How to Save Money and Lower Your Stress Level
By Sandy Schroeder
Stress is part of life, but extra stress that shows up in the form of financial challenges may be something you can help to change.
Because we move fast and move around a lot, it can be easy to spend as we go. Here are some ways to reverse the process from Lifehack, lowering your stress level by saving money.
Rethink drinking habits – Sodas and bottled water can be automatic daily choices that inflate your grocery bill. Install a filtered water pitcher for your tap and use it for drinking water, and water for homemade tea, fresh fruit lemonade and coffee. You will be skipping all of the extra sugar in soda, too.
Do automatic savings deductions – If money zooms through your checking account every month, install automatic transfers to move $10 or $20 deposits to your savings account. If that works, you can raise the amounts. Having a nice savings backup can do a lot to lower stress levels. When something really worth doing turns up, you will have the funds. There are also services available that can help you put extra money into stock portfolios.
Fix it yourself – Changing furnace filters regularly, adding draft stoppers to doors, or installing low-flow faucets or toilets can produce real savings. Adding more insulation to your home, and finding out what your solar power options are may also save some dollars.
Disconnect to save – Often phone chargers, laptops or hair dryers soak up energy if they are left plugged in. Look around and unplug everything that you can.
Cut snack costs – Bags of chips can cost more per pound than steak. Make popcorn, homemade fudge, baked fruit tarts or fresh juice popsicles at home.
Decorate for less – Natural shell or rock collections, ink and pen sketches, photo collections, or quilt and knit crafts created by your family can give your home an individual touch at a very low cost.
Work it out for less – Delete that monthly gym membership cost as you break out your bike, do individual mat exercises at home, or slip on your tennis shoes and walk off with the savings.
Collect coins – Loose change often winds up in the bottom of your purse, but routinely tossing it into a kettle at home could add to your spending money for vacations later.
If some of these tips work, your stress levels may go down a bit as you count your extra loot. Enjoy.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Lakewood, Calif.