How to go green on a budget for yourself
Not because a big company tells you it's your responsibility
Hi, I’m Renée, a finance and business journalist, writer, and content strategist. The Budgette is a chill newsletter about single finances and lifestyle and is published twice a month to more than 2,000 subscribers, some paid - thank you as that supports my ability to take time to interview experts. I prefer to write when I have something to say and when I’m not here, I work on content strategy and execution for Canadian and U.S. publications and brands. If you want to work together, message me or you can find me on LinkedIn. There is a direct message option now but don’t do that. I probably won’t see it in time.
It’s April and it’s Earth Month. This year’s theme is Planet vs. Plastics and I wanted to take a look at the various financial aspects of sustainability. This month’s newsletters will look at how to be green because you want to, not as part of an orchestrated marketing campaign by corporations, who are some of the biggest polluters in the world, to download environmental responsibility onto individuals.
I spoke with Candice Batista, author of Sustained: Creating a Sustainable House Through Small Changes, Money-Saving Habits, and Natural Solutions. She posits that you can go green without spending more money.
That’s something we hear quite often - that it’s expensive to go green. (Same with minimalism and quiet luxury.) A 2022 study by Deloitte UK found that 52 per cent of consumers haven’t create a more sustainable lifestyle due to the cost of eco-friendly alternatives, plus a bit more said they would switch if products were more affordable.
I had bookmarked that study, figuring it would eventually be used in an article on how to go green within your budget. Then Sustained was published. Batista, in her book, offers tips on how to save money if you want a sustainable household.
Why has going green/ being sustainable gotten the reputation for only people with money?
A big part of it has to do with social media and the desire to achieve the perfect aesthetic, giving the impression that pretty mason jars filled with pretty food lined up in a typically white kitchen is what it means to be more sustained. The fact is sustainable living is messy.
It’s about being aware of the garbage you are creating, knowing where your products are coming from, and who made them and where are they going when you are done with them. All of these things take time and effort on our part. It’s what I talk about in my book, Sustained.
It’s not about matching mason jars and perfect kitchens. It’s about using what you have, that means having jars, rags, food containers, reusable bottles for DIY cleaning products etc. that don’t match.
It’s about reducing food waste. Which is directly linked to climate change. When we put food in the garbage, it goes to landfill and as it breaks down, it creates methane gas. A greenhouse gas that’s worse than CO2.
Canadians are tossing massive amounts of food. The average family wastes close to $1,800 per year. This is due in part to not storing food properly, buying too much, not meal planning.
When you reduce food waste, you save money. It’s that simple.
Another major reason why it seems more expensive is clever marketing and don’t forget all brands even the sustainable ones still want to make a profit. Yes, there are many ethical brands doing great things, but the bottom line is its still all about the bottom line.
This is especially true in the cleaning industry who tells us we need a separate cleaning product for each cleaning task in the home. This is simply not the case. You can also make many of your own effective, cheap, sustainable cleaning products. That will save you a ton of money. Dish soap, hand soap, body wash, some of the best and cheapest ingredients can be used.
It’s our current systems that is costing us so much money. We pay lots of money for things like paper towels, plastic baggies, dryer sheets etc. But in many cases, we are paying for the marketing and the packing. Shrikfaltion is here and its only going to get worse.
All these “con-venience” products are the opposite. Image if you removed these items from your grocery list, you’d save money?
Use what you have! Try a DIY!
Is it because it's easier to sell aesthetics than actual solutions?
In some cases, yes. But I think it’s also a lack of awareness, not caring or somewhere in between.
We're living in an era where it's easy to adopt an apocalyptical view point. How does starting small change that mindset?
Starting small in our journey towards sustainability is like planting seeds in a garden of hope. Each small change is a step away from the shadows of an apocalyptical viewpoint, illuminating a path where collective actions grow into a forest of impact. It's in these incremental shifts that we find the power to rewrite the narrative from one of impending doom to a story of resilience and renewal. By focusing on the achievable, we inspire a ripple of change that challenges the enormity of despair with the strength of gradual, persistent progress.
You have great tips in your book on how to go green with little to no extra spending. What's your favourite tip?
I love this question; I’ve never been asked this before.
My favourite tip is: write “bags” on the top of your grocery list. You’ll never forget them.
What do you hope people take from the book whether that's internal to their four walls or to the greater community?
From "Sustained," I hope readers discover that the power to shape a greener, more sustainable future begins within the walls of their own homes. It's about understanding that our everyday choices, no matter how small, can collectively lead to significant reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions. The book aims to demystify the journey towards sustainability, showing that it's not only about saving the planet but also about enhancing our quality of life and financial well-being. By adopting simple, budget-friendly practices, we can transform our living spaces into beacons of eco-friendly living, paving the way for a healthier, more responsible interaction with our world. Whether it’s through green cleaning methods, waste reduction, or smart shopping, "Sustained" seeks to inspire a ripple effect—from individual households to the greater community—proving that the secrets to both environmental preservation and economic savings lie much closer to home than we might think.
This week’s readings:
The budget is coming on April 16 and the federal government is announcing some changes that are supposed to help people with housing. This is interesting, especially the one where renters get credit for on-time rent payments. I’m not sure how this will be implemented for small landlords, though. Fairness for every generation. (Federal government of Canada)
Why you can’t afford a home, explained in 10 charts (The Globe and Mail)
Avoiding shrinkflation is difficult, but these shoppers have a few tips (Canadian Press)
'They don’t listen to us': Looming Loblaws boycott aims to bring food prices down (CTV News)
Canada likely to avoid recession, begin recovering in second half of 2024: Deloitte (Canadian Press)
What business wants from the 2024 federal budget (The Logic, paywalled)
The Case for Marrying an Older Man (The Cut)
The ‘stay-at-home girlfriend’ trend could be dangerous to your financial health — here’s how to protect yourself (Toronto Star)
‘Open banking’ may soon be in Canada. Here’s what it means — and how it would save you money (Toronto Star)
Why Rich Shoppers Get So Angry About Hermès (The Atlantic)
Free stuff in Toronto until April 20.
What: Lumière: The Art of Light
Where: Trillium Park at Ontario Place
Lumière is an exhibition featuring the works of 17 artists. Your best time to go is after 8 p.m. when it’s dark and you want to see all of them, especially the tree. I won’t spoil it for you.