Though not often spoken of together, physical and fiscal fitness are highly related. Health and savings can go hand in hand—improving your physical fitness can positively impact your financial fitness and vice versa. Read on for ways to get physically and fiscally stronger and more resilient.
Green your plate and your wallet
Groceries are a big expense we often think of as fixed, but there are several approaches that can help you save significant cash, while also scoring very healthful food. In general the more produce—and less animal protein—you consume, the lower your grocery bill will be. If you eat red meat, try considering it as an occasional food option instead of a weekly choice.
For those who prefer animal protein, chicken and pork are more budget friendly choices. Adding beans of all types to your weekly meal plans is another way to get healthy plant based proteins for budget prices.
Audit your fitness expenses
Being honest with yourself about what fitness resources you are regularly using and which you are not is a great way to take an inventory of your fitness life as well as potentially saving money.
Research shows that most people who are paying monthly fees for gym memberships don’t utilize the facilities enough to see significant benefits. Sixty three percent of gym memberships go completely unused and 82% of members visit their fitness facilities less than once a week. Consider ending your membership if you are attending less then once a week or the cost of buying day passes when you attend is less than the monthly membership fee.
Get organized about your eating
Bringing together your health and savings can benefit from some planning and organization. One way to eat healthier, reduce food waste and save money is by approaching grocery shopping with an accounting mindset. This means taking an inventory of what you have and making a list of what you want before heading to the store.
Challenge yourself to use items already on-hand in creative ways and to keep weekly grocery totals below a certain amount. This approach gameifies shopping and meal planning which can add to both engagement and enjoyment. Spending a little extra time to inventory and plan will make it less likely that you impulsively eat out as well, helping you to save even more money.
Invest In a healthier environment
It is estimated that the average American home has 300,000 items. Paring down the items can create a more calming environment and give you more space to exercise at home (especially if you decide to stop paying for that gym membership). Healthier, more natural cleaning products are more readily available than ever before and can make cleaning your living space a lot more enjoyable.
Investing time and energy in cleaning and decluttering your space can also improve both your mental and physical health. Choosing to do your own cleaning can also save you money as well as providing some extra movement, which is always a good thing.
Find out of your employers offers any healthy benefits
Many progressive employers are very invested in helping their employees live healthier lives and offer benefits such as discounts on gym memberships, in-house fitness centers, online or in person fitness classes, health education opportunities and more. If you are not sure what your company offers take the time to reach out to a human resource representative and inquire.
Another benefit your employer may offer that can help you stay fit is flextime, which makes prioritizing healthy eating and exercising much more doable than with more traditional schedules.
Leave Your Vehicle at Home
Every car trip—no matter how short—costs money due to the cost of fuel and wear and tear on the vehicle. You can boost your health and savings by walking or riding a bike for shorter trips whenever possible. Reusable bags and racks/bags for your bike can even make small grocery runs possible if you live near stores. Challenge yourself to leave your car at home whenever possible and you will find it easier to get in your steps and hit your daily movement goal on the regular.