Be Smart and Creative to Stay Healthy in Our Current Economy

Let's face it - staying healthy is hard enough without the economy playing into it. Eating whole and organic foods are pricey and so is a membership to the local gym. Here are a few tips on how to stay healthy without draining your bank account:

1. Look at Your Gym Membership - Are you really using it? If you are, then look at the terms and the cost. My family got a good deal when we signed up but when the year expired, the agreement went to a month-to-month term and the cost almost doubled. I called our club, explained our situation and asked if they had a better rate for us. The representative told me that they could re-instate the original terms but we would have to re-sign for another annual term. We liked our gym but it was not convenient. It took fifteen minutes to get there and we thought we could save time and the money spent on gas if we went to a closer gym. We looked around for other alternatives and eventually settled on the local YMCA. The cost was half of what we were currently paying and our entire family could use the facility. Plus it cut over five minutes off the travel time. Another option is to cancel the gym membership all together. Go for a jog, walk or bike ride. Those activities are free and you can take in the fresh air. Use household items such as books or bags of sugar as weights. Do calisentics; jump robe, push-ups, yoga and other activities that use your body weight as resistance. Log on to an Internet exercise class.

2. Eat Non-Organic Fruits and Vegetables - Organic produce is more expensive than conventional items so save the extra bucks and go conventional. It may not be pesticide free but you'll still be getting your servings of this important food group.

3. Give up the Bottled Water - Drink tap water - you're already paying for it plus you get the added benefit of fluoride. If you can't bring yourself to drink tap water, buy a filtration pitcher like Brita.

4. Eat at Home - Cooking is time consuming but far less expensive than dining out. Not only that, it's better for you too. By cooking your own meals, you can control what's put into your food and there should be no preservatives. Cook extra to freeze or have for lunch or another meal.

5. Buy from your local farmer's market. The produce is fresh, less expensive and you know where your food came from.

6. Invest in a Beverage Container or Thermos - Skip the juice boxes and pouches. Make a pitcher of Iced Tea or buy large bottles of juice, milk, lemonade, etc. and fill a thermos or beverage container to take along or pack in lunches.

You don't have to break the bank to stay healthy - you need to be smart and creative but it can be done. Take a good look at your finances and find areas you can cut back or out altogether. Remember our parents and grandparents didn't have a lot of pre-packaged food items, gyms or restaurants to spend their money on. Maybe all we really need to maintain our health and budget is to get back to basics.