25 Ways to Save with Clean Living

Budget.  You either cringe when you hear that word or find comfort because parameters are in place.  Wherever you fall, saving money is a universal topic that applies to just about everyone.  And with recent inflation, global events, and such, ways to save money may be uppermost on your mind, if not your wallet.

Let’s face it – safe clean living is not the cheapest way to live.  However, in the long run, it seems to pay off in spades at the doctor’s office because one tends to spend less time dealing with ongoing disease.  (I am not a physician by any means, but in my own personal experience and that of many of my friends and family, using safe clean products and practices have promoted healthier bodies and less long-term disease and suffering.)  

Since being diagnosed with Celiac disease in 2005, my family has made quite an adjustment to not only eating gluten free, as well as dairy free (plus we have other food allergies for some of us), we have learned a few tips along the way on how to save in the kitchen as well as on products to help aid in reducing our toxic load.

God wants us to be good stewards of all He has given us, which include our health, our family’s health, the resources available to us, including the gospel so that we might share it with others.   Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds, for riches don’t last forever, and the crown might not be passed to the next generation.  Proverbs 27:23-25

In no particular order, but definitely worth giving a try (and in many cases these are from my own personal experience) – here’s the list:

1.  Shop sales – figure out when and where they are and budget accordingly.

2.  Beeswax wraps instead of plastic wrap – they are reusable, don’t clog up landfills and are made with safe clean ingredients.

3.  Silicone bags – for food storage and a host of other uses.  Also, using glass food storage containers are a safer, cleaner option not only for leftovers but many other uses around the home.

4.  Make or buy cloth feminine pads – I made a dozen three (!!!) years ago that I still use!  Serious savings just right here.

5.  Walk.  No explanation necessary.

6.  Use cloth napkins, cloth paper towels, but we do draw the line at cloth toilet paper!  

7.  Use cloth diapers if you have little ones – I used cloth diapers for my children.  I actually loved hanging them on the line to dry in the sun.

8.  Buy safe clean cleaning products or personal care products that have multiple purposes – Branch Basics, Dr. Bronners’ come to mind for the home and Everyone 3-in-1 soap, BeautyCounter cream blusher and cleansing balm, Dew Skin for personal care.  Many companies are making products that serve multiple purposes.  

9.  Don’t overuse a product – sometimes more is just more.  This applies to skincare and makeup too.

10.  Use a small little silicone spatula (one brand is called Spatty) to scrape out the last of a product from a hard-to-reach jar – I use them for the small-opening containers and I am constantly amazed at how much product is still in the jar.

11.  Cut off the end of a tube to scrape of every last bit – toothpaste, skincare, makeup, lotions, condiments in the fridge.  I will often use a Spatty to get the last drop.

12.  Use white vinegar, baking soda and/or lemon essential oil for cleaning your home.  These work great and are effective as well as very budget friendly.

13.  Buy in bulk when possible.

14.  Shop at a co-op or farmer’s market.  Get to know the people, shop regularly and you will be told when the sales come, what’s on special, etc.

15.  Many safe clean companies offer membership options with discounts on products, product credit, free shipping, advanced information on upcoming sales.

16.  Use third party resources to scope out clean products – Environmental Working Group (EWG), Clearya, Sweat & Toil, to name a few.  This saves in the long run because you can research a product before actually making the purchase.

17.  Try samples before committing to a full-sized product.  This is especially helpful for skincare/makeup as our skin could react and then we are out the cash.  Also applicable to cleaning products – buy a smaller size, try a sample if available to test if the product performs to your standards and situation.

18.  Buy quality products.  Again, a little goes a long way, even with food.  A good fair trade, organic chocolate is much more satisfying than a bagful of cheap candy (at least in my humble opinion!).

19.  Make and eat meals at home.  Because of our multiple food allergies, we have gotten very skilled at cooking and baking at home.  Our food rivals any restaurant – so much so that going out is usually a gastronomic disaster.  No joke.  Our family analyzes the food and we rate how we can/could do it better (and in our case, safer because we can avoid the allergens and have many more options than the limited few gf/cf ones at a restaurant).

20.  Skip the gym membership and walk, work in your garden (or start a garden), walk your dog, bicycle around town, not only work in your own yard but help your neighbors in theirs.  This gives us an opportunity to love our neighbors and share Jesus with them.

21.  Starbucks – need I say more?  Sure, it’s convenient, but making a French press at home, or a good cup of joe using fair trade organic coffee is soothing, satisfying and saves money every single time.  Meeting a friend for coffee?  Make yours (and possibly hers) and join up at a park, on a walk, on a bench in your yard, stroll in a local historical museum to support your town as well as learn some cool facts.

22.  Drink water from your tap.  If it is not good water, invest once for a filtration system and fill up your own water bottles (we use glass or stainless steel ones).  Again, buying water already packaged is convenient but I’ve got a tip: when I was growing up ‘buying’ water was never heard of.  Ever.  This is a recent phenomenon that has gouged our pocketbook silently one plastic bottle at a time. It’s time to fight back!

23.  Carpool, drive less, clump your errands together and spend time outside your car rather than in it.

24.  Where we live having chickens are an option so is raising steer for meat, as well as turkeys, pigs and such as an affordable way to put good food on your table.  You know where it comes from, what is in it and animals offer great enjoyment.  I know.  We have been living on a farm for over 22 years and have lots of stories.

25.  And last but definitely not least – pray for wisdom.  If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask of God who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to you.  James 1:5  NIV

This list is by no means exhaustive and it may not be feasible for you or your family, but, it can be used as a guide to help you think outside the box in terms of saving money while living a safe clean lifestyle.  What works for one may not work for all.  But, as we all know, budgets of any kind do help, whether we want to admit it or not.  And in the process we are practicing stewardship, loving our neighbors, getting involved in community life and reining in our spending.  An all-around win-win.