Summary: “I’m stuck between trying to spend as little money as possible while also buying sustainable, timeless items from eco-conscious companies (which often inherently cost more). Even though I’m buying fewer items and using my money more intentionally, I don’t find that I’m saving much. What tips do you have for conscious spending, i.e. spending less without sacrificing quality or values?”<br> <br> Ethical items, quality garments and organic food, oh my: Because eco-friendly purchases are often more expensive than their conventional counterparts, eco-minimalism as a lifestyle can feel sometimes inaccessible to those of us on a budget.<br> Today’s show answers a listener’s question about the space where eco-friendliness and frugality diverge. I speak with Certified Financial Planner <a href="https://www.financialfives.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gary Grewal</a> about the fundamentals of conscious spending: Gary suggests 3 strategies for listeners who don’t feel as though they’re saving much money and offers tried-and-true ways to vote with our dollars (without going broke).<br> <br> Here’s a preview:<br> [5:00] First things first: buying as your last resort<br> [8:00] How and why it’s important to “zoom out”, with thoughts on investing in health<br> [15:00] Impulse spending and derailed financial goals<br> [17:00] 5 items to rent instead of buy<br> [21:45] 5 free or low cost ways to spend time with others<br> [26:00] 5 ways to vote with your dollars<br> <br> Resources mentioned:<br> <br> * <a href="https://turo.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Turo car sharing marketplace</a><br> * <a href="https://amzn.to/3iHBnH0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Financial Fives: The Top 325 Ways To Save, Earn, and Thrive To Retire Before 65</a><br> * <a href="https://youtu.be/u_xFuE_VgwU" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Watch the extended version of this interview on Youtube</a><br> * Want more episodes like this one? Check out <a href="https://mamaminimalist.com/205/">#205: How To Right-Size Your Household Budget</a><br> <br> <br> <br> * Thank you to <a href="https://zen.ai/mamaminimalist" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Let’s Make Art</a> for sponsoring this week’s episode! Get 20% off your first order <a href="https://zen.ai/mamaminimalist" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a> (discount will be applied at checkout).<br> * Thank you also to <a href="https://wildplanetfoods.com/sustainability/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wild Planet Foods</a> for sponsoring! Learn more about their sustainability vision <a href="https://wildplanetfoods.com/sustainability/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.<br> * Join our (free!) community <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/134165317219800/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.<br> * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SustainableMinimalists/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Facebook,</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sustainableminimalists/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a> + <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmEjOfANT67KkwTTp3pgSOg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Youtube</a>.<br> <br> <br>
