HealthyLife Articles

Tag: Manage Money

  • Saving Food, Saving Money

    FINANCIAL HEALTH

    Image of couple at the grocery store.

    In the U.S., we throw out millions of tons of food each year. Most people have thrown out food that spoiled or was simply never eaten. This harms the environment because it adds up to more waste, and it’s also harmful to your budget. It’s a lot like throwing money in the garbage! In addition, some of that wasted food could have gone to people who don’t have enough to eat.

    Shopping, planning, saving

    The number one way to stop wasting food is to plan meals and shop for only those meals. You’ll need to make a shopping list and stick to it when you go to the store.

    Your list should have ingredients for all your meals, including main dishes, sides, drinks and snacks. Then, buy only what’s on the list. This requires some extra time and planning, but the savings can add up.

    Some people like to shop for the whole week, while others shop for only a few days at a time. This is up to you. No matter how you like to shop, having a list can save you money and cut down on food waste.

    In the end, your budget and the environment will thank you. As an added bonus, you will be eating healthier by planning your meals ahead of time.

    Keep the pantry organized

    Have you ever bought a can of beans, only to find that you already had three at home? Having an organized pantry can help avoid this.

    Try putting your pantry into sections. You may wish to divide up canned foods into categories like fruit, vegetables, beans and other foods. Have another section for pasta, one for rice and so on. Being able to quickly glance at the pantry when you’re making your shopping list can save time and prevent buying duplicates.

    Other tips to prevent food waste

    *  Buying bulk portions can be a big saving – but only if you eat it. Only buy these large portions if you plan to use or freeze it all before it expires.

    *  Eat leftovers! Have a leftover dinner night, rather than cooking another meal. Get creative and use leftovers to make a casserole, soup or sandwiches.

    *  Check your fridge first. Before you go shopping, see what you already have in your fridge. Eat what you have on hand before buying more.

    *  Ask local food banks about their needs. Donate food that you don’t think you will use instead of throwing it away.

    Source: Environmental Protection Agency

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Stay Warm, Save Money

    FINANCIAL HEALTH

    Image of thermostat being set at 71 degrees.

    When temperatures drop, energy bills are higher. Duke Energy offers some simple energy (and money) saving tips:

    *  Check your heating system’s ductwork to ensure that it is well insulated and completely covered. Ductwork should be properly sealed and not allowed to hang loose under the house.

    *  Keep your thermostat at a comfortable setting. If you are going to be away for several days, turn the thermostat to a lower setting, but not off.

    *  Have your heating or cooling system checked each season by a qualified technician to make sure it is operating properly. Heating and cooling account for at least half of your energy bill.

    *  Check insulation, seal cracks, and weather-strips between heated and unheated areas such as garages, basements, and attics.

    *  If you have a window air conditioning unit, remove it for the winter months to prevent heat from escaping through and around the unit. If it cannot be moved, cover it to prevent drafts.

    *  Always make sure the fireplace damper seals tightly and remains closed except when a fire is burning or smoldering in the fireplace.

    *  Insulate your water heater with at least R-6 insulation. The water heater is the second-largest energy user in your home. You can save enough money in energy bills to pay back the cost of materials within months and then keep on saving.

    *  Ceiling fans help keep you comfortable in the summer and winter. Reversing the direction of the blades pushes warm air down into the room. Fans should turn counter-clockwise in the summer and clockwise in the winter.

    *  On sunny days, leave the draperies open to allow the sun’s rays to warm your house.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Stop The Spending Cycle

    WELL-BEING

    Image of colorful shopping bags.

    Going overboard on one shopping trip, especially around the holidays, does not mean you have a shopping addiction. It’s normal to overdo it once in a while. And, everyone buys things that aren’t truly needed at times.

    But, if you think you or a loved one might have a shopping addiction, there is help. Often times, a shopping addiction is the result of another health issue like depression. Talk with your doctor about your feelings and symptoms. Antidepressants or other medications may be helpful.

    Or, you may wish to talk with a counselor about things that are bothering you. Sometimes, emotional burdens or troubles can make you look for happiness in things like shopping. If you are able to deal with those problems, you may not feel the need to shop as much.

    There are also support groups for people with a variety of addictions. Debtors Anonymous can help people who have gone into debt from too much spending.

    Don’t be afraid to seek help. The sooner you can address the problem, the sooner you can get your life back on track.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Talk Smart About Finances

    FINANCIAL HEALTH

    Image of young couple with laptop and piggy bank.

    Economic flux hurts more than our wallets. Financial woes can lead to emotionally damaging arguments among couples and put unnecessary strain on the family, said Josh Klapow, PhD, a clinical psychologist and professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Klapow is the author of Living Smart:  5 Essential Skills to Change Your Health Habits Forever.

    He said financial discussions, and even disagreements, can have a positive impact on families struggling through uncertainty. The key is to make those discussions productive, not destructive. Dr. Klapow offers 5 talking tips:

    1.Keep a cool head.When your emotions are high-be it anger, sadness, frustration-thoughts get cloudy. Relax, breathe, wait 2-10 minutes, then start to talk.

    2.Start easy.Arguments often start because of a critical remark or an angry tone. Try to bring up problems and mistakes gently and without blame.

    3.Don’t assume.Talk about your feelings, not what you think your spouse or partner is feeling. Describe your feelings in first person with “I” and explain why.

    4.Think then speak.The goal of the conversation should be to problem-solve, not to win. Remember, once the words are out, you cannot take them back.

    5.Repair and recover.Don’t let the discussion get out of control. End on a positive, or at least neutral, note. Lean on patience, change the topic, or offer a positive comment to let the other person know you’re part of the same team.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Teaching Kids To Manage Money

    FINANCIAL HEALTH

    Image of boy holding money in one hand and thumbs up with the other hand.

    Good money management habits start early. In fact, even preschool age children can begin to learn about money and how to use it responsibly. Parents and caregivers have the power to teach children about proper spending, saving and sharing from a young age.

    Preschool age

    *  Use play money to “buy” items.

    *  Teach children about work. Tell them how your job helps you pay for things like food and clothes.

    *  Take them to the grocery store and talk about what items cost.

    *  If children get money for a birthday or holiday, have them put it in their piggy bank instead of spending it right away.

    School age

    *  Discuss the prices of items while shopping. Show your kids your shopping receipts and explain how much items cost.

    *  Have kids help you clip coupons and talk about how much you can save.

    *  Open a savings account for your child.

    *  Consider giving an allowance for chores. Talk to them about saving their allowance to buy something later, rather than spending it all now.

    Teenagers

    *  Show your teen how to balance a checkbook.

    *  Discuss responsible credit card spending and avoiding credit card debt.

    *  If your teen has a job, talk about taxes and help them fill out their income tax form.

    *  Explain how automobile and health insurance works.

    Don’t feel pressured to give your child a complete course in finances. Children learn by watching others, so setting a positive example for spending and saving is a great way to teach.

    Source: University of Minnesota Extension

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Using This Credit Card May Be Bad For Your Health

    WELL-BEING

    Image of young women cutting up a credit card.

    High levels of credit card debt and the stress of having debt may be bad for your health, a study in Social Science & Medicine suggests. People who reported higher levels of stress about their debt showed higher levels of physical impairment and reported worse health than those with lower levels of debt.

    In the study, researchers asked people to rate their own health on a scale of very poor to very good. They rated how much they worried about their total debt. Researchers also asked how difficult it was for survey participants to do everyday activities such as climbing stairs and carrying groceries. Participants also reported how many credit cards they have and whether they carry a balance from month to month.

    But it didn’t matter how many credit cards a person had, the big stress factor related to health was the ratio of credit card debt to their total family income-in other words, how much you owe compared with what you earn.

    “The stress of owing money, and knowledge that we’re paying high interest rates, may lead to increased stress resulting in worsening health,” said the director of Ohio State’s Center for Survey Research. Credit counseling is one way to reverse debt-stress.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Where Does The Money Go?

    FINANCIAL HEALTH

    Image of scale with bills on one side and a piggy bank on the other side.

    Regular expenses are a necessary part of life. In your household, you probably have a certain amount of money coming in and a different amount going out.

    Even if you have a rough idea of how much you spend, tracking your monthly expenses can help you find out a lot about your money. Small amounts here and there can quickly add up. For one month, write down everything you spend on bills, food, gas, clothes, and any other purchases – even your morning latte. Then, you can look for ways to cut back on unnecessary costs. Money you have left at the end of the month can be saved for an emergency fund or for future needs.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • 4 Money Mistakes To Avoid

    FINANCIAL HEALTH

    Image of 3 friends.

    Little everyday choices can have a big impact on your finances. If you want to save more or spend less, think about whether you’re making any of these mistakes.

    Mistake #1: You put off saving money.

    Do you think that you can wait a few more months or even years before you need to save for retirement, your kids’ college or other future needs? Even if you can only put away a few dollars each week, start now. It can add up over time and the sooner you start, the more money you’ll have later.

    Mistake #2: You spend too much on “treats.”

    We all like to treat ourselves once in a while. But, if you’re spending money on treats often, such as going to the movies or buying yourself a new item, you could be creating money problems. Look for low-cost or free ways to reward yourself. Set aside some time with a friend, take a hot bath, watch a favorite movie at home or check out free museums and concerts.

    Mistake #3: You get lots of coupons in your mail and email.

    If you get catalogs in the mail and your inbox is filled with coupons and deals, this could be wrecking your money goals. After all, you may not need the items that are advertised. But, they look like such a good deal that you decide to buy them anyway. Do you really need another sweater or pair of jeans, or are you buying them because of the sale? Unsubscribe from email coupons and newsletters, and throw catalogs in the recycling bin. This can help lower the temptation to shop.

    Mistake #4: You don’t know how much money you really have.

    If you are struggling financially, it can be hard to look at your bank account balances. But, it’s better to know what you can afford than to go deeper into debt. Make a budget of what you have and what you can spend each month after bills are paid. Try to stick to your budget and find ways to cut out unnecessary items.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine