Health&Wellness Magazine February 2015 | Page 24

24 & February 2015 | Read this issue and more at www.healthandwellnessmagazine.net | Budget Friendly: Five Ways to Save in 2015 By Annette Racond, Staff Writer People often say that “Everything’s going up, except my salary.” If you find yourself in this predicament, it’s important to figure ways to alter your budget in even small ways. Little savings add up, so check out these Five Ways to Save in 2015. 1. Win-Win: Those fancy bottles containing exotic-sounding juices might sound appealing, but you’re probably better off with plain ole water for several reasons. Not only is water less expensive, but it’s healthier. If you read labels, you’ll find that many of these “good for you” juices (per the manufacturers) are loaded with sugar. You can add lemon or lime wedges – or even cucumbers or mint leaves – to your water and you’ll feel like you’re at a day spa. When you’re dining out, ask your server to add a lemon or lime wedge to your water – and skip the soda. Before you 2 HAMBURG JOURNAL know it, drinking water will become a habit – an economical one. 2. Sleep On It: If you stumble across dazzling technology from laptops to TVs or a designer sweater that’s oh-so tempting, sleep on it. If you still feel like it’s a must after a good night’s sleep, you can always trek back to the store or log onto the Internet to make your purchases. In the meantime, you can engage in some price-comparison shopping. If you ultimately can’t resist making the purchase, I bet the store will still be happy to accept your money. Better yet, you may even be able to negotiate a discount or the store may be having an upcoming sale. 3. Keep on Tracking: Keep track of small purchases such as Starbucks, WWW.HAMBURGJOURNAL.COM fast food, and other impulse buys. You might be surprised to find out how much these little items add up on a weekly basis. If you’re aware of what’s leaving your wallet, you may be more discerning when making such purchases. Start by foregoing one item a day. For example, make your own coffee and buy a travel mug so you won’t feel deprived every time you pass that tempting green and white Starbucks logo. 4. Join the Club: Look online for sales and other ways to save. Many restaurantsJand drugOstores offer ANUARY 2 12 Like us @healthykentucky rewards programs or frequent purchase cards. In such instances, you may get a free item or save money on future purchases after accumulating a designated number of points or spend a certain amount of money. You can even attach many of these reward cards to your keychain for easy access and so you don’t forget to use them. 5. Read All about It: Although libraries aren’t as popular as they used to be since almost everyone appears to be glued to technology, it’s still a great place to rent DVDs and catch up on the latest bestsellers – for free. What’s more, many libraries now offer classes, computer access, and other perks. So, support your local library. You might even learn something in the process! About the Author Annette Racond is a Certified Health Coach who has had her work published in The New York Times, Chicago Sun-Times, The Miami Herald, and Newsday, along with other major publications and websites. Senior Retirement Community Rose Mary C. Brooks Place Rose Mary C. Brooks Place We’re Not Almost Home. We are Home. We’re not almost home. We are home. NOW LEASING Celebrating Mother’s Day with 1 & 2 bedroom apartments. brunch and Includes assistance with activities of daily living. Three meals a day, weekly housekeeping, concierge service and much more! Our rates are competitive and all inclusive. Enjoy 24/7 emergency response by our well trained staff. Guardian Life Alert System is included for all new residents at no additional cost. Daily care is tailored to meet the unique needs of individual. Enjoying the view from the patio. The Cottages (below) offer more independent retirement living. great friends NOW LEAS S