Pursuing a zero waste life style is about finding a balance between our needs and the resources available around us, it’s not about spending stupid money in the latest plastic free gadget. Being a minimalist can actually make you embrace a more frugal lifestyle, saving a lot of money in the process.

Here are our top 8 tips on how to spend less while living more sustainably:

• Make a list when you go grocery shopping (and stick to it!). Planning your grocery will make you waste less time wandering in the supermarket aisles and you will be less subject to compulsive buying. Whenever possible, buying in bulk and in season will make you save money (more tips for grocery shopping here).

• Be in control. Check where you are spending your money (LINK TO PLAN). It is so easy and quick to subscribe to things that it is also super easy to forget you have; take some time to sit down, check where your money goes every month, and see if you can cut any of that. If, after checking, you decide you need to keep any your subscriptions, do some research and check if you have the best deal, based on what you really need. Do you need an all-in-one tv and broadband bundle, or can you pay only for a good internet connection, good enough to watch your favourite series and films on your laptop?

• Pay yourself. Based on this assessment, decide how much money you can ‘not spend’ every month, and set up an automatic transfer for that amount to your savings account every time you get a paycheck set up an automatic transfer to your saving account every time you get your paycheck; not seeing the money in your spending account will make you less willing to spend it in non essential items.

• Buy less. Do you really need to upgrade your phone every year, or always follow the latest fashion trend? Look around your house and decide what is useful and what is not; you can start selling online items you are no longer using, you can make some money and the time and energy spent doing that will make you more conscious of the items’ value next time you go shopping, and you’ll think twice before buying anything. Check out how I made £ selling rubbish on Ebay.

• Choose durable over disposable, quality over quantity. How many disposable items do you have in your house? After you’ve used them, consider replacing them with durable alternatives, it might initially be more expensive but it will an investment good for your pocket in the long run (and the environment will thank you for that). Take good care of your possessions, wash your clothes at the right temperature and maintain of your electronic gadgets. Learn how to mend your clothes, to make them last longer. If any of your possessions breaks, see if you can repair them before buying a replacement…and if you have to buy, invest in good quality items, or buy second hand, if you can’t afford the (often) hefty price tags of good quality items.

• Don’t waste. Be conscious of what ends up in your rubbish bin every week, and see if you can avoid to make any of that waste: planning your shopping will cut your food waste. Are you spending a lot on your electricity bill? Make sure you switch on the lights when you leave the room, and switch off all the devices on ‘sleep mode’. Are there any other adjustments you can make to lower your utility bills? You can take shorter showers, wait to wash your clothes until you can load fully your washing machine, recycle dish water to water your plants…the possibilities are endless!

• Set a goal. Ask your self: when was the first time you thought about starting being more frugal, and what triggered that? You are likely to want to save money to achieve something, maybe you want to pay off your debts or you want to buy your dream house. If you have a specific goal in mind it will be easier to stick to your frugality plan, and the bigger the goal the more motivated you will be to keep saving.

• Connect. Being frugal can sometimes be hard, and you can feel isolated and a bit weird when you are surrounded by people constantly buying new stuff. Surround yourself with likeminded friends, and if you don’t know anybody who shares your views against wasting money check your social media and look for your local buynothing or no waste group. You will feel less lonely and more motivated and energised in pursuing your goal.

• BONUS TIP: Cook your own food. Buying raw ingredients and making your meals will not only cut the grocery bill, but will also make your meals healthier. If you have a garden, you can even start growing your vegetables, that way you will know where your salad comes from. Meal plans or home-frozen items will let you prepare your recipes in advance, so that night you will be too tired to cook you will have something ready in the fridge, and you won’t be tempted to order a take away.