50 Things I'm Not Buying in 2024 (to live more sustainably)

[@rabbitgear]

I used to be anti-Christmas. Now I realize that I'm just anti-consumerism. I love making my own decorations, baking cookies, and having people over for dinner; not buying presents.

[@Angela-un2tx]

SAME! I just greenery from the woods, hang pinecones and dried fruit ❤ New decorations every year❤

[@raeraemillstone]

Same!!

[@walqqr1]

@@cyclotrojan yawn. you're desperate for attention and it shows. btw my notifications are off so i won't see your next attention-seeking reply lol, bye

[@CutYourBangs9]

​@@cyclotrojansure, but that's not a bad thing

[@alikatt]

This year was my first attempt at a gift free holiday as I don't need anything else in my house. We went to an art exhibit and lunch. It was great and definitely worth repeating for birthdays too.

[@futureforecast1388]

I get that plastic bottles are the problem, but people buying stainless steel bottles and company giving away stainless steel bottles and literally overflowing the thrift stores are insane too. Those are also tossed out because no one buys them

[@katzchenschatzchen6751]

Yep, balance is key

[@llw04939]

I think it's a "pick the lesser of two evils" situation

[@julsca3738]

I do notice that. I have lost mine as well and get them as gifts. I have even won one as a gift and gave it to some. What I want to do is place an AirTag on my water bottle to not lose it 😅

[@shorterstax]

I hate when I see companies giving away cheap water bottles it's like you know the s*** is just going to the landfill

[@letsmakeout1990]

My partner is in an industry where he gets free junk all the time. He has his favourite Aston Martin bottle and that’s what he uses, the others just sit there… makes me mad. None of it is necessary….

[@freckledandred]

Its so hard to live zero waste nowadays because almost all modern hobbies revolve around consumerism and you really have to get creative

[@adhaincroi]

try embroidery, sewing, knitting, weaving, basket making. The more ancient the art the less likely you need new or complex items to accomplish it. Most of these were make do and mend types of hobbies.

[@Zoe-lv1rc]

Rockclimbing, bouldering, yoga, hiking, painting with plants, gardening, anything working with fabric where you can thrift the fabric. So many creative solutions.

[@Zoe-lv1rc]

Reading, cooking, baking, propogating and caring for plants, photography (so many second hand cameras), film making, learning a new language (not really a hobby but something to do without consumerism), putting rocks you find into a rock roller, picking up litter, learning a new instrument, rating films online, become a youtuber (again plenty of second hand gear online)

[@Zoe-lv1rc]

Sledding, skiing, bike riding, volunteering at an animal shelter or something like that, learning to sing, learning a dance, just simply sketching with pencils. If you need more creative solutions the internet has a million more

[@Zoe-lv1rc]

Skateboarding, long boarding, roller skating or blading, collaging with second hand magazines

[@elynorestar]

as a disabled person, i really appreciate the "because I am able" commentary. often times i feel like people say things and don't think about how that impacts people who *can't* do xyz. i accommodate myself as i need regardless, but it definitely makes me feel shitty and overlooked when people say something as if everyone can do that thing.

[@LucasSouza]

You can just ignore, you know 😱

[@oliviastromlund3439]

I noticed this as well while watching this video. As someone who struggles with severe depression, most of the time it's a miracle if I'm able to get out of bed during a depressive episode- let alone chop vegetables! Sometimes buying convenience items simply to survive is completely okay- not everything is so black and white :)

[@christinec2625]

@@LucasSouzaso can you 😂

[@LucasSouza]

@@christinec2625 and so can you 💁🏼‍♂️

[@staceyjones5372]

I just bought a Keurig. I resisted for years because of the waste and expense but my 18 year old daughter has arthrogryposis and I had an epiphany that buying one could allow her to make her own coffee and it DOES. Sometimes those "wasteful" items are great for handicap accommodations.

[@NihilisticJawbreaker]

I am allergic to alcohol and people always tell me how sorry they are about it. My response is usually, I save so much money and get to keep all of my facilities - I don't see a downside!

[@SPYgirl199812]

Like all alcohols or just ethanol?

[@RachelJayne92]

Right! I’m allergic as well, and it’s never been something to even think about - even if I could drink - it’s bad for your health and wallet!

[@RachelJayne92]

@@SPYgirl199812like drinking alcohol

[@missgreece91]

I dont know people say sorry. Being allergic is a good thing. I wish i can be allergic to all junk foods

[@theartistrain1451]

I’m glad I don’t drink I think I had two drinks in 2023 tops

[@rjartpunk839]

On number 6: if you are looking to cut down on coffee pods but already have the machine, you can just buy a reusable pod and fill it with ground coffee you can just buy in a big bag! No need to get rid of a machine you already have!

[@faeriesmak]

That is what I do. It works well enough!

[@thatjillgirl]

Yep, this is what I do. I love my single serve coffee maker. My husband and I would pretty much never have enough coffee to justify using the pot (our pot only really sees use when we have guests). So it's nice to be able to use the single serving setting. But I hate throwing away piles and piles of those plastic coffee pods. We have one of the reusable mesh cups and just buy our own coffee to put in it.

[@katiebug_asmr]

Yeah I do that too!

[@i02605]

There are also inexpensive options for regular (non-pod) espresso machines that cost similar to a Nespresso. I've also seen used fancier espresso machines for sale on Craigslist and other websites.

[@libraryfangirly]

Collection development librarian here (I buy all the books, doesn’t suck :) Thanks for saying those simple things about how you can use the public library. Booktok has taught me that folks do not know how to utilize libraries, so I appreciate that you took the time to learn 😊

[@blissfulabundance]

I get so excited to read the comments from others who feel the same about over consuming. My fiancé and I have slowly begun transitioning to sustainable swaps but it is SO HARD to get our families to understand. We have items like the reusable dryer balls but mother in law will come home with dryer sheets and says “cause I know you don’t have any”. It’s incredibly thoughtful but… not having these things is the point.

[@shayne_has_landed2511]

I have 2 ideas on how you could work with a family that keeps getting you unsustainable things you don’t need/want. /nf 1. Tell them you don’t use those things. That you have a well-functioning operating system in your household and have all essentials covered. That those unsustainable gifts just won’t be used. (This sometimes gets better as time goes along because family picks up on the fact that those gifts just aren’t appreciated.) 2. Donate unsustainable items to food banks and essentials banks (avoid scary anti-homeless charities and shelters like the Salvation Army). For people without stable necessities, single-use items can be a godsend. In this case, they will be put to use by people who will actually greatly benefit from them.

[@emilyanschuetz8409]

@blissfulabundance same over here with my mom she will literally buy paper towels and leave them at my house when she comes to babysit because we “don’t have any.” She just left a bottle of water in the fridge today! I always return them to her house without saying anything now because she just won’t stop after many conversations

[@Smithpolly]

@@emilyanschuetz8409 If she comes over to babysit regularly and she uses the paper towels when she is there, it might be worth just leaving the roll there for her to use.

[@larissabrglum3856]

Oh my goodness, my fiancé's parents are the same way, they always give us plastic sponges and similar stuff.

[@aimee-made]

I have really sensitive skin and dryer sheets are a total no-no for me. Lots of reactivity. You could tell her that for health reasons, you can't use dryer sheets anymore (maybe a fib, but seriously, what is IN those things? It can't be good!)

[@celinepope]

I thought most people at least UNDERSTOOD this concept, but my shopaholic neighbors literally dont. They asked why i would shop at a thrift store when i could just buy brand new. Smh.

[@NihilisticJawbreaker]

You must be neighbors with my in-laws! They are the same way and constantly get my son crap for every occasion.

[@dichang3]

​@@NihilisticJawbreaker Many boomers are like this. They were raised on second hand things and hand me downs. So the idea of buying second hand blows their mind.

[@Serenity-Hedgenettle]

My neighbors throw new and gently used items directly into the dumpster.

[@alexiepfeiffer145]

Why do you care ..mind your business?! People are so weird

[@MNeathway]

@@alexiepfeiffer145In their comment, it’s the neighbours who are questioning OP’s choices, and not minding their business

[@HalfOfLifeIsIf]

It won't work for everyone (obviously) but one thing that has helped me transition away from paper planners/calendars and toward digital calendars was to put up a whiteboard calendar that I can reuse to have a visual reminder of what I have coming up. Then everything goes into my digital calendar and I erase and re-write the physical whiteboard calendar every 3 weeks or so based on whatever is in my digital one. Hopefully someone else gets some benefit out of this method too!

[@thatjillgirl]

I also got a whiteboard calendar for the same reason. I love not having to acquire a new calendar every year. Just wipe it down and start it over each month.

[@DracoTriste]

It’s so much easier to share and collaborate a dry erase board calendar than a digital one with little kids in the house too… and adhd. Having it constantly visible and not on the distraction robot is a godsend.

[@mia.e.morrison]

Yes! Chalkboard calendar above the kitchen sink. It's helped me transition fully to Google calendar to keep track of daily/weekly stuff, and the month on the chalkboard for a wider view & coordination in the household. I'll still use a bullet journal occasionally for brainstorming/vision/purpose or goal setting type planning - or collaging ideas. But the practical stuff is digitized and on the chalkboard. Throw-away or constantly shifting to-do lists or plans go in phone notes, iPad lists, or Google docs (depending on the purpose and accessibility / sharing needs)

[@larissatom6910]

It’s good to be reminded that just because these items exist does not mean you need them. However I do think a commercial cleaning spray is necessary occasionally, or after the family has been ill. Plus, while I respect the decision to not own any streaming services, I have seen and heard many great documentaries through those services this past year. Life is really too short to restrict everything.

[@jessicabates2649]

Yes I agree...I love a good documentary

[@introvertraven6655]

About toothbrushes I'm a dentist and bamboo brushed are a constant conversation in the medical community. Due to a specific structure of organic fibers it is more likely for them to store debris, which will cause microorganisms to grow faster. Not really a good thing for both your gums and your teeth. That's why I personally still use plastic brushes, but to reduce consumption at least a little bit after changing my toothbrush I use an old one, well, like a regular brush. Handy for cleaning something small or complicatedly-shaped.

[@larissapaut1909]

Water picks don’t replace floss! Coming from someone in the dental industry, please floss and take care of your gums you really don’t want to deal with the consequences later in life :(

[@rachelrachel3214]

Good to know!! Thanks! 🦷 Are there sustainable floss brands?

[@xTashleyx]

​@@rachelrachel3214I have seen bamboo floss on the earth hero website.

[@MMar715]

Im a dental hygienist, you 100% should still be using floss and proxy-brushes. Water flossing is not an alternative to flossing it is an addition.

[@LouciferFlump]

Waterpick flossers are utterly utterly useless. They just need to make floss and TePes and the like from more sustainable materials.

[@Lizzy43645]

I am so proud of you for speaking on being sober! You got this. Could you do a video about local libraries and HOW MANY resources they have including digital items? I feel like so many people sleep on how great they are

[@depilou]

These videos are SO helpful for me! I seem to have fallen down a consumption rabbit hole since August and I really want to get a handle on my shopping. I've been trying to live a more sustainable life for several years now (so the shame of being a recent re-shopper is real), and when I watch your videos I can sense your passion and that then inspires & motivates me!! I greatly appreciate you and all the hard work you put into your videos & your platform as a whole. Thank you

[@mmp.2581]

Second this!

[@gigglesandhugs5690]

my basic goal for 2024 is to be better each day. Being aware of what i am "purchasing" both mentally, emotionally and financially . Meaning work on joy in the small things. Everything has a budget and try to lower the outgoing in anyway i can while staying healthy. Doing away with any social media that they show they are never happy with what they have.

[@8pookiebear]

The water bottle one got me. Living in an area with CONSTANT boil alerts, water contamination etc. There are so many places in the US that have horrible, damaging water supply and cannot be consumed. Flint, Michigan has had unusable water for years.

[@sarahmarie2911]

My tap water tastes absolutely disgusting. It also comes from the dirtiest river in the US. We get a lot of boil advisories. And I've seen the inside of my water pipes. I've also seen the inside of the city pipes that my water comes in from. Talk about gross. I am NOT drinking my tap water. I am, however, looking into a reverse osmosis system to install so I don't have to rely solely on bottled water.

[@anni3805]

Honestly I'm okay with everything except tissues, handkerchief era led to some nasty germ spreading, also dealing with a cold with only a few cloths sounds like a nightmare. I don't need tissues often, but when I need them, I NEED them. So I would just buy them and keep them around

[@21earlthepearl]

I love to see our generation talking about community involvement. I feel like that's kind of unusual in a time where everyone is thinking about individual self improvement and consumption, to be thinking about how our presence can make an impact in our communities. I recently moved from a big city to a smaller town, and have gotten involved in various community garden projects as well as joined a church, and it has been really meaningful.

[@shayne_has_landed2511]

The reasons I’m shopping sustainability are: -personal health -to support human rights in conflict areas -to support indigenous values -to decrease the amount of pollutants I put out -to support a better economic system -because secondhand things that were made 20 years ago are so much cooler anyways, man. Even though I’ve only watched a couple dozen of your videos, the information you’ve provided on shopping sustainability has changed my shopping habits. I question myself over and over and over when I want to buy things new until I decide I don’t need them anyways. I used to shop excessively at thrift stores because I got caught up in consumerism, and I’ve calmed that down a lot, which has honestly decreased my stress. I’ve noticed how important our consumerism is in human and worldly issues, and I became upset at my consumerist actions. With the human rights issues Amazon participates in and the BDS boycotts, I’m moving everything on my Amazon wishlist to links on secondhand shopping websites or small business alternatives. I’ve told my family not to shop at unethical companies. I also was suddenly made aware of how actually dangerous the substances put in US foods are, and am holding out on purchasing certain foods until I can find non-toxic and vegan alternatives. I live in the dairy state and my mom buys groceries for the household, so the journey to quitting cow milk has been a rough one, but I’m hoping to switch to a more ethical alternative in 2024. I’m working on a “no buy list” of brands for my family to reference in hopes they’ll have warning bells going off in their heads when they see unethical brands on the shelves the way I do. I’ve been putting an excessive amount of thought into replacing my dying computer, and with the BDS boycott, DRC emergency, and poor ethical ratings of tech companies, I’ve decided to buy refurbished, even if it’s hard. I’ve also decreased shopping in general, and that has helped my mental health. I get so overwhelmed with sensory input at stores that I would fine myself not questioning products I grabbed off the shelves because I didn’t have the energy to review them and think about if the need outweighed my values.

[@Merryyy203]

I loved this comment. Thank you so much for what you are doing. Especially for working on a list of bad companies to let your family know which ones should be avoided. It will probably not work out straight away or at all but that is out of your control. How have the last 8 months been? Have you managed to replace dairy? I personally love oat milk. Hope you sre ok. Greetings from Spain 😊

[@SustainabilityWithMaddy]

I love watching this around the holidays when we are so pressured to overconsume. It is refreshing to hear! Thank you!

[@croakiex9873]

The Tiktok store is driving me absolutely insane. I try so hard to just quickly scroll and ignore it, but it's like every other post. I agree with a lot of these things. I have saved so much money switching from tampons to a reusable menstrual cup! This year we had someone move in, and it really opened my eyes to the rate at which some people consume things. Our waste has basically doubled since he moved in (one singular person). It's been such a hard balance. I think going forward in 2024 I am going to stick to only buying things we *need* and if our new roommate feels like it's not enough, he can buy it himself. I don't feel like we can stop him, other than just trying to open his eyes to how much he burns through and hoping he gets it, but at the very least I can stop contributing to his excess waste and carrying that on my shoulders.

[@lizclearman]

The *only* reason I buy single use water bottles is during hurricane season (I also buy and reuse the bigger jugs) and during our ridiculous freezes here in Texas (I'm in Houston) since we have had pipes freeze sometimes. However, I'm now thinking I could fill up mason jars and water bottles I already have as well, so this has me thinking, although I might still buy a few here and there. I love your channel; I'm an eco-minimalist to the best of my ability and I do a lot of these things already!

[@Scinasari]

Fake plants are my unnecessary thing (like travel and nail polish). I've tried so, so many times to get into real plants, and everyone thinks I'm joking when I talk about how I can't keep ANY plant other than green onions alive... no, it's true. I always try my hardest and end up staring at a dead plant for months because I feel miserable about it and can't bear to admit that it's gone. So... yeah, fake plants. (As for the "why": my mental health improved DRASTICALLY once I started having more fake plants in my home. No, they don't have the environmental benefits re: oxygen/CO2; still, the visual effect of having something that looks alive, green, and thriving is HUGE for me.) Maybe it's silly but hey, we all have to decide what things we value enough to keep doing. The fake plants I get to keep for years are mine :)

[@LouciferFlump]

I love gardening and have loads of wildlife friendly plants outside. However, my home is old, cold (no central heating) dark (I’m a Goth) poorly lit (why waste energy on loads of lighting?) so real plants die. I have fake plants that I’ll keep forever. They bring me joy. Studies show that the sight of greenery in your home, real or fake, is good for our mental health. Don’t feel bad, be happy. Judgy people have something wrong with them.

[@adventurerke]

yes, and i think it's ok bcs fake plants is not single use. you keep it forever, it's like a sculpture of a plant. even greater if it's thrifted.

[@Duhhhhhhhhhhhhh.duhhhhhhhh]

Funny thing- probably at least half the things you mentioned I also won’t buy… ironically YOU were the one who taught me about many of the sustainable swaps we use at our house. Your content is so helpful and practical! Thanks for all you do❤

[@sunarixeli4229]

Did you know the inventor of Keurig (and K cups) regrets his invention due to the huge amount of waste created? Great video as usual, and happy holidays❤

[@BrittanySoroka]

Not enough to stop producing them lol

[@PeachyBunzFitness]

At least he regrets it ):

[@poisonkatz]

@@BrittanySoroka no but they do have a reusable keurig pod and have for 6+ years. i was gifted a keurig for a holiday (I didnt ask for it) and bought a reuseable pod to use all throughout college and would compost my grounds at my schools organic garden. the other thing is even if keurig stopped producing them, other brands NOW do. unfortunate but at least he tried to help a little bit (not excusing his choices/behavior at all)

[@laurasmith-ls6pn]

Appreciate the mention of public library! SO many resources depending on where you live.....free streaming, games, tools to borrow, events/classes for adults and kids. Check out your library!😊

[@ashleyh6407]

Second comment! Washable reusable dog pee pads!!!!!! My senior dog passed in October 😔 he was 16 and having lots of overnight accidents. I invested in CoolShields Washable puppy dog pee pads. They are a great quality! I temporarily passed them on to someone potty training a puppy. They don't stain, don't smell, hold a lot of pee, and have stood up to probably 40 washes already! *these can also be used on kids beds over sheets that still have accidents as well*

[@sofiaventura2200]

I think it would be easier for most of you to not consume social media… I feel like my eco anxiety reduced so much after I uninstalled instagram (tiktok wasn’t even a thing). Obviusly ther are content creators like Shelbi that try to advocate for the planet but the aim of the platforms is to make you a product, and that the brands convince you to buy things that you don’t need. We should get the bigger picture and see them as what they actually are… but thank you Shelbi for your content!

[@lexyeast4896]

When I discovered your channel (probably over a year ago now), I dove deep into your backlist of videos and these videos in particular were very helpful to me. After awhile, I felt like they got a little repetitive, but that was my fault for how much I was bingeing them, but this one felt different enough for me to appreciate it again. Your videos helped me finally get out of debt because I realized what I didn't need to be buying anymore. I changed a lot of my consumerist habits because of you, so thank you very much for that! I was wondering one thing: I know it might be impossible with the layout of your house, but is there anything you can do that might possibly dampen the echo in these videos?

[@clumsyninja1172]

My top goal is to have the confidence to bring my own to-go containers to restaurants so that I use fewer disposable containers. 1:27 4:30 I just started using a Moka pot and I LOVE it. Highly recommended

[@victoria9432]

I was just thinking about this the other day. Why is it so awkward to bring your own container to restaurants for left overs? It feels like it's not allowed.

[@Siures]

Do it. They’ll look funny but I was never told not to!

[@poniesandproteins]

The only thing with cleaning products I would suggest would be adding alcohol into the routine. Household vinegar is not strong enough to disinfect. I normally use vinegar and baking soda to clean messes and surfaces, but then once I wipe that up, I spray things like the toilet handles and sinks with 70% ethanol/isopropanol and let sit for a few minutes before wiping that up as well.

[@mistymountaintraveladventures]

Thanks for all of these ideas! We have slowly been changing our ways in our home, and I continue to run my travel business by booking clients at sustainable properties and teaching them about long stays if flying overseas. I hope your holidays are filled with joy and thanks for all your videos! You continue to inspire us!

[@lisaschyllert2703]

My reasons for not buying some stuff is like you said: less clutter and cause it's better for the environment but also that I would like to have more money to spend on activities with friends and family. During my last no-buy period I felt more connected with the people around me because I could afford to join them for activities and cultural experiences. Definitaley made me feel more connected to the people and community around me

[@SophieMcKenzie-Shaw]

Amazing! Love you Shelby! The no buy thing that trips me up is charity shops because 1. It’s cheap 2. It’s not new and 3.The money goes to a worthwhile cause ! So I feel like I’m doing good as I shop! I’m doing a no buy year which I’m so excited about! xx

[@sicilyamarismcraven]

notes on water from Michigan, we have lots of issues with clean water here, specifically flint still doesn;t have clean water, I live in Hamtramck, where we regularly have lead in our water. I personally spend money on an under the sink filter. Maybe more tips on cleaning water for hydration. Thank you for this list tho I am happy to see we do some similar things, but some areas I could improve.

[@gooseberries608]

Great video! One of my goals for 2024 is to touch grass a little bit more. I think the more I’m on social media the more I end up buying things I don’t need. And it’s not good for my mental health either as the algorithms always end up leading me down really negative content- which also makes me buy more things because I feel bad and I want a short dopamine hit…

[@findingthebroom]

i'm gonna try not buying as much stuff this upcoming year. partly bc of the sustainability aspect, but also my mental health + i'm in debt. i really want to feel like i'm in control of my money, rather than my economic situation just being a big chaos n also i wanna be more intentional overall in life

[@machera6935]

Can't say I am adding anything to the list but will say that this video encouraged me to look back on what I didn't buy in 2023 as a way to encourage and remind myself that it's not hard to not buy. Silicone baking sheets were eye opening as I had no idea that existed! As always, I learned several new things from this video, thank you and happy new year!

[@amyward8861]

I've been feeling kinda bad about my consumption lately. But I'm doing about 90% of your list, so I'm feeling a little better now. Thank you! You've taught me so much and I've been missing your uploads.

[@life_outside_the_lines]

LOL I’m a neurodivergent human- and I have had favorite pens for yeeeears. At this point, I REFUSE to use anything other than a Pilot G10 Bold. I bought like a 6 pack a while back and have been purchasing the ink refills since so I can keep reusing the pen itself. It’s not the *most* sustainable, but it’s the best option I have found so far. 🙂

[@introvertraven6655]

SAME It's a nightmare for me not to have a specific type of pens. I'm at my last year as a student and I need to write tons of texts. There's not much ways to reduce pens, but buying just ink is saving a bunch of cash for me and a bunch of plastic from the environment.

[@eileahfrye-edmonds413]

Loved this. I have been working on personally investing in my personal closet. I have had the mindset of clothes are clothes but now I am only buying quality and small business. So I guess I will not be settling in 2024 no more buying things because “this is good enough” or “this will work” if I am not 100% it is a no.

[@emilykaneshiro2894]

im a craft person, i use quite alot of things in my projects so my goals to reduce waste in 2024 is- yarn- use up my stash, if i dont have what i need find thrifted yarn or use reclaimed/recycled yarns paper-continue to use up my paper stash and only get more once i run out and recycle scraps into new paper books- second hand if i can or use the library(i read 11 books from my local library this year woo) tech-fix it before i replace it if possible kitchen-get more reusable tools to reduce waste clothes-mend, secondhand and only buy what i dont already have and will wear OFTEN i live with my parents (and siblings when they come home from uni), i cant control everything in my household but i can do what i can. Something is better than nothing xxx

[@denden798]

the more i hold onto my trash, the more crafts i come up with!

[@herronchrisannc]

I love this video! I am doing a NO SPEND JANUARY this month and I am liking it so far. I do alot of sustainable choices for my family. Your channel helps me alot with getting ideas to be better at how I take care of me and my family!

[@SliceofSimple]

As a Starbucks barista.... Yes, fuck Starbucks, lol. I'm only working there because they're paying for my tuition so I'm able to go to school and get a really good degree completely for free, but as a company... Yeah no.

[@kdmoonchildsworld]

You are smart! Only I just do not like the coffee there at any price.

[@TurtleStormer]

Wait they’ll pay for your degree?

[@JudiL-f4v]

So what you’re really saying is that you’re taking advantage of a company you hate? Good job!🙄

[@Eze-j3p]

​@@JudiL-f4vgirl let people live you have to engage with unethical companies sometimes it really isn't that deep

[@JudiL-f4v]

@@Eze-j3p I guess I have something rare called a “conscience”.

[@mightyrachel1]

I always find hearing what others aren’t buying are interesting. As a big library fan, I’m glad you found your library! Many libraries have more than books so I encourage you to check out your library’s offerings - I’ve seen everything from birdwatching kits to fun shaped cake pans to technology items to community passes for museums etc!

[@AnnabelFayAnnadorabel]

My husband says he can taste the silicone baking sheets! Makes the food taste kind of plasticky. I've swapped to uncoated baking paper from the zero waste store (so a good company) but would love to try again

[@catsandlashes]

I can too!! I wanted to love them but it makes whatever I cook taste so icky 😭

[@jamjamb123]

I have copper ones try them out

[@kthearcher3357]

Oh yeah, gotta get good ones. Ask your local bakery what they use.

[@Hollenross]

The cupcake liners are so nifty. I bought them for my daughters lunch boxes but decided to see if they worked well, and they do! They work amazingly. I didn’t use paper ones to begin with, but it’s made it a lot easier to make muffins and cornbread.

[@sabrinatatalias4277]

I love this, I should look to see what bad habits I have and see how to save money/go more green. I think if more people used the library would be such a great thing. I have done it for years and most libraries have book, movies, museum passes, and mine specifically in my city has a “library of things” so you can get small tools, board games, craft supplies/items, cookie cutters, kids toys, etc

[@thenonniche6657]

I've been watching my parents struggle in their retirement age. I've always known my dad will always work but he was working his body too hard. He has a less physical job now but 50 plus years of physical labor did a number.

[@danielleb5076]

One small thing I did a couple years ago that has become a sustainable habit in my house is not purchasing any paper notepads. I like to physically write out to-do lists, shopping lists, notes, etc. on paper, but don't enjoy contributing further to single use waste. I like to use the blank sides of things like carboard food packaging, envelopes, and business cards to give whatever single use packaging I have more function before it ends up in recycling or in a craft!

[@MsWhite-gw4yp]

Thank you for talking about green being cheeper. There are ao many green products that are expensive and they send this message that green is for rich people, but ive been doing a lot if things that you mentioned for years and it saves money. Ive also gottan into foraging and shopping at grocery stores that are helping to reduce waste (and everything is usually cheaper).

[@malissav8239]

I would LOVE to see your recommendations on how to get involved in your own community/how to find local advocacy groups to be a part of! I moved a few years ago and feel disconnected from my current local community with not many ideas of where/how I can fix that ❤

[@tonkashysh]

In my country we have vending machines that refill your bottles with water. They became really popular, and even in my small town there are plenty of them. Its much cheaper than regular bottled water in the store and you also dont have to buy new plastic over and over again.

[@stephaniebateman2637]

This year I am not buying food that I don’t have a specific plan for. I am working on lessening my food waste! And actually eating my leftovers…Maybe I need to become a better cook so my leftovers are more appetizing 😂

[@AlicedeTerre]

Sauces and spices are important, also you can remix leftovers into things like fried rice, sauces, omelettes, soups, basically breaking down the food to be mixed up as ingredients in new dishes.

[@thatjillgirl]

One idea with leftovers is to make things that freeze well so that you don't have to keep eating the same thing in one week or whatever. You can freeze it to have it later when that food sounds interesting again. This works particularly well with soups.

[@wanda_walker]

I'm glad to hear you're getting an e-bike! Mine has changed my life, and I'm fortunate enough to live near a trail that makes commuting to work via bike possible. You can take it any kind of weather without worrying about sweating, it's fun, it puts you in touch with nature in a way a car never will, and there's a great community around bikes and biking! It also uses only a tiny fraction of the rare earth materials that an electric car uses, and costs pennies to charge.

[@kelsyervin9039]

6:01 I must be rough on my Stashers because most of mine have ripped along the seam near the top. Still ok for some things, but they won’t seal. I just wash my plastic ziploc bags. Plastic wrap I still use for meat, but as I reduce our household meat intake, that’s been way reduced too.

[@maud7470]

For a couple of years I kind of let go of the minimalism/low-buy mindset because of a lot of changes in my life. But I am happy that I finally refound this side of KZbin again and this year I am going to start being more eco conscious and minimalistic again 😊

[@kayweaver983]

I came across your channel 5 years ago when I decided to get more serious about swapping for more sustainable living. I mainly needed ideas of how to get more unboxed food items and non-plastic storage items. I fell in love with your channel and found so many great tips on how to meet some of my goals while living in the city where there are almost exclusively big-box stores. Since then, I am proud to say I now grow most of my own herbs and veggies, we are still working on growing our own fruits in such a small living space with such a harsh zone lol. We invested in a single-serve Keurig and I haven't bought a single coffee filter or coffee pod (we use the reusable pod and have had the same one for over 3 years), and so much more. I was always afraid of making big purchases because I never knew for sure if the investment would really save me that much since other channels seem to push their storefronts. Your unbiased reviews and opinions helped me past that obstacle and my family and I appreciate you so much for it. 4 years ago, I decided I would no longer be buying anymore pothos (my favorite type of house plant). I have been propagating from the same plant for 4 years and she has given me over 100 new plants in that time. I also don't buy many potted plants/veggies/fruits/etc. I buy seeds if I can't harvest seeds from what I have, I propagate whenever possible, and trade whenever I can. Very rarely do I ever need to purchase a single thing for my garden or houseplants. And, as of March 2024, I will no longer be buying soil as I finally make enough of my own that purchasing bagged will be highly unlikely anytime soon. Even if I do, I have friends with their own soil I can trade for or get free.

[@athenschica]

Also you can grow loofas! They are edible when small, but mature ones, once you dry them out make great sponges!

[@siearc115]

Hello! Question about paper towels: I also prefer reusable options 99.9% of the time, but as a pet owner there are some times where cleaning up after a pet would be challenging/unsanitary with a reusable option. Do you have advice for handling pet messes/accidents without paper towels? Thanks! 😊

[@ellenmelon23]

WhoGivesACrap sells paper towels made from bamboo! I keep them on hand for messes like that but don’t use them daily. 🙂

[@kaktuskukkarossa]

I use old socks that can't be worn anymore. Socks aren't recyclable in my country so I use them to clean up vomit etc and then throw them away

[@emilyjane3782]

I keep napkins, wrappers, and paper bags I get from restaurants without asking to use for extra gross messes.

[@tbunny711]

I recently tore up a queen sized sheet that was so old it had holes worn in it and wasn't really usable anymore. I was going to toss it anyway so might as well use it as disposable rags

[@AlicedeTerre]

It’s not an either or situation. If you had to have a roll on hand for those really gross messes but use mostly cloth towels, I think that’s fine. Also who gives a crap as mentioned.

[@allanaguercia3650]

Thank you for mentioning ability while talking about buying precut produce! It’s a huge aspect to consider and I feel like a lot of people skip over that.

[@Serenity-Hedgenettle]

The reusable period pads thing is so clutch. Its very freeing to not use the disposable ones, financially and otherwise.

[@jennifershay8980]

Here's mine so far 1. Any clothes that I can make myself (including no bras or pjs) 2. Large eyeshadow palettes (Using up the ones I have, after that only singles or minis where I know I'll use every colour) 3. Blush (haven't bought in years, I use eyeshadow or lipstick) 4. Liquid lipstick 5. Holiday makeup sets (I never use all the products up) 6. Handcream (bought a bunch last year and only used up half)

[@Eze-j3p]

I don't think eye shadow is the best to use as a replacement for blush but lipstick could work.edit:lipstick can also cause skin issues like acne because of ingredients not suited for skin

[@irene9062]

Will you be doing a “no buy month” sometime? I just found out about this challenge and I’m going to do it for January for sure! Others are doing “no buy year” and that’s super fantastic….hope to do that sometime too!

[@Astropheminist]

Finally took the dive into period underwear this year bc of your channel and I LOVE them! So nice to not have to worry about whether I have pads in my home when the time rolls around. Want to get a safety razor this year as well

[@ohemilyyeslifestyle2478]

Love the video, can you please speak more on retirement too in the future? The struggle of being ill prepared and ways you are trying to be more prepared.

[@esfont84]

Always love your end of the year video. Thanks for your content.

[@lisadoes]

Thanks for boosting your local library! We need to keep these community treasures for the future.

[@IHaveNoClue1234]

I’m going to keep track of things I’ve bought secondhand in 2024. I would love to see the process you go through when you do need to buy something. There’s a pretty big market for clothes, furniture and electronics but smaller things can be hard to fund. Like kitchen supplies.

[@AnnabelFayAnnadorabel]

I tried a conditioner bar and I hated it, so I'm using it to shave with and use it up! Works great.

[@therealkuri]

I really wish coffee shops would allow reuseable cups. Most of the ones in my area stopped accepting them during the pandemic and never reversed that, even though we know now that the biggest Covid risk is from droplets in the air, not from surfaces, and reusable cups if cleaned are perfectly safe.

[@denden798]

Have you emailed their management if possible?

[@Magpie.Pixie.]

I've been looking for a good swap for single use lint rollers! I have a mixed dog who sheds nonstop and a double coated cat. would love to know the one that you found that worked out well for you please! 😊

[@ember9210]

Not sure if it's her solution, but we LOVE our Chom Chom roller for our cat's fur (and mine...) getting all over the carpet. I've also seen people have good luck with those rubber scrapers

[@dichang3]

I just live with the hair. I have given up.

[@daisydog]

I just always change when I leave my house to something clean.

[@tiajanelawrence]

This video woke me up. I am a minimalist, and I thought I wasn’t buying as much anymore but you’ve given me so many reasons to not buy things or to change to a more longer lasting version that the items I buy. ❤

[@elizarline]

These are all great ideas. Not all of them will work for me and I appreciate you noting that personalized choices are part of the point 😄 We can all do more and none of us can do everything. I have fake plants for example, but I’m not buying more. I can use what I have. I didn’t buy any new Christmas decor items this holiday, but one of the fake plants I use are poinsettias in December because I have cats and they make me happy. Cats are also the reason I keep paper towels, for their messes, but we try to stretch them as far as we can and I did upgrade to silicon bags, silicon baking mats, and fabric napkins. Would love to hear more advice on food saving. That is something I continue to strive to improve on.

[@FUNANIME100]

I remember wanting to pick up a large water bottle but i didn't find one I like only to find the one i like at the thrift store, this was before becoming more eco friendly. I still own it and i use it daily.❤

[@AcousticCaroline]

Hi, Shelbi! Have you considered buying a Framework laptop? You can swap out parts, so it's repairable. I understand you might need it to be portable so no standing desktop PC.

[@chaneyywalker]

in my recent environmental science class we tested for fecal coliform bacteria and i found the bacteria present in bottled water. of course, i was only able to test one bottle, so I can’t revalidate that statement but I won’t touch water bottles with a ten foot pole unless i absolutely have to now 😭

[@sharkshannon]

in the inverse, i read a study that linked increased micro plastics in fecal matter to drinking from plastic water bottles!

[@jamjamb123]

Is it the reusable ones ??

[@sharkshannon]

@@jamjamb123 no, single use plastic bottles

[@CarleyGoshaw28]

When you said “eye patches,” my brain immediately went to pirate😂💀 Additionally, try growing luffahs next season in your garden! 😊 my mom & I are going to try (we lost our seeds last season!😂)

[@mythicalmim]

SAME 😂

[@LynsAlteredArts]

I immediately thought of a pirate also, probably because I’ve never used the other kind. Maybe I should, my under eyes are horrible.

[@Serenity-Hedgenettle]

Same! ☠️

[@kaleyjanenigh]

YT just recommended your channel (this video) to me, and I'm stoked! LOVE your vibe! Thanks, girl!

[@abigailm9]

What reusable lint remover do you use? I’m desperate for one but I don’t want to buy one that doesn’t work and then have to get another one.

[@bettyadkisson1681]

I've switched too making crocheted cotton heads for the dish scrubber and veggie scrubbers I recycle onion bags and I use my cottage cheese and French dip cartons for leftovers because I share my soups with family and friends.

[@baysustainable811]

I switched to the theme system from CGP Grey's channel. Basically you pick a theme for a season so that you can try to take steps in that direction without the "failing" aspect of resolutions.

[@HannahNicole1]

just found you from this video and i’m subscribing!! I absolutely love your vibe & i am also super passionate about sustainability! i had no idea there were reusable oil spray containers but definitely buying one now!!

[@AnnabelFayAnnadorabel]

Shelby would you ever do a video on how charity shop shopping/thrift still contributes to overconsumption? Loads of other good videos but would love to see your take.

[@aubreytoms6823]

Great video, Shelbi. Do you have any suggestions or videos on advice with living with family members who are not minimalist/as ecofriendly as maybe you would like to be? I feel like the changes or things I’d like to do can only be when on my own finally and not how the folks live because of various house rules and restrictions, so just curious on your insights about progress that could be made before then. It’s frustrating because sometimes there are ways of things I’d like to try for the environment they are not open to and so it feels like having to conform to how they live all the time against my own interests and values. Happy Holidays! ❄️

[@naomipeterson6335]

agree!

[@brittanymcdaniel6408]

Hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner at my house was eye opening about how different my life is even though i’m not a sustainable queen. So many family members were confused why I didn’t just offer them a bottle of water but instead gave them a glass of water… like seriously y’all still buy water bottles?? I also had a lot of people shocked that we used real china and not paper plates… what is the point of owning all of my great grandmother’s china if I can’t even use it on special occasions?

[@lorimcbrayer8431]

Exactly

[@avagreenoak6402]

I have a four reusable coffee pods. So all I have to do is just put my coffee in it and I after I'm done I compost the grounds and clean it out

[@pointeplusplus]

I’m a bit of a stationary nerd and I’m so curious- what is your favorite pen? Have you tried fountain pens? I don’t know if they’re actually more sustainable or not since I haven’t don’t any research but it kinda feels like it since you refill them with ink that you buy in big bottles. For my planner I print it out and put it on discs so I can reuse my covers from year to year I got my stasher bags for Christmas last year and I love them! I’m right there with you about the electric car thing. I currently have a Prius C that I’ve had for about 8 years but I don’t really want to even think about another car until the market advances a bit

[@terrymorris740]

I found a backyard compost bin on the side of the road and I’m so excited to finally use it! So glad I didn’t buy one earlier!

[@NotTheModel17]

My mom got me a Misto can from goodwill and I use it almost anytime I cook (even spray some olive oil on my popcorn)

[@jessicadawson2353]

I don’t buy plastic bags anymore either, but I disagree that stasher bags are the best way to replace them financially. A sandwich size stasher bag is $12, and the larger ones can be 20+. I’d have to skip buying 5 bags of plastic bags to break even. That’s 500 sandwich bag uses for one stasher bag. Many people could go years before hitting that. And what if you lose it or someone takes it for leftovers and doesn’t return it? I tried to switch to stasher bags. My daughter came home from school the very first time and accidentally threw it away. For things that don’t need an airtight seal like sandwiches in a lunch box or crackers for a snack use cloth zipper bags. They’re great. And for for things that do need a seal we use the knock off version where I can get a multipack for the price of one stasher bag. They’ve held up just fine for three years so far.

[@susanruan3663]

My mom doesn't use stasher bags, due to her arthritis, she finds them difficult to open and close. She uses just regular ziplock bags, but she'll wash and reuse them all the time. I'm pretty sure she's still using the exact same ziplock baggies she bought pre-Covid.

[@kaitlynashwell494]

I'd enjoy seeing a comparison of your lists over the years

[@velvet_thunderscape]

I'm definitely lowering consumption for all of the reasons, but in addition to what you talked about, I'm trying to break the habit of scrolling. I like to window shop, but it takes up too much time. I am trying to replace online shopping with healthy hobbies :) I want to give myself time to participate in real life.

[@thatjillgirl]

Shelby, you may have mentioned it in a video somewhere and I've forgotten, but I'm curious what you use for cleaning toilets. I am with you that for quite a bit of household cleaning, vinegar, baking soda, and the like can do a great job. But with toilets, I tend to want something that really makes me feel like I've REALLY disinfected it, you know? Is that one thing where you still do use a cleaning product of some kind, or have you found a non-cleaning-specific-product way to get the job done?

[@AK-tm9um]

Excited for your channels new 2024 direction! Thanks for all the great content!! Merry Christmas

[@dianem.104]

Thank you for this video! I had no idea some of these reusable options even existed (like the oil spray cannisters😮). Happy holidays to you and your family🎉❤

[@Godblessthismarriage]

This was such a great video. Thank you & love ur stance on incorporating more community activism.

[@rejoice37]

My goal for 2024 is to be more conscious of what I’m purchasing and weigh out all the options over a couple of days before deciding if I need it or not and also researching alternatives so that I spend less overall