By making lifestyle choices that are sustainable, you are giving yourself a much greater chance of being able to live debt-free. While most people may not equate a sustainable mindset with personal finances, the two actually have quite a bit in common. Here are some of the ways you can change your lifestyle and your bank account at the same time.
Get Rid of Clutter
If you look around your home, there are probably many items that you rarely, if ever, use. You need to get rid of this clutter, whether by giving items away to friends who may need them, donating them to thrift stores, or even selling them on online auction sites, anything you haven’t used in the past year should go.
Downsize
After you have gotten rid of unnecessary items, look around and see if the space you live in is more than you truly need. If it is, it may be time to downsize your living space. This may not be the easiest thing to do if you own your own home, but if you are renting, you can simply look for a smaller place to live. This will obviously save you money on your monthly rent. To simplify things, ask your current landlord if they have any other rental properties which may be better suited to your updated housing needs.
Refinance Loans
The next step should be to take a look at any monthly loan payments you may have. If you have student loan debt, now is a good time to reach out to the holder of the loan and ask about refinancing options. It is also a good idea to shop around and see what other lenders have to offer. You may be able to decrease your monthly payments by a significant amount by taking out a refinancing loan.
Grow Your Own Food
When it comes to vegetables, you may be able to grow your own. This is especially convenient if you live in a rural area, but even if you live in a more urban environment, look into community gardens or even indoor vegetable plots that you can set up to suit your needs. Not only can it be cheaper, you know exactly how they were grown as well.
Buy in Bulk
If gardening simply is not an option for you, try buying in bulk instead. Fruits and veggies remain just as good if they are frozen, and foods such as meat and grains are significantly cheaper when purchased in bulk. As long as you are buying more food in bulk, brush up on your cooking skills instead of eating out at restaurants or ordering takeout and delivery.
Learn to Upcycle
Upcycle is simply another term for reusing something. Before throwing something out, think if you can use it for something else, thereby not having to purchase another item to take its place. If you do need to purchase an item for your home, try and buy a gently used version. This can be a great way to save on monthly expenses without having to deny yourself things.
