Go Green to Save Green: reduce consumption
April is Earth Month, so Green Bay Consumer wants to give you tips and tricks that are not only good for the earth, but save money, too!
I actually wanted to call today’s post “Stop Buying Crap You Don’t Need”. 
Are you an impulse buyer? I used to be horrible at it. Now, the only time I buy things that aren’t on my list is when it’s a surprise sale or clearance item. And it has to be something that I’ve been looking for. At least that’s how it goes most of the time.
How many times have you bought something at a great price, thinking you might be able to use it but then never do?
How many times have you gotten bored with something you own, so you go get a new version of it?
How many times have you gone through the dollar aisle or dollar store and picked up “just a few things” and end up spending a lot of money? Or bought your kids those cheap trinket toys that are going to fall apart the first time they use it? Money wasted and it goes in the landfill.
Instead of buying cheap pots and pans every few years and replacing them, why not save up your money to buy one really good set of cookware that you will have for the rest of your life? My mother got her stainless steel cookware when she got married in 1959 and it’s still going strong today. Sure, it cost a lot more than aluminum pans, but she also didn’t have to buy a new set every few years, either.
Today I was in Target and they had a full size Spiderman Quilt Set marked down to $25–was originally $80.00. The old Bargain Sleuth probably would have bought it since it’s hard to find “kid” bedding in full size. Today, I mentally counted how many comforters, quilts, etc. we already had that could be used for my son’s bed and passed.
It’s the age old dilemma of needs vs. wants. I went shopping today but it was to pick up some things we needed. I was very good about avoiding things that we wanted. Some days I’m not so good at it. It’s still a work in progress for me. How about you?
Be sure to check out Green Bay Consumer every day this month for more tips, tricks and resources to help you save the earth and save your pocketbook.
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