Sutton residents who want to know how to "slash your spending but not your principles" then a blog www.ecothriftyliving.com - is for you!
"My name is Zoe Morrison and I write www.ecothriftyliving.com a blog about how to slash your spending but not your principles! I started the blog a few years ago when I was on maternity leave for the second time round and I didn't want to return to work. I felt like I had to though as I had a steady job and with two kids and a recent house move we had more expenses to worry about than ever before. I also liked buying organic and eco products which are often more expensive. It seemed like madness to quit. I went back to work, but started to investigate how I could save myself money by being eco-friendly and found that the two went so well together, a year later I took the plunge and quit my job! In fact I worked out I was able to make savings of over £11,000 in a year! Some of the eco-friendly ways I have saved money include:
1. Making very good use of the local libraries - I get books out for myself and my kids most weeks and when the kids were younger I took them to free music and story sessions at the libraries. The amount of books we get out the library each year would have cost us over £1500 if we had bought them new. After we have read them the books don't gather dust on our shelves, they get returned for other people to make good use of.
2. Reducing waste - the average family throws away £720 of food a year! I try to throw away as little as possible and when I do I compost it, which gets used in the garden! I also have swapped disposable products like babywipes, clingfilm, sandwich bags, baking paper and so on for reusable alternatives - e.g. using a flannel instead of babywipes, putting a plate over a bowl instead of clingfilm, using reusable sandwich boxes and using naturally non-stick stoneware when cooking. Nowadays it takes a while before we need to put our rubbish bin out for collection!
3. Growing our own - we grow fruit, veg, herbs and flowers! Vegetables can be fun, but hard work. Fruit is often easier coming back year after year. The herbs come in so useful all year round. I use them in salads, soups, sauces and desserts. I also make tea with them. Peppermint, chamomile, lavender and lemon balm all make delicious inexpensive homegrown organic herbal teas!
Since then I have continued to discover and learn more about how to save money in eco-friendly ways and I am now writing a book which will be filled with hints and tips on eco-friendly thrifty living!
Details
Zoe Morrison, is a blogger, speaker and writer who is passionate about saving money and the environment. She can be found on Twitter @ecothrifty, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/EcoThriftyLiving/ and Instagram ecothrifty. Plus her website www.ecothriftyliving.com
1. Making very good use of the local libraries - I get books out for myself and my kids most weeks and when the kids were younger I took them to free music and story sessions at the libraries. The amount of books we get out the library each year would have cost us over £1500 if we had bought them new. After we have read them the books don't gather dust on our shelves, they get returned for other people to make good use of.
2. Reducing waste - the average family throws away £720 of food a year! I try to throw away as little as possible and when I do I compost it, which gets used in the garden! I also have swapped disposable products like babywipes, clingfilm, sandwich bags, baking paper and so on for reusable alternatives - e.g. using a flannel instead of babywipes, putting a plate over a bowl instead of clingfilm, using reusable sandwich boxes and using naturally non-stick stoneware when cooking. Nowadays it takes a while before we need to put our rubbish bin out for collection!
3. Growing our own - we grow fruit, veg, herbs and flowers! Vegetables can be fun, but hard work. Fruit is often easier coming back year after year. The herbs come in so useful all year round. I use them in salads, soups, sauces and desserts. I also make tea with them. Peppermint, chamomile, lavender and lemon balm all make delicious inexpensive homegrown organic herbal teas!
Since then I have continued to discover and learn more about how to save money in eco-friendly ways and I am now writing a book which will be filled with hints and tips on eco-friendly thrifty living!
Details
Zoe Morrison, is a blogger, speaker and writer who is passionate about saving money and the environment. She can be found on Twitter @ecothrifty, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/EcoThriftyLiving/ and Instagram ecothrifty. Plus her website www.ecothriftyliving.com