Things I Do to Stay Fit and Frugal

I've always found that many of the things I do to help me stay frugal often lead me to stay fit as well. I've never understood why people drive around the gym parking lot to find a closer space to park or will pay someone to cut their grass but then pay to go work out at the gym. I'm sure they have their reasons, but such things just boggle my frugal mind.

This isn't to say that some activities take more time and effort in an attempt to stay frugal than they might to pay someone else to do them. However, in many cases, this extra effort is what can make them healthy as well. And if you're looking to stay fit, you'll likely be spending time to do so anyway, so why not save some money in the process?

Here are a few of the things I do to stay fit and frugal, and that serve me well by combining the two.

Chop Wood

This might seem an odd one for the list, but let me tell you, chopping firewood can be one heck of a workout. And seeing as how firewood in the Chicagoland area is expensive -- for logical reasons of course (much of the land has suffered hundreds of years of deforestation that has left many wooded areas depleted or under the protection of forest preserves) -- this can be a great activity for staying in great shape and saving a few bucks in the process.

My in-laws have a wood burning fireplace and several trees they have been in the process of removing. Not only is the wood free for them, but the labor (i.e. me) is as well. The end result is a good workout for me and cozy (and free) fires in the wintertime for the family to enjoy at Sunday dinner.

Head to the Park

The other day, after a big storm blew through the Chicagoland area, I was watching a local news report various power outages. There was an interview with one mother of two young children who was without power and was wringing her hands, explaining that the batteries for the portable dvd players and handheld video games had died and that she had a two and three-year-old with whom to deal.

I wondered just why she didn't pack them up and head to the local park. Even in an urban environment like Chicago, many Chicagoland neighborhoods still have a park or forest preserve within walking distance. In our suburb there are both -- within just blocks -- and they make for a great opportunity for both my son and I to get outside, get some exercise, plus provide a chance for him to interact and play with other children during the warmer months without the high costs of pre-school or daycare.

Grow a Garden

Gardening is often associated with little old ladies, but if you've ever grown a garden, you may have realized just how much effort and physical activity can go into having and properly maintaining one. There's the planting, the watering, the weeding, the pruning, and the harvesting. But in the long run, if you know what to plant and how to tend it, you can save a ton of money on food costs.

I've grown a small garden in the past and am currently under the tutelage of my mother who has a vast array of items I'm learning about. I'm seeing just how much money can be saved, albeit with a bit of work, by growing a large portion of one's own food.

Yard Work

You might scoff at this one, but I was always surprised at just how many people in our surrounding suburbs paid to have someone do their yard work and maintenance for them. Maybe it's just a city thing, but it seems the vast majority of people pay someone else for this convenience, often $30-$50 a week or more.

While in cases of age and infirmity -- or if a person's time is so valuable that it isn't worth spending upon yard work -- I understand paying someone else. I do however find that doing one's own lawn care is a great way to keep in shape and save a bit of cash in the process.

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Disclaimer:

The author is not a licensed financial professional. The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Any action taken by the reader due to the information provided in this article is solely at the reader's discretion.