Despite the difficulties of student budgeting, we can make eco-conscious decisions and manage the emotional cost of "eco-guilt" even when green living feels out of reach
Many students today feel a strong desire to live sustainably, motivated by environmental awareness and a sense of responsibility toward the planet.
However, the rising cost of living presents significant challenges. Organic food, eco-friendly products and slow fashion often come with higher price tags, which makes green living seem unattainable for students juggling rent, groceries and tuition.
This creates a growing tension between values and finances, leading students to question how much they can afford to care and whether their individual actions will truly make a difference.
The reality is that many sustainable products are priced beyond the reach of the average student. For example, organic produce can cost up to 60% more than non-organic options. Organic farming is more sustainable than non-organic because it reduces chemical inputs, promotes biodiversity and enhances soil health through natural practices like crop rotation and composting.
Similarly, bamboo toothbrushes and other eco-friendly alternatives are more expensive than conventional plastic ones. Even thrift stores, once considered an affordable staple for students, are experiencing rising prices due to increased demand for second-hand fashion. This trend places additional financial pressure on students, making it difficult to prioritize sustainability when basic needs are already a challenge.
Fortunately, living green doesn’t always have to come with a steep price tag. There are several budget-friendly strategies that students can adopt. One effective approach is meal prepping, which not only saves time but also reduces food waste.
Public transit offers both a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to driving. Additionally, participating in clothing swaps or thrifting through student-led events provides access to sustainable fashion without breaking the bank. These small changes can make a meaningful environmental impact while keeping expenses low.
On campus, McMaster students have access to several sustainability initiatives that align with eco-conscious living. The OPIRG community garden provides an opportunity to learn about organic gardening and supports local food security. The university’s Zero Waste Club promotes waste reduction through accessible recycling and compost stations across campus.
Despite these opportunities, many students still experience eco-guilt—a feeling of anxiety or frustration stemming from the belief that they aren’t doing enough for the planet. Social media platforms often exacerbate this guilt by portraying an idealized version of sustainable living that feels impossible to achieve.
Young people, in particular, report feeling overwhelmed by the expectation to be environmentalists while also managing academic pressures and financial stress. The weight of these expectations can make it hard to see the value in small, everyday actions.
Simple actions like switching to reusable water bottles or reducing single-use plastics matter, even if they seem small. Additionally, advocating for systemic changes, such as supporting divestment campaigns, can amplify students' impact beyond individual choices. McMaster's institutional efforts to implement greener policies are often more effective in addressing climate change than any single person’s actions, making advocacy a powerful way for students to contribute.
Sustainability is a journey, not a destination. Despite the prevalence of climate change, students shouldn’t feel burdened by the idea that every action must be flawless or that every product they buy must meet the highest eco-standards. Instead, the focus should be on making intentional, thoughtful decisions that align with both their budget and their values.
Composting, reducing food waste, or choosing public transit are all practical ways to contribute to environmental efforts without adding financial strain. It’s also important to recognize that sustainable living is not an individual burden—it’s a collective effort. In this vein, we shouldn’t feel that an occasional unsustainable action invalidates our overall efforts.
While we may sometimes make non-eco-friendly choices—such as forgetting to bring a reusable bag to the grocery story—this doesn’t erase the impact of our eco-friendly efforts, like bringing reusable water bottles to campus or reducing single-use plastics. Small choices, even when inconsistent, build on each other to create a more sustainable lifestyle over time.
For instance, choosing to take a longer shower one day for self-care doesn’t erase the positive impact of habitually reducing water consumption by turning off the tap while brushing teeth or doing laundry with cold water to save energy.
Students can take comfort in knowing that progress, not perfection, drives meaningful change. By balancing eco-conscious habits with financial realities, we can live sustainably without sacrificing our well-beings. When we embrace progress over guilt, we not only contribute to a healthier planet but also cultivate a more compassionate approach to sustainability—one that celebrates small victories and encourages collective action.
Karen Piper
The Silhouette
There is no rule of thumb for managing finances because each individual’s financial position is unique. Here are 10 easy steps to find your way to successful saving, and I hope you find a few of these helpful.
1) MAKE A PRACTICAL BUDGET: To start, a good idea would be to go around and investigate the prices of the items that you will be spending that money on. For example, check the prices of your textbooks so your allocation for books may be somewhat realistic. This may result in a slight modification in your spending limit, but it’s better to know in advance!
2) HAVE A TOTAL FIGURE: This simply means setting a figure on which you agree will be your spending limit for the year or for one term. I personally prefer making a total budget for one term, because life is unpredictable and a lot can change in a year. Chances are if you write down a total or spending limit, you’ll try to stick to it. It’s almost like a written agreement.
3) MAKING A LIST HELPS: I know this is probably something associated with old people and grocery stores, but hey, who cares? Let’s have a reality check: making a list actually works when you go out to purchase those items on your budget, because it keeps you on track. Whether it be a drugstore shopping-list or a bookstore items list, following that paper saves you paper! Chances are that you won’t pick up unnecessary items, make it trendy if you have to, put it down on your tablet or phone- just write the list!
4) KEEP TRACK: Now that you are well into the semester and have already purchased books, room supplies, gym membership etc, it is not a bad idea to keep tabs on what you have online order viagra spent in order to determine if you are sticking to your budget. Let’s be realistic, there is so much to do during the semester (studying, socializing, laundry, meetings, the list goes on) you cannot possibly worry about money issues every single day. Hence, set up a system whereby every week or two weeks, you re-track your spending, whether it is through online banking, purchase receipts or check copies.
5) AVOID DISTRACTIONS: This is really hard to do! Life is very unpredictable and no one lives in a vacuum. It could be Friday night, after a hard long week and a friend asks to go to a club or a bar. You may already be over on your spending, because let’s face it, we’re not perfect. What do you do? I try to remind myself of my long-term goal and sometimes I may suggest doing something that involves spending less. For instance, downloading an exciting new movie at home and just getting some popcorn. Having fun doesn’t need to cost a lot.
6) EMPLOYMENT: It does not hurt to get some extra cash! Some of you may have taken some hefty loans to finance your education, while some of you may have received a sponsor. Whatever your situation, it might not be such a bad idea to source a job to help with your expenses, providing that it does not interfere with your studies. There are many work opportunities available on and around campus. Check out OscarPlus or the MSU website for more info.
7) WATCH WASTAGE: A key reason why we always have to be spending money on seemingly important items is because we waste! We are all guilty of it. We buy food and can’t eat all, and we simply throw away the rest. We are quite wasteful because we have a psychological premonition that we will always have the means to find the next dollar. How wasteful are you, and how can you put an end to it?
8) BUY QUALITY: This is a tricky one. One aspect of life in Canada is the dreaded winter. Speaking from experience, I have been one to buy the cheapest winter coats, jackets and boots in an effort to stick to a budget, but all to no avail. Within a couple of weeks, the zippers would wreck on boots, buttons pop off on jackets and it can be a monetary nightmare. There are certain items you just can’t skimp on financially. Determining what to generously spend on and what not to is a fundamental key to financial success.
9) ACCOUNT FOR SURPRISES: You will notice that I keep reiterating the fact that life is unpredictable. As a result, one has to also plan financially for surprises and unplanned events. Some of these include a medical emergency, replacing a valuable lost item or the sudden inflation in the price of an item you regularly purchase. Try to always account for unexpected events. Put aside money in case of emergency.
10) SEEK HELP WHEN NEEDED: Ok so you’ve probably followed all of these tips as best as you can and you are still having financial difficulty, well that’s life. Nothing is easy and no handbook or set of rules can solve all problems. Don’t be afraid to get financial assistance as soon as you detect a problem. You can get help from a financial advisor at your local bank, a parent or a friend. Maybe you may even want to attend a financial management workshop to get more useful information. Look out for these workshops on campus throughout the year. Remain proactive!
