Are you tired of wasting your money on things that you do not need?  This is a common problem for a lot of people.  Your first line of defense: make shopping lists and budgets.  What are you willing to spend on said item(s)?   Scour the Internet, penny saver, and newspaper for coupons.  Check out garage sales, thrift stores, eBay, craigslist, flea markets and consignment shops for a wide array of items such as clothing, furniture, and appliances.  You can find lost gems at great prices if you are willing to put in the time and effort.  There is a certain amount of risk involved when purchasing used goods.  Take your time to assess the condition of any item that you are interested in purchasing.  Test it out, ask questions and don’t be afraid to negotiate for the price you think is fair.

Making a budget each month will help you put your money to good use.  Take the money you have for that month and put it in an envelope.  Having a physical representation of what you have to work with will help you make the most of it, and discourage you from wasteful spending.  Sometimes it is easier to swipe a card and throw more items in the basket and not really be aware of what you are spending.  If you do not like to carry cash, consider putting your budgeted money in an account that you can access with a debit card.   Keep tabs on your account to make sure you do not exceed your limit.  Save receipts for one month and at the end of the month, add up how much you spent for food, living, transportation and miscellaneous items.  Reflect on where and how you can cut back.  This is a good jumping off point for starting your budget.  Be willing to make adjustments when you are first starting out.  Don’t be too frugal but don’t go overboard.  Set aside extra money for emergencies, i.e. a flat tire.

The green public awareness has conquered new realms when it comes to promoting rational and effective shopping.  Check out product reviews online from people who have purchased the product and see what they have to say.  The reviews are often informative, honest and insightful about the product.  Develop your self-control to curb impulsive buying.  There is always a bargain out there, so keep looking.  Look out for organic products.  For instance, clothing made of wool and cotton is likely to be more eco friendly than others.  Keep in mind that many products are shipped from overseas, thus accruing additional costs to make it into your home.  When you buy something second hand, you are eliminating that additional cost.

Use eco friendly bags when shopping and bring these bags with you to the store.  Help cut down on all the bags that are wasted at shops, and especially the grocery store.  Many grocery stores sell eco friendly bags for you to reuse when you return to the store.