Five Tips for Healthy Frugality During a Recession

Due to the state of the economy, many people are trying to cut corners and eliminate unnecessary costs. People are losing their jobs and every dollar matters more than it did a year ago. At the same time, people are beginning to realize the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Fortunately, there are many ways to be healthy while saving money. In this article, I intend to describe five healthy, money-saving tips for consumers.

Healthful Frugality Tip #1 - Get More Sleep

Can getting more sleep really save you money? I think it can. If you're sleeping for one or two more hours every night, that's time when you're not using as much electricity keeping things like lights and televisions on. Likewise, getting more sleep can improve your job performance and productivity during the day, which can help you to keep a job during tough economic times. Can't afford to get sick? Sleep also keeps your immune system healthy, so you won't miss days at work or have to make unplanned trips to doctor.

Healthful Frugality Tip #2 - Pack a Lunch

Fast food is not just unhealthy - it's also expensive. Spending five to seven dollars on a fast food lunch every day can cost between $25-35 every week. Packing a lunch of simple sandwiches or a salad might allow you to save $100 every month, while at the same time being healthier than burgers and fries. Even if you don't or can't cut fast food out of your diet entirely, just get a sandwich instead of a meal. You might be able to save $10 every week by not getting fries and a drink. Bring a reusable water bottle with you so that you have something healthy to drink.

Healthful Frugality Tip #3 - Exercise and Diet

Walking, jogging, running, or doing calisthenics at home are all good ways of staying in shape without spending a lot of money on gym memberships or home equipment. Whenever you're exercising, you're not using gas, electricity, or being tempted to buy things you can't afford. And a diet can save money as well - eating a little less everyday can save a lot of money in the long run. For example, cutting back by two cans of soda everyday could save about $20 every month.

Remember, you might not see the monetary benefits of exercise or diet immediately, but if you can control a condition such as high blood pressure with diet and exercise instead of expensive drugs, you can improve your health without having to shell out money on a frequent basis. Likewise, preventing most health problems is cheaper than treating them.

Healthful Frugality Tip #4 - Give Up Unhealthy Habits

I just wrote that preventing most health problems is less expensive than treating them. If you or a family member drinks excessively or smokes, that's money that you're losing right now and money that you'll have to spend in the future to treat problems like cirrhosis and emphysema. Even if you don't give up the habit entirely, at least try to reduce how much you indulge in it. For example, smoking two packs of cigarettes every day for a month would cost $309 here. Cutting back to one pack a day would save about $155 in the course of a single month, while being less unhealthy.

Healthful Frugality Tip #5 - Use Alternative Transportation

If you live in a place where it is possible, consider walking or riding a bike instead of driving. This is more healthy for you and it also reduces your gas consumption, not to mention wear and tear on your car. It might not always be possible, depending on traffic, geography, and weather, but you can still save a few dollars here and there by walking or riding a bike.

As I've mentioned several times before, preventing health problems is much less expensive than treating them after they've already developed. If you want to save money in the long term, take care of your health now. Likewise, some of these tips can get you through the rest of this recession and save you up to $100 or more every month. Have any suggestions of your own for healthful frugality? Feel free to leave your thoughts as a comment. Thank you for reading!