Your way of life doesn’t have to be
expensive if you want to be ethical
too, as Clea Grady explains...
O
ne of the things said most often about
ethical living is that it’s expensive.
Mainstream media especially likes
to peddle this myth and it’s something that
prevents many people from trying to make
any ethical changes at all.
But – like anything in life – if you have
the ability, then any lifestyle choice can be
expensive. It’s possible to spend a lot of money
on pretty things from sustainable sources,
eat at high-end, plant-based restaurants and
purchase posh pre-prepared, healthy food.
But that’s not my reality. I’ve worked in the
non-profi t/charity sector since 2014 and
now run my own ethical business, so money
is not something I can part with without
consideration. I know
from experience
therefore that it’s
possible to live fairly
frugally without
turning your back
on your ethics. And
perhaps it’s just as
important to note that
in doing so, I don’t feel like I go without either.Nobody’s perfect
Before I get into the nitty gritty of how
ethical living can be aff ordable, I want to
clarify something... Just as being vegan is not
about being 100% perfect, neither is living
as ethically as you can. There is a lot in this
world that is out of our direct control, so my
focus is on the things I do have power over.
It’s about making more ethical choices or
choosing the most ethical path available to
you. It does not mean that you fl oat around
on a cloud of purity, casting sidelong glances
at anyone who hasn’t done exactly the same.
I fi rmly believe that if we make something so
absolute it becomes unattainable, then it will
never happen at all. This article won’t solveall the world’s problems,
sadly, but it will give
you some tips for better
living. If more of us make
more ethical choices and
demonstrate to those
in positions of power
that we’ll choose the
more sustainable option
wherever we can, then we
will eventually reach a
tipping point.
Change is brought
about when more
people do something, not when a few people
do everything, so don’t beat yourself up if
you’re not living very
ethically right now.
Instead, think about
whether you can make
a more ethical choice
next time. Replacing
items in your
cupboards as they
run out, for example
(rather than scrapping everything and starting
all over again), is a lot less daunting. And it’s
defi nitely the cheaper option.
So where to start? Well, food is the most
obvious and I have written an article on
cooking vegan on a budget before (just use the
search on the Vegan Food & Living website),
so I’ll try not to repeat myself too much.Can I afford to beETHICAL?
CLEA GRADY
Vegetarian since she was 12
years old, Clea has been vegan
since 2014 and loves inspiring
and supporting others to live a
cruelty-free life. With a fondness
for bread making, running, wine
and rescuing animals, she also
runs her own bespoke marketing
and PR agency, Chips and Grady
(chipsandgrady.co.uk).Use a local veg box
delivery service
One of my top tips would be using a
local veg box delivery service, with extra
emphasis on the local. Local grocers are
more generous than the big name box
companies. They get to know you and
your ordering style, and will often chuck
in some freebies. They’re better value for
money than most supermarkets, with
typically fresher produce and less plastic.
From an ethical shopping standpoint,
you’re also boosting the local economy
and supporting an independent retailer,
so it really is an all-round win/win. If
choosing to shop at supermarkets, you can
also choose to support one that takes a
more ethical stance. We like the Co-op and
will walk the extra 10 minutes if nipping
out to grab essentials or a bottle of wine.
Their labelling is good for vegans and their
own-brand products are typically cruelty-
free and vegan friendly (think laundry
liquid and toothpaste). They also off er a
really good loyalty programme and you’re
frequently rewarded with money off when
you buy a lot of their own-brand items.It's a myth that
ethical living has to
also be expensive living