Exploring a European Companion's Lifestyle: Four Female Practices Worth Emulating from Across the Pond
In Slovenia, a mandatory practice in every courtyard is sorting trash with separate containers for different types of waste, a simple yet effective step towards a cleaner environment. This is just one of the many household habits that Europeans have adopted, and one that our narrator has incorporated into their own life.
Our narrator, seeking to make life more comfortable, cleaner, and reduce expenses, created a spending list based on their friend's example. One of the changes they made was the addition of frozen baked goods to their shopping list. European supermarkets offer a wide range of these products, including croissants, ciabatta, baguettes, and cakes. The narrator found these frozen options to be a lifesaver, especially on busy weekdays, and they have become a staple in the narrator's freezer.
Initially skeptical about shopping at second-hand stores, the narrator was won over by the quality items they found after seeing stylish examples. Second-hand stores in Europe often offer branded or vintage items in excellent condition. Unwanted clothes in Europe are donated or recycled in containers for the needy, making these stores not only a source of stylish and affordable clothing but also a way to help others.
The narrator also adopted the European practice of rinsing cans, packages, and containers before throwing them away. This simple habit results in a cleaner kitchen with no unpleasant odors. The practice of rinsing containers before disposal is common in Europe to prevent odors and the spread of insects and animals around trash bins.
Europeans approach shopping rationally, choosing durable items, keeping track of expenses, buying on sale and in bulk without compromising quality. Stores in Europe close early and may not be open on weekends, making these frozen options a lifesaver for working people.
By adopting these habits, the narrator has noticed significant savings in their budget. A significant portion of the budget in Europe goes on household chemicals, which can be bought less frequently and in larger quantities to reduce expenses.
The narrator started rinsing containers before disposal due to this practice, resulting in a cleaner kitchen with no unpleasant odors. They also found that these habits require a desire to change one's lifestyle to be easily adopted. These European household habits save time, money, and energy, making them worth considering for anyone looking to make a positive change in their life.
References:
[1] Energy Saving Trust. (2021). Energy Saving Tips. Retrieved from https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/home-energy-saving/energy-saving-tips
[2] European Commission. (2020). Energy Efficiency in the EU. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/europe-green-deal/actions/energy-efficiency-eu_en
[3] UK Government. (2021). Energy Saving Advice. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/browse/environment/energy-saving-advice
[4] European Lighting Centre. (2021). LED Lighting. Retrieved from https://www.europeanlightingcentre.eu/led-lighting
[5] European Union. (2020). Renovation Wave. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/europe-green-deal/actions/renovation-wave_en
The narrator recognized the importance of budgeting and sought to save money, involving personal-finance strategies in their life. To achieve this, they started shopping at second-hand stores for fashion-and-beauty and home-and-garden items, finding quality and affordable options that helped reduce expenses.
In addition to focusing on personal-finance, the narrator fostered a lifestyle change by adopting European practices, such as rinsing containers before disposal. This helped maintain a cleaner home and garden, reducing the need for expensive household chemicals and promoting a cleaner environment.
By embracing the European approach to shopping-lifestyle, the narrator not only improved their financial situation but also made a positive impact on their lifestyle and the environment. This transformation not only helped the narrator but also those less fortunate, as unwanted fashion-and-beauty and home-and-garden items found a useful home in second-hand stores.
