Healthy Living on a Budget: 8 Wallet-Friendly Lifestyle Changes That Make a Big Difference

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One thing that keeps people from making healthier choices is the cost of doing so. Fresh organic produce and a gym membership cost a lot. Because people have too many expenses to worry about, they set aside nutrition and exercise. However, with the right strategies, making healthier choices within budget is possible. Here are some ways you can live a healthy lifestyle without breaking the bank.

1. Plan Your Meals

Meal planning is a great way to factor your dietary needs, tastes, and budget into your meals. Every weekend, plan your menu for the following week. Shop only for the ingredients necessary for your planned meals, and make sure to incorporate fresh and healthy items into what you cook.

You can take it a step further by meal prepping. When you precook your meals, you can control portions and stretch food to save money. Moreover, you’ll save time every day since you don’t need to think of what to whip up every mealtime.

2. Buy In-Season Produce

Buying in-season produce is a great way to save money. Local in-season fruits and vegetables cost less because they don’t need to be shipped from far away. In-season foods may also taste better and have more nutrients since they take less time to travel from the farm to your table.

Research which fruits and vegetables are available in your area for every season. You can plan your meals around what’s in season to make the most of the low prices and high nutritional value.

3. Look for Deals

A great way to save money is to look for deals always. Search local newspapers and websites for any sales coming up. You can also look for coupons on grocery apps and manufacturers’ websites.

Another way to score discounts is to ask your local grocer about credit card promos. Ask which credit cards they partner with for deals and rebates so you know which one to use for your next grocery run.

Remember to do your homework. Learn how to stack coupons at your local grocery to maximize savings. You should also read your coupons’ fine print to know the redemption requirements and general rules.

4. Cut Back on Meat

More and more people are trying to reduce or eliminate their meat consumption. They opt for plant-based diets for ethical, financial and health reasons. Of course, you don’t have to cut out meat completely if you don’t want to — even just reducing your intake can save you a lot of money.

Cutting out meat entirely can reduce your grocery bill by up to one-third. Meanwhile, a flexible diet with less meat and dairy lowers costs by up to fourteen percent. Lessening your meat consumption also boosts your health. Doing so can help you manage weight, and prevent serious conditions like heart disease and cancer.

Start small by incorporating “meatless Mondays” or cutting out meat one day a week. You can then slowly increase those days depending on your preferences.

5. Do Home Workouts

A gym membership can strain your finances. To some, going to the gym is simply not the best financial decision, especially when they’re too busy to go every day. People can forego their physical fitness when being sedentary is the more economical option.

The good news is you can still get a good workout at home. You don’t need to travel to the gym daily or buy the latest workout clothes. You don’t even have to buy equipment or hire a trainer. There are plenty of YouTube workout videos you can follow to help you exercise and reach your fitness goals.

If you want to buy equipment, start small with an exercise mat, a pair of dumbbells, and a resistance band. You can get plenty of use from them and they’re much cheaper than paying for a membership.

6. Bike to Places

There’s been a recent uptick in people choosing to bike instead of drive to places. People prefer biking for several reasons. Consumers are looking for ways to be more eco-conscious while saving money and maintaining their health.

A study shows cycling can decrease the risk of cardiovascular diseases and mortality from all causes. Cycling daily can also help you build muscle and endurance. Additionally, if you ditch your car to walk or cycle, you’ll save up to $4,280 a year.

7. Make Your Own Cleaning Products

Laundry is expensive. Doing laundry thrice a week can set you back $105 a year in energy costs alone. Additionally, cleaning products are often expensive and can contain harmful ingredients. For instance, some detergents contain ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, which experts have linked to cancer.

Creating homemade cleaning products can save you money while keeping your family safe. Plus, they can cost half of what brand-name ones do. For instance, a DIY laundry detergent can cost you $0.10 per load, while a commercial detergent can cost up to $0.28. If you also make other cleansers like homemade dishwasher soap and window cleaner, you can increase your savings even further.

8. Plant a Garden

Gardening is a hobby that can benefit your health. A study shows gardening improves overall health, reduces stress and helps people cope with difficult situations. If you want a functional and economical garden, you can grow your own fruits, vegetables and herbs.

Simply collect the seeds from the food you eat and plant them in your garden. With the right care, your crops will be ready for harvesting in a few weeks. Then, you can gather the seeds and start the cycle again.

Bonus: Beat Any Addictions

If you have any addictions, they’re naturally not going to be good for you. They’ll ruin your health more and more as time goes on. They’ll even cost quite a bit of money. It’s always worth tackling these as soon as you can. Getting it treated should be a priority.

Woburn Wellness Addiction Treatment is a great help with this. Not only should it be more affordable than you’d think, it’s an essential step in living healthy. It’ll also help with your budget, as you won’t be wasting money on your addiction anymore.

Live a Healthy and Budget-Friendly Lifestyle

Many people think healthy living is out of their budget. However, it doesn’t have to be. There are plenty of ways to live a more healthy life without emptying your wallet. Make conscious decisions about your meals, fitness, transportation, and other expenses, and you’re on your way to an affordable, healthy lifestyle.