1. Eat Less Meat

Meat isn't cheap, and it's not great for the environment, either. Animal farming has destroyed seventy percent of the Amazon rainforest, and meat production results in more carbon emissions than any other protein. We're not telling you to go vegan (unless you want to), but learning to cook a few choice vegetarian meals will save money, add variety to your palate, and give the planet a helping hand.

2. Cook From Scratch 

We all know that cooking at home saves a hell of a lot of cash, but it also uses fewer resources than dining out or buying pre-made food. Although what you eat is usually more important than how it's cooked, eating food processed in distant industrial kitchens, wrapped up in plastic and cardboard packaging, and trucked to your local supermarket eats up a lot of energy. Besides, no meal gets appreciated as much as the one you've made yourself, so get cooking! Need some help getting started? Check out this roundup of healthy recipes.

3. Start A Compost Pile

A corn cob decomposing in a landfill takes up to 18 years, but only a couple of months in a compost pile. A compost heap will save money on fertilizers, maintain soil health, and keep all those food scraps from rotting in a dump and belching methane (a greenhouse gas) into the atmosphere. Plus, you can use compost to grow new food, making it the ultimate recycler—now that's eco-friendly.

4. Give Up Bottled Water 

Marketing has led us to believe that we need to spend our well-earned money on expensive water bottles to be healthy when the reality is tap water is still drinking water. And surprisingly, bottled water is usually no better than tap water. Not only is bottled water ridiculously expensive, but the amount of plastic usage is through the roof. You can get yourself a water filter or distiller to ensure your drinking water is fresh and safe and most likely better for your health than the majority of bottled water on the market. You can then use a reusable water bottle (this is my one) when you're out and about. Sadly, most plastic bottles are not recycled and end up in landfills, or worse, in our oceans. So save some cash and ditch the bottled water.

5. Go Digital 

Going digital is an easy way to save trees and money simultaneously! Use online banking, save important files and photos on your hard drive, switch to email subscriptions over paper ones, or sign up to streaming services like Netflix, Spotify, or Audible. These simple switches are often more affordable and significantly reduce the amount of paper usage every year. 

6. Buy Secondhand 

Buying secondhand furniture and clothing not only stops the waste associated with fast fashion, but you often get better made, higher quality options than you would if you purchased new options. Choosing to shop at a vintage, thrift, or consignment shop offers you the opportunity to discover fun finds in brands you may not have expected. More and more people are discovering the thrill of thrifting and absolutely loving it! 

7. Walk Or Bike More

We don't need to tell you how beneficial choosing to walk or bike instead of driving is for your health, but did you know it benefits the environment too? Choosing to leave your car at home reduces gas consumption, lowers carbon emissions, and saves you a ton of money (have you seen gas prices recently?) Help make your body and our planet healthier by finding the joys of the pedestrian lifestyle!

8. Choose Sustainable Brands

Choosing sustainable brands doesn't mean you have to give up quality or pay a fortune. Many brands you know and love are making strides to become more environmentally friendly, helping make your choice easier! Here are some of the best sustainable fashion brands you can feel great about supporting!