We are going into the fourth year of the “decade of action” – where individuals, businesses and governments need to make radical changes to reduce their negative impact on the environment, so that we can protect the planet for future generations.
We are also going into another year of the cost of living crisis, with the prices of our essentials rising, and inflation wearing down our buying power.
I usually have the same resolutions on rotation: drink more water; start strength training; learn that language, etc…This year I’m much more conscious of what I can do to create more financial security for my family and how we can do our part to live in a more sustainable way.
If you’re reflecting on your goals for 2023, here are some ideas of resolutions or challenges that are better for the planet, and your wallet…
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Do a No Spend Year, or a Low Spend Year
Simply cutting down on what you are buying saves the energy and waste associated with creating new products. If you are just focussing on saving money, you might end up buying things that will not last as long, or will have a bigger carbon footprint. But having a full year where you are being really minimal and intentional about what you spend helps to clarify what purchases are worth the cost and the impact that they have.
This resolution idea comes first because it can inspire so many activities that are both eco-friendly and money saving. For example, if you are on a no or low-spend year that forces you to find creative alternatives to buying something, like borrowing it instead of buying it. You could also get new clothes for your wardrobe by going to a swishing party, where you can swap old outfits you are bored of, for someone else’s.
I started my own Low Spend Year in April this year and it’s creating lasting changes (I hope) in how my partner and I approach our finances. Here’s my Ultimate Guide to doing one.
Start 2023 with a Pantry Challenge
Food waste not only costs us up to a third of our grocery budget but also contributes to producing one of the most potent greenhouse gases: methane.
If you are starting the year with items in your cupboards and freezer that you’ve had since your recent shopping trips, consider setting yourself a pantry challenge to use up what you have before you buy anything else. You can give yourself a few exclusions, like fresh produce, and aim to either clear the rest of your pantry.
For me the most effective way to do this is to make an inventory of what is in the freezer, cupboards and fridge, and make a note of expiry dates and quantities. I keep this list up and as we use things up we cross them off.
After going through this exercise I’m much less likely to buy quirky or faddish ingredients that I’m curious about, because I’ve either seen them go to waste or I’ve forced myself to have some disappointing fusion meal to use them up.
Eat a more plant-based diet
Without a doubt, meat and dairy have a much bigger carbon footprint than plant-based foods.
While signing up to Veganuary is a popular way to start the year, it can be expensive to suddenly overhaul your diet, especially if it involves buying a lot of vegan replacement foods like plant milks and meat substitutes.
If you are currently a meat-eater, it might be more realistic (and cost-effective) to make gradual changes like bulking up your meals with more pulses and vegetables and cutting dairy out of your drinks.
The diagram below shows the comparative impact of different food sources. I found it interesting to see that eggs have a much lower impact than cheese, for example. If you do eat meat, at least you can understand what the “best” choices are from an environmental perspective, and it’s also good to see that the less carbon intensive options are usually the cheapest (such as chicken and pork).
Graphic from Our World in Data (www.ourworldindata.org)
Some resolution ideas to lower the carbon footprint of meals are:
- Go Vegan or Vegetarian for the year
- Cut out red meat completely
- Have Meatfree Mondays
- Have vegetarian/vegan breakfasts and lunches
- Eat vegetarian/vegan at home
Cut down transport emissions
In richer countries, emissions from transport will often represent one of the largest parts of our individual carbon footprint.
Some of the ways that you can cut this down – and save money this year are:
- Working from home more often, if that’s an option for you
- Replacing shorter drives with walking/cycling/public transport
- Doing lift shares
Travel is a tricky one, if we are looking at money saving, as it’s often cheaper to fly than to take the train, especially in the UK where the train system is relatively expensive.
If this is the case and you travel for work, can you reduce the number of internal flights, and choose train options instead? In a business setting the costs are sometimes more comparable anyway and you can often be more productive during the journey.
Ditch Fast Fashion and Shop Secondhand
There are so many reasons to buy better quality clothes, secondhand, rather than a fast fashion item, new. They will cost you less, last longer and are probably produced under better working conditions. They also keep their resale value when you are ready to pass them on.
I’ve always liked to pick up charity shop bargains but really saw the benefit of shopping secondhand when I had my children, who obviously need bigger clothes so often. Last year most of my new clothes were secondhand, except for some workout clothes. There are some sustainable brands I love, like Baukjen, but this year I’ll be waiting to find pieces secondhand. Setting up alerts for brands on sites like Vinted or Thrift+ can help.
If you enjoy crafts and learning new skills, another related resolution could be to learn to mend, meaning that you can keep items longer before replacing them. Visible mending is a creative way to do this, but even simple darning techniques or sewing patches could save you money and save items from ending up in the landfill.
DOing a big decluttering project
If you have useful things in your house that you don’t use, then passing them onto other people is a win-win for the planet and your pocket (and/or their) pocket. Whether you donate or sell your unwanted items, either way you will create a positive ripple effect. You’ll reduce the demand to produce that item, and you’ll also allow someone else to buy it cheaper than they would pay new. If you sell it, your earnings are also tax-free, so it can be one of the most profitable “side hustles” you can have.
If you fancy decluttering 2023 items in 2023 then check out this free downloadable pdf workbook which includes an item tracker as well as a checklist of rooms and categories to declutter.
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