16: Sustainable Living with Kids — How to Save Money and Reduce Waste with Jessica Nakamura

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 That Mama Realtor - Website That Mama Realtor - Perks That Mama Realtor - Instagram Resources Zero Waste Birthday Parties for Kids Thrift Shopping for Kids Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas for Kids Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.