Doing simple, cost effective things to stay healthy today will keep you from spending more money down the line.
Fish Oil. Omega-3 is found in fish oil. Benefits of omega-3 consumption include:
* Lowered cholesterol levels
* Decreased body fat
* Reduced inflammation
You need to eat fatty fish 3 times a week to get these benefits. Time consuming & expensive, I know.
Always buy fruit and vegetables in season. This old-fashioned wisdom guarantees the best produce for the least coin. And peak produce is easy to spot. Just look for whatever’s most plentiful at the grocery or farmers market. In season now: The last of summer’s peaches, tomatoes, corn, and peppers. Coming next? Apples, pears, winter squash, yams, and brussels sprouts.
Look for healthy bargains. They’re usually right in front of you. One recent USDA study found that you can get three fruit servings plus four vegetable servings a day for a total of 64 cents -- much less than the cost of a candy bar or a fast-food snack. Other healthy, low-cost choices include oatmeal instead of expensive boxed cereals; beans instead of red meat; and frozen orange juice concentrate instead of fruit punch, soda, or bottled OJ.
Eat Less. This one is obvious. The less you eat, the lower your grocery bill. If you’re overweight, get on a diet. Your health & bank account will thank you. Don’t Buy Junk Food. The last one. Stop buying anything that comes out of a box, it’s: Unhealthy and Expensive. If you actually find junk food that is cheaper than whole food, think long-term. Health implications.
Quit smoking. There are scores of reasons to do this, but the one that fits this column is that the average price of a pack of cigarettes is $4.22, and as much as $7.50 to $10 in places like Chicago and New York City. If you’re a pack-a-day smoker, quitting will put an extra $1,540 or more per year in your pocket while it removes all kinds of gunk from your lungs.
Get Healthy in a Cheap Way
