Save Your Money. Shop Sustainably

Yes, sustainable brands can have very high price points. Making sure all employees in the manufacturing line are paid a fair and livable wage can get expensive. Buying local organic fabrics can get expensive. And cutting to order in small batches can get expensive. According to Forbes magazine, the average North American household spends $1700 on clothing each year (Johnson). About 3.5% of their expenses. In the grand scheme, this doesn’t seem like much. But what if I told you that by purchasing sustainably, you could significantly lower this figure without having to sacrifice the occasional shopping spree? 

I love shopping. It soothes me. I would say it borderlines an addiction although I am sure my boyfriend would say it crossed over the line a long time ago. At one point in my life, whenever I was having a bad day, I would casually stroll through H&M on my way home for work and would likely exit with a bag (or two) of clothes that I most likely wore once only to realize that it was not my cup of tea. But New Years 2020 I decided I needed to change. In an effort to transition to a more sustainable lifestyle I vowed to not buy fast fashion for 6 months. In that first 6 months I did not buy a single item of clothing. I had no need! I realized that I had everything I could possibly need. But something started to change. I was slowly growing into a different person as we all do in our early 20s and I decided I wanted to change my entire aesthetic. I did a huge purge of my closet, not once but 4 times over the following 6 months. In this purge of keeping only the items I absolutely loved, I discovered there were definitely some things that I needed. So I hit the thrift store. At the thrift store I found the perfect vintage sweater, turtlenecks for $3.00 and even a Ralph Lauren winter coat. But what I really needed was some pants. So I took the time to find exactly what I needed. I compared prices, I researched store values, and I found the pair of pants that fit all my criteria. Over those few months I gave myself a completely new wardrobe, one that is built to last me for years to come, for under $150. By investing in a few quality pieces that won’t wear out while thrifting what I can, I saved about $300. 

My suggestion on how to make the transition to more sustainable living is to take your time. Finish your pack of disposable sponges and instead of buying another one, find a dishcloth or natural sponge to take its place. Use all of the items in your house fully or until they no longer bring joy and then think about what you are bringing in to replace them. This is how I have slowly been making the transition and I have found that this method of mindful and purposeful curation has saved me money and made sure that everything in my home has a distinct use. The same thing goes for clothes. If 90% of your clothes come from the thrift store, then you will have saved enough money to splurge slightly on other pieces. Look for items that are made of natural materials, and are really well made so they stand the test of time.

Now you know that you CAN afford to shop sustainably. So what is your excuse? What are you waiting for?

Bibliography

Johnson, Emma. “The Real Cost of Your Shopping Habits.” Forbes.com, 15 01 2015, https://www.forbes.com/sites/emmajohnson/2015/01/15/the-real-cost-of-your-shopping-habits/?sh=67c125ef1452. Accessed 26 01 2021.