Opportunities abound to enjoy nature's beauty, and spending time outside carries many perks – from boosting your mood to increasing your activity level. As a bonus, there are countless ways to get outdoors without putting a dent in your budget.
In this post, we're covering tips and tricks for reaping the benefits of exploring our environment - like increased physical and financial health - without negatively impacting it.
Green Up Your Garden
Many people log time outside by caring for a garden. Growing your own vegetables is a productive way to soak up the sun while also cutting costs on your grocery bill.
To make your home garden sustainable and affordable, try these tips:
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Plan for excess. Since your garden is likely free of preservatives, you'll need a plan for quickly using any extra produce you grow. You can donate to a food pantry, swap with a neighbor, or freeze to eat during the off-season.
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Save your seeds. Set aside seeds from plants you plan to grow again in the future. This eliminates the need to buy them for the next growing season.
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Create compost. Maybe you have scraps from vegetables you used in last night's meal. Or perhaps you missed those peppers growing on the bottom of the plant and didn’t pick them before they began to rot. Either way, you can still put them to use by starting a compost bin and making your own soil.
Tackle Alternative Travel
Whether in your day-to-day life or for a larger trip, incorporating time outside into your travels offers many benefits. Decreased fuel costs, increased physical activity, and a reduced impact on the environment are just a few perks of rethinking how you move around.
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Reimagine your commute. If you own a car, it can be especially tempting to hop in it every time you need to run an errand or head to work. But with some planning and flexibility, you can save on gas by carpooling, combining errands into one big trip, or considering alternate forms of transportation such as biking. Every time you cut out a trip in your car, you're helping the environment by putting less exhaust into the air.
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Consider camping or RV-ing. Whether you own or rent an RV or a tent, setting up at a campsite can be a great way to connect with the environment while also saving some cash. There are even some programs that allow you to camp for free at participating locations in exchange for a purchase. Instead of paying a campground fee, you agree to buy something, such as a ticket to a museum or produce from a farm.
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Explore the great outdoors. You never truly know an area until you've seen the natural beauty of it. So whether you're staycationing or vacationing, find a state or national park nearby and make a plan to explore. Not only might you be surprised at what you find, but you'll also save by opting outside instead of spending money on activities like movies, shopping sprees, or meals out.
"Take Only Photographs, Leave Only Footprints"
If you're already an outdoor enthusiast, you may be familiar with the adage “Take only photographs, leave only footprints.” If not, the translation is simple: leave nature the way you found it. Fortunately, doing so is easy and only requires a simple and inexpensive combination of thoughtfulness and preparedness.
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Use reusable containers. You don't have to worry about throwing trash out if you don't bring any with you. Instead of toting plastic bags or bottles, pack drinks, snacks, or meals in reusable containers. Not only are you less likely to leave a container behind, but you'll also save money over time by not having to continuously purchase more supplies.
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Buy snacks in bulk. If you have a favorite hiking snack or tend to nibble on the same treat each time you're working in your garden, think about buying in bulk to save on food costs. Choose an option with less packaging and use the reusable containers mentioned above to portion out your own food.
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Clean up your corner of the world. If you're looking for ways to give back, bring a trash bag and gloves to pick up any litter you see while you're out and about. You'll get some extra exercise and leave the area nicer for those who come after you.
Opt Outside Responsibly
Use these tips for guilt-free enjoyment of the great outdoors and save yourself some green along the way. For more ways to go green without breaking your budget, check out our resource center.
