A healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to be to the detriment of your bank balance. Investing in fitness tech, gym memberships and trolleys packed with fruit and veg isn’t essential for a healthier lifestyle and it is possible to make small, positive health changes and see an improvement in your disposable income too. With more than just better health to gain, consider these easy ways to give kickstart your health and save a few pounds too.

No one is saying you should be running marathons and sprinting to work but consider swapping your car for a little more time on foot. Making the decision to walk more often instead of driving could save you hundreds of pounds a year in fuel costs. There will be some trips where the car is essential but there’s no real reason to drive to the corner shop or skip a fifteen-minute stroll to drop the kids off at school.

However old you are walking is great for your health and is a chance to test your endurance or simply enjoy the chance to get some fresh air. Walking for just thirty minutes a day can help with weight loss, muscle strength and bone strength. The more you walk, the better your cardiovascular fitness will become, and it can be a great way to minimise stress and anxiety.

If you are committed to walking more, then plan your days to allow for it. Give yourself a little extra time to go to the shops, get the kids from school or wherever you need to go. You could even decide to build walking into your day to add to the health benefits you get from it.

Drinking more than 14 units of alcohol in a week is potentially damaging to your health. What’s more, alcohol is far from cheap so you will be cutting into your weekly budget too. Making sure you keep your alcohol consumption under 14 units a week will reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer. It may also help to minimise headaches, improve concentration and your risk of alcohol-related depression will also fall. Enjoying alcohol on special occasions or once in a while is obviously fine, but if you’re looking to improve your health and sort out your spending, it’s a great place to start. Reducing your alcohol intake can very quickly show results in your health and wellbeing and it won’t be long before you see the financial benefits too.

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