How can I afford to be sustainable without money?

Here some ideas:

FOOD

• Buy Local and Seasonal Produce → Choosing fruits and vegetables that are grown locally and in season is a simple yet powerful way to reduce your environmental impact and save money. Since this food doesn’t have to travel far, it generates fewer emissions, and its seasonal abundance often makes it more affordable.
• Reduce disposable items → Instead of buying plastic water bottles over and over again, you can invest in a durable reusable one that can last for years. The same idea works for shopping bags and food containers too. You can also switch to beeswax wraps, which last up to a year, as a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic or aluminum wrap.. 
• Cut down on meat → To spend less on groceries and respect the planet, you can consider responsible meat consumption, for example by eliminating it from your diet just once a week. A study conducted by Kantar in the UK found that vegan shoppers spend around 40% less on groceries than meat eaters.
• Too good to go → it is an app, which aim to reduce the food waste and that allow clients to buy food from shops at a lower price

TRANSPORTS

• Cycling or walking are other ways to reduce costs by saving you money on fuel or public transport; however this is not always an option, especially during hot summer days or over long distances, for which I recommend first to choose the bus instead of a private car, and then opting for slow travelling solutions, instead of plane when going far or on holiday.
• BlaBlaCar → Thanks to this app, you can share a ride with strangers. It could be a great opportunity to meet new people, save money, and even explore less touristy destinations. BlaBlaCar offers every subscriber the option to give a paid ride to someone or to check if there are people available who are doing the same route as you and therefore have a ride characterized by the comfort of the car.

CLOTHES

• Conscious Fashion Choices → While fast fashion offers inexpensive, trendy clothing, it’s really damaging for the environment. Prioritize quality over quantity. Investing in durable, timeless pieces may seem more expensive initially, but they last longer, saving you money over time. Look for sustainable brands that focus on eco-friendly or recycled ones and ethical production practices to make a more conscious and lasting impact.

• Shop second-hand or taking part in clothing swaps can provide unique, affordable fashion choices. An initiative is for example carried out by Vinokilo , a moving shop where you can select your favorite clothes and pay by kilo.

In community swap events you can trade the items you don’t need anymore for something that’s new to you. 

• Vinted → This app has developed quite a bit in recent years, so maybe you already know it. It's mainly used for clothes, but you can actually find and sell everything on it. The goal is to reuse items and to have the opportunity to sell and give new life to every piece of clothing you have at home.

BODY CARE

• Take shorter showers → It could help reduce water waste and utility bills. 

• Reusable razor → Try to use reusable razor instead of disposable plastic ones 
• Solid soap → It helps avoiding the use of plastic. A solution can also be to buy a big soap refill in case you feel more comfortable with liquid soap.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

• Instead of buying new books you can borrow them from the library or from friends. In many places there are also bookcrossing boxes in which you can take a book and leave there another one that you don’t read anymore.
• Unplug devices and appliances that are not in use.
• Clean-Up Events → Joining community clean-up events is a free way to contribute to a better environment. These events, often held in local parks, on beaches, or around neighborhood streets, also offer a great chance to connect with others who share your values.