Are you finding that your household budget is affecting your plastic free journey? Some people are initially put off trying to use less plastic because they find that it is costing them more money. It can feel like shops are increasing their prices on things that are friendlier to the planet because it has become more popular at the moment. Fruit and vegetables are frequently more expensive when you buy them loose. Buying milk in glass bottles can double the price.
Well-made, ethical items are inevitably going to cost more because manufacturers are not cutting corners.
On the other hand, we tend to buy a lot of stuff that we don’t really want or need. Perhaps we should be more conscious about what we are buying and why we are buying it in order to save our money as well as the planet. Surely our focus should be on how to use what we have more effectively.
The slogan ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ is in that order of priority for a good reason.

Reduce – we should aim to buy less, not wasting money on things we do not need.
Reuse – for example buying second hand over new, repairing and DIY products
Recycle – for example cereal bags also have a number of other storage uses.
Here are some ideas for saving money that you could try:
Food
- only buy the food you need so that food does not go to waste. Plan a menu for the week to avoid food waste. Freeze leftovers. Store food properly so that it lasts longer and eat things that need using up first

- know the difference between ‘use by’ and ‘best before’ dates to reduce food being unnecessarily thrown away
- make a list and stick to it – avoid impulse buying and don’t be tempted by end-of-aisle supermarket promotions
- go to the supermarket at the end of the day to buy food that is on offer and would otherwise be thrown away
- go to the market just before closing time – stall holders will often be selling at reduced prices to get rid of produce before the end of the day. You’ll also be saving food from going to waste
- rather than buy glass jars to use for bulk food shop items, save the glass jars you already have in your fridge, or ask friends and family for their old jars

- try to avoid buying individual snacks and crisps in plastic. Instead, make your own cereal bars using oats from boxes or a refill shop
- save money by making more from food from scratch rather than spending money on pre-made convenience foods
- you could make your own lollies with squash, smoothies, fruit juice etc
- try growing your own salad leaves or tomatoes. A lot of herbs can be grown from clippings and cut-offs, like mint and rosemary
- I now buy double concentrate squash for cubs, and re-use the bottles if possible
- make your own yoghurt, salad dressings, tortillas, wraps, coleslaw, humous
- reduce your meat and dairy consumption
- swap teabags for loose tea
Household
- stop buying wet wipes and instead use water and a flannel
- use handkerchiefs instead of tissues
- use cloth napkins
- wait until clothes are dirty to wash them, instead of after only one wear. Wait for a full load
- Ecoegg Laundry Egg replaces detergent and conditioner and you can buy refills
- soap nuts are cheaper than powder, and are compostable when used up
- use bar soap instead of liquid soap

- repair something when it breaks. Sewing on a button can extend the life of your clothing
- avoid using a different cleaner for every room and purpose – a few natural products can clean most things. Try making your own eco friendly cleaning products, a lot of these can be made cheaply
- replace liquid soap with bar soap, use also in the shower and bath
- keep and reuse plastic bags
- clingfilm is non-recyclable and could be toxic to our health, think of alternatives to use such as covering food with a plate in the fridge
- look for friends nearby who would bulk buy with you, so that you get the benefit of reduced cost and reduced plastic, but without the large outlay
- switch from disposable to using a safety razor
- to use up the end bits of solid soap, put them in an old gift pouch and hang them on the sink or shower. The bag foams the soap up enabling you to use up every last scrap

- reuse envelopes and paper for lists
- reuse gift wrap or use brown paper and decorate
- avoid greeting cards that are embossed with foil, decorated with glitter or wrapped in plastic sleeves
Out and about

- take a reusable coffee cup or flask, water bottle and bags to save on unplanned charges. It’s ok to ask for tap water in a café or restaurant
- borrow items like camping equipment from friends
- take a packed lunch to work
- use your local library
- think second-hand first when purchasing something. Second hand shops are great for storage jars, yogurt makers, second hand plastic toys, etc.

- walk or cycle whenever possible instead of using the car to cut down on petrol use
Another way you can make a difference is to lobby big business and the government and speak up about changes you want to be made.
Hopefully over time as demand rises the cost of things like loose veg will drop.
Conclusion
Everyone’s journey is going to be different because everyone has different circumstances. While we do what we can within our means, it’s important not to feel bad about it if we can’t do more or to feel stressed about trying to change too much all at once. Any change no matter how small is a step in the right direction. Some swaps will be easy and cheap, others will take more thought and planning.
Not everyone has the financial, emotional or time resources to make lots of changes. It can be a struggle to find the time to make your own cleaning products, dips, crackers, deodorant, and so on. Remember that it is a journey. Don’t feel under pressure. Just do what you can.

Celebrate your wins. Make swaps where you can. Whatever you can do will hugely benefit our planet and being aware of the problem is a good start. Just one small change makes a difference and every bit of packaging you avoid helps towards a solution to this global problem.
Some individual swaps you make might be dearer, but the money you save on not buying products such as freezer bags, kitchen roll, washing up sponges, disposable dishcloths, wet wipes, cleaning wipes, cleaning products and bottled water can be put towards spending a bit more on other items.
Hopefully these tips have been helpful and you will find that in time the amount you spend will reduce and you will not be spending any more than before.