One of the things people have been telling you to do to best handle your finances is to save money. From that piggy bank you had to fill up when you were small to your savings account when you were already of age. The main purpose was to encourage you to save your money for future use.
If you are like many Americans, it might be tough to save with minimum wage. tIt could already be a challenge to come home with a complete pay much more save a part of it for future use. You could be running on a shoestring budget trying to make ends meet that you also do not have time to take care of your health.
Apart from the time that you need to put into keeping healthy, it could also cost you money. It doesn’t help the fact that NY Post shares that about 16% of consumers are not saving simply because they are too lazy. That is one of the hurdles that you have to face especially if you are just starting out in life.
It is a challenge to save money while trying to balance a healthy way of life. There are times that healthier food options can be pricier and that gym membership could eat into your budget. Here are a few things to consider where you can save money and keep healthy at the same time.
Take your bike to work
One way to manage financial stress is to take up a physical activity to take your mind off things. But what if it can also help you save money in the process? That would be a great way to hit two birds with one stone. With that in mind, have you taken a look at your transportation or gas expenses are when going to and from work? What if you can eliminate that and pick up a physical activity at the same time?
Why not use a bike to get to work and back home after? You do not have to buy a $1000 brand new bikes. You can look at second-hand bikes out there to lower down your initial cost. Once you have the bike, you just have to make a commitment to ride it to and from work and you are all set.
Of course, you need to take distance into consideration when choosing to use your bike to go to work. If your daily trip is just a few kilometers short of a full on triathlon-based distance for bikes then you need to rethink your strategy. You do not have to totally abandon the idea. Consider taking the bike for a good part of the way and get on the bus or train the rest of the way. You get to save money as well as get a good exercise out of it.
Walk to your meetings
While at work and your meetings are just a few blocks away from your office, ditch the cab and just walk. You can be in your next meeting having accomplished two things even before it has started. You saved money from the cab fare and you were able to squeeze in an exercise out of it. Besides, getting in some exercise before a meeting can be beneficial for you.
As it helps relieve stress, it releases certain hormones in the body called endorphins. Apart from being a pain-reducing hormone, it also promotes a positive feeling in your body. It can help you keep calm and get through the meeting with a clear mind. It can be a great help if you are trying to close a deal or if you are meeting people for the first time.
Save money by growing your own food
Another way to save money is to revisit your food expenses. Traditionally, people would tell you to buy in bulk and batch cook your food to save money. Those are excellent tips in lowering down your food budget. However, if you want to incorporate a way to be healthy in the process, you can grow your own food.
What you need to consider is the space you have to do just that. If you are lucky enough to have a sprawling backyard then you can do more. If you are living in a condominium then you can still grow your own food. You might not have as many if you had a backyard but you can still do it all the same.
Check your grocery list and look at the usual vegetables or spices you regularly purchase from the store. With that, you can use your backyard or a wall in your house for a vertical garden. You get to eat healthy because you get to put organic ingredients in your food preparation. You get to cut down on your food budget, keep healthy and gain a new hobby in the process.
Resist ordering takeout food
Did you know that according to Fox Business, Americans spent about $54 billion in restaurants than they did with their groceries at $52 billion between 2015 and 2016? That means people love to eat out and even order takeout food more than they are willing to cook their own food at home.
There is nothing wrong with indulging in a fine meal with your family every now and then but you need to keep everything in the budget. As you do this, you get to save money but keep everyone in the family healthy as well. There is no denying that fast food can take its toll on your health so what you can do is prepare a healthy meal for your family. The more control you have over what they eat, the better their chances are of eating nutritious meals.
Make routine checkups and self-checks
Have you heard people say that prevention is a lot better and way more cost efficient than cure? There is some logic to this idea as it is costlier to have to repair than maintain. Take your car for example, it is better to follow a maintenance schedule rather than wait for it to break down and address the repairs. The same goes for your body.
You can save a lot of money in the long run if you make it a point to get a regular check-up at your doctor. You can also do some self-checks at home to make it easier for you to detect any concerns you might have over your body. Besides, no one knows your body than yourself so you can perform self-checks on a more regular basis.
Consider getting a dog
The Washington Post shared that about 75% of Americans in their 30s own dogs. If you are in this age range and wondering why most millennials have a furry friend, you might be surprised with the wonderful benefits they bring. Apart from companionship, dogs can also help you exercise a lot more than if you were to be left alone in the house the whole day.
When you have a dog, you would need to go out more often and walk them. You also have to play with them on a regular basis. This forces you to put in some physical activity in your schedule as you take care of your dog. At the very least, this keeps you moving as opposed to being on your couch the whole day channel surfing and ordering take out.
There are a couple of ways you can save money while keeping healthy at the same time. You just have to put in the effort to identify them and have a certain level of commitment to follow through.