Several years ago I found myself sitting next to a woman on a flight from Syracuse to Detroit. We started chatting, as people do. The conversation wandered around -- children, movies, jobs. She was the director of a nature center; I explained that I was a stay-at-home mom and professional blogger who wrote about Frugal Living on my site Frugal Upstate.
"Oh!" she said, pointing to the water bottle I always bring to fill in the airport instead of buying expensive bottled water "You brought that because it's frugal, I brought mine because it's green!"
Frugal living and green living might seem to be on opposite ends of the spectrum. For us "Frugalites," "green" items can seem costly compared to their "traditional" counterparts. On the flip side, those living a green lifestyle often see frugal living as only concerned with the bottom line -- ignoring environmental concerns and quality in order to save money.
In reality there seems to be a natural progression from frugal to green that I've seen time and time again. It goes something like this:
Stage 1: As a "newly converted" Frugalite you concentrate on getting the absolute most possible for your money. Coupons are clipped, price comparisons done, the cheapest items purchased. It's all about saving money.
Stage 2: Frugal living then hits its stride and becomes more broad in definition of saving -- not just money, but time and resources too. Sure, store brand cleaners are cheaper than name brands, but vinegar and water in a repurposed squirt bottle are practically free, and you avoid a trip to the store when you run out. Cheaply made clothing on sale is inexpensive -- but you save more by repairing what you have, or by buying a quality item that will last for years at the thrift store.
Stage 3: You fully internalize the philosophy of saving resources -- of all types. Your frugal lifestyle allows you flexibility to prioritize your choices in life -- saving money in one area and having the freedom to spend more in others. By incorporating habits that are already frugal and green into their lifestyle -- washing laundry on the cold cycle, drying it on the line, buying items second hand, composting, not running the water when you brush your teeth. Now you can make conscious choices on how to spend the money you've saved, targeting things that are good for you and the environment, like organic groceries, green cleaners or more sustainably produced items.
So what do you think -- is it possible to be both frugal and green? What things do you already do that both save money and Protect Planet Home?
Jenn Fowler lives in Upstate New York with her husband and children in a town that is eerily reminiscent of Mayberry. Her site, Frugal Upstate is dedicated to helping folks learn how to live a great life-on a budget.
Join her, along with her fellow Walmart Moms, Sheena of Sophistishe,
Jennae of Green Your Décor, Monica of MommyBrain Reports, and Denise of Wholesome Mommy, on their four week journey to live a more sustainable lifestyle in the Walmart/Seventh Generation "Green on a Budget" Challenge.
To shop Seventh Generation products at Walmart.com click here
