Good food is hard to find. Gym memberships are a ripoff. Fast food is cheap and readily available. It’s too expensive to eat healthily.
We’ve all heard the excuses, but in reality, living a healthy lifestyle may not only make you feel better and live longer, but it may also actually save you money as well.
We take a look at some of the ways living healthy could save you money.
1. Gym memberships vs. trips to the doctor
Joining a gym may not seem like a way to save money, but the return on investment could really stack up. Staying active can play a major role in how healthy we are. As we age, our health naturally begins to decline and the mileage our bodies have clocked starts to show. Putting your body through both strength training and cardio exercises may help your body reduce or delay some of the signs of aging. A membership may pay dividends if you’re able to reduce the need to regularly visit the doctor’s office or take expensive prescriptions.
2. Fast food: quick, but not cheap
Who doesn’t love a takeaway pizza or Thai banquet on a Friday night? It’s a nice treat, but eating out too much can come at a cost to both your health and your wallet. Gone are the days of fast food is low cost and high value, with many takeaway meals packing in excess calories, sodium, sugar, and other additives. Cooking at home can not only be a healthier option, but it can be more economical as well. Buying meat in bulk and stocking up on in-season produce can make a huge difference to your budget and allows you to have greater control over what you and your family are eating. You can also create variety in your meals, incorporating foods like eggs and fish, which can dramatically improve your overall health and wellbeing.
3. Growing food your own way
When it comes to the food we consume, nothing may be healthier than the food we have planted, grown and harvested ourselves. It allows us to control the quality, ensuring it is free from pesticides and any other chemicals. And it just may taste better, too! Once your garden is in full swing, you’ll probably see a lot of savings on things like fruit, vegetables, and herbs. Gardening also gives you a chance to get out in the open air and sunshine, things that are generally good for your health. And, if you have kids or grandkids, sharing this interest and knowledge with them could lead to a lifetime of healthy habits.
4. Good health and your insurance
Insurance is an often-overlooked area where a healthy lifestyle could translate to monetary savings. Health and life insurers pay attention to our lifestyles when calculating how much we pay for our cover. Generally speaking, the healthier you are, the better the deal you’ll get on your policies. Some insurers have even taken the steps to reward those that live healthy lives. Health insurance companies may offer reduced premiums for customers who eat well or start exercising, using technology like wearables and digital fitness trackers to measure customer success. Life and funeral insurance providers are often able to lower premiums for people who don’t smoke or those who quit after a period of time.
5. Kicking the habit for good
Yep, it’s the obvious one: Smoking. This is one of the most expensive culprits when it comes to unhealthy lifestyle choices. A New Zealander who smokes just five cigarettes a day could save over $2,000 a year by kicking the habit. But besides just saving money, the health benefits of smoking are endless. Just one day after quitting smoking, your risk of a heart attack is reduced and you may find it easier to exercise and engage in other physical activities. Those are some great reasons to quit today!
6. Simple and savvy swaps
Not all money-saving lifestyle changes need to be as significant as quitting smoking or starting a vegetable patch. Making simple changes every day could see you improve your health and your financial situation. Take the kids to the park instead of the movies. Walk or bike to work instead of taking your car or public transport. Cook from scratch instead of using costly packet ingredients. Eat vegetarian meals a few nights a week. Cut down on your portion sizes. Put away the soft drink and drink more water. Some of these swaps will cost you a lot less, and some are even free!
As you can see, there are many ways that living a healthier life could save you money. Whether you’re looking to make big changes for your body and wallet, or just need a little extra in the bank, any of the steps above could help you reach your health and financial goals.
About The Author:
James Buesing is a content writer for Momentum Life, a New Zealand-based life insurance company, dedicated to providing easy to get, value for money insurance solutions. He specializes in finance writing, including life insurance, superannuation, and money-saving tips.