How to Live an Organic Lifestyle on a Budget
Most people want to live a healthy life but wonder how to live an organic lifestyle on a budget. Organic or green living doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg, or lead to making ends meet every month. Quite the contrary, once you adopt organic mindset, you commit yourself to healthy and cost-effective attitude in life. There are many fulfilling ways to minimize your expenses, contribution to toxic waste production as well as energy and resource consumption. Keep on reading to find out more.
Upgrade Your Beauty Routine
With so many cosmetic brands promising miracles with their new products, it can get really tempting to spend your money on them. Still, the undeniable truth is that nothing works better in rejuvenating and moisturizing your skin than natural and organic ingredients. Opting for organic skin care and makeup brands will surely show its benefits on your skin soon enough, not to mention the fact that you’ll effectively avoid contact with questionable chemicals that are often found in non-organic beauty products. Sticking to organic products that work for you will minimize your expenses that stem from constant search for holy grail products in the sea of brands. At the same time, you’ll reduce your carbon footprint because you won’t be responsible for overuse of chemicals that are dangerous for the environment.
Change Your Habits
The way you live your life is essential if you want to see positive difference in your monthly budget and eco-friendliness. In that respect, adopting some new habits, that are both green and frugal, shouldn’t be that hard. For example, three magical Rs that are recycling, reusing and repurposing will help you organize your money saving more efficiently without overusing the resources. Turning off the lights and even plugging out the appliances when you’re not using them will surely reduce your electricity bill and support your sustainable and organic lifestyle more. Turning your tap off when you brush your teeth or shampoo your hair will definitely minimize water waste, especially if you add a special shower/faucet head to control the flow. All these habits will effectively add up to your monthly budget so that you can make investments where you need to.
Prioritize Organic Food
Most people who want to consider organic lifestyle worry about the cost of food. Still, if you do your best to compensate the expenses with green habits, organic food won’t cost you a lot more. You should definitely check out small businesses and farmer’s markets since they’re usually a lot more affordable compared to supermarkets. Also, growing your own herbs and veggies is always a healthy, green and frugal alternative. Still, the most important part of organic food intake is actually buying just the right amount you need. As a consumer society, we’re used to buying more than we need, but when it comes to food, you should have definitely realized by now that it simply won’t last. So, instead of allowing your food to go bad, simply reduce the amount you buy and make it count.
Shop Smarter With Sales & Thrift
Another big part of senseless money spending and waste of resources is buying overpriced new clothes. If you practice some self-control, your personal style won’t have to suffer just because you wait a while for something to go on sale. Of course, the quality of discount clothing won’t change compared to paying full price. Moreover, thanks to versatility and reasonable quality of second-hand shops, you can get your hands on some of the really unique pieces without supporting the industry that pollutes the environment indiscriminately.
As you can see, going organic is not a luxury but a whole new level of awareness when it comes to your health and budget. In that respect, organic lifestyle can’t be expensive because it’s based on frugality and controlled consumerism. Still, in order for this to work, you really need to understand the meaning of organic lifestyle – it’s not just about the food you eat or the skin care brands you buy, but the fact you deal with all life’s needs in a way that’s best for your well-being, wallet and the environment.
Meet Tracy
Tracey Clayton is a full time mom of three girls. She feels she knows a thing or two about raising happy, healthy and confident kids, and offers helpful advice in hers parenting articles. She’s also passionate about fashion and healthy living. Her motto is: “Live the life you love, love the life you live.” You can connect with her on Facebook.
Great tips! It’s always possible to live more naturally on a budget!
Me too, Angela! I love having one-of-a-kind pieces.
I agree! It’s a lot about mindset and changing habits.
Yes, Coscto makes many organics affordable. Some supermarkets also have organic house brands that are affordable. I’m thinking of Greenwise from Publix and Trader Joes.
That’s a great approach, Heather! High quality food is really important.
So much truth; I loved how she described it as a mindset and awareness. I’ve definitely found that to be true for us!
Love this. We buy pretty much all used because it’s better for the environment.
Thank you for this guest post! Prioritizing is a great way to start off for sure. Too often people say they want to eat more organic, but they don’t have the money. Then they spend $3 at Starbucks every day.
I like to cut out spending in most other areas, so I can have quality food. I can’t wait to I can grow a nice big garden as that will definitely help cut down on expenses.
The three ‘r’s’ make such a big difference. Personally, I find that the more I reject consumerism and ‘stuff’ the more I’m happy to spend money on quality food, organic etc.
Great tips! I love finding new ways to save money and still get the things we want and need. I love thrifting and need to find some new shops in my area.
I must say the cost is my main downfall with this but I have become far thriftier in other areas as you suggest. I am far too swayed by convenience despite knowing the health risks. My mindset needs adjusting for sure!
Such helpful tips & tricks! thank you for putting something like this together! I’m always looking for some help with this!
Really awesome tips! I am always looking for new ways to do this!
Very practical tips! Thank you!!
Great tips! I’m really big on buying all Organic good for the most part. Going to Costco for most of it seems to work for us.
I totally agree with the beauty routine and with the food. Also, you’re right organic living isn’t necessarily luxurious. Thanks for the heads up!
These are great tips! I have not adopted them all, but it’s good to make changes where and when you can!
These are great, simple ideas that can easily be put into use! I always feel better when I choose organic products.
Wow, this was really eye opening! I like the idea of this being an actual lifestyle not just about the kind of produce I buy.
xo, Nicole
These are great tips! switching to natural beauty products has actually saved me money in the long run because my skin is so much healthier now and I’m not constantly trying new things!
I absolutely love this post! There’s so much info here. Organic food is always so expensive at the grocery store but we have a local farm we go to and pick everything for $2 a pound… which is AWESOME when you think about how light spinach is! 😉 Changing your habits is tough but once you get started, it is pretty easy to stick with.
I shop thrift because it’s cheaper for me and you can find some really unique pieces.
I am always afraid of going fully organic because of the prices, but you’re totally right, I never buy exactly what I need, I always buy way too much! Maybe that will help us save money in the long run!
These are great tips! It can be so expensive to buy organic and natural, which is an easy reason to not try.
These are great tips! I especially enjoy thrifting for around the home. I love how it adds story and history to our everyday lives.
Great tips and post! I definitely want to make the switch to organic lifestyle!
Xo,
Alexandra Christine Blog
Changing habits is the biggest one! It can be done, but it does take a reset 🙂
Thank for the great ideas.
These are great tips and tricks! Loving organically can be very expensive but you’ve definitely given some good ideas.