You can’t turn on the radio, the TV or open up Instagram without seeing news articles around the cost of living rising drastically over the next few months.
For some cutting back may be reducing the amount of dresses they buy in a week, it could be they’re cutting back on alcohol or meals out, but for some (much to my horror!) they cut out their monthly gym membership or cancel their PT sessions and their health and fitness becomes the sacrifice made.
At some point in everyone lives (pandemics, redundancies, student loan fees increasing just to name a few!) we will have to make sacrifices and monitor our spending.
In this blog post I’ll cover some useful tips I’ve had from experience and some useful information on how my clients monitor their spending which will hopefully give you some useful guidance too. We will cover the below
How to avoid over spending on health and fitness
How to make your healthy lifestyle a little bit cheaper
How to avoid and manage stress when budgeting
Are you overspending on your health and fitness regime?
Starting with the basics,,,literally.
Do you need a new pair of gym leggings every week? Do you need the most expensive trainers on the market?
Costly gym equipment and trainers are more catered for runners etc - so although the sales advisor might be getting you to commit to some very expensive trainers, unless you're planning a triathlon or marathon anytime soon I'd suggest you ask them for some more suitable and affordable trainers for the gym floor.
For gym clothing like leggings and gym tops and sports bras, I suggest shopping on the high street if you can rather than online. This way you can feel the fabric, do a squat in the changing room mirrors to make sure they're not super see through, and you can get a bra fitting service for sports bras in places like Marks & Spencers and Boux Avenue.
This way you're not ordering loads of sets online, you miss the returns date and then before you know it you're out of pocket and still no suitable leggings to wear at the gym (I speak for experience here!)
Getting protein you need without the price tag.
Everything seems to have protein in big bold letters on their packaging, you can now get protein water? Yes you read that right. Protein bars cost around £2-£3 and are a perfect alternative to a chocolate bar for sure, but if you grab one every day then it really does add a dent to your daily spending.
There's just enough protein in cheaper alternatives which will keep you fuller for longer, such as greek yogurt, cottage cheese, eggs and a handful of nuts. Buy ahead and prepare your snacks in advance, if you're struggling on some ideas then check out my other blog post about smart food shopping here
Is finding the perfect gym putting a dent in your bank balance?
Signing up to the gym can be a really daunting commitment. You may sign-up for a gym, pay the joining fees, commit to a lengthy contract and you find that the gym you've now signed up to for the next 12 months doesn't have the best facilities. You then find yourself paying a penalty fee for exiting the contract early and then you have to start the whole process again.
I'd suggest requesting for a tour of the gym before signing up online, or look on websites such. as Hussle which is perfect for looking for a gym day pass rather than a lengthy contract. It's the classic 'try before you buy' situation. Don't feel obliged to commit to a membership after your visit, if you really love the gym hang around for the sales team to ring you with a really intriguing offer and deal that you can't get elsewhere.
Make your commute to the gym cheaper
Do you drive to the gym? Is it out of you way and you find yourself stuck in traffic more than you do time spent doing your workout?
I'd suggest looking at gyms closer to home, or closer to your workplace at least. If you're gym is only a short drive then I'd suggest your ditch your wheels and switch out for a power walk to and from your gym. Two reasons, you're saving on fuel costs and getting your daily step count in no doubt. It's a win all round.
Tips to make your health and fitness routine cheaper
Try a class online..for free - wait, did you say free?!
There's a lot of great things about modern day technology, but one of the best has to be YouTube. There's some great classes which you can do before committing to buying a block of classes (a lot of studios nowadays prefer you to book a book in advance rather than the one off class!). You can get a taste of yoga, Zumba, Pilates, HIIT and much more. Plus, instead of inviting your friends round for wine why not invite them to do a class, it's sociable and cardio!
Use a good old fashioned pen and notebook to track your progress
There's a lot of fancy apps now to track your progress, so fancy that they come with a lovely charge. I personally don't mind spending a little on a new app but if I'm watching my budget it's the first thing I want to avoid in my spending. Using a notebook and pen to monitor your progress such as reps, weights, body measurement is just as a useful tool, or alternatively use a notepad app already built in on your phone.
Look for free events like Parkrun
If YouTube workouts aren't quite cutting it then look for free events like Parkrun. There's Parkruns all over the country and the globe, they're sociable events and a great way to meet other fitness fanatics. It's a weekly 5k every Saturday, you can run, jog, stroll or however you do you around a park. Take a look on this link to find your nearest Parkrun.
Join online groups on Facebook for inspiration
There's a great community of people out there. Whether you're looking for a page to discuss crafting tips, running tips or healthy cooking and inspiration for meals there's something there for everyone. Don't feel afraid to ask questions from other members, if they're on the page and posting it's because they want to open up for the floor for questions and discussions.
Avoiding stress in difficult times
I know finance worries aren't the nicest. It can only take an unwanted bill to come your way and your worrying and anxiety around money can hit an all time high. Take note and try some of my tips below to combat stress
Keep a diary or budget sheet
Writing down on a daily basis of what you've spent can make you much more aware of your spending. Colour code or add a circle or star or underline or whatever takes your fancy on outgoings there was that didn't need to be.
Read online finance resources and guides
Now I'm not finance guru myself, but I do follow some savvy bloggers and tips online on how to reduce my spending and add more to my savings account. I find myself kicking myself at deals I've missed on Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert website. From utility bills to getting money off stores, this site has some really useful articles.
Distract yourself from money issues
Unfortunately, last time I checked there wasn't a fairy godmother who can make finance problems disappear in a poof!
Worrying about money will make you stressed and concerned and you'll struggle to concentrate on work and other daily tasks, so I recommend distracting yourself by taking up a craft or reading a book to keep your mind pre-occupied. I'd avoid spending too much time reading the news as 'prices rising' can be seen in far too many articles .
I hope this blog article was useful for you. I hope you can take some inspiration from any of the above and if there's any savvy saving tips you have I'd love to hear them! Please feel free to reach out and share your advice by messaging me via the link below!
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