16: Sustainable Living with Kids — How to Save Money and Reduce Waste with Jessica Nakamura
- Author
- Sarah Robertson-Barnes
- Published
- Tue 02 Sep 2025
- Episode Link
- https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/podcast
From cloth diapers and thrifted toys to birthday party overload, this is what sustainable living with small kids actually looks like — the joys, the trade-offs, and what makes it doable.
This week, I’m joined by Jessica Nakamura — a local realtor, mom of three (including twin toddlers), and self-described “kinda eco mom.” We sat down in my living room (sharing a mic in a DIY pillow fort) to talk about what sustainable living with kids really looks like in the thick of suburban parenting.
Jessica shares the eco-friendly tips and small shifts that have worked for her family — from cloth diapering and gift-free birthdays to secondhand shopping and passing baby "essentials" between friends — and how she’s learned to let go of perfection along the way.
We also talk about frugal living, budget-friendly sustainability, the reality of overconsumption, and what it means to lead by example without being the “boring mom.” This one’s full of laughs, honesty, and real talk about raising kids, building community, and living a little greener — even when life is loud, messy, and on a budget.
Takeaways
- Making eco-conscious choices with babies, toddlers, and tight budgets.
- Why cloth diapering can work — and why it’s okay to buy the disposables.
- Rethinking gift giving, especially for kids' parties
- How to reduce paper towel use without losing your mind
- The emotional weight of clutter (and what she’s seen in thrift stores).
- Why your local Buy Nothing group is a community game-changer
- Supporting local through real estate and building neighbourhood resilience
One Small Shift
Jessica encourages us to pause before clicking “buy” — and consider borrowing, thrifting, or reaching out to your local library or Buy Nothing group instead.
Connect With Jessica
Resources
Zero Waste Birthday Parties for Kids
Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas for Kids
Connect With Me
Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio
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