Ideas on how to be greener and save money

Glad

great thread, I'm trying to be greener and healthier so following this thread closely

WeeMidgie wrote: »

For health reasons and to reduce food miles and to support a local farm, I have an organic veg delivery every two weeks. I also buy free range poultry direct from a nearby free range poultry farm. My food bill works out at £15 to £20 per week, which I don't feel is excessive for one person buying organic / free range produce.

WeeMidgie
I'd love to hear more I have a veg box delivered and I'm really struggling with my food bill, (I saw someone else mention they were too recently but can't find it now)
large fruit and veg box with enough for me for a week costs £23, then I also buy free range chicken, about £3 for one breast which stretches over a few meals, and some sustainable fish,
add to that oats, soya milk, green tea, beans, eggs, yoghurt, sometimes cheese and my foodbill is over £40 a week

maryb

Lidl do a surprising amount of organic food. I always buy their free range organic eggs. Mixed sizes in theory but they seem normal to me. Their free range chicken and frozen wild salmon are also good value. You can usually get organic broccoli and carrots as well.

yellow218

Eco egg arrived this week. Going to finish using up my normal detergent first, then !!!8216;detox!!!8217; the machine and give it a go. Fingers crossed.

Fairy liquid ran out so can finally replace with something a bit greener. Fairy actually has !!!8216;dangerous to aquatic life!!!8217; on the back label. No thanks. There were cheaper own brands available, but when comparing fairy to ecover I was surprise to see ecover was cheaper per litre. So going to give it a go.

Hubby and I have agreed that in some cases we are prepared to pay a little more (10%extra) to be greener, but even better if it!!!8217;s actually cheaper than what we currently use.

Anyone else found made any new swaps?

netskii

Really enjoying this thread, and just thought I would join in as I went a bit mad this afternoon - eB@y have an offer off 20% off today - code PAY20LESS so I finally bought a few things that I've been procrastinating about...

Eco Egg
Mesh Produce bags (noticed today Lid1 have started selling loose fruit)
Re-usable sanitary towels
Stainless Steel Spork

Very pleased as had come home from shops totally deflated by the amount of plastic everywhere!!

yellow218

sazzlebgood? wrote: »

after using the oven leave the door open and the left over heat will heat your kitchen

Tried this the other day. Nearly had roast cat! Good thought but won’t work in my house !!!128522;

yellow218

So verdict on ecover washing up liquid- I haven!!!8217;t noticed any difference. So it!!!8217;s a swap that is staying.

New swap this week, ran out of fabric softener. I!!!8217;ve replaced with vinegar and a few drops of essential oil for two loads. Clothes are soft and clean. There is no vinegar smell. Not no essential oil smell either. I!!!8217;m happy with that so far.

Haven!!!8217;t tried the eco egg yet. It came with detox tablets to clean the machine. Want to wait until all my normal powder is used up first.

Does anyone know- can you use eco egg and vinegar as softener at the same time? Or does the vinegar destroy the egg?

Gem-gem

Did my first load of washing this week without fabric conditioner. Didn't notice any different. (Will still use it for woolly wash).
Used up bathroom cleaner on Wednesday. Hubby has bought some white vinegar. Will some 'how clean is your house' recipes.

edwink

yellow218 wrote: »

Fairy liquid ran out so can finally replace with something a bit greener. Fairy actually has !!!8216;dangerous to aquatic life!!!8217; on the back label. No thanks. There were cheaper own brands available, but when comparing fairy to ecover I was surprise to see ecover was cheaper per litre. So going to give it a go.

Hubby and I have agreed that in some cases we are prepared to pay a little more (10%extra) to be greener, but even better if it!!!8217;s actually cheaper than what we currently use.

Anyone else found made any new swaps?

We have swapped Ecover Washing up liquid for Aldi's Magnum ECO ACTION in Pomegranate & Kiwi. Phosphate free. We have found it really good. I believe it is not a regular stocked item and is in store when they have a promotion on. I stock up on them when I see them in the store.

Aldi do a range of cleaning products which it says is for a greener tomorrow. I have tried the fabric conditioner & laundry wash and both of those I find do the job well. The only criticism I have is for the Multi Surface cleaner which I think smells revolting for some reason. They make two varieties of these, one is Anti Bacterial and the other has a fragrance which is pomegranate which I really dislike.

HTH

Edwink

doingitanyway

Glad wrote: »

great thread, I'm trying to be greener and healthier so following this thread closely


WeeMidgie
I'd love to hear more I have a veg box delivered and I'm really struggling with my food bill, (I saw someone else mention they were too recently but can't find it now)
large fruit and veg box with enough for me for a week costs £23, then I also buy free range chicken, about £3 for one breast which stretches over a few meals, and some sustainable fish,
add to that oats, soya milk, green tea, beans, eggs, yoghurt, sometimes cheese and my foodbill is over £40 a week

Like weemidgie I get an organic veg box fortnightly. I get the UK local box as the others appear to do quite a air miles. I add organic produce from the budget supermarkets to keep me going. If I am lucky I get YS organic proteins and freeze them. I buy organic eggs always and wild fish when I can. I still eat non organic foods but try hard to stay away from processed rubbish. My food bill is over £40 a week too. I am trying to reduce this. For me the key is to stay out of the shops so I am not tempted by rubbish. Good luck. I recommend an organic veg box. It helps me eat better and I find it cost effective

Mummy2cheekymonkeys

I absolutely love easiyo yoghurt. It is a powder that comes in a sachet that you make up yourself. You get 1kg of yoghurt from one sachet so think of all the pots saved there. I get them from Holland and Barrett when they have them buy one get one half price. Works out about £3 for a 1kg and it's the thickest yoghurt you will find. My toddler eats his weight in it!!
We also you all our kitchen scraps to make compost.
We try to grow a lot of our own fruit and veg which I make into jam and chutney or gets chopped up and put in the freezer.
We tend to do a lot of the things people have mentioned.
Also the biggest one for us at the moment is reusable nappies and wipes. The wipes from cheeky wipes are the best. They also do cloth sanitary towels which are good.