Emelie and Jon Watson: Living with Less in Brisbane
Emelie and Jon Watson have embraced the concept of “living with less” in a way that is both inspiring and unconventional. The Brisbane-based couple, along with their two children, are passionate advocates of sustainability and minimal consumption. Their lifestyle is a testament to the growing movement in Australia towards more environmentally conscious living.
A Lifestyle of Minimal Consumption
The Watsons have chosen to live without a car, which means they rely on cycling for transportation. They also dumpster dive for groceries, thrift shop for clothes, and avoid buying anything new since 2008. This approach might not seem glamorous, but it has allowed them to save money and live a life that aligns with their values.
“Living simply and inexpensively has given us the opportunity to give far more and do more good,” Jon explained. “Our overall lifestyle involves quite minimal consumption, but it’s not a sacrifice.”
They are mortgage-free and have the flexibility to choose when they work. To fund their family’s lifestyle, they take up casual or part-time jobs, such as relief teaching and engineering. Together, they earn about $190,000 per year.
“We’ve only ever worked a maximum of four days a week for a year,” Jon said, adding that the couple is now “trialling retirement.” There’s no need for full-time hours when they rarely spend money on groceries.
Dumpster Diving for Groceries
Meat, bread, fruit, vegetables, and everything in between can be found discarded in waste bins near supermarket loading docks. The family, on average, will spend less than $40 per week on extra food they may need – but say they go weeks without spending a cent.
“A year’s worth of dumpster diving for our family of four saves us between $7,000 and $10,000 on groceries,” Jon said. “From Friday night until Sunday or Monday morning, we go twice a day, morning and night, until we find that the bin has been replenished.”
Emelie described it as “startling” to see how much edible food goes straight into the bins of an evening. Supermarkets often throw out food that is past its “best before” date or slightly imperfect.
“We’ve shared some of our spoils with other people who’ve not been into dumpster diving, and when they see the quality of the food that we get out of the dumpster and the quantity, they’re shocked,” Emelie said. “There’s no compromise really on our diet or our nutrition. In fact, we probably eat better eating what we take out of the waste stream than what we would normally.”
Respectful Practices and Awareness
The Watsons say their local supermarket is aware that they take food from the dumpster. They are mindful of being respectful of staff and employ safe practices. “If you make anything difficult for the staff or the store, you just give them excuses to lock you out and lock other people out as well, who may depend on dumpster diving for survival,” Jon said.
Australia’s major supermarkets have previously discouraged people from dumpster diving, citing health and safety risks. Emelie and Jon say the risk is worth the reward. “If we get the timing wrong, we’re exposed to maggots and putrid stuff. But life is not without risk. We experience a little bit of discomfort in order to do the right thing.”
“The reason that it’s all being wasted is because of a hyper-concern about minimising risk, which proves to be very wasteful,” Jon added.
Beyond Groceries: Saving Money in Other Areas
The savings extend far beyond groceries. The couple also chooses to cycle everywhere instead of using a car, helping them avoid potentially thousands of dollars in extra fuel costs while motorists battle soaring prices at the pump. At home, they use a vegetable garden, rely on solar panels for power, and pick up anything they need at second-hand stores, tips, or curbside.
“Most of our life is designed around doing things without needing a car or without needing any substantial resources,” Jon added. “I’d say that we’ve won at capitalism, and I don’t just mean financially.”
Charitable Endeavours and a Greener Future
Part of Emelie and Jon’s lifestyle, described as “living more with less,” is to help fund their charitable endeavours. In 2024, the pair funnelled over $47,500 of their annual income to healthcare, food insecurity, and educational organisations.
“It’s all about making the earth a better place and minimising their footprint while they are doing it,” Jon said. “There is reward and satisfaction, feeling like part of a solution rather than part of a problem.”
Conclusion
Emelie and Jon Watson’s lifestyle is a powerful example of how individuals can make a difference through sustainable choices. Their commitment to minimal consumption, dumpster diving, and charitable giving highlights the potential for a more conscious and fulfilling way of life. By living with less, they have not only saved money but also contributed to a greater cause, proving that it is possible to thrive without compromising on values or quality of life.
