The growing climate crisis is something that affects every single person. All across the world, there are natural disasters caused by global warming and polluted oceans due to the dumping of plastics and other non-degradable waste. And while you can’t save the world on your own, you’d be surprised at how much waste one person can cut back on by living sustainably.
The more people who get involved in sustainable living, the bigger the impact. So, here’s a nice incentive for you: living sustainably can save you a lot of money.
To show you how easy it can be, we’re going to share with you how you can cut down on your period spending, as well as 5 brilliant ways you can invest that money into something worthwhile.
Why periods are so expensive
According to the Women’s Environmental Network, an average person is thought to use more than 11,000 disposable menstrual products in a lifetime.
The truth could be more severe, however, given that some people will have periods that last much longer, or have a heavier flow and therefore need to use more products. For example, if you change your pad or tampon every 6 hours, have regular monthly periods that last 7 days at a time, and get your period from age 12 to age 42, you will approximately use 13,440 period products in your lifetime.
That’s a lot of tampons you’ll have to buy!
These numbers will always vary, but here are some pricing calculations based on WEN’s 11,000 figure: If a person is using tampons on the cheaper end of the scale, you’re looking at $600 (£440 or €500) during your lifetime. With some of the more expensive products, on the other hand, you could be spending around $2,407 (£1,760 or €1,977) on 11,000 products
So, how can you cut back on your menstrual costs?
It’s simple, really: try Lunette's sustainable period care options. These are fantastic options for people who want to save money in the long run. They also have the added benefit of reducing plastic waste from accumulating in landfills and waterways.
“But menstrual cups are expensive and you have to buy at least a few!” we hear you say. But over the course of a lifetime, the savings you’ll make by switching can be jaw-dropping.
It’s recommended that you replace your menstrual cup every two years or so, although they can last for much longer if cared for properly. This means that, assuming you’ll have periods for roughly 40 years, you should only need a maximum of 20 menstrual cups over your lifetime. A major win-win situation of saving money and playing your part in reducing the insane 200,000 tonnes of waste from disposable period products each year!
Once you’ve made the switch to a Lunette Cup, Lunette Reusable Pads, or Lunette Period Panties, here are a few ideas for how to invest that extra $10 you save monthly from NOT buying disposable period products:
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Try the cookie jar approach
If you’ve never been much of a saver, you can start by putting away the monthly $10 you save by using your Lunette. That may not seem like a lot, but over 5 years, it comes to around $600.
Pop that $10 into a piggy bank, shoebox, envelope, or give the cookie jar method a go! Though this may sound silly, it’s a great first step in getting yourself into the habit of stashing away that little bit of extra cash.
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Open up an online savings account
$10 is not a ton of money to get started with. The number of investments available to you might be slightly limited, but hear us out.
A high-interest savings account could allow you to build up your money to a point where you can get involved in a greater variety of investment options. Also, if you don’t already have an emergency fund, then this is where you’ll want to store that money.
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Pay your debts off
Starting with anything is better than not starting at all! With your extra $10 a month, add it to your debt repayment. It's small, but it can make a difference over the long run.
When you have ANY extra money available, paying off debt is often a good choice (in addition to the psychological benefits of being debt-free, of course).
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Invest in your skills
There's never been a better time than now to up-skill and stay relevant. Sometimes the best investment is an investment in yourself. With the proliferation of online courses available these days, you can learn everything from self-management to cloud computing. With an online course — many of which start from, you guessed it, $10 — you can broaden your basic knowledge, learn employable skills or enjoy life-enhancing hobbies, from playing an instrument to cooking.
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Donate to charity
Even though the $10 you donate might not seem like much, it will still help out a good cause. There’s no better feeling than giving to those less fortunate or investing in healing our planet. Our favourite not-for-profit organization City to Sea has some great ongoing initiatives to ensure our oceans and waterways stay preserved for future generations, while also reducing waste. Donate to support their campaigns like Plastic Free Periods and Refill by clicking here.
You should always consult your financial advisor or other professionals when seeking financial advice.
You are amazing…
…and deserve only the best for your body and lifestyle without burning a hole in your pocket. If you aren't taking any action to turn your life around now, chances are you will always live the same routine.
That’s the beauty of reusable period care options. In the long run, they’re the most inexpensive options, while also being the best investment you can make for the future.
Show some love to our planet and buy a Lunette Menstrual Cup today!
