In general people make New Year’s resolutions about things that they hope to change about themselves without putting in place a proper plan to achieve those goals. This year instead of making New Year’s resolutions that you likely will not keep until 2014; perhaps you should try to put together a budget friendly plan to save money and help you get healthier. The following is a short list of things that you can do that will save you money, help you get healthier and help the environment.
- Shop at thrift stores. Often like new; name brand, clothes can be purchased at thrift stores. Shopping at thrift stores saves you money while reducing the effects of consumerism on the market place and environment. Recently there have been reports of some lucky individuals finding items worth small fortunes at their local thrift stores.
- Bike or walk instead of driving whenever feasible. This will save money at the gas pump as well as providing much needed exercise resulting in better overall health.
- Carry a refillable water bottle instead of buying water. That $1.50 you spend on a bottle of water can add up. Over the course of a week that is a total of $10.50 and subsequently $42 per month spent for the most abundant resource on the planet. Over the course of a year that adds up to $504.
- Reduce or eliminate soda from your diet. If you eliminate one 12 oz. can of soda per day you’ll be cutting back approximately 150 calories from your daily diet, or 1050 calories per week. A pound of fat is equal to 3,500 calories, so you could lose one pound by abstaining from soda for approximately three and a half weeks. Using a conservative figure of $1.50 per 20 oz soda you save the same amount calculated earlier for bottled water resulting in a combined total of over $1000 saved annually.
- Grow a garden. Gardening is good for your wallet, your body and your mind. When you grow your own food you spend less and eat healthier. You also get the added benefit of more exercise caring for your garden. Recent research suggests that spending time outside or simply having plants in your home helps to alleviate stress and provides a calming effect.
Comments