When it comes to budgeting, sometimes you have to get creative and make sacrifices. However, your healthcare should never be a budget item that gets cut. It means more than making your monthly premium and choosing policies that match your needs. It also means supplementing your healthcare with necessary memberships, alternative healthcare and healthy grocery choices.
The good news is there are many ways to squeeze more cashflow out of your budget to make room for optimal healthcare. Maybe it means more comparison shopping for your CPAP machine accessories or finding a gym membership that’s more affordable (but doesn’t offer quite as large of a facility). No matter how tight your budget it, there are ways to improve it, starting with these tactics:
- Choose free workouts when you can
Even if you live in a chilly region, nobody “has” to have a gym membership in order to be active. You can check out Mashable’s suggestions for free YouTube workouts, take up running, score a great deal on a bike on Craigslist for cycling, or start urban hiking. If a gym membership does in your budget, you can nix it but not without replacing it with freebie options. Tap into your creativity.
- Check out local schools for low cost and free deals
Every healthcare practitioner needs practice from acupuncturists to massage therapists. If there are such schools in your region, give them a call and see if they offer free or discount sessions. All appointments will be closely overseen by experts with years of experience, and you’ll likely get more (ahem, better) attention than you would in many private practices. It’s also a great way to try out new approaches and practitioners without breaking the bank.
- Shop seasonally
If you shop for fruits and veggies that are local and in season, you can get great deals and also force yourself to try new recipes and treats. Visit Gaiam Life and find out the many benefits of seasonal eating, and don’t forget to try out new (to you) produce when you travel, too. If possible, local farms and urban farms are a great resource that are often much more affordable than stalls at trending farmer’s markets.
- Don’t be afraid of the discount produce
At many grocers, there are discount items on healthy items that are “about” to expire. As long as you know you’ll consume them before that date, you’re safe and saving money. It’s the best of both worlds.
