Save vs. Splurge: A Realistic Guide to Budget-Friendly Clean Living
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Living a clean lifestyle doesn’t mean breaking the bank – it’s about knowing where to save and where to mindfully invest. Today, I’m sharing my personal approach to maintaining a healthy, sustainable lifestyle while being smart with my spending.
Where I Save (Without Compromising Quality)
1. Thrifted Fashion Finds:
Clean living can absolutely be stylish! I regularly shop at thrift stores because it’s budget-friendly and environmentally conscious. I also intentionally seek out my favorite high quality brands at thrift or consignment stores because they’re even more eco-conscious in their sourcing, fabric and production standards. By buying these brands second hand, I pay a fraction of brand new cost, but still enjoy high quality items while reducing chemical and production exposures to myself and my family. This is an easy way to build a sustainable wardrobe while saving money. I also focus on high quality pieces that will last and age up with my children as well as pieces that can be handed down to siblings, cousins or friends. The goal is to extend the life of items to ensure that they don’t just end up in a landfill somewhere. Any item that I can source second hand I will. This includes furnishings, decor and more. Places like Facebook Marketplace or even social media Buy Nothing groups are amazing ways to be more sustainable in our consuming, but also a beautiful way to connect with your local community and support local people and businesses too.
PROTIP: ALWAYS wash second hand items thoroughly. If you buy harder to wash items such as delicates or heavy coats, furnishings etc. don’t underestimate the power of sunshine and cold fresh air.
2. Repurposed Glass Jars
Glass jars are incredibly versatile! I save and reuse quality glass jars for storage, homemade nut milk (you know I love my cashew & almond milk!), and even as vases. These free organizational tools are a staple in my home. I will often choose a particular item at the grocery store because of the packaging it comes in! Yes, all my dark amber and green pop-top bottles for my homemade Fire Cider and Kombucha are repurposed Ginger Brew bottles found at Trader Joe’s. I always keep 6 on hand and have been able to reuse the same ones for years. I will also occasionally buy the little yogurts in glass, only ever keeping 8-10 on hand at any given time (did you know that there are little reusable lids you can buy for these jars? Yep – find them HERE.
PROTIP: Don’t just keep any jar and every jar. my rule is that “if the place for xyz jar is full, I do NOT keep anymore”. I’ll either give them away or recycle them. Don’t just fill your cabinets with jars, have a place and purpose for each thing you keep in your home.
3. Bulk Buying Benefits
For our family favorites, buying in bulk makes perfect sense. It saves money and reduces packaging waste. I especially focus on stocking up on organic pantry staples we use regularly. Having a big deep freezer helps keep these bulk items fresh, especially nuts, seeds, flours, high quality meats, frozen fruits for smoothies and veggies for quick healthy dinner add-ins. We love our Costco membership for these bulk, healthy pantry finds, but even places like Sam’s or local Co-Op groups are great places to stock up on favorite bulk essentials. We love to go in with friends on a local grass-fed, grass finished cow share whenever possible too. This is a great way to support local and enjoy high quality meat for less.
PROTIP: don’t have a lot of storage space or don’t go through certain items as quickly, find a friend who loves eating similarly to your family and split big bulk items with them.
4. Simplified Cleaning Solutions
Simple is better! I’ve learned that you don’t need countless cleaning products. A few effective, clean products do the job perfectly while saving money and reducing chemical exposure in our home. I personally love the simple selection of home cleaning products from Humble Suds and while I use those daily, I also keep a big bottle of distilled white vinegar, unscented castile soap, a bag of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, fresh lemons and a few favorite essential oils on hand to tackle anything else that may come our way. A stack of simple cotton dish cloths or dishtowels work amazing on cleaning most of the messes that happen in a very busy kid and pet friendly home.
PROTIP: to begin simplifying your cleaning products, consider what areas of your home you clean most often, then consider what variety of products your reaching for, can that be whittled down to just one or two effective products? For me it’s a good multi-purpose spray that can clean any surface. This also makes it so much easier for other family members to help with cleaning things around the house, because instead of a cabinet full of products, there’s just one or two things to choose from.
5. DIY Beverages
Making my own coffee and nut milk at home is both cost-effective and rewarding. I know exactly what goes into my drinks, and the savings add up significantly over time. I also love making mocktails and cozy healing beverages for winter time. My Ginger Tea Concentrate and Elderberry Syrup recipes are my most popular. When you learn how to make these things at home you won’t ever look back. Making these things at home are not only going to be so much more nutrient dense, but you will save significantly on your food budget by making them yourself.
PROTIP: Do you have a beverage you just must have every day? Do you find yourself going out to buy this drink because you can’t make it taste as good at home? Consider investing in the tools needed to make it at home, your wallet and your health will thank you in the long run.
6. Home-Cooked Meals
Preparing most meals at home gives us control over ingredients while being gentler on our budget. It’s one of the most impactful ways to maintain a clean lifestyle affordably. We make 90% of our meals at home. Over the years I have found super simple ways to save time and money with a little bit of planning and prep. One of our go-t0 favorites is my Sunrise Oatmeal Mix. 10 minutes 1x a week, can prep quick nutrient dense one scoop oatmeal bowls for a week. This has been my son’s favorite breakfast for years and it’s a staple in our home pantry. See the Cookbook link for more.
PROTIP: Have a rotating list of favorite meals. Spend 10 minutes each weekend mapping out the meals you need for that week. Build your weekly shopping list around those specific needs.
Where I Splurge (Because Quality Matters)
1. Clean Beauty and Body Care
I choose to invest in quality skincare and body care products (I love Crunchi skincare and makeup). Not all skincare and makeup are created equal. I could write an entire blog post just on this topic alone, but for the sake of this list, I’ll keep this one short and sweet. The products we use on our skin every day are absorbed directly into our bodies. The ingredients in these products matter. The average woman uses between 12-15 different products before they even leave the house in the morning. These products often contain hormone disruptors, allergens, and carcinogens. I believe it’s worth spending more on cleaner, safer options that are good for our healthy and the planet.
PROTIP: consider swapping just ONE product you use EVERY day that sits ON your skin (ie. not a soap that you wash off) all day for something healthier for you. Products to consider swapping: body lotion, face lotion, foundation, deodorant or sunscreen. Remember progress over perfection always. Focus on “lowest hanging fruit first” and work from there.
Need more? Check out my Clean Beauty Swap Guide or my Clean Beauty Shelves for even more brand recommendations.
2. Premium Protein Powder
While I prefer the nutrients for my family to come from nutrient dense food in its most natural state, there are times that a good quality protein powder is very convenient, but not all protein powders are alike and if we are using a supplement like this in our home I want to make sure it’s a good one. One being tested for heavy metals and sourced from the highest quality ingredients. I’ve used Kachava for severals years now and have been very impressed with not only their quality, but also how gentle it is on my stomach – so many protein powders are not so kind.
PROTIP: set up autoship for these types of products and don’t forget to apply any credits or extra perks every time your order is about to ship. This is a great way to save when you consistently purchase an item. By maximizing perks with my Kachava autoship and managing how often it’s delivered – usually every 3 months or so – I’m able to save more than $50 every time I order.
3. Quality Coffee Beans
Yes, I love a good latte—but I don’t love spending $5+ every day on one. Making coffee at home saves me hundreds of dollars a year. Even DIY fancy versions with steamed milk, maple or cinnamon can be made for that coffee-shop feel without the price tag. While I save by brewing at home, I invest in good coffee beans. Starting each day with a quality cup of coffee is worth every penny. Clean Coffee is possible at home or on the go with a little bit of planning an investing in high quality tools.
PROTIP: The organic and shade grown coffee from Costco and the 360 brand Buzz Free decaf (which is swiss water processed) are two of our go-tos.
4. Reliable Vacuum Cleaner
We’re a shoes-off house, but dust, crumbs, and pet hair still happen. A good vacuum makes cleanups quick, is essential for maintaining a clean, healthy home. Did you know it also helps keep indoor air quality better too? It’s true. Furniture and upholsteries are always shedding, even when you choose the healthiest options possible, all furniture is off-gassing in some shape for form all the time. Regularly vacuuming is one of the simplest ways to help improve indoor air quality. One that has good HEPA filtering and has a bagless system is going to be your best bet!
PROTIP: I’ve personally loved the Dyson brand for almost 2 decades. We have both the plug in & cordless version. I use my cordless Dyson daily and have had the same one for almost 10 years, my plug in one I’ve had for almost 2 decades and it still works amazing! I often see these higher end brands go on sale – so watch for coupons or special offers.
5. Quality Cookware
Cooking is a daily part of my life, so I prioritize non-toxic, durable cookware. Stainless steel pots and pans last a lifetime. High-quality stainless steel pots and pans (like All-Clad) are a worthwhile investment. They last longer, cook better, and keep our food free from harmful chemicals.
PROTIP: you can make any stainless or cast iron a non-stick surface by pre-heating it properly. This creates a heat space of surface tension that actually prevents the food from adhering to the surface of the pan. Just a few minutes of heating and then splash a droplet or two of water on the pan, you know it’s pre-heated when the droplet dances across the surface of the pan. Then add whatever oil you’d like to cook with.
6. High-Quality, Organic Produce
(When It Matters)
While I save by buying in bulk and meal planning, I do spend a little extra on organic produce for the Dirty Dozen (the fruits and veggies most likely to contain pesticides). We also shop seasonally as much as possible. For example we don’t buy fresh organic strawberries year round, but instead opt for frozen organic strawberries for things when it’s not their peak season. For everything else, I shop at a variety of local markets or stick to conventional options to stay within food budget needs. .
PROTIP: The best choice is always fresh, high-quality produce, regardless of whether it’s conventional or organic.
6. Quality Bedding & Mattresses
Sleep is everything. I splurge on organic cotton sheets and a high-quality mattress because I spend a third of my life in bed. Prioritizing non-toxic, breathable materials has improved my family’s sleep and overall well-being.
PROTIP: Target brand organic sheets are quite lovely and don’t break the bank either!
Find Your Balance
Clean living isn’t about perfection – it’s about making intentional choices that work for both your health and your budget. By being thoughtful about where you save and where you invest, you can create a lifestyle that’s both healthy and financially sustainable.
These choices work for my family, but I encourage you to find what fits your lifestyle and budget. Remember, it’s all about progress, not perfection, in creating a cleaner, healthier life.
I’d love to hear from you! What areas do you choose to save or invest in for your clean living journey? Share your thoughts below!
