Stay Healthy and Save Money: Tips for Staying Healthy and Saving Money
We all want to live a long, healthy life. Yet, for some reason, many of us are not proactive in how we can help achieve this goal. Stay Healthy and Save money is about more than 10 tips on how you can stay healthy while saving Cash simultaneously!
Here are the tips:
Work on your sleep hygiene
Many of us have a terrible habit of going to bed right after we get back from work or social events and then waking up just in time for the next day’s activities. Seriously, this is an issue that affects most people. Recommends getting your sleep hygiene habits under check by avoiding screens before you go to bed at night, getting up at the same time every day (yes, including weekends), and always having bedtime routines to mentally prepare yourself for sleep.
Think outside the box
This is a phrase that we hear everywhere, and many of us take it for granted. Reminds you to think outside the box by being creative in your daily life, whether at work or when planning weekend activities with friends. If you feel stuck creatively, try taking up new hobbies, learning something new through online courses, or even rearranging your furniture in a new way.
Make time for yourself every day, no matter how busy you are with work or family life. Do something that is just for you every single day! It could be as simple as meditating for ten minutes or taking an hour to read a book that you love. Scheduling these activities into your daily planner just like any other important meeting, so they don’t get skipped!
Make budgeting your friend
It is easy to get lost in the allure of expensive clothes, gadgets, and food. But get your finances under check by creating a budget for yourself that you can follow every single week or month! Trying out an app like Goodbudget (available on iPhone) helps users stick to their budget every day. Going on a shopping spree because you have the extra money in your account is a no-no.
Set up a healthy meal plan
Staying on top of your meal plan by keeping healthy foods in the refrigerator. Buying bulk items that are cheaper per unit, like vegetables or even pasta! It’s not recommended to eat out every evening because it is more expensive than cooking at home.
Make Sunday a grocery shopping day of each week so you can make sure you have enough food for breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, etc., without having to worry about finding time during crowded weekday mornings. Trying some new recipes with all those fresh vegetables from the last step!
Always be prepared! Keeping healthy snacks in your bag or at the office so you can avoid buying unhealthy, overpriced vending machine fare. Drinking lots of water throughout the day because it is cheap (and good for you!) spending all that extra time trying to find a restaurant when you are starving right before dinner while out with friends during busy weeknights.
Resist Temptation by always planning if possible. If something tempts you a lot that you know is a wrong decision for your wallet and waistline, plan out exactly how much money you will spend on it ahead of time. Pre-committing by not bringing Cash or credit cards with you when those temptations might come up (like the ice cream shop!).
Don’t waste funds on unhealthy food
Cook your meals instead of buying expensive takeout food. Choose the cheaper grocery store option to save money on healthy ingredients for this step! Not recommended: Getting so busy at work that you forget about meal planning – or relying only on fast food because it is “convenient.”
Stay connected with friends without spending too much
Staying in touch with old friends by sending handwritten letters or cards through the mail (or just a quick email!), joining Meetup groups, Facebook groups, etc. where like-minded people get together more informally to hang out & socialize instead of buying new gadgets to keep up with the trend.
Start investing in yourself
Investing in yourself by taking a class (online or at your local college) that will help you to develop skills you can use for work, start learning another language, etc. Also recommends buying some self-help books from the library if they are only going to get checked out once – but don’t forget to return them! It is not recommended to overspend on continuing education just because it sounds good, or spending money on classes that aren’t related to what you do for a living unless it is something that interests & excites YOU!
Do something good for your future self
Setting aside a little money every time you get paid to put in your savings. Paying yourself first by putting some of what you earn directly into your savings account or starting/adding on to an emergency fund. Use all the extra cash you have for spending instead of your savings because it is never fun when emergencies pop up & there aren’t any funds available.
Do something nice for someone else!
Taking part in “random acts of kindness” – whether that be picking up litter while walking down the street, giving food or clothing away to people who need them more than you do, etc. Doing something nice for your future self by donating to a charity or giving money away just because it makes you feel good – unless that is what YOU want to do.
Hold yourself accountable
Making a wish list to write down everything that you spend money on just thinking that it isn’t essential to keep track of what you are paying – because, without any sort of record, there is no way for anyone (including yourself) to hold you accountable.
Eat healthy at home before going out
Eat something substantial & healthy before going out so that if/when the munchies kick in later while drinking with friends or going out dancing, your stomach won’t be empty. Bring some snacks along when you go somewhere where food will not be readily available. Don’t just wait around to get hungry because that is when you’ll most likely go overboard & order a ton of food or drinks.
Go out for entertainment, not for the food!
Going out with your friends but ordering something light so you can still enjoy it without feeling intoxicated. Have fun while staying in control! Splitting up restaurant meals with another person before paying doesn’t suggest going crazy by spending too much on expensive dinners while drinking – unless that is what YOU want to do.
Find someone to cheer you on
You can ask your friends and family members to support you, you can get a coach to help you, or you can get a group of people together to support you. A little bit of encouragement and little help can make small changes in their eating and exercise habits. These small changes in their habits can lead to big changes in their long-term health and financial situation.
Set small goals & reward yourself!
Reward yourself for sticking with it by buying something special only when you reach specific goals and waiting until your dreams come true before allowing yourself a little something-something!
Be patient, giving it time because even if some changes can be made instantly, others take more work & dedication. Get used to saying no instead of striking deals with friends or coworkers who might push you to make less than ideal choices. Find ways around those situations so you won’t feel pressured into doing anything against your better judgment.
Keep it simple
Making small but effective changes sees the value in simplicity.
Knowing your limits while still encouraging progress for positive change!
There are plenty of ways to stay healthy & save money – even if they don’t seem very fun at first glance. Time also sees how it’s possible to make a difference without forcing yourself into doing something extreme and wanting anyone who wants to stay healthy & save money from getting discouraged when there is always room for improvement! But once some bigger goals are met, you’ll get to enjoy the fruits of your labor.