20 Smart Buys That Pay for Themselves Over Time

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Finding ways to save money while reducing our environmental footprint is more important than ever. Investing in products that offer long-term savings can significantly impact our daily expenses and overall quality of life. Sometimes, spending money can save you money.

Here’s a list of 20 items that will save money over time and contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle.

Reusable Water Bottle

Stainless steel reusable water bottle on vineyard background. Copy space. Zero waste, no plastic. Reusable water bottle.
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Ditching single-use plastic bottles for reusable water bottles can save you hundreds yearly. Not only does it reduce your environmental impact, but the convenience of having water on hand encourages better hydration habits.

With the added benefit of keeping your drinks hot or cold for extended periods, a quality reusable bottle is an indispensable daily companion.

A Reliable Car

Young beautiful woman driving her car, she is holding the steering wheel and smiling at camera.
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Investing in a reliable car, such as a Toyota Corolla, can lead to substantial savings in the long run. Known for their durability, fuel efficiency, and low maintenance costs, vehicles like these can last for decades with basic upkeep.

The initial cost might be higher, but the long-term savings on repairs and replacements are undeniable.

A Bidet

bidet in modern toilet with wall mount shower attachment
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Installing a bidet can significantly reduce your reliance on toilet paper, offering substantial savings over time. Additionally, bidets provide a cleaner, more hygienic experience and are better for the environment.

The upfront cost is quickly offset by the savings on toilet paper and the added comfort and cleanliness benefits.

Reusable Silicone Storage Bags

Hiking snacks in reusable bags
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Silicone storage bags are an environmentally friendly alternative to single-use plastic bags. Perfect for storing leftovers, snacks, or even non-food items, these durable bags can be washed and reused indefinitely, leading to considerable savings and reducing plastic waste.

Kitchen Towels

Stacked of colorful microfiber kitchen towels on white wooden palette
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Replacing paper towels with reusable kitchen towels is an easy way to reduce both waste and your grocery bill. Highly absorbent and durable, they can handle spills, drying, and cleaning tasks around the kitchen. The initial investment pays off quickly as you buy fewer paper towels.

Handkerchiefs

Gift for a holiday. Set handkerchiefs in a pink cardboard box on a light wooden background.
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Returning to the classic handkerchief instead of using disposable tissues can lead to significant savings. Handkerchiefs are not only cost-effective but also more environmentally friendly. They offer a little style and can be chosen in various designs to suit your style.

Reusable Diapers

A happy, content baby girl lying on her stomach doing tummy time to strengthen her back muscles. She is wearing a modern, reusable cloth diaper.
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Cloth diapers can offer substantial savings over disposable diapers throughout your child’s diapering years. While the upfront cost is higher, reusable diapers can be washed repeatedly, reducing waste and saving money.

Washable Sponges

Reusable zero waste washable biodegradable kitchen dish sponges
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Investing in washable sponges for your cleaning needs reduces the need to purchase disposable sponges frequently. These durable alternatives can be sanitized and reused often, offering environmental and financial benefits.

Makeup Towels

Cleaning Face Skin. Closeup Portrait Of Beautiful Happy Smiling Girl Holding Clean White Towel Near Facial Skin After Washing Face.
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Switching to makeup towels and micellar water instead of disposable wipes can save you money and reduce waste. Makeup towels are designed to be gentle on your skin and effectively remove makeup with just water or a small amount of micellar water, making them a sustainable and cost-effective choice.

At Home Gel Nail Kit

Preparing nails for applying gel polish. Set of cosmetic tools for manicure and pedicure on a black background. Gel polishes, nail files and tongs and a lamp.
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An at-home gel nail kit can save you hundreds of dollars annually on salon visits. With some practice, you can achieve professional-looking manicures at a fraction of the cost, all from the comfort of your home.

Solar Panels

Photo collage of solar panels, photovoltaics on the red roof of a house and a beautiful sky with the setting sun. Alternative electricity source. Concept of sustainable resources.
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Solar panels may sound like a huge upfront investment, but they offer considerable savings on electricity bills in the long run. By generating your own power, you can reduce your dependency on the grid and even earn money back by selling excess power.

Fruit Trees

Autumn day. Rural garden. In the frame ripe red apples on a tree.
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Planting fruit trees in your garden can yield savings by providing fresh produce right at your doorstep. Aside from the cost-saving benefits, home-grown fruits are fresher and potentially healthier without commercial pesticides.

Menstrual Cups

Close up of a young woman pointing in front of her a menstrual cup in one hand, Gynecology concept, ith her thums up aproving the use of the mentrual cup
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Menstrual cups are cost-effective and more environmentally friendly than tampons and pads. With proper care, a single cup can last years, offering significant savings and reducing waste.

Dryer Balls

Woman using wool dryer balls for more soft clothes while tumble drying in washing machine concept. Discharge static electricity and shorten drying time, save energy.
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Wool dryer balls reduce the drying time of your clothes and replace disposable dryer sheets, saving you money on electricity and laundry products. They naturally soften fabrics without chemicals, making them healthier for your family and the environment.

Vacuum Sealer

Woman using sealer for vacuum packing with plastic bag of zucchini at white table in kitchen, closeup
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Vacuum sealers extend the shelf life of the food in your freezer by removing air and preventing freezer burn. This leads to less food waste and can save you big money in the grocery store, allowing you to buy in bulk and keep food fresh for longer.

Beeswax Covers

Reusable Beeswax Food Wraps. Organic fabric covers for food storage. Zero waste
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Beeswax wraps are a sustainable alternative to plastic wrap, ideal for covering dishes or wrapping food. They’re reusable, washable, and compostable, helping you save money and reduce plastic waste.

Reusable Washable Air Filters

Guy placing into a square ceiling intake vent a clean white and blue air filter. As regular monthly maintenance a male puts in a new air filter in his ceiling air return..
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Switching to washable air filters for your HVAC system can save you money on replacements and improve your home’s air quality. These washable air filters can be cleaned and used several times, offering long-term savings and environmental benefits.

Rechargeable Batteries

Rechargeable batteries in a battery charger. Four AA batteries in a charger with a green display showing the level of charge. NI-MH and LI-MH battery.
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Rechargeable batteries may cost more upfront but offer significant savings over time compared to disposable batteries. They can be recharged hundreds of times, reducing waste and saving money.

Washable Potty Pads for Puppies

Puppy peeing on a diaper. Toilet training a puppy. Shih Tzu puppy
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For pet owners, washable potty pads are a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to disposable pads. They can withstand countless washes, saving money and reducing your environmental footprint.

Soda Stream

Soda Steam brand Fizzi kitchen gadget turns regular water into carbonated, sparkling water. Product is sitting on a retail store shelf
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A SodaStream allows you to carbonate water at home, offering savings for those who frequently purchase sparkling water. It’s a convenient, eco-friendly alternative that can save money and reduce plastic bottle waste.

7 Frugal Habits of Millionaires

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Most people think millionaires aren’t all frugal, but did they ever stop to wonder how millionaires got so rich in the first place?

Maybe, just maybe, they started out with modest, frugal lifestyles to get to their millionaire status. Here are some ways in which millionaires lead their lives to live up to their millionaire rankings.

7 Frugal Habits of Millionaires

I’m Frugal: Here Are My Top 30 Frugal Living Tips to Save Money

Funny child hugs the radiator. Kid in hat and warm clothes enjoying home heater. Heating of housing during the energy crisis in the winter cold season. Restrictions and savings of gas and electricity.
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I’m super frugal, and one of my passions is sharing my frugal living tips with everyone.

Here are some of my absolute favorite frugal tips to help you get started on your journey to frugal living.

I’m Frugal: Here Are My Top 30 Frugal Living Tips to Save Money

15 Things That Are No Longer Worth It Because of How Expensive They Have Become

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Everything comes with a hefty price tag these days. From indulgences to essentials, the cost of living keeps rising. We used to consider certain items affordable options, but now they’ve become so expensive that they’re no longer worth it. Here are 15 things that have lost their affordability and make us wonder if they are worth it!

15 Things That Are No Longer Worth It Because of How Expensive They Have Become

28 Practical Ways Frugal People Save Lots of Money

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Saving money doesn’t have to mean saying goodbye to life’s little indulgences. With a few smart tweaks, you can stash away cash for that dream vacation, rainy day fund, or splurge-worthy purchase without feeling like you’re on a constant budget patrol.

Think of it as a side hustle that pays off without the extra hours. Whether you’re looking to conquer debt or simply boost your bank account, these tips are guaranteed to put more money in your pocket, painlessly.

28 Practical Ways Frugal People Save Lots of Money

14 Ridiculously Random Tips That Could Save You Lots Money

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Want to save some money? There are so many ways to save money that are published in articles all day, every day.

It can be tiring to sort through them and find the ones that work for you, so we decided to scour the internet and find some of the best ones to share with you. But we couldn’t decide which ones to share with you, so we just decided to share the ones we liked, which means that these are pretty random!

14 Ridiculously Random Tips That Could Save You Lots Money

 

 

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