In 2026, there is an intense pressure to be sustainable, for good reasons. Our ecosystems and environment are typically not considered in everyday decisions. No one is perfect; it is usually easier to grab a single-use bottle of water in a rush or in the checkout line at the grocery store. Being "good with money" is also expected, but difficult in this economy. Unfortunately, I did not get my degree in economics, but I can tell you for certain, everything is expensive. In the last few years I've watched the price rise on products I've always bought, whether it be food, hygiene products, or even an iced coffee from Dunkin Donuts. I would assume most individuals care about being eco-friendly and financially responsible. As a recent college grad, I have nearly cracked the code for both. I'm here to share some tips and ways to think about purchasing, acting, and living in our current society.
Two considerations I always pose to myself when shopping are: Will I use or wear this as many times as it costs? Meaning, will I wear this twenty dollar t-shirt twenty times. And, do I actually want this? Big corporations are designed to make you want to buy the newest items, how else would they stay in business? This can be quite tricky when we are following the newest trends, latest drops, and seasonal fashion. So, you must ask yourself, is this something you actually want, or is it simply popular? If this question doesn't help, where in your home will this item go? How useful will it actually be? My favorite: is the amount of packaging worth the product? While this helps me as a conscious shopper, it may not fully convince you. Let me take it a step further. Is the trendy shirt going to be a staple in your closet or a once-worn piece of fabric? Most of us love creating a new outfit for an upcoming event and that is perfectly normal. However, can those pieces be reused? If not, why not try to thrift or upcycle a piece you already own? There are dozens of "higher end" thrift stores such as Plato's Closet and Uptown Cheapskate, but also other smaller ones that may be local to you. Not only can you get a brand new outfit or wardrobe, you may find things that are no longer sold, unique or vintage, and fit the outfit you had pinned on your Pinterest board! When the high of the concert wears off, you can go home still loving your outfit and feeling grateful you have something unique and environmentally conscious! Returning to the first, similar question, this can help buyers think more critically about worth versus price. We are wearing less natural fibers and more plastic with each shopping trip. While plastic infused clothing has its perks, is it really worth the money? For example, a new pair of atheleisure shorts may cost $20-$80. Will you wear those shorts that many times? If so, the expense may be worth it. If not, we should reconsider what is it you actually need from purchasing these shorts.
On the topic of trends, anything can become popular. Snacks, skincare, clothing, trinkets, and more can be pushed onto your social media feed, encouraging you to buy. One helpful trick when it comes to buying the more "sensitive" items, and by this I mean things that vary from person to person, such as skincare, is looking at reviews! Here is where the mostly bad, but sometimes good, TikTok comes in. If you are thinking about buying something, I can guarantee someone else on TikTok has bought it. Looking up reviews can help you navigate the shopping process. Skincare is especially important because everyone has different skin textures, lives in different climates, and has a different budget. Using TikTok to look at reviews will let you know if the product is truly "acne safe", worth the money, or completely useless, while also giving you other options. Buying a high-end skin serum that breaks you out is no longer necessary with thousands of reviews that can safe you time, money, and your skin health.
Most people succumb to their desire for fast food, especially when you live alone, are a full-time college student, or a hard working parent trying to find a quick and easy dinner. We all want to enjoy a "bad" meal once in a while, there's no harm in an occasional Big Mac. Many restaurants, fast food chains, and coffee shops have rewards programs, and if you go even just once, signing up may be worth it. McDonald's has new deals every day, many of which save customers $2-$8 per purchase. Even if you pick up a quick drink or fry from one of these chains once a week or once a month, points add up! However, sometimes the points expire in a month or a year, so make sure to be aware! Deals are not limited to fast food restaurants either, many grocery stores have coupons, weekly discounts, and other programs to reduce food costs. My college campus was located directly across from Harris Teeter. Harris Teeter is a more expensive grocery store, but they have the VIC rewards program and simply typing in your cell phone number at check out can save you a lot of money! College students get an additional 5% off as well. However, not everything is always on sale, be sure to check the app for weekly deals! Other grocery stores may use coupons, and although Walmart doesn't, most stores have a decent clearance section! I've purchased nice dishes for as low as fifty cents!
A more time-consuming tip for saving money is to do your research. Cross-checking prices can be frustrating, but you would be surprised how prices vary per store. TJMaxx and Ross are similar stores and sometimes located right beside each other, but they are not sister stores. This can be useful for the customer! Ross's prices are typically $3-10 cheaper for the same items that are being sold next door a TJMaxx, which is also a cheaper alternative for Walmart and Target! This applies for food too, sometimes buying in bulk at Sam's Club or Costco is cheaper than Walmart, but Walmart may be cheaper than Target! It depends on the season, type of product, and location, so this entire process can be overwhelming. If you have the means to go to each of these stores, keep an eye out for these themes! While saving a couple dollars doesn't seem like a major score, each penny adds up! Check for different deals within each store as well! Target often does gift card rewards, coupons, and other money-saving incentives!
We are more creative than we think and it can pay off when we want to be sustainable and save money. One brainstorming session can go a long way! For example, the glass jar your coffee came in can be reused as a cup, a container, or a vase! The ribbon your new pj set came in can be wrapped around this weekend's birthday party gift for extra flair! Pinterest can be an incredibly useful tool when looking for ways to repurpose things as well. If you have absolutely no use for trash or old items, discard them properly. If possible, recycling is a great option, but also ecobricks! Ecobricks are very simple and prevent small pieces of plastic or other trash from getting into bodies of water or flying about on the interstate. Ecobricks can be made with any large plastic container you were already planning to discard, such as an empty milk jug. When you rip something open like a package, pop a ballon, throw away gum wrappers, and any other small (or large and malleable) piece of recyclable plastic, simply stuff it into the empty milk jug until full, and then toss it into the recycling bin. For other items such as clothes or furniture, thrift stores are a great place to donate! If you live in a large community, you can also check for families in need, neighborhood yard sales, or sell the items in decent condition on Facebook marketplace! At the end of the day, we are all here to help each other. If you aren't in need now, you may be in the future. Each of these actives are a great way to get involved with the community, save money, and be sustainable. Together, we can make a better future for ourselves and those around us.
Remember, consumers have power! I hope these tips and tricks prove useful, as we are all trying to make it through! Don't forget to treat yourself as well! Life is purely a balance, and learning how to balance, is what is important.
