There's never been a better time to become more eco-friendly, as climate hazards and natural events only seem to intensify. While you might not be able to save the world, you can still make a huge difference by tweaking some of your habits to be more sustainable. And if that isn’t a big enough reason to switch to reusables, there is another benefit to becoming more sustainable - it can really save you money.
People spend around $2,407 USD (£1,760 or €1,977) on period products in their lifetime (the necessary period snacks are not included). What if you could invest that money into something more useful or possibly life-changing? We’re here to tell you: You don’t need to be the Wolf of Wall Street to start investing. It’s okay if you’re more of a mouse of Main Street. Even if you only have a few dollars to spare, your money has the potential to grow!
First things first: how much money could you save by switching to a menstrual cup?
According to the Women’s Environmental Network, an average person is thought to use more than 11,000 disposable menstrual products in a lifetime. This is an estimate, 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. These numbers will always vary, but here are some 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 USD (£440 or €500) during your lifetime. With more expensive products, you could be spending around $2,407 USD (£1,760 or €1,977) on 11,000 products. Before you break your brain trying to imagine this amount of money, just pause to think about being able to save it. That is a positive sum (uh, extremely positive). We repeat: net savings, not costs.
So, how can you save that (extremely positive) sum of cash?
Try a Lunette Menstrual Cup! It is a fantastic option for people who want to save money in the long run. It also has 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” you say. Well, 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. However, assuming you’ll have periods for roughly 40 years, that means you shouldn’t need more than 20 menstrual cups over your lifetime. A major win-win situation of saving money and being a part of reducing the insane 200,000 tonnes of waste from disposable period products each year! Now, let's talk money.
Once you’ve made the switch to a Lunette Cup, here’s 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 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 the course of 5 years, it comes to around $291.
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 you now have at hand.
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Open up an online savings account
$10 is not a ton of money to get started and the number of investments available to you at that amount 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 in a greater variety of investment options. Also, if you don’t already have an emergency fund, then this is where you 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 often is 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 (we’re looking at you 2020!). 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 are starting from $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 do a lot of good not only for the charity but you as well. There’s no better feeling than giving to those less fortunate or investing in healing our planet. Our favorite 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 Refill by clicking here.
You should always consult your financial advisor or other professionals when seeking for 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 live the same routine for the rest of your time.
That’s the beauty of a Lunette Cup. In the long term, it’s the most inexpensive option and also the best investment you can make for the future.
