Staying Green During Tough Economic Times

I read two conflicting articles recently about the effect the economy is having on people’s choices to buy green products. One urged consumers to think twice about paying extra money for organic and green products in light of rising gas and grocery costs. The other claimed the economy is leveling the playing field between conventional and green products. The energy saving practices followed by many companies who produce green products has kept their costs from rising at the same rate as conventional companies.

Either way, it seems everyone is feeling the economic pinch. Consequently, choosing conventional products over green products to save a couple of dollars can be very tempting. However, I believe we should to resist the temptation as much as possible.

Here are a few tips to stay green during tough economic times:

Don’t assume everything green is more expensive. If the one article I read is correct, the prices of many green products are remaining steady. Compare prices before you decide you can’t afford a certain product in its green or organic form. In my grocery store, a canister of a popular brand of regular slow cooking oats is more expensive than the same amount of organic slow cooking oats from the bulk bins.

Visit your local farmer’s market. The price for organics is usually lower at the farmer’s market than in the grocery store on everything from produce, to flowers, to eggs. By eliminating long distance shipping costs the local farmer can charge lower prices. Supporting local farmers during tough economic times is also important. We don’t want them to disappear.

Prioritize. If you decide you must eliminate some of your green products, sit down and determine what you aren’t willing to compromise on. First and foremost, it would be things that affect my children. Organic milk is non-negotiable. The mini carrots, which my kids seem to scarf down at lunch time, also need to be organic. We replaced potato chips with them. We are also committed to buying fair trade coffee. What are you not willing to compromise?

Eat less meat. Organic meat is expensive. However, instead of switching back to non-organic, eat less meat. Buy a small amount of organic boneless chicken breast, cut it into cubes, and chop up a bunch of vegetables to make kabobs. You won’t even notice that ¾ of the food on your plate is vegetables. Initiate “Meatless Mondays” in your home. Be wise with your leftovers, too. Freeze small, uneaten portions. When enough has accumulated, defrost and have a leftover night.

Do without other things so you can continue to buy green. Eliminating expensive cups of coffee and dining out is the first suggestion mentioned when trying to save money. Is there something you can eliminate that will provide additional funds to buy green? How about your monthly DVD rental subscription? The local library has DVDs to borrow for free. There is bound to be something you can do without.

Make your own green cleaning products. The organic/natural cleaning products isle is one place that can drain your wallet quickly. If you make your own cleaning products from things like baking soda, vinegar, and tap water, you will spend less than you would for similar conventional products. Use the savings towards buying organic food for your family.

Whatever you changes you decide to make or compromise on, remember it is always a step in the right direction for you, your family and the environment.