10 Ideas for Getting More Lagom in Your Life

Did you know the average American uses 176 gallons of water per day, according to water.org? Reduce your water consumption by bathing every other day, or setting a timer to just three minutes per shower.

If you haven't made the switch to LED bulbs which last for decades and use less energy, now is the time. And in addition, to be lagom, when you leave a room be sure to turn off the light.

Give your clothes dryer a break, live the lagom lifestyle and hang clothes to dry whenever possible. And if you don't have access to a a clothes line, make a simple drying rack in your laundry room.

Reduce your electricity consumption and reduce your energy bills with solar panels. And do some research on solar to see if there are any tax credits available, how big of a system you'd need and the upfront cost. Depending on where you live, it may be worth the investment.

If you don't already, try growing some of your food. And build a garden box or planter. Also, plan your meals for the week before you do your grocery shopping to cut down on food waste. When possible, get everyone in the family involved in lagom and meal preparation.

Old traditional batteries need to be disposed of properly and kept out of landfills. And while the up-front cost may be more, rechargeable batteries will save you money in the long run, while also producing less waste.

Opt for items you can reuse, such as cloth shopping bags, travel mugs and aluminum water bottles. And build a compost tumbler so you can use those compostable food scraps to enrich the soil in your garden.

Invest in items that you will use for a long time. And instead of buying a cheap piece of furniture, invest in pieces that will stand the test of time and repair furniture whenever possible. You'll end up spending less money on one quality piece rather than several throwaways.

While you should make time for friends and family, remember you don't have to say "yes" to every invitation and social event. Do the things you enjoy and excuse yourself from events you aren't feeling up to attending.

Lagom is all about having what you need and getting rid of the things you don't. So cut the clutter and find ways to organize the things you already have. And when decorating a room, consider what you really need and pick accessories carefully so the space isn't overwhelmed with meaningless items.