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Saving money had always been a goal for me, but I never thought it could align with sustainable living. Recently, I decided to challenge myself to spend more mindfully for one week, inspired by the principles of SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. I wanted to see how small changes in my daily habits could save money and contribute to sustainability.

When I started this challenge, I was sceptical. Could something as simple as reducing waste help me save? I listed areas where I often overspent—buying bottled water, takeout coffee, and groceries that often went to waste. I planned to adopt sustainable alternatives: bringing a reusable water bottle, making coffee at home, and meal-prepping to avoid food waste.

I also decided to track my spending for the week to see the financial impact. My main concern was whether these changes would be practical or too much effort to maintain.

On the first day, I realized how often I relied on convenience. Grabbing a water bottle from the store felt easier than filling one at home, but I pushed myself to stick to the plan. By day three, it started to feel rewarding—both financially and emotionally.

One surprising challenge was meal prepping. I used to buy groceries without a clear plan, which often led to spoiled food and wasted money. This time, I carefully planned my meals for the week. By the weekend, I realized I hadn’t thrown away any food, which was a first for me!

Another small but significant change was brewing my coffee. Instead of spending RM 10 daily at my favourite café, I invested in a reusable coffee cup and started making my own. The coffee wasn’t as fancy, but the RM 50 I saved over the week made it worthwhile.

This week-long challenge taught me that saving money and sustainable living go hand-in-hand. I saved RM 80 by avoiding unnecessary purchases and reducing waste. Beyond the financial savings, I felt a sense of pride knowing I was contributing to a larger cause—less plastic waste from water bottles and coffee cups and a smaller carbon footprint from reduced food waste.

Looking back, I wish I had started these habits earlier. Moving forward, I plan to make this a lifestyle. I’ve also inspired a few friends to try similar challenges, turning individual efforts into a collective impact.

By aligning my spending habits with SDG 12, I’ve realized that small actions can lead to significant savings while supporting a more sustainable planet. This experience has reshaped how I think about consumption—showing that responsible choices are not just good for the Earth, but also for my wallet.

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As someone who’s always been conscious about saving money, I never considered how my energy usage might contribute to both my expenses and the planet’s health. After learning about SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, I decided to challenge myself to reduce my energy consumption and rely on cleaner, more sustainable energy sources for one week. I wanted to see how these changes would impact both my electricity bill and my environmental footprint.

I had never really thought about how much energy I was consuming daily. I relied heavily on air conditioning, left lights on when not in use, and often used heating appliances unnecessarily. My electricity bills were consistently high, and I realized that I could be wasting more energy than I thought.

My plan was simple: reduce my energy consumption by turning off unnecessary appliances, using energy-efficient alternatives, and relying more on natural light during the day. I also decided to invest in a small solar-powered charger for my devices to use clean energy whenever possible. I wasn’t sure how practical these changes would be, but I was eager to try.

The first day felt like a shock to my usual routine. I became hyper-aware of how often I was using energy—leaving lights on, keeping the AC running, and charging devices that didn’t need it. By the second day, I started switching off lights when I left rooms and began using fans instead of the AC.

I also made a conscious effort to reduce screen time to avoid unnecessary electricity use and started using a solar phone charger. It wasn’t as fast as a wall charger, but it gave me a sense of satisfaction knowing I was using clean energy.

Another key change was meal prep. I stopped using the microwave for every meal and started cooking using more efficient, energy-saving appliances. By day four, I noticed how much quieter and more peaceful my home felt without constant buzzing from electronic devices.

By the end of the week, I had saved over RM 60 on my electricity bill. While the financial savings were great, the real reward was seeing how much cleaner and quieter my life had become. I realized how simple actions like unplugging devices when not in use and switching to fans instead of AC made a tangible difference in my energy consumption.

I also felt a sense of responsibility toward the environment. Using solar energy to charge my phone and reducing overall consumption made me realize that small steps could add to big changes. Over the week, I saved money and reduced my carbon footprint.

Reflecting on this challenge, I feel motivated to continue making energy-conscious decisions. I plan to invest in more energy-efficient appliances and consider switching to a green energy provider to support clean energy on a larger scale.

Through this experience, I’ve learned that saving energy isn’t just good for my wallet; it’s a key part of living more sustainably. By aligning my daily habits with SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, I’ve discovered how much power we all have in shaping a more sustainable future, starting with our homes.