Is Living Sustainably Too Expensive? A Definitive Answer

Is there an income barrier to sustainable living? Is an eco-friendly lifestyle only for those in higher tax brackets? As California natives, we see sustainable solutions all around us. However, some of them are pricey and slightly unreasonable for average Americans. For years, reducing carbon footprints has been reserved for the elite through unnecessary gadgets and corporate markups. Can we do better? We take a look our idea of a sustainable lifestyle and finally answer the question: is eco-friendly outside my budget?
Food:
1) There are so many ways to approach sustainable eating. First and foremost, organic products are often more expensive than non-organic ones. This could increase your grocery bill, but there are ways to avoid the organic inflation. Our thoughts: buy organic where you can but don’t sweat it if the whole basket doesn’t have the “O” of approval. Diversify where your produce comes from and buy locally; a trip to the farmers market could score better deals and fresher ingredients. Go to the store for more frequent but smaller trips. This way, you will actually finish the food in the fridge before buying more. Less wasted food = less in the landfills AND more money in your pocket.
2) A great way to eat more sustainably on a budget is cutting back on meat. Meat production has a large carbon footprint, with livestock farming amounting to almost 50% of all man made greenhouse gas emissions. A meat eater’s diet has almost twice the carbon footprint than that of a vegetarian. Incorporating more veggie based meals into your weekly rotation is not only healthier, but will cut your carbon footprint in half. Swapping meats for tofu, lentils, beans and other cheap proteins will save the earth and your wallet.
Transportation:
1) If you drive to work, switching to a hybrid may cost most than your average sedan up front, but the low cost of gas will save you in the long run. Our family owns both a Kia and a Prius, and their respective costs are extremely different for the similar sized cars. The Prius was more expensive initially, but we only buy gas once every week or two. However, the Kia gets filled every three days, making it more a more expensive car overall. The hybrid is a better investment for a family that commutes on a regular basis.
Clothing:
Expensive eco-friendly fabrics are often the reason people choose more affordable fast fashion options. However, thrift shopping is another way to purchase sustainably. Thrift Town, one of our favorite spots, sells all types of second hand and vintage clothing for under $10. We go once a week and buy 10–15 items for about $25. This has driven the cost of fashion down so low, even Forever 21 couldn’t match it.
Our answer? A sustainable lifestyle can actually save you more money in the long run. Caring for the planet while keeping more in your pocket? That’s a pretty good deal.
