5 healthy goals that will save you money

1. Get outside

The benefits of nature are plentiful. Even just living near a park or green space can boost your health. A recent study published in Environmental Science and Technology found that people who live in greener areas experience a mental health boost. But you don’t need to move to a remote cabin in the woods to reap the benefits of nature – just head to your local park or trail for a daily walk or run.

How it saves you cash: Those automatic gym membership payments that come off your credit card? You can finally cancel them. Go to a yoga studio? You can get a drop-in pass instead of a monthly membership to save cash – and take your practice outdoors the rest of the time.

2. Walk to do errands

Skip the subway, and don’t even think about getting in your car. Walking to get your groceries and run errands is a great way to sneak in exercise. In a rush? Walk faster. A recent study, published in PLoS, shows that to get the most health benefits from walking, we need to pick up the pace. The researchers found that those who walked fastest lived longest.

How it saves you cash: No expensive trip to the gas station to load up on fuel. No wasting precious subway tokens and no overpriced parking. You’re welcome!

2. Walk to do errands

Skip the subway, and don’t even think about getting in your car. Walking to get your groceries and run errands is a great way to sneak in exercise. In a rush? Walk faster. A recent study, published in PLoS, shows that to get the most health benefits from walking, we need to pick up the pace. The researchers found that those who walked fastest lived longest.

How it saves you cash: No expensive trip to the gas station to load up on fuel. No wasting precious subway tokens and no overpriced parking. You’re welcome!

3. Bike to work

Weather (and distance) permitting; this is a great way to get a mind and body boost every morning and evening. According to this Bike to Work Week infographic, the average person loses 13 pounds in the first year of commuting by bike. The infographic also states shows that just three hours of biking per week can reduce the risk of heart disease by 50 percent. Not to mention the toned tush and strong legs that come along with cycling.

How it saves you cash: Cut the daily costs of public transit, gas and parking. The infographic also points out that the average annual operating cost of a bike is $308, while it’s $8,000 for a car.

4. Skip the fancy coffees

You might think you’re just picking up a drink during your morning coffee run, but some fancy beverages pack enough calories and sugar to count as a (not-so-healthy) snack. For example, a Grande Cafe Mocha with 2 percent milk and whipped cream from Starbucks is 330 calories. Skip the coffee shop and get your caffeine fix at home instead. Or, if you love your morning ritual, opt for a basic Americano (black) instead – it clocks in at just 15 calories.

How it saves you cash: Seriously? $5 or more a day on a frothy beverage? That’s $25 a week, $100 a month and a whopping $1,200 a year. Pop that into your savings account instead and watch the dollars add up.

5. Cook from scratch

Sure, you might have a few healthy takeout spots on speed-dial, but for the most part, takeout and restaurant food is loaded with fat, sodium and calories. When you cook at home (and we’re not talking about processed frozen meals) it keeps you on your feet for an extra hour in the evening as you chop, dice and prepare a homemade meal. That’s a good thing – especially if you sit all day. Recent studies show just how important it is to sit as little as possible. One study showed that you can add two years to your life just by spending more time standing. Another study showed that sitting for seven uninterrupted hours can raise blood pressure and decrease good cholesterol. Yet another study showed that moving around throughout the day (instead of sitting) is more important than regular exercise for preventing type 2 diabetes.

How it saves you cash: The cost of takeout food adds up fast. In fact, it can easily cost you way more than your monthly food budget allows if you’re not careful. If it becomes a habit (which it will if you get used to doing it) you’ll spend way more than you should. So stop giving in to takeout, and start planning meals.

Related:
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• 5 ways to fall in love with cooking
• How to get out of debt