Many of you may have read articles on how to save on things that help you live well. The intent of THIS post, however, is to flip that around and discuss how living well helps you save money.
Many of you may have read articles on how to save on things that help you live well. The intent of THIS post, however, is to flip that around and discuss how living well helps you save money.
The definition of 'living well' to be used in this post is:
Living well means that you are doing your best to - stay healthy, be organized, entertain yourself, enjoy nature and be fearless in directing your own money.
It does NOT mean owning the biggest and best, buying the latest and greatest or being rich.
How you can save money by staying healthy.
One important aspect of living well is being healthy. It is hard to enjoy life if you don't feel well.
We all know what steps to take to stay healthy, right? Eat foods that are good for you instead of highly processed salty, sugary, highly caloric ones; exercise every day; take care of your teeth by brushing, flossing and having them cleaned; protect your hearing and eyesight and; sleep well; and stay away from stress.
Easier said than done. But, if you succeed you can:
- Lower doctor and pharmacy bills (healthy people don't need to go as often or use as many prescriptions);
- avoid downtime at work (thus increasing your chances of keeping that job and getting that promotion);
- spend much less on expensive bad habits such as smoking, drinking, and drugs;
- spend less on clothing (standard sizes will fit better);
- reduce your need for cosmetics or cosmetic surgery (healthy people have less need);
- lower hair care costs (healthy people have better hair);
- avoid hefty dental bills and perhaps even;
- lower food bills (by eating more natural and unprocessed foods which are usually cheaper) and perhaps even;
- lower transportation bills (by walking or riding a bike).
How you can save money by being organized.
If you have ever needed an item that you just know you have somewhere but can't find; or experienced large bank fees due to overdrafts; or put off planning a vacation and ending up spending much more at the last minute to go and do the things you want to do, then you have probably realized that getting yourself organized could help you not only save some money but also reduce your frustration levels.
- If you are organized you will;
- Know what the balance in your account is and avoid extra fees;
- Find that item you know you have and avoid spending money on a duplicate.
- Manage your finances with a budget to live within your means and avoid loans or credit card balances with high-interest rates and fees.
- Pay bills on time, avoiding late fees, fines or penalties and giving a boost to your credit score which can save you money on many different things (such as car insurance even) and;
- Plan your vacations with enough time to find the bargains that will save you money.
- In addition, being organized can reduce stress in your life, helping you live well by being healthy.
How you can save money by entertaining yourself.
You only go around once so you want to live life to its fullest – or at least I do.
Think about the things that make you happiest or most content. Pay attention to what it is about them that satisfies you.
Is your enjoyment due to conquering a new skill; joining with family or friends; creating something that looks good, or tastes good or is useful; spending time outdoors; reading or watching a story; seeing or doing new things; teaching someone something you know; just spending quality time alone; or perhaps helping others in need?
Spending money in pursuit of entertainment may not be the most satisfying way to go about living life to it fullest. Finding ways to satisfy your need for entertainment within yourself can be rewarding and save you money.
You can find ways to satisfy your need for entertainment and save money by:
- Volunteering to help those affected by disasters instead of taking a trip (my brother-in-law has gone to multiple different areas with the Red Cross to help and usually has some time to explore while there);
- learning a new skill at work or at home and practicing until you master it (such as learning to cook at home instead of eating out 3 or 4 times a week) or;
- planning a local get together with family or friends to get out of the house and enjoy the company of others instead of buying tickets to a concert or sporting event and paying over the top prices for tickets, refreshments, and parking.
How you can save money by enjoying nature.
Studies have shown that being outside is conducive to reducing stress. Stress makes our lives unhealthy and unpleasant and more costly. This National Geographic article details some of the many ways nature is helpful and enjoyable for humans.
But how can enjoying nature save you money?
Organize an outdoor walking expedition, either alone or with others. Go to a local city park or drive to the countryside and spend a few hours. It doesn't cost anything and you get enjoyment, companionship (or solitude if you choose), exercise and stress reduction benefits.
Reduce the amount of time you are hooked into electronic devices such as TV, cell phones, computers, and games, go outside instead. You may save on data charges, memberships, and fees on your electronics.
Spending time in a natural environment has calming effects and helps you sleep better, possibly reducing your desire for overeating (saving you money on snack foods), spontaneous spending (helping you keep to your budget) and medical bills for sleep aides or stress management sessions.
Outdoor projects in your yard can not only help you enjoy nature right outside your door but also can save you money because you are doing the project yourself instead of hiring it done. So go ahead and mow the grass, raise a garden, paint the house, trim the bushes, build a dog house outside or whatever you need to have happen. In addition, these same projects keep you occupied and perhaps even entertained.
How you can save money by being fearless in directing your own money.
Living well implies that you have enough financial backing to make ends meet. Being fearless in directing your own money helps you get and keep that financial backing.
Our attitudes towards money control how we use it or save it. Many times we let others control how we think about money. Keeping up with the Jones's is the classic example. Folks want to be seen as doing as well as their neighbors and this can lead them to spend on things they cannot afford and neither want nor need.
To save money by being fearless in directing your own money, you can do these things:
Buy what you need or want, not what you think others think you should have.
When you do buy, look for value – quality and price, not just price (don't end up spending on an item of lesser quality that you may need to replace two or three times).
Enjoy the anticipation of making the purchase – a lot of the fun in spending happens before you actually hand over the cash - save up and anticipate to avoid high credit card interest rates.
Stick to your guns in managing your budget or negotiating your salary or purchase price and
Be satisfied with and grateful for what you have, instead of wanting more and more things.
