3 Financial and Health Changes in Your Control Right Now

Saving money, much like going on a diet, is a lifestyle choice. It is easiest to make small, incremental changes than go cold turkey (unless your health or financial situation means dramatic change is required.) It is interesting how positive financial changes often directly coincide with positive health changes. Here are three tips to improve your financial and physical health – today!

1. Make a list of all the stores that are in walking or biking distance.  Write out their names, locations, and what kind of store it is. Once a week, make the choice to skip the car ride and gas money that goes with it for a healthy and money-saving jaunt to one or a few of these locations. Don’t worry if the first time you head out to the local hardware store you return with a pack of batteries because the mulch was a bit unwieldy sand wonder why you bothered.  The point is that you will learn to keep a list of items you can easily find and carry home without breaking your back. The bonus is improved health, which is a known cost-saver.

2. Give up your favorite drink for 1 day a week. For those of you who drink coffee, I’m sure you’ve already made the switch to at-home brewing from the umpteen articles about how you’d be a millionaire if you only stopped drinking Starbucks. But have you thought about how addicted you are to coffee in the first place? Take a break from the miraculous liquid one day a week. It’s good for your health to stop the constant flow of caffeine, and will reduce the amount you regularly need to get your buzz, making the caffeine you do drink a bit more effective. (Yes, I KNOW that is a bad reason, but we are all human, no?). I recommend weaning off on a day you don’t have much to do. You will probably be extremely tired and nod off a few times. If you can manage, up the ante by saying no to caffeine 2 days a week, and reduce your consumption by half on the days you do drink.

 3. Do nothing. That’s right. Doing nothing can be really good for your health and your pocketbook. Have you ever just sat down for a few minutes a day without any goal in mind? It sounds simple, but if you are anything like me, you will soon be barraged by a stream of thoughts of the things you need to accomplish (often involving expenditures of money, right?). Some people prefer to do “nothing” in the form of meditation, prayer, or simple movement like tai chi, yoga, stretching, or walking at a slow pace. Check out different things you can do at no cost that are good for the body and soul!