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Last Updated on May 22, 2024 by Steal the Style
What do you think of when you imagine a healthy lifestyle? Aside from rabbit food and a six-pack that could wash clothes, you probably assume the costs are too high to maintain. Surprisingly, it pays to be healthy. Otherwise, you’d invest in your wellbeing to ensure you lead a long-lasting, healthy life for yourself and your family.
Of course, the idea that being healthy is expensive is a myth. Sure, gym memberships and organic produce aren’t the most affordable features, but they don’t dictate your wellbeing. Plus, there are tons of ways to cut these costs so that they are more affordable. The truth is that it pays to be healthier because it’s often cheaper than the alternative.
Okay, so this doesn’t sound right, yet it’s hard to debate since there is substantial evidence that proves the point. Here are four of the reasons a healthy lifestyle saves you money. After you read the following, there are no excuses to invest in your mind and body!
In This Post:
1. No Expensive Habits
The easiest way to transform your lifestyle is to cut out bad habits, such as smoking and drinking alcohol. When you do this, you’ll feel revitalized as your liver and kidneys won’t have as many harmful toxins to remove. Plus, you’ll benefit from enhanced mental cognizance since you won’t need to nurse a hangover.
As you know, alcohol and cigarettes aren’t cheap. If anything, they are the most expensive parts of an unhealthy diet. According to the National Cancer Institute, an average smoker spends as much as $188 per month. Over a year, that’s more than $2,000, which is a hell of a lot of money that you could spend on a vacation, a car, or your home.
Alcohol is no different, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics saying that the average American invests 1% of their wage on beer and wine every year. The amount you spend depends on your yearly salary, but going off a standard wage in the US, it comes to $500. Therefore, if you eliminate these everyday habits, you could save as much as $2,500 per year.
Imagine how higher your disposable income would be, and what you could spend the money on by reducing your cigarette and alcohol intake. That’s without tweaking your diet and working out regularly, too.
2. Fewer Transport Bills
Your car is an asset in your eyes. Sure, it may not command a significant resale fee, yet your life would be a lot harder without a vehicle. It’s not a financial asset – it’s a lifestyle tool. Still, it’s vital to factor in the transport costs, especially if you’re looking to cut back or have a limited budget. The figures don’t make for happy reading.
In the US, cars that travel fifteen-thousands miles or more force motorists to spend as much as $700 a month. NerdWallet equates this to $8,500 annually. Nobody is saying that you should sell your car and start walking or take public transport. However, cutting back on vehicle usage could cut your yearly bill in half.
When you walk or cycle to work, for example, you don’t put your car through unnecessary wear and tear. Therefore, not only will you pay less for gas, but you’ll also eliminate maintenance fees. Even a wheel can cost as much as $100 if you want to invest in a superior product that will last.
Striking the perfect balance between walking and cycling more often and driving and using public transport could leave you with a couple of hundred bucks in your pocket. Again, you don’t need to do much to leave the keys at home and stroll to the store.
3. Reduced Food Costs
Food is the most costly part of living a healthy lifestyle for most people. This is true in some ways because organic produce isn’t as cheap as junk food or ingredients covered in chemicals. Of course, there are nowhere near as good for you, but let’s focus on the financial benefits of going all-natural.
Firstly, the price of quality food is offset by the fact that you don’t eat as much when you’re dieting. You’ve got to stick to a meal plan to ensure you don’t go over your daily calorie intake, or you’ll put on weight and boost your cholesterol levels. Cutting out candy and sweet stuff and swapping them for fruits and vegetables is an excellent substitute that’s affordable.
Plus, your grocery bill isn’t set in stone. Stores and supermarkets won’t actively haggle, yet they do accept coupons and voucher codes. You can find tons of them online on sites such as NetVoucherCodes. Combining codes with eating less food will automatically lead to a lower amount when you reach the checkout.
There are more ways to slash food bills, too. For instance, you can swap brand products and services for off-brand one or try intermittent fasting as it comes with no special meal restrictions.
4. Smaller Medical Expenses
It’s tempting to think of your health as your mind and body only. After all, they are the areas that are affected the most by your routine. But, in the same vein, you must factor in how much you spend on medical expenses. In the US, it’s not as if you are entitled to free healthcare like in Europe.
The good news is that a healthy body won’t require as many checkups. You should continue to speak to your doctor semi-regularly to ensure everything is okay, but you won’t need costly operations. Losing a few pounds will even impact your over-the-counter pharmaceutical fees. Your stomach will be slimmer, but your wallet will be fat!
Oral hygiene is essential, also. Going to the dentist doesn’t need to cost a fortune if you know how to cut expenses. Of course, the best way to reduce dentist fees is to stop eating junk foods that are high in sugar.
Fewer trips to your doctor and dentist save money, and it does it without needing to tweak your insurance policy so that it’s not as extensive.
Are you healthy? Do you think it pays to invest in a better lifestyle?