You’re well aware that eating right, staying active, getting plenty of rest, and taking care of your emotional well-being have a positive impact on your quality of life. However, did you know that living a healthy lifestyle can save you money? Essentially, the healthier your mind and body are, the less money you spend on everything from food to healthcare. While old habits die hard, getting rid of these poor habits can make a difference in your life and wallet.

Eating Out

Treating yourself to a nice meal on occasion isn’t an issue. However, when you reach a point that you’re eating out several nights a week, you’re in trouble. For starters, ordering takeout is expensive. Not to mention, most fast food is packed with salt, sugar, and fat that can lead to a multitude of medical problems. 

If you were to reduce eating out to once or twice a month and prepare meals at home instead, you could save hundreds if not thousands of dollars. You’ll also have more control over what you eat and how it’s prepared so that you get the most health benefits from each meal. 

Smoking And Drinking

You may think that smoking a few cigarettes or having a drink or two after work is nothing more than a means to ease your stress and anxiety, but it’s not. Both alcohol and cigarettes harm your physical and mental health. It’s also important to point out that buying liquor or nicotine regularly is costly. 

It’s time to find a new way to cope with overwhelming emotions. Taking a walk, writing in a journal, meditating, getting a massage, or even taking a nap are effective ways to combat stress and anxiety. If you need further assistance, going to rehab or talking to a therapist can help you kick your habits, save your life, and of course, save a lot of money. 

Neglecting Oral Care

Do you know that people spend thousands of dollars each year on dental procedures and devices that were easily preventable? They overlook the importance of oral health and skimp on basic practices like brushing your teeth, flossing and rinsing your mouth twice a day. Eventually, they end up with cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems that require extensive surgery to correct. 

Save yourself a lot of money and unnecessary pain by taking care of your oral health. Switch to products that make morning and bedtime routines easier, like electronic toothbrushes, toothpaste tablets, or dental picks with floss.

Poor Skincare Routines

Believe it or not, lots of people lack skincare routines. At a minimum, they splash some water on their face, dry it with a towel, and apply some lotion. Unfortunately, these methods aren’t enough to keep your skin clear. Eventually, you could experience common skin problems like acne or dryness. As you’re probably already aware, paying for corrective treatments can get out of hand.  

Don’t wait until you start experiencing dry or oily skin, pimples, blackheads, or other skin issues to make a change. Develop a skincare routine that gives you a youthful, healthy, and flawless appearance. Ease your financial woes by finding the best brand of facial soap, exfoliator, and moisturizer and using them every day. Increase the savings by purchasing items like reusable cotton rounds. 

Lounging Around

Who doesn’t like to sit around the house and do nothing on occasion? While it can be a nice reprieve from a hectic schedule, lounging around all the time will harm your health. Staying indoors and essentially leading a sedentary lifestyle can result in issues ranging from obesity and diabetes to heart disease and cancer. These risks are heightened if you tend to binge eat in the process. The cost of doctor’s visits, prescriptions, medical devices, and other treatments can be several thousand dollars a year. 

A lazy day here, and there is no problem. However, if you spend more time sitting at a desk or on the couch than you do being active, you must get moving. Incorporate more physical activity into your day. It doesn’t mean you have to go to the gym, but if you can dance while doing household chores, run around the park while playing with the kids, or take the stairs at the office, it can save your life (and a ton of money on healthcare). 

Most people equate healthy living to physical and emotional improvement and overlook the financial aspect. When you neglect your well-being, you essentially waste thousands of dollars. If you’re guilty of any of the poor habits listed above, it’s time to change your rituals and routines. As your health improves, your bank account will begin to grow, enabling you to put your hard-earned cash into other things.