It always feels good to buy environmentally-friendly products, and there are great new green products showing up on store shelves every day. However, green products are often more expensive, and it’s tough to spend extra money on green products during troubled economic times.
How has your spending on environmentally-friendly products changed since the recession began? Are you still likely to spend a little more to help the environment, or is it just too expensive these days? Does it depend on the product?...maybe you still purchase green cleaning products and organic foods, but aren’t spending more on energy-saving appliances?
Let us know!
More "green" products - It's more important than ever to make environmentally-friendly purchases (23.3%)
The same - The economy hasn't changed my spending on green products (39.1%)
Fewer "green" products - Green products are often more expensive and I can't afford it these days (29.3%)
N/A - I don't purchase "green" products (8.2%)
Honestly, I don't make an effort to buy green specifically. We're on a very tight budget, so unit cost is what dictates my purchases. If I can get more bang for my buck with a green product then I buy it.
With green being so expensive, I find that I am going back to old school, when their wasn't glass cleaner,disinfectant, water and vinegar worked well.
More than ever before, I am careful to watch for sales and coupons. I stock up when I can combine a great sale with my coupons, because they get me an excellent value for my 'green' items. Sometimes it is a little more difficult to have the green items, but they are worth it.
you don't have to purchase green to be green, but I do believe it is important to support the green market.
as i get older i am using more and more green products to cut down on exposure to chemicals and toxins
Many of the green products I use are long lasting and relatively inexpensive. My Ms. Meyer's lasts forever!
I use baking soda and vinegar as a household cleaner and they are both very economical. However, I will splurge and buy cfl bulbs, if that is considered green, whenever needed. That's really the only green i buy, everything else is too expensive.
One item I have almost eliminated is the use of plastic bags in stores. I always keep a supply of reusable bags in my car and carry a small folding bag in my handbag. If I only purchase one small item I refuse a bag at the store. I never realized how many plastic bags I collected. We also now recycle our junk mail and all other types of paper. We fill a large bag each week with paper we used to throw away.
I too make a lot of my own cleaners. Not only am I saving money, it's safer for my pets and my home as well as the environment. There are still a few toxic items that I need/prefer to use (i.e. mildew remover).
I lOve the " GO GREEN " but its a little expensive