In this short article, I rounded up 5 ways sustainable living can help you save money.

The secret to leading a sustainable life is making the most out of what you already have whilst maintaining the natural resources for future generations.

It is about discovering enjoyment in simple things and finding your happiness in the now.

Simple things (or experiences) are not necessarily plain or boring. Most of the time, if you think about it, you are guaranteed the ultimate indulgence from things you have chosen with your heart, which are of the best quality and durable enough to last a good few years.

The items you choose to bring into your life ideally should qualify to give you joy.

Sustainable living is less about consumption and more about wellbeing and financial independence, so here are five ways sustainable living can help you save money:

Make a list of all the things you have yet to do

Why are you thinking of buying a new book or game when you haven’t finished everything on your shelf?

And just how many other fun activities could you be enjoying using the things you already have?

You can start by making a list of the things you keep in the storage to remind you to start using them.

For example, the badminton rackets you bought ages ago can help you exercise more instead of paying for a full gym subscription.

The home pottery /gardening set you were given as a gift can be the perfect hobby or perhaps the beginning of a new career?

Give free activities a go and save money

You could save up for an expensive holiday or another expensive meal or alternatively, you can cook for your partner and have a romantic evening at home.

A visit to a museum or a walk and picnic can be equally enjoyable. How about learning another language using a free mobile app?

There are a lot of free activities that different councils offer, especially for families, like free swimming for under 16, free to use local playgrounds, skateparks and green spaces to enjoy the outdoors.

Finally, opt to use public transport instead of your private car. Public transportation is more environmentally friendly, plus the more we use it, the more we encourage its expansion.

Re-assess how you shop for food

Many of us spend a lot of money buying ingredients to create dishes that we only cook once.

This habit results in a lot of food waste. Our cupboards can be full of expired ingredients that we hardly ever use in our everyday meals.

Why not try cooking with fewer ingredients and see just how delicious and easier to cook, simple food can be?

You can also choose to shop when your cupboards/freezer are empty or very low in supplies. This is called ‘pantry shopping‘.

During ‘pantry shopping’, you create dishes using whatever ingredients you already have at home. Only when most of these items run out you can start food shopping again.

Meal planning is another way to save money and reduce the daily stress of figuring out what to cook!

Finally, why not adopt a wholefoods plant-based diet? It is better for you, better for the animals, the environment, and your pocket.

Understand which clothes work for you

Working towards a sustainable wardrobe is understanding that sales can be your enemies; in many ways, they put consumers at risk when it comes to creating debt.

Sales also build up an unnecessary stock of clothes that will eventually end up in the landfill.

Try updating your style by figuring out which clothes work for your current circumstances.

Check what is in your wardrobe first. Re-imagine your clothes. If you want to purchase new outfits, invest in good quality ethical brands.

Look for preloved fashion or upcycled items. Mend and care for your clothes – they will last for longer and look better on you.

Reduce Your Clutter

New studies have demonstrated how clutter can negatively affect stress, life satisfaction, physical health, and cognition.

Our homes are just yet another thing that causes stress for too many of us. And clutter is to blame.

Try discarding all the similar products you own and only stick to one.

If you keep many things, you will find that they fight for attention. In addition, organising, cleaning, putting away and maintaining all these things can be a full-time job!

Think before you indulge in the discount offers. Do you really need 3 for the price of 2 Halloween charms?

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These 5 ways that sustainable living can help you save money are an example of what you can achieve by using less new stuff and reusing what you already have. The goal is to make your purchases work harder.

Living with less means that you care to see subsequent generations will have their share in the future.