Practicing What We Preach

 There are so many ways to be mindful of our funds and to be mindful of the earth.  We truly need to practice them each and every day.  If we take care of the small things - it makes it much easier to take care of the bigger ones.  

There are so many simple ways to have a wonderful life and save money as well.  

Here are just a few reminders!

1.  Use dish towels and cloths and cleaning rags vs. paper.  We throw away so much money!

2.  Refillable, washable food containers vs. baggies.  Glass is wonderful and even Tupperware and plastic containers - but they all need to be useable over and over.  Heck, I do use baggies once in a while - they do have a place in my home - but many times I wash them and use them over and over.  Even vacuum seal bags - I trim and reuse.  I guess the only ones I don't reuse are the ones with poultry in them.  I even scald and wash bags from beef with soap and vinegar.

3.  Reusable and washable drink bottles/glasses vs. bottled water and plastic restaurant glasses.  I have several insulated glasses that I use.  They are great.  I have different size ones that I have received as gifts.  They keep items cold and keep bugs out (when outdoors).  I do have several individual pop bottles that my neighbors had and gave to me - I fill them with water for the frig and for the future.  They are heavy and can be reused many times.  Pop bottles can also be used for dry food storage.

4.  Drink tea, Kool-Aid, juice, water vs. pop.  These options are so much cheaper and can be made in preferred flavors and with or without the high sugar content.  They are also better for you!

5.  Take your lunches to work vs. eating fast food.  Eat those leftovers or take a sandwich and fruit.  If you like chips - buy a big bag and fill up individual serving containers.  You can easily save $35 and up a week doing this.

6.  Store brands vs. brand names.  I know this is a stickler for many.  If you really pay attention - many, many store brands are made by those brand name companies!  They are the same just different labeling.  I know some are not and do taste differently.  Maybe that is when you need to make your own product instead of paying high prices!

7.  Make coffee at home vs. going to fancy coffee shops.  You can make it as strong or weak as you wish, you can add whatever flavors you wish.  You can add milk, cream, special milks, etc.  You are saving a ton of money making it at home and you are not adding to all the throw away cups and refuse.

8.  Meals at home vs. eating out.  Home cooked meals are always better than restaurant.  You can 'hack' recipes and make your own.  You know the sanitary conditions of your home - restaurants are just scary!  Many are so nasty behind the scenes.  You know what is in your food. You can control seasonings.  So many benefits.  You can also make snacks and treats.  A slow cooker - crockpot or Instant Pot can be your best friend, especially if you work.

9.  Wash cloth, water and mild soap vs. baby wipes or even TP in a pinch.  I know when I was a little one, there was no such thing as baby wipes.  A damp cloth and a bar of soap in an old bread bag, was common when out traveling/visiting.  The big TP fiasco of 2020 had people scrambling for TP and freaking out.  My goodness, never did I worry (I did have plenty), but I knew I could simply wash myself if necessary.  

10.  Plan trips vs going out every day.  Planning trips is just smart - it uses less gas.  Plan your trips and try to plan a route that allows all to be completed using the least amount of gasoline.  Don't go out running every day just to be running.  Stop at stores or shops on your way home from work.

11.  Reuse and recycle vs. buying new.  So many things can be used for other purposes and remade into new things.  Just because something rips - doesn't mean it isn't good.  Mend it.  If something breaks - fix what you can.  Do not buy one-use items.  Just be mindful.

12.  Use LESS vs more.  Using less is pretty much a good thing with all items.  I use less shampoo, dish soap, laundry soap, soft soap, chemicals by watering things down.  They work just as well if not better!  Eat less food - you lose weight, it stretches food, saves money, no new clothes do to gaining weight.......... you see where this is going!  Use less throw away items.  Use less, whenever and where ever you can.  It is better in so many ways.

We all know so many great tricks to keeping our funds and to being a better citizen.  USE THEM.

If each and every person is just a little more mindful of all that they have - we can take care of a lot of additional problems.

PREACH IT and PRACTICE IT!