Blog — Sisters for Financial Independence

As it is Earth Month, I'm sharing some of my tried and true sustainable swaps. My journey to sustainability continues to this day and the biggest thing I've learned is that it is a journey, one that never ends, as we challenge ourselves to do better each day, learn more, and teach others. Sustainability comes in so many forms that we all have to do the best we can, given our resources. I've also learned that when you are kind to the planet, you also become kinder to the wallet.

Note that you don't need these things to be "sustainable" but they helped me on my journey and if you need a place to start, this may be it. If you are also looking to figure out what habits need to change, consider doing a "waste audit" where you peer into your trash (and your credit card statements) to see where your money is going and being wasted.

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The Zero Waste Chef book and A Zero Waste Family - Two books to help you get started or re-start your sustainable living. Love these two books because they will spark your creativity and encourage you to do the next thing, even if it's a small thing like storing your fruit differently. The Zero Waste Chef book provides so many ways to store, cook, and have a more sustainable kitchen which leads to less wasted food and more money saved. The Zero Waste Family book provides great examples of how you can adopt zero waste and minimalist principles as a parent so that you can have a more purposeful household. Kids certainly add a different dimension to life, and this book can help you put things into perspective when it comes to money, time, and the accumulation of stuff.
Reusable water bottle - I've had mine for over 7 years now and it was a habit change for me to switch from convenient bottled water to be resourceful enough to find refilling stations. I'm a big fan of insulated, stainless steel bottles, and this one has worked well for me in both kid and adult sizes. Bottled water can sometimes be marked up as much as 4000%. Yes, you read that right, so if you live where tap water is rated highly, refill instead. Carrying yours around also provides a good example if you have little ones around. It makes it easy to have them drink water when you too are always reaching for yous.
Swedish Cloths - These are now a staple in our kitchen. They are easy to use, easy to clean, and very versatile. These reusable cloths have replaced the majority of our paper towel usage which means less going into the trash.
Iris & Romeo Skincare - I’ve never really been a makeup person. It’s just not my thing and I am OK with that so this 5-in-1 formula: serum, moisturizer, sheer coverage, sunscreen, and blue light/pollution protector works really well for my needs. They also have a range of shades which is amazing if you have a permanent tan like me. Zinc oxide, the top ingredient in sunscreen is great but doesn't look so hot when it leaves a white cast on your skin. If you are a busy mom like me, you’ll appreciate this product because it’s easy to use, it follows EU safety standards, comes in glass, and it means you’ll actually use a face product instead of wasting money on a product with so much promise, but never delivers.
Reusable lunchboxes - With a growing pre-schooler, I am constantly packing snacks. It's sometimes so easy to grab the individual packs, but those can be so costly in the long run when you count the cost per serving, so we've opted to buy in bulk and put them in reusable containers. Love the stainless steel options because they are light, easy to wash, don't retain smell, and are easy to open with pre-schoolers hands.
Menstrual cup - I wish had known of these earlier or I wish I had the guts to try it when I was a bit younger, but ever since I switched to a menstrual cup, I have never looked back. Yes, you need to get used to it, but in my opinion, love these more than pads and tampons. And they are also FSA-eligible if you have funds from that account.
Cloth napkins - Another easy switch is having cloth napkins around that can easily be grabbed for on-the-go snacking or for daily use. These can save you on tissues or napkins. I usually grab one to wrap an apple in or have on hand in the car so that my pre-schooler has something on her lap when she's snacking.
Plaine Products Shampoo & Conditioner - I have been using this product since 2017 when it first got on the market. This company checks off everything I was looking for: women-owned, reusable, refillable, B Corp, Made in USA, Leaping Bunny Certified, 1% for the Planet, carbon-neutral, and more. The best part though is because these are delivered to me, I don't have to spend time at Target figuring out what the latest ingredient du jour is that I should be buying. Is it coconut oil, Moroccan oil, or moringa? And it also means I don't have half-opened bottles of products in the shower which is a money drain if you count all of those products that never get used.
Tushy Bidet System - IYKYK. Seriously though, the US is one of the few places that hasn't caught on to bidets. These systems are easy to install and help save you money on toilet paper consumption. Those 2-plys add up! And they are better for your body and the environment.
Clothes drying rack - Don't sleep on these things. They may seem old school and may take your clothes longer to dry but they will make up for it in money and energy savings. And if you've got clothes you want to last longer, these can help, which is another win.