When you're looking to cut back on your budget, your health doesn't have to suffer. Many people make the mistake of risking their health to save a few pennies. This article looks at some ways you can free up cash without ruining your health.
In a 2009 survey by a healthcare organisation, 80% of people said they lived an unhealthy lifestyle. As many as 38% of survey respondents said they felt stressed and many were worried about redundancy and money.
Due to financial worries, almost half (47%) of respondents said they didn't eat the recommended daily amount of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Here are a few ways to ease your budget healthily:
Shop smart
Saving money on your food shopping doesn't have to mean eating processed food and no fruit and veg. Shop at markets to get cheaper fruit, vegetables and lean meat and fish - you'll save a lot on supermarket prices.
Stock up on tins, pulses and dried goods. Goods such as pasta, rice, chopped tomatoes, tinned tuna, lentils and spices make great store cupboard staples so that you always have something on hand to make a meal and aren't tempted to splurge on a takeaway.
Keep frozen vegetables in stock as well - they are cheap, nutritious and last for ages.
Avoid eating ready meals regularly - they might seem cheap but you could make them many times over yourself for a fraction of the price.
Avoid a false economy
Be careful that when you're making cutbacks, you don't slash costs that are actually saving you money. For example, insurance helps you prepare financially in case of the unexpected. You might save a few pounds a month by ditching insurance, but could you afford to pay out a lump sum if the worst happened?
Having a private medical policy is an investment in protecting your health, so think very carefully before cutting back on it. Stephen Haddrill, Director General of the Association of British Insurers advises: "The insurance market remains very competitive, so shopping around can help you get a good deal, while ensuring that you are not at the mercy of the unexpected. Ditching insurance or reducing your cover must only be a last resort."
Free fitness
It's true that gym costs can be expensive but you can still get fit on the cheap. Walking, cycling and swimming are all very cheap ways to stay fit. Rent aerobics and fitness DVDs from the library and exercise in your own home. You can also find free exercise routines and videos online.
Other small, free changes you can make are taking the stairs rather than a lift and getting off the bus a stop early and walking the rest of the way.
Saving money doesn't have to mean sacrificing your health. These small changes will help you slash your budget and stay healthy. Consider carefully where you make cuts to ensure cancelling critical cover such as insurance isn't a false economy.
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