Today many of us are looking for practical ways to save money and conserve resources. Making thoughtful choices about what we buy and how we use things helps both our wallets and the planet.
While I’m not a formal expert in green living, adopting simple, common-sense habits to reduce waste and be more frugal at home is a great place to begin. Small changes—using less, saving more, and getting creative with what we already own—add up. They help us become better stewards of our resources without dramatic lifestyle overhauls.
SunChips sponsored a $100 giveaway to encourage readers of The Inspired Room to share their green living tips. I think an extra $100 can be useful to anyone, so below are some practical tips—feel free to add your own!
Frugal and Green Tips
- Visit a local rebuilding or salvage center to find reusable materials for home projects: light fixtures, sinks, cabinets, tubs and more. Many old fixtures can be refinished to look like new.
- Keep existing cabinet bases and refresh them with paint and new doors instead of replacing entire kitchen cabinets. Installing new drawers or a mix of glass and solid doors can transform a kitchen affordably.
- Refinish or repaint furniture and thrift-store finds rather than buying new pieces. Slipcovers are another easy way to refresh sofas and chairs.
- Use natural elements for decor—fruit, plants, moss, bamboo, twigs or nests add texture and personality while keeping costs low.
- Look for usable items on Freecycle, Craigslist, or at local thrift stores. Donating items you no longer need gives them a second life and reduces waste.
- Consider downsizing or rethinking your home’s footprint to save energy and make better use of the space you already have. A smaller home often means lower utility bills and less maintenance.
- Harvest rainwater with barrels or rain chains instead of relying only on municipal water. Collected rainwater can be used for lawn irrigation, washing outdoor gear, or watering plants.
- Choose hardy, native plants for landscaping to reduce water use and maintenance. In many regions that means planting species adapted to local climate and soil conditions.
- Start a home compost to keep food scraps and yard waste out of the landfill. Composting creates nutrient-rich soil for gardens and reduces household waste.
- Look for packaging and products that use renewable or compostable materials. Small changes at the product level can have a meaningful environmental impact over time.
What small green steps have you taken at home?
Share a tip this week and you were entered to win $100!
PS. My friend Sandy at Reluctant Entertainer had a giveaway as well—after sharing your tip here you could check out hers for more ideas and inspiration.
Top photo: HGTV’s 2009 Green Home featured a number of indoor and outdoor ideas worth exploring.
The $100 giveaway contest is now closed. Contest ended April 18 at 9 PM PST.