Save Money While Being More Eco Friendly This Winter - My Top 20 Tips And How I Save Money At Home

Being more sustainable on a budget is seen as something difficult to do when infact living a more eco friendly and sustainable life can save you lots of money. As we move into Winter I suspect the end of the year is going to be hard for a lot of people. So I thought I would take it back to basics with this post and share some of the things I do to save money while being more eco friendly.

Saving money and budgeting is something I have always struggled with but it really is worth doing. Getting in control of my spending (or trying to!) has been one of my resolutions this year and although I am still struggling it has been really rewarding.

I have also not included any tips that have a high initial outlay and are always we can do our bit for the planet while not spending more.

If you have any other tips or things you do to be thrifty then please share them below!

1. Start using cotton pads to take off your make-up

Although buying these can cost, they can be made at home quite easily by cutting out rounds of old towels, bed-sheets or other un-dyed cotton/bamboo. 

2. Switch to an Eco Razor

this can be a huge money saver over the plastic alternatives. You can get a good quality razor with 10 extra blades for around £5 much less than one disposable Venus Razor would cost.

3. Switch your supermarket shop

I decided to stop shopping at Tescos after I learned about their poor animal welfare and exploitation of British Farmers. I decided to try Lidl and I have been pleasantly surprised with the amount of seasonal British produce and RSPCA Assured meat that there is. This is all for a fraction of the price; some of my new favorites are the organic eggs and organic oat milk for 85p 

4. Bulk buy items 

I am now buying large quantities of dried goods from my zero waste shop which works out cheaper. However, if the zero waste  shop near you is expensive or you don't have one bulk buying dried foods can br a brill way of  cutting down on cost and plastic packaging. 

5. Switch Fresh Flowers for a Dried Flower Arrangement

I recently stopped buying fresh flowers and have bought a bunch of dried wheat to go in my vase instead. This was cheaper and wont spoil while giving an autumnal feel to the room.

6. Make use of natural forreged items.

Foraging doesn't have to only be for food, pinecones and bunches of holly can make lovely decorations in the home. If you follow me on Instagram you may have seen my 'bowl of cones' in my living-room. 

7. Stop buying non- essential make up and hair products

It can be so easy to fall into this trap, but these days how many of us often 'hit pan'? Instead of buying hair or make up products you don't need, try and use what you already have and use them all up. Little treats can soon add up!

8. Stop Buying Junk Food

Making a list a sticking to it at the shop can be hard, but also making a good list can be hard too! I used to always put treats on my list of the weekly shop but I recently took them off. I realized that I was buying a lot of things I don't really need and it was adding about 10% on our shopping bill. 

9. Cancel Unnecessary Subscriptions

Cough Cough Netflix or Hayou anyone? 

10. Secondhand Homewear

I would say 90% of all our furniture was second hand. Yes, maybe some might think it looks it, but there is no point in my mind going into debt for a sofa. There are so many great secondhand shops and Facebook market place is amazing, so why spend more? We bought all out living-room furniture for under £150 from Facebook with some items even being free!

11. Make Do and Mend

Mending clothes, old mugs and re-purposing towels that have seen better days are all ways I like to save money in the home. I have buying sponges so I have taken to cutting up towels for dishrags and dusters instead of throwing them away. I also just bought a clothes de-bobbler from amazon for £2 and it has helped me smarten up all my jumpers!

12. Coconut oil

We all know by now I love it! use it as a cheap body moisturizer, hair oil and shaving cream! I got mine from home bargains for £3.50!

13. Buy the Wrong Size and Alter 

I know this sounds crazy but don't be scared of picking things up cheaper and altering them. You can even adjust the size of a hat to fit your head if needs must! I have done this a couple of times when I have really wanted something but know I can thrift it or buy it off Depop in a bigger size. Sowing is such a good skill and making little alterations can make your clothes look and feel much better. 

14. Choose Subscriptions as Christmas Gifts

So many people go into debt over Christmas and it is so needless. One of the best ways to make your gift go a little further is buy buying a subscription for someone. 

15 Choose a Restaurant or Pub Over Take Away

This sounds like an odd tip, but hear me out. Often take away can be just as expensive as going out to eat but we do it inside. It therefore doesn't feel as much as a treat to me and I have tried to stop doing it an instead make the effort to go out for food. This costs the same amount, but when I am eating out I feel like I have had a real treat and it sticks in my mind.

16 Sell Unwanted Items Online

If you follow me you will know how much I love Depop, but I also use Ebay and Facebook marketplace. These help bring in some extra money for things I otherwise wouldn't use or don't need anymore. Clearing out your closet or beauty counter can be a great way to get some extra money this winter. 

17. Cut Your Own Hair

I go for a haircut every 6 months now, after buying some hair cutting scissors. As I have nothing fancy, I generally cut everyone's hair at home including my own which has saved me a lot of money. Dying hair and having a high maintenance cut is fine if you can afford it but if you can't just get something that is easy to keep looking good without a lot of input. This is also why I don't get false nails as it is £40 every three weeks I don't want to spend. (Also I would rather have lashes)

18. Top up your spray bottles with water

This can work with essential oil sprays, cosmetics and cleaners. Adding a little water every now and then can make things stretch a little further! I do this with my facial mists and sleep sprays. 

19. Make your own Wax Wraps for Food

Wax wraps can save money on clingfilm over time but can be expensive to buy. However you can make your own very easily at home out of old cloth or cut up shirts. They can also make a lovely handmade gift for Christmas. 

20. Turn off Your Radiators!

It sounds odd but pick which radiators you want on in your house. Now it is getting colder we all like to put the heating on but is there any sense in turning all of them on? I have picked the main ones in the house that I need on and I just run them. This will save money over the winter and is better for the planet.