You Can Afford to Live Well, Even on a Budget
You Can Afford to Live Well, Even on a Budget
by Gabriel Patel
Your health is your most important asset, but unfortunately, we tend to fall into the belief that being healthy has to be expensive. And while it’s true that you will spend money on your journey to wellness, it’s also true that you could open up your wallet for unhealthy alternatives. When you weigh the pros and cons of prioritizing your health, it becomes clear that you can’t afford tonotlive well. Here are some suggestions on how to save money while saving yourself.
Swap Your Indulgences
One of the best things you can do for yourself is to prioritize the things that are truly important. This is exercise, healthy food, and time spent with the people you love. But those first two can get pricey. Take some time to evaluate where you currently spend your money. For example, if you use your extra funds for greasy take-out foodeach week, you could easily spend a little more than $15, or about $60 per month. Instead of winding down with french fries or tacos, use that money to buy healthy foods that you can prepare at home. Studies show that it only cost about $1.50 more each day to eat healthfully. This means that, at the end of the month, you would have eliminated one unhealthy vice, fed yourself well, and still saved around $15.
Invest in Yourself
You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on gym equipment, fancy workout clothes, or $200 athletic shoes in order to get a good workout. But if you don’t have room for an elliptical, treadmill or weight set, you may need to spend some money each month on a gym membership. NBC News reports that you can save some cash by asking for applicable discounts, such as military or senior citizen, or joining at the end of the month when salespeople are motivated to meet their quotas.
If spending a few hours at the gym each week isn’t possible, you can still give yourself a good workout from home. Go for a walk, find a yoga or dance tutorial on YouTube, or head down to your local shopping center for inexpensive equipment. Resistance bands are a great option since they’re portable and easy on the budget. Places you may not consider, such as Best Buy, keep these and other small fitness products in stock, including post-workout shoulder massagers and FitBits. But don’t just walk into the store; instead, look around for cash-back offers and Best Buy coupons or discounts and order online for pickup.
Give Yourself the Gift of Time
If your health is your most valuable asset, time is the currency that buys it. Give yourself permission to spend some of yours on the things that make you happy. This doesn’t have to mean expensive trips or luxury bath products. You can just as easily feel good walking along the beach or through your own neighborhood (for free) or spending an hour in a warm bath.
A trip to Dollar Tree or your local equivalent gives you access to candles,epsom salts for your baths, and other self-care treasures that’ll bring you luxurious joy. Maybe it won’t be labeled with designer logos, but there’s really no need to pay for private labels when many “store brand” or “generic” items are the same exact product.
Finally, speaking of time, have you tried meditating? It’s free, and studies show it’s literally ecstasy-inducing. There’s even some great online resources to help beginners get started.
You deserve to gift yourself the joy of health and wellness, no matter how much your paycheck can spare each week. Taking care of your needs doesn’t have to cost a proverbial arm and a leg. There are ways to save, even on life’s little pleasures!
Image via Pixabay
