Save Money and Stay Healthy
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Everyone can use tips on how to save money and stay healthy! With everything from healthy food to prescriptions rising in cost, there are many ways to cut back on spending and save a little cash.
Save Money and Stay Healthy with Good Food
It can be tempting to opt for unhealthy food at the grocery store, especially when the prices of fresh meat, fruit, and vegetables are on the rise. Fast food and instant packaged foods sometimes seem less expensive than the fresh choices. If you want to buy food that's good for you without breaking the bank, here are some tips.
- Opt for protein sources such as canned fish, eggs, and beans a few times a week.
- Buy a whole chicken, or chicken parts with the bone and skin left on, and remove the skin and bones at home.
- Pick up fruits and vegetables in season for the best prices, and buy bags of items like apples and carrots.
- Canned or frozen vegetables and fruit are inexpensive and almost as good for you as the fresh ones.
- Compare prices between grocery stores.
- Use money-saving coupons whenever you can. Combine coupons with store sales for even better deals.
- Buy non-perishable items in bulk when they're on sale.
- Skip the pre-cut, pre-washed salad ingredients and prepare these vegetables at home.
- Make a shopping list and stick to it, avoiding impulse buys.
Save Money and Get More Exercise
A big part of staying healthy is exercise, and there are ways to save money doing it! Instead of paying for an expensive gym membership, try some of these suggestions.
- Get some fresh air and go for a walk.
- Take your bicycle instead of driving whenever possible – you'll save money on gas and get a good workout too.
- Use your home as a gym by walking or running up and down the stairs, using a chair for stretches and lifts, substituting cans of beans for small hand-held weights, and doing exercises such as crunches and push-ups on the floor.
- Use community facilities like swimming pools and skating rinks.
- Get outside and play with the kids, or do some yard work.
- Get exercise equipment from Freecycle, or shop for discounts using coupons, coupon codes, and searching for bargains.
If you have children, heading outside for exercise is not only healthy, but you'll also get them away from video games and computer screens for a while. A regular routine like this will add up to savings on electricity, reduce eye strain, and keep everyone active.
Go Green
Some commercial cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that can be harmful to your health, as well as the health of your pets. Using green products is much healthier, and you'll save money and reduce waste on many of these home cleaning solutions. Here are a few ways to save money and stay healthy by going green.
- Use white vinegar and crumpled newspaper to clean windows and mirrors for a streak-free shine.
- Instead of paper towels, use rags or reusable cloths to clean up spills and wipe down surfaces.
- A mixture of water, baking soda, and a touch of dish soap can clean most household surface stains.
- Instead of using an air freshener, put a small pot of water on the stove and add a pinch of cinnamon or pie spice. Simmer for a while to get a great scent throughout your home.
- When the weather permits, open the windows to allow fresh air to circulate.
Save Money on Health Care
The best way to save money on your health care is to prevent problems from arising. There are a lot of ways to do this, and they don't cost a cent!
- Make sure you get enough sleep each night.
- Reduce stress by taking time to relax every day.
- Cut back on your consumption of alcohol, caffeine, and foods high in fat, sugar, and sodium.
- Quit smoking.
- Wash your hands frequently to avoid getting colds and flu.
If you find yourself in need of a doctor or prescription medicine, you can still find ways to save money on these costs.
- Compare prices on health insurance.
- Use coupons for prescription drug savings.
- Ask your doctor about medical trials for new medications. These are always supervised, and the medication is free for the period of time you participate in the trial. Always ask questions about potential side effects and other dangers that might be associated with drug trials, and weigh the risk with the potential gain carefully.
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This page has been accessed 486 times. This page was last modified 05:04, 1 December 2008.
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