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“Frugally Green”

April 1, 2009 By Emily McClements
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Go Green

Photo by James Wang

I’ve written a few posts recently about how I am learning to be more frugal, and the ways that I have been trying to save money. While I think being frugal is a good thing, I have also become increasingly more environmentally aware, thinking about how my actions and our family’s actions affect the environment and our earth.

And I have been thinking about these two ideas together lately, being frugal and being green. I truly believe that we are to be good stewards of the resources that God has entrusted us with. And I have come to understand that that includes both our monetary resources, as well as His creation and the natural resources that He has provided for us.

I love following the frugal blogs that I do and hearing about great deals and how others meet their needs on such low budgets and seeing the way that they are able to stretch a dollar so much further than I have ever been able to – it is inspiring to me.

But, at the same time, sometimes I think to myself, when I see stockpiles of disposable razors that were bought for “free”, or bottles and bottles of shampoo or lotion, or boxes and boxes of individually wrapped granola bars, “How much is too much?” What price is the earth paying for all of the production and manufacturing, and packaging and material going to the landfill,  just so that one never has to pay for a razor?

And at what point, does one start to “live for” getting the best deals, and saving the most money? I have nothing against getting a good deal and saving money, I just don’t want my life to revolve around that.

Also, I have been frustrated lately with the cost associated with “going green”. It seems that many things that are more green may save money in the long run, but require a larger, or at least some sort of, initial investment – re-usable grocery bags, CFL lightbulbs, kitchen cloth like napkins, towels and rags, etc.

When you are on a tight budget, you don’t always have room for that initial extra cost, even if it could save you more money in the long term. Or sometimes products that are pushed as green products – like organic clothing or bedding, or items made from “sustainable” sources, require that you purchase something new and dispose of your old un-green item – which kind of seems to defeat the purpose to me.

I started looking for blogs that were about being frugal and being green, environmentally aware and responsible, and didn’t really find much (not that they’re not out there, I just didn’t find them, if you know of a great blog about living green and frugally, please let me know!)  Most are either all about the deals and saving money at any “cost”, and others are just about different ways to go green and save the earth, but don’t have much to do with being frugal.

So, I decided that I am going to embark on a journey to learn to be “frugally green” and I plan to record and share my journey here. I hope that you will follow along with me – hopefully I can encourage and inspire you along the way. I would love to hear any thoughts/ideas you all have about being frugal and being green as I begin my journey.

4 CommentsFiled Under: Green Living Tagged With: "green", faith, frugal

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Comments

  1. 'Becca says

    May 28, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    I just found your blog through "Works for Me Wednesday" and am browsing around. Both frugality and environmentalism are core values for me, and I think they go together really well, but it's true that the cheapest choice sometimes wastes resources other than money and the greenest choice sometimes is expensive. But those green products that "require that you purchase something new and dispose of your old un-green item" usually DON'T require that–you can wait until you need to replace the old thing and then buy the green one. For example, I didn't rush out and buy a hybrid car when they first hit the market, but when my old car fell apart THEN I bought a hybrid.

    Here are some of my articles on "frugal and green" ideas:
    reusing things
    thrifty fashion
    turning out excess lights
    The 5-Part Furniture-Finding Plan
    eating less meat
    line-drying laundry
    reusing gift wrap and other holiday supplies
    washing plastic bags for reuse

    I hope you don't mind my posting all these links–I'm excited about your journey and want to share some ideas!

    Reply
  2. Emily says

    May 31, 2010 at 11:34 pm

    Hi Becca!
    Thanks for visiting Live Renewed. I'd love to see more of you!

    I definitely agree with you that when something you have breaks or runs out and you have the opportunity to purchase something new that is a greener option, then absolutely you should. I just sometimes don't agree with the consumerist mentality that I always have to have the next best, newest, greenest thing and that it's better for me to throw away my perfectly good un-organic sheets and buy new organic ones. I'm concerned about the commercialism and "green-washing" of products and how they are marketed to consumers. That's all.

    Thanks for all the links to your articles. I will definitely try to check them out when I have the chance.

    Reply
  3. Anna says

    September 17, 2011 at 11:09 pm

    I really like your idea. I have been checking out your blog and it strikes me as interesting that many times frugal and green are usually mutually exclusive–at least it is marketed that way. I have also seen a trend in the last year or so away from green and more towards frugal as the economy and people’s pocketbooks tighten. I think that a lot of discernment is necessary as what is often billed as green isn’t really green, but it makes for a good sale. Just as certain foods and things are supposed to be good or bad for you depending on who does the research and who funds it. Thanks for your blog it is very inspirational and helpful as I have been praying for help in the frugal department and I believe God has led me here for a reason!

    Reply
    • Emily @ Live Renewed says

      October 5, 2011 at 10:48 pm

      Hi Anna,
      So glad to have you as a new reader of Live Renewed! Please let me know if there is anything I can help you with!

      Reply

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