naturally at with dawn's light shining through your window. God has shown us through His Word, nature, and our own body's signs of exhaustion that we need time to rest. Bonus, it's also warmer and safer to be inside at night.
And of course, the earlier we go to bed, the less time we are using electricity from artificial lights, gadgets, etc. So why not jump on nature train's and let the sunset be your cue to crash? Once you get used to it, you'll feel great. I know I do whenever I make the choice!
If you like the fresh scent of the woods, you'll love this blend formulated for relaxation.
A word about alternative work schedules: In today's age of 24/7 convenience and emergency-oriented positions, some people can't sleep at night due to their work schedules; for example, night nurses who work overnight to be present for patients who need around -the-clock care. For those hard-working folks, they simply can't follow nature's lead! That is understandable and admirable, although not ideal for personal health. A few suggestions could be investing in black-out curtains or a noise machine that plays nighttime nature sounds. I believe there are even lamps that imitate sunlight you could try. Please share your own suggestions, too!
Did you know bidets were invented over 300 years ago?
6. Consider a Bidet
Okay, I used to be just like every other American who makes fun of bidets. But then I found out the majority of the GLOBE has been using them for decades, centuries even - EXCEPT US. Why? Perhaps "big toilet paper" lobbied against them? (I jest, but that's actually very possible.)
Invented in France in the late 1600s, bidets are hardly a new product. But they're just now rising in popularity in the western world. We don't have a bidet YET but it's in the plans for the new house! We also stayed in a hotel room recently that featured a relatively fancy one - heated seat and all - and it was pretty awesome. I never thought I would be geeked out about a toilet seat but, yep, it's all it's cracked up to be! No wonder literally anyone that makes the switch raves about the change. Plus, it's thought to be healthier and cleaner. Health benefits are touted to include better treatment of many, well, booty-related issues, as well as water is more gentle on sensitive areas than dry ol' toilet paper!
Bidets have a wide price range, from around $50 for a non-electric version (below) to thousands of dollars for the most luxurious brands. One thing is for certain: They drastically reduce the need for toilet paper! A recent article suggested that bidet use in America would save 15 million trees per year! It seems we can't go wrong with this choice.
Extra points for sustainability as this bidet attachment requires NO electricity!
We all have to clean. Why not save some money while we're at it?
7. Switch to Reusable Cleaning Bottles
Even if you're not ready to make your own soap yet, I strongly recommend considering buying reusable pump bottles for things like hand soap and shampoo. This hugely reduces trash piles of one-time use plastic bottles. Recycling is not available in some areas and even where it is, it's largely ineffective, unfortunately. (I suggest watching the Netflix episode on recycling in the show "Explained." You will probably be shocked; I know I was.)
Bonus, you will save tons of money now that you can buy liquid soap and detergent in bulk and just refill your bottles as needed! Or of course, when you're ready, considering mixing up these simple and cheap recipes yourself. Just subscribe to this blog and receive my FREE "Natural Household Handbook" including over 30 easy at-home recipes for everything from foaming hand soap to floor cleaning solution!
Still one of my favorite online finds!
As the saying goes, this tip is "an oldy but a goody."
BONUS TIP: Leave Shoes at the Door
How does taking off your shoes at the door support sustainable living? Let me count the ways:
Less dirt tracked inside = less vacuuming and cleaning supplies needed. (And less time spent cleaning.
Fewer ruined carpets and rugs = less waste & repeat purchases.
Reduced pesticide exposure and chemicals ground into your flooring = safer for everyone including babies and pets.
Lessened amount of germs and other contaminants and pollutants drug throughout the house = fewer products needed to combat that AND happier, healthier inhabitants!
Many cultures across the globe leave shoes at the door; for some reason, we in the West seem to relish walking all over creation from pesticide-sprayed lawns to public restrooms in the same shoes we intended to then track throughout our living spaces. Did you know studies show pesticide residue remains in carpet fibers for years? It's virtually impossibly to remove some chemicals once they've soaked into our surfaces. I strongly recommend saving yourself the headache (perhaps literally) and just leave shoes at the door. Now the question always arises.- what if others don't cooperate? Well, just do you! Every shoe at the door is a step in the right direction and I believe that every little bit helps.
This small shoe rack could tuck into most entry areas.
We love taking care of our little corner of the earth! (Though she is still working on her aim with the watering can, haha!)
So those are my quick tips for living more sustainably in this modern world, all very easy and inexpensive to incorporate! Really, there's no reason to not try our best to take care of this beautiful plant AND of ourselves by trying a few simple changes. I am interested in your comments too; does anyone want to add a suggestion to the list? I would love to hear your feedback! Meanwhile, enjoy this beautiful Earth Day weekend!
With Love,
Molly
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