How to Save Money on Drinking Water by Buying and Using a Reusable Water Bottle.

Americans love their bottled water. In fact, we guzzle down about 13.7 billion gallons of the stuff each year, according to the International Bottled Water Association.

That comes out to almost 39 gallons per person! All that bottled water costs us a pretty penny, too—around $15 billion annually. Are we really getting our money’s worth?

Nope, not even close. In addition to the environmental concerns associated with all that plastic (and the energy required to produce and transport it), it turns out that bottled water is often no better—and in many cases, is actually worse—than tap water.

So what’s a health- and budget-conscious person to do? The answer is simple: buy and use a reusable water bottle. Not only is it better for the environment, but it will also save you money in the long run. Here’s how:

You’ll Drink More Water If It’s Convenient:

Let’s face it, lugging around a heavy case of bottled water is a pain. And if you have to stop at a vending machine or convenience store every time you get thirsty, you’re less likely to drink as much water as you should.

But if you have a reusable water bottle with you at all times, it’s easy to stay hydrated throughout the day. Studies have shown that people who use reusable water bottles drink more water than those who don’t; so not only is it good for your health, but it’s also good for your wallet.

You Can Save Money on Bottled Water:

As we mentioned before, bottled water is expensive—and getting more so every year. In 2016, the average price of a gallon of bottled water was $1.11; by 2018, it had jumped to $1.22 .

At those prices, you could be spending over $100 per year on bottled water for just one person! But if you invest in a good reusable water bottle and fill it up from the tap instead of buying bottled water, you can easily cut your annual spending down to $0 .

Now that’s what we call saving money!

You Can Get Filtered Water for Pennies per Gallon:

One of the main reasons people choose bottled over tap water is because they believe it tastes better. But did you know that you can get filtered tap water that tastes just as good—if not better—than bottled water?

There are numerous brands of home filtration systems available on the market today, and they’re not nearly as expensive as you might think.

Conclusion:

The next time you reach for a bottle of Dasani or Aquafina, consider this:

You could be spending way too much money on something that isn’t necessarily any better for your health than regular old tap water .

Instead, save yourself some cash (and help out Mother Earth) by investing in a reusable water bottle and filter. Not only will your bank account thank you, but so will the planet.

Tap below to see out top shelf picks and find the perfect reusable water bottle for you!