This is the second part of a 4-part series on trying to “master” what I consider the key components of frugal living. They are delaying gratification, reducing waste, developing self-sufficiency, and simple living and avoiding consumerism.
Reducing waste has become more popular over the years, which is a good thing. Recycling has caught on in many communities, and most people feel like it is the right thing to do, to avoid putting into landfills that don’t have to go there. Environmentalism has gone main stream, to some degree, although some people might beg to differ.
Reducing waste can save you money over time as well. Making things last longer by taking care of them, using things until they are worn out, and avoiding waste with perishable and non perishable items makes sense as well.
It’s common sense, really, that if you use less of something, you generally need to replenish the supply or replace it less often, costing you less money.
But it is not always easy to do, unless you think consciously about doing it. It’s easy to throw out that bottle of something when its not quite empty. Buying “used” items still carries a stigma to some, and it is very easy to buy one time use items and throw them away. And according to a recent survey by the Stockholm International Water Institute noted in the New York Times, approximately 30% of all food goes to waste.
Ways to Reduce Waste and Consumption
Buying used goods-You can buy just about anything used, if you know where to look- from clothing at thrift stores or consignment shops to furniture through your newspapers classifieds, or Craigslist.
Buying used goods or items is usually cheaper. For example, refurbished electronics, such as refurbished iPods which can be purchased with a warranty from the Apple store, cost a lot less than a brand-new one.
Using less and reducing your personal waste stream- It’s easy to waste resources, if you don’t think consciously about their use. Some items in our daily life that are very easy to waste or over-use include:
- Water
- Food
- Energy
- Paper
- Etc., etc.
Using reusable bags instead of paper of plastic, avoiding use of paper plates and cups, using CFLs and turning off lights, or using a low-flow shower head or toilet can help you reduce your consumption and save money and use less resources. There are scores of others as well.
Recycling and Reuse- Recycle items whenever possible. Plastics, aluminum cans, glass and paper (and I am sure I am forgetting many other things) can all be recycled rather easily in most places these days. Even electronics, such as an old cell phone, can be recycled at places such as RecycleMyCellPhone.org.
You can also give your old items a new home if they are in usable condition. Instead of throwing working items in the trash, donate items for use by someone else, such as at Goodwill or some other thrift store, or Craigslist or Freecycle.
Take care of your things to make them last longer- Taking care of your things can make them last much longer than if you abuse them. Clothes, shoes, furniture, and many other items can last a really long time if you take care of them. Performing proper maintenance on your possessions, such as your car, and buying quality items can also extend their lifespan.
Future topics in the Mastering Frugality series:
- Developing Self-Sufficiency
- Simple Living and Avoiding Consumerism
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Similar Posts:
- Mastering Frugality Series- Delaying Gratification
- Teaching Frugality to Kids
- Mastering Frugality- The Art and Science of Saving Money
- Mastering Frugal Living- Becoming More Self-Sufficient
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
One of the things I’ve been doing recently is figuring out which things I’m buying to be used and then thrown out and replacing them with something reusable. For example, instead of buying kitchen paper, I have just bought some reusable clothes which get thrown in the wash instead of being thrown out completely. It’s not a huge saving but it all adds up.
@Andy- Every little thing helps, that’s for sure- I try to do similar things myself- although they don’t always work out, I find it is good to try out different things to see if they work for me.