Smart Savings Solutions That Add to Your Health

Smart Savings Solutions That Add to Your Health

Research shows that less than three percent of Americans actually live a healthy lifestyle — meaning they exercise on a regular basis, avoid smoking, have a healthy body fat percentage, and eat a relatively clean diet.

If you’re not part of this three percent, what’s holding you back?

Many people find that they neglect their health because they think being healthy is also expensive. While it’s true that a lot of the products geared toward health and wellness are not cheap, you also don’t have to buy these products to be a healthier person.

There are lots of other steps you can take to optimize your health that will also save you money.

Read on to learn about some smart savings solutions that will help you keep more money in your bank account while also improving your health.

Employee Wellness Programs

If your workplace offers any kind of employee wellness program, take advantage of it. They’re essentially paying you to live a healthier lifestyle — why wouldn’t you?

The majority of companies in the U.S. offer these programs. Each one is different, but some common perks they offer include:

  • Reduced insurance premiums if you pass annual wellness screenings
  • Partial reimbursement for gym memberships and exercise supplies
  • Extra contributions to your health savings account (or HSA)

Clearly, there are lots of reasons to take advantage of this kind of program if your job offers it.

Cut Prescription Drug Costs

Many people complain about the high cost of prescription drugs, but they also don’t do anything to try and save money on their medications.

There are actually lots of strategies you can implement to save on prescription drugs.

You can use an online pharmacy or even an online foreign pharmacy — Canadian pharmacy meds are just as effective as American pharmacy meds, and they’re a lot cheaper.

You can also reach out to the manufacturer and ask for coupons or see if your pharmacy will price match wholesale retailers like Costco.

See also  Ordering Food Online is Getting a Whole Lot Easier

Prevent When Possible

There’s a lot of truth to the adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

It’s almost always cheaper to prevent illnesses from occurring than it is to treat them.

Keep in mind, too, that a lot of preventative measures (annual physicals, wellness screenings, etc.) are covered by your insurance provider. They also know the value of catching illnesses early.

Turn Down the Temperature

By turning down your thermostat at night, you can significantly cut down on your utility bills, especially during the winter months.

When your house is cooler, you actually sleep better, too.

Quality sleep can help you feel more energized during the day, and it can also impact your decision-making.

If you’re sleeping better, you’ll have an easier time turning down unhealthy foods and drinks and making choices that are better for you.

Skip Starbucks

You can save a lot of money when you skip your daily stop at Starbucks (or whatever coffee shop you frequent). Depending on the size and type of drink you order, you could save an extra $100 or more per month.

Skipping your daily Starbucks run could also be good for your health.

When you prepare your own coffee drink at home, you’re probably going to be a little less liberal with the cream and sugar since you’re pouring it yourself.

This, in turn, can help you avoid eating too many calories, and you won’t be subject to a sugar coma (which requires another Starbucks run, of course) later in the day.

Cook at Home

Cooking at home also helps you save money. You get a lot more bang for your buck when you prepare meals in your own kitchen.

You also have more control over the ingredients you use.

This, in turn, can help you cut down on calories and avoid questionable ingredients like preservatives and artificial flavors that could have a negative impact on your health.

Walk or Bike to Work

If you live relatively close to your office, consider leaving your car at home and walking or riding your bike instead.

See also  Epidemic Disease- What Does It Mean and Some Major Examples?

This is an easy way to incorporate more exercise into your day, and it helps you to save money on gas.

When you walk or bike instead of drive, you also get to enjoy the satisfaction of knowing you’re doing something good for the planet.

Workout at Home

Do you pay money every month to belong to a gym that you never visit? Lots of people have gym memberships that they never use that are eating away at their bank account.

Instead of continuing to pay for a gym membership you don’t use, why don’t you try working out at home? There are lots of workouts that don’t require any equipment at all that will help you burn calories and get in shape.

Listen to the Doctor

Finally, make sure you’re heeding your doctor’s advice. This is especially true if you’ve been diagnosed with a chronic illness like type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Following your doctor’s instructions (whether they’re related to medication, diet, exercise, or other lifestyle factors) will help you feel your best. They’ll also help you save money.

If you’re listening to your doctor, you likely will not need extra medications or expensive procedures to manage your illness. Instead, you get to keep that money in your pocket, where it belongs.

Get More Smart Savings Tips

As you can see, there are lots of different steps you can take to save money while still making your health a priority.

Keep these smart savings solutions in mind and you’ll find that you feel better and have more money in the bank — what could be better?

Are you interested in learning about other ways to save money while living a healthier lifestyle? If so, check out the Health section of our site today.

You’ll find a wide range of articles here that will teach how to cut costs while still putting your health first.

Whether you want to save money on healthy food or reduce your insurance premiums, there’s an article here for you.