2 ways to save more money and save the planet
Do you want to know what is better than saving money?
Saving money AND saving the planet. At the same time.
We live in a world that unfortunately is being ruined, due to a whole heap of reasons and it is serious. It is a daily talking point on the news, features frequently on your insta-feed and it is not a problem that is just going to go away.
There is a lot of contributing factors to the problem and whilst I am not a climate-change scientist, nor do I know the ins and outs of every issue, I do know is that it is not good (to put it scientifically).
Haters will say “but one-person can’t change the world” ~we don’t need that kind of negativity thank you~ but small changes to your daily life will truly help. Anything you do as an individual is important, no matter how small.
Here are my top tips that help you save your hard-earned pennies, whilst saving our beautiful planet:
1.Buy a water bottle:
Who would want to go on a boat trip in Bali, pay £300 for a scuba diving experience, only to go underwater and spend the whole time frantically searching for any sign of one tiny little fishy, whilst pushing through the sea of bottles? No one. That’s who.
Most bottles are made from a highly recyclable plastic but due to the volume of bottles being produced and sold, keeping on top of recycling them seems to be the hard bit.
Unfortunately, most bottles end up in the ocean, and it is forecasted that by 2050 the ocean will contain more plastic by weight than fish. (what the fuck please?!)M
Buy a water bottle. It can be made from metal, glass, bamboo, or plastic. Spoilt for choice!
Fill it up before you the leave the house. If you are fortunate enough to live in a country that offers easy access to clean drinking water, be grateful and use it (wisely…)
Carry it around with you. Yes, it can be heavy if you get a massive bottle, but at least you are adding to your #gymgainz.
Cost: Prices can be as low as about £5-10 on Amazon for a decent bottle that will last a long time. Or TK Maxx, do lots of good bottles.
Savings: Bottles of water can cost approx. £1.50 so buying a reusable bottle is the equivalent of buying between 3 – 6 water bottles then you start making your money back,
~Bonus~ Not only do you save money and the planet but also you will be keeping yourself hydrated and healthy.
2. Buy a coffee cup
Did you know that when you go into a coffee shop with a keep-cup, the coffee shop will give you a discount on your coffee?
Pret A Manger– 50p off
Stabrucks and Costa – 25p off
Independent Coffee shops – usually between 20p to 50p off
P.s. If you are reading this like ‘ugh duh, of course I know coffee shops do that’ but haven’t actually bought a coffee cup yet, then sort it out babes.
If you are addicted to coffee (like everybody including myself #coffeeislife) and you have one on your daily commute to work, you will use 260 coffee cups per year.
Most coffee cups are made from paper but have a thin sheet of plastic lining on the inside, making them waterproof but also non-biodegradable. And to make matters worse, if you throw them in the recycling bin, (with good intentions of helping) they can contaminate tonnes of recyclable items, resulting in far more material ending up in landfill sites.
Time for some quick maths:
A large latte from Pret is £2.45. 1 latte every weekday = £12.25 spend on coffee per week.
That is £637 a year on coffee ~no judgements here~
If you buy a keep-cup and get 50p off every coffee you buy, it reduces your weekly spend from £12.25 to £9.75.
Over the year, you could save up to £130 off your Pret lattes hunnies!
Need help picking a cup? Check out the best re-usable cups here.
Cost: A keep-cup on average costs £15.
Savings: £130 saved on coffee minus £15 investment for the cup = £115 per year. Caching £££
~Bonus~ Alongside saving money and the benefit of not littering the environment, believe it or not, coffee actually tastes BETTER from a keep cup.
Once you are up and running and actively saving the planet and your pounds, spread the word.
Get your friends to buy a water bottle and a coffee cup.
Pay it forward, buy someone lese these items for their birthday or for Christmas.
Post a #sustainableselfie on Instagram (a pic of you and your cup).
Before we know it, we will all be rich and the planet will be thriving… well maybe not exactly, but we will be closer to that dream than where we are today.
Happy saving!
Laura x
