Realigning Priorities To Get Back To Some Simple Living

The house needs cleaning, the cabinets need organizing, the books need reading, the food needs eating, the relationships need talking, listening and patience, the emails need to be written, the things need to be put away, and the weights need to be lifted.

With the new year there is always more to do to be even more perfect. Pump-up the to-do lists, and make this year THE BEST ONE EVER already! 

I started the Spending Fast partly because I had this out-of-control feeling with my finances, and those feelings had to end. Now life has creept back up into nutty busy out-of-control territory again.

So what can I do? I can do what I did with the Spending Fast and start to step out of the madness cycle.

Simplifying to me means (among other things): 

• No more checking out stacks of books that I just have to read and then returning them guiltily unread
• No more picking up the weekly free papers to stay up to date on everything happening in Denver
• No more saying "Yes" to things I'm really not into
• No more great expectations on every aspect of my life

Simplifying also means more of: 

• Taking the time to really enjoy and appreciate where I'm at in life, and who is in my life (because I'm pretty damn lucky really)
• Recognizing when I've taken on too much and reaching out for help when possible
• Stop myself from taking on too much in the first place by respecting my own limits and setting boundaries 

art by yuri ancarani via nero magazine

The great news is that simplifying life is one of the best perks of the Spending Fast and Spending Diet- less crap to manage and maintain, less obligations in general, and you get to blame it all on the Spending Fast like this, "Nope, can't doing it since I'm on a Spending Fast". (True story: I once got an email from a friend of someone doing a Spending Fast because she was mad that her friend turned her down for dinner out because she was on a Spending Fast(!)- Hey, I'll take the blame;)

Sonya over at the Kanelstrand blog sent me an email the other day about a 3-week project she's doing to help people simplify their lives. Here's the link about her project: Simple Living Challenge. I thought you all might find it interesting.

Sonya shared her insight with me (below) on what simple living means for her and how you can find out if it's something that might be good for you too.

"What is simple living?

Simple living is an attitude to life that will help you live more sustainably, more deliberately and more happily. Among other things, simple living includes:

• Identifying what is most important for you and eliminating everything else
• Doing what inspires you and being with the people you love
• De-cluttering (be it your mind, your everyday life or your virtual life)
• Single-tasking and learning to diminish stress
• Striving to live frugally by wanting less and buying only what is necessary
• Slowing down and being actively present in the moment
• Living a healthy life
• Striving to be green and sustainable as much as your surroundings allow
• Enjoying the simple pleasures of life
• Simplifying your goals, tasks and expectations

Simplyfing must be good for you if:

• You are very deep in debt
• The clutter around you is overwhelming you and is keeping you away from taking the right decisions
• You have grown apart from your loved ones and even yourself
• You are stressed out
• You rarely do something for the fun of it
• If you spend too much time on the Internet 
• If you are very disorganized
• You constantly multi-task

I know all this may seem overwhelming but I assure you, there is nothing complicated in living a simple life. You don't need to withdraw from the world and seek a retreat to be able to achieve simplification. Simple living is about engaging more fully in the world, but with a different set of priorities. Simple living allows for the really important things in life and helps you appreciate more fully what you have and who you are."

Thanks for the insights Sonya!

What do you do when you feel stressed? How do you simplify? Is simplifying something you'd like more of in your life?

Meals Under 3 Bucks- It Can Be Done! Gettin' Guesty With Amy Sibley

image via google

Since I'm a frugal-living lady I'm often very happy that I also don't happen to be a foodie, because from what I know being a foodie is expensive. Expensive meals and me just don't mix company these days.

Day-to-day our meals are pretty (very) simple, and this definitely works in my favor while trying to save money. I love looking at the pretty food photographs on Pinterest, but actually making the big and elaborate meals, spending the money on the sometimes elusive ingredients, and also spending the time to prepare the meals- ? It just isn't where I'm at right now.

Meals for us mean: simple, cheap, and very quick.

Luckily my husband and I don't mind it this way so most nights our dinners are things like (oh and we're vegetarian too, if you start to wonder where the meat is):

• Tortilla with 1/2 a sliced avocado and rice
• Rice and beans and a tortilla
• Beets (love them!) and potato wedges
• Massive Monster salad that I eat throughout the week 

(After writing those meals out like that they feel a little Tiny Tim-ish... d'oh:/ but, they are tasty and they do the trick!)

So, when Amy Sibley who is a food blogger over at Wicked Good Travel contacted me about doing a post on how she creates meals with freezer and pantry items I was all about it!

Non-fussy, easy, and cheap meals = Perfect!

image courtesy of amy

image courtesy of amy

Now here's Amy to take it away!

Being a food blogger gives me the excuse to try all sorts of foods and drinks, which is always an adventure! Cooking at home is often less expensive than eating out, but depending on what you're making, it can still cost more than what your budget can comfortably absorb. 

As someone who had over $20,000 in debt not even five years ago (and managed to bring that down to just under $7,000 today!) I can appreciate the pains of determining what groceries to buy, and how to make the most of my money when it comes to meals. In my quest to figure out some cheap meals I've discovered some ways to tackle different dinner dilemmas, and I want to share them with you!

Modify and mix them up as desired because they will all keep your stomach and wallet happy! These dishes all use ingredients that can be kept in the freezer or pantry (ie, flour, olive oil, sugar, salt, noodles, etc.) so the ingredients will last a long time. I like to stock up when the ingredients are items are on sale so I always have them on hand. 

While chicken nuggets and Top Ramen may not be the pinnacle of healthy eating, they are inexpensive and versatile enough that they can be easily morphed into more complete, healthier, and filling meals with a little fixing up.

Cheap Meal Idea #1: Top Ramen with Veggies (Serves 2):

image courtesy of amy

You'll need:

• 2 packages of Top Ramen ($0.58/2 packs)
• 4 cups water or 2 cups of water combined w/ 1 can chicken/veggie broth (broth $0.89/can)
• ½ bag of frozen vegetables ($1.00 for ½ bag)

How to: 

• Cook noodles according to package directions. You can opt to add in half of the spice packet or none of it and instead use low-sodium broth (significantly lowering sodium levels). Add frozen veggies to the water with the noodles and you'll have soup in only five minutes. Options: Add a slice of bread with butter, a tuna fish sandwich, or some crackers/fresh veggies and hummus for a heartier meal if desired.

(Estimated cost per serving: $1.74)

Cheap Meal Idea #2: Chicken Nuggets with Brown Rice and Turkey Gravy (Serves 2):

image courtesy of amy

This is one of my favorites when I'm crazing comfort food. I make this on nights when my boyfriend and I have had long days at work and we don't want to spend lots of money (or time) on dinner. 

You'll need:

• 12-14 chicken nuggets - one serving is 6 nuggets but increase/decrease as desired- ($1.95/14 nuggets; $6.99/entire bag)
• 1 12oz jar of fat free turkey gravy ($1.95/jar)
• 1 bag of quick cooking brown rice ($0.80/bag)

How to:

• These nuggets taste far better when cooked in the oven. We're only talkin' 14 minutes at most. During that time, cook rice, and then just before everything is done microwave the gravy in a bowl. Simply plate your rice, nuggets, and add as much gravy as desired over the top. Option: For extra vitamins, heat up a bag of frozen vegetables for a side.

(Estimated cost per serving: $2.40)

Soups, casseroles, and sauces are all foods that can be made cheaply. I like that they are also rich and diverse in textures and flavors, and that they freeze well which means- every last bit gets eaten so we truly get our money's worth!

The main thing I've learned is: don't be afraid to get creative!

Thank You Amy!

Do you have any tips and tricks for getting more out of your home-cooked meals? What are your cheap go-to meals?   

Would you like to be a contributor on a topic related to personal finance or frugal living? Send me an email at: hello@andthenshesaved.com. (Please know that credit or lending companies will not be considered. Only real people with real stories and real experiences should email.)

Update on January 26, 2012 by Anna Newell Jones

Hi Everyone, This post has received a lot of comments about the health aspect associated with these meal ideas. I totally get it. The great thing about guest posts is that the guest posts highlight how each person makes living frugally work for them. Sometimes everyone loves the suggestions, and sometimes they don't, and that's totally okay. I like showing diverse and different experiences that people have with frugality. Plus, differing opinions make for a rich discussion. So, if you disagree with this post I'd love to hear how YOU make HEALTHY + CHEAP meals. And, if you have a lot to say on the topic send me an email and possibly become a contributor yourself:)

The Process of Habit Evolution

When I started up the Spending Diet in January of 2011 to try to eliminate the remaining debt that I had I was shocked at how hard the Spending Diet proved to be. I thought that it would be easier than the Spending Fast. Since I had just completed a year of spending no money at all, the Spending Diet seemed like a piece of cake! Especially since I got a $100 "non-need" allowance. (When I first decided to do a Spending Diet I was going to give myself a $200 a month "non-need" limit, and changed it to $100 a month because $200 a month seemed waaayyyy too easy! *shakes head in disbelief*)

Turns out $100 is not really much money at all, and most months it only proved to be a gateway drug to spend more than I was supposed to, and often I felt frustrated that I wasn't able to stick to my $100 limit. 

Sticking to the Spending Diet was very difficult and that sucked. The guilt and remorse that was so often associated with my spending prior to the Spending Fast was back, this time though, I just didn't have the debt cloud hanging over my head. 

That discretionary spending was, once again, my problem, and my main issue. I found myself losing track of how much "non-need" spending I did, and more times then not, I didn't want to keep track. I found that it was a lot more tedious to be on the Spending Diet because I had grown so accustomed to my "Wants and Needs" list of the Spending Fast. If an item was on my "Needs" list, it was okay to spend money on the item. If it was on my "Wants" list, "Nope, no spending on that!" The Spending Fast was cut and dry and that part made it very easy.

While the Spending Diet was extremely difficult, it eased me into thinking more "normally" about money.

This whole process has been so much about changing my thinking, and about changing my habits even when I don't really want to.

change

Deep-down, I'm still a natural spender, but I'm also solid proof that getting-out-of debt is possible (even as a spender).

And even though I was far from perfect on the Spending Diet it helped me go from the extreme of spending no-money-at-all to spending a-little-money-sometimes, it's been more than anything, a transition. A transition that's taught me how to be cautious with my money, and to not go all ape-sh*t wild like I really want to most of the time. 

Like for example, I want to buy these shoes (why is it always shoes or boots!?) and it's driving me nuts how much I've been thinking about them. I've looked at the website probably 20 times (at least) this weekend (um, crazy time-consuming! I've got stuff that really needs to get done, and I still can't seem to control myself!), and I keep comparing them with other shoes, and trying to justify a reason why I need these shoes. The reality is, I have plenty of shoes. They're just not those shoes, and I want those shoes on my feet! Like, yesterday! 

Being on the Spending Fast, and Spending Diet has taught me that I can switch camps from being a "Spender" to a "Saver", that getting out of debt it more hard than it is easy, that it takes a lot of time and repetition for habits to die and for habits to evolve. I've also learned time and time again that mistakes will happen, and that it's really, seriously, okay that they do. 

I've also realized that I seem to learn the most when I mess up. When I have to find a way to fix something that cements it in my brain.

It's in the fixing that the true changes happen. 

So, with that, this is how the Spending Diet shook out for 2011-2012...

Total Spending Diet Savings: $5,973.94

While that number is considerably lower than the savings from the previous year's Spending Fast of $17,911.89 it is still pretty good. 

(See my Total Savings from the whole deal here)

My habits are continuing to evolve and I'm making peace with the fact that even if I don't do something perfectly progress is progress. Today, I can live with that; even if it's hard to see the changes as they're happening I'm completely amazed when I look back on the past two years and what I've been able to accomplish.

image via a well traveled woman

What have you been able to accomplish that amazed you? What habits are the hardest for you to change? What do you do to stay motivated on the days that you want to quit?

7 Tips To Survive Financially As An Artist In New York City- Gettin' Guesty With Artist Kat Kohl

When the very talented Kat Kohl contacted me with her story of how she survives financially as an artist in New York City, I really appreciated what she had to say because being an artist in ANY city is tricky (amiright?!). Also, I often get questions about how to live in New York City on the cheap (one time I heard someone say that the only way to do it is, "Don't Live In New York City").

Kat determined her priorities, and she's actively molding her days to create a life that reflects her values and goals. She's choosing to make her dreams happen.

image courtesy of kat kohl

Here's Kat's story...

I’m a regular reader of And Then She Saved, and have utilized many of Anna’s tips within the past year. By making many MAJOR cutbacks on unnecessary items like clothing, going-out, and by eliminating Christmas gift exchanges with friends, I was able to save enough to attend an artist residency in Iceland. I took a 1 month leave of absence from my job so that meant that I had to fund my flight, residency, and essentials in Iceland all while still paying my New York apartment rent and my student loan! Thankfully, I was able to apply some vacation days, and I also received half my flight cost as a birthday gift from my parents, but having an apartment in Manhattan (that I share with 2 roommates) in addition to an art studio in Brooklyn means my hard costs are extremely high. I hope that my story below will help other young artists see that IT IS possible to hit the ground running in New York City while navigating the art scene, and also surviving financially.

This is how I do it:

I work as a Project Manager at Duggal, a fine art/graphics/custom display fabrication company that serves artists, museum, and retail clients around the globe. I earn a base salary + commission on my personal sales. My base covers all my necessary expenses with some left over, but my real “extra” cash comes from my commission check. I try to save as much of my commission check as possible for “rainy days”- such as when my computer died and I had to buy a new MacBook 2 days before I left for Iceland.

iceland courtesy of kat kohlI saved $10K before moving to NYC, assuming that between rent deposits, and furniture that I would be down $3-5 K; the remainder went into savings.

Once I was in NYC, I was so busy working in my studio that I hardly had time to go out with all the work I was doing in my studio on the nights and weekends. Early on I made a budget to see where every bit of my paycheck was going. I had to be realistic about the exact amount I had left-over every month.

I’ve only been to a movie or concert twice in the past 3 years. When I do go out, I look at the costs of drinks and food and choose very carefully.

Since my student loan is fixed I don't benefit financially from paying it off sooner even if I wrote the loan company a check for the entire balance tomorrow. Also, as long as I have it, it provides me with a bit of a tax break. Some debt can be GOOD debt.

And how to be a young artist in New York City…

1. Keep the momentum going immediately after graduation

Just because professors aren’t giving you assignments to complete doesn’t means you should take a break. There shouldn’t be gaps on your professional resume, or on your artist c.v.. Galleries and buyers are more interested in your work if they see that there is a constant effort or progression on your end. This demonstrates to them that in the long run, your work would be a good investment because you are continuing to develop as an artist, thus raising the value of your work and interest of collectors.

image courtesy of kat kohl

2. Apply for grants

Grants are VERY hard to come by, and extremely difficult to obtain in New York because of all the competition. It is important to continuously apply for them though, but I would not DEPEND on them solely to create work and establish a studio. Also since galleries, dealers and buyers don’t want to visit your apartment to view your work, this means I needed a studio, and I made it my mission to find an affordable one.

Be willing to be flexible and share the space with others to reduce the cost

3. Network CONSTANTLY

I make it a habit to always have postcards of my work on me (it must include your contact information), because you never know who you will run into. You just might just meet someone who is a great connection.

4. Determine the cost of your studio rent by day

Consider that every day you don’t go, you lose X amount of money.

I think about how when I’m not working, someone else IS. THAT really gets me going!

5. View your studio as a small business

This means I need to spend money on supplies: a “storefront", a website, and postcards/business cards for networking. However, you have to be realistic. Ask yourself if you are giving it 100% or not. If you are only giving a 25-50% effort, you should truly evaluate the cost of doing it “professionally” vs. “personally” as a hobby.

6. Don't sell out, but be open to suggestions

Dealers are excellent studio guests because they know and will share with you what sells, what doesn’t, and what would showcase your work best. It is in their personal best interest to give you honest feedback, because they will be happy to represent you to their clientele if they think your work will sell.

Really evaluate their advice: is their suggestion an idea that can really improve and expand your work, or does it compromise your vision entirely?

7. PAY IT FORWARD

As a sculptor, I’ve utilized the help of many friends and family members for hauling, installing, and taking down my work. When given the opportunity, I do the same for others. Not only does it cut costs, but at the end of the day, the art world is a social network and a community. When other artist friends or gallery owners you know have an opening, you should attend as a show of support, and it will be reciprocated when your own work is being shown.

Thanks Kat!

Do you have insider tips for surviving in your field? Think you could make it work as an artist in New York City? I'm curious, what do you think the biggest obstacle would be?

Would you like to be a contributor on a topic related to personal finance? Send me an email at: hello@andthenshesaved.com. (Please know that credit or lending companies will not be considered. Only real people with real stories and experiences should email.)

8 Items Worth The Splurge and 17 Items That Aren't Worth The Extra Money

Recently I asked my family, friends, Twitter followers, and Facebook friends, a question:

"What things are worth spending a little more money on and what things are definitely NOT worth the extra cost?"

I was surprised by some answers and some things fell into both categories. It was also kind of funny how some obscure things made it onto the list (peanuts in the shell? Kind of random!;)

It seems that what people determine to be "Worth It" and what items people deem "Not Worth It" is completely personal. It shows where a person's priorities lie on life and what truly matters to people. The almighty buck makes the vote in the end.

(At the top of each list is my selection and then I added the Facebook and Twitter readers responses to each list because it was really cool to see what everyone said.)

Worth It:

1. Good toothbrush Taking care of your teeth can save a lot of money in the future. I've soaked my toothbrushes in vinegar in the part to try to give them new life (see this post), but I've changed my mind. This one is worth the extra expense (especially since its pretty inexpensive in the big picture).

2. Dental Floss I've noticed that the off-brand frays in my teeth as I floss and can have a chemical taste, which is completely gross.

3. Running shoes I get a lot of use out of mine and take good care of them so they last for many years.

4. Face moisturizer with sun block (at least 35) Nothings better at keeping your face looking fresh then regular sun block use. I figure, might as well do the sun block thing now then wish I did when I'm old!

5. Snapshot digital camera My mom has a digital camera and the battery always runs out quickly, also there is a major delay from when she presses the button to take the picture and when the pictures actually gets taken, this means that everyone's already started to move out of the picture by the time the picture actually gets snapped. This is always a frustrating situation for her, and it turns out the cheaper option wasn't the way to go with that one.

6. Kraft Mac 'n' Cheese I never buy this these days but I've had the store-brand version in the past and it just isn't the same.

7. Sheets Buying linens is something I used to love to do. They even showed up on my "Wants and Needs" list as something I wasn't going to spend money on (see it here). While I don't go crazy for bed linens like I used to if they are truly needed then getting at least 250 thread count sheets are worth it so they don't feel scratchy against the skin.

yeah, i bet those sheets are coozzy!

8. Whole-wheat bread Finding bread that doesn't contain high-fructose corn syrup is tricky but I think it's worth it for health reasons. Plus it's easy to make a lot of filling (and fibrous) lunch sandwiches with the loaf which means the hunger will be held off for a little longer, and the urge to eat out will be lessened.

What Facebook and Twitter readers say is "Worth It":

Professional photographs

Name-brand toilet paper

Good jeans

Skin care

Art

Nice bras

Organic food for babies

Good stylist for cut and color

Bags

Home appliances

Anything that promotes well-being: nice clothes, a trip (I think this is a slippery slope... I could justify just about everything as being for my "well-being")

Good suit for work

Groceries (This reader adds, "So eating out doesn't happen".)

Netflix (This reader adds, "It's cheaper than 2 adult movie theater tickets".)

Toothpaste

Briefcase

Shoes

Name-brand peanut butter

Peanuts in the shell

Cereal

Converse (This reader adds, "While they're a little more expensive they last forever".)

Not Worth It:

1. Premium gas The regular gas seems to do just fine. Of course, I'm not a mechanic though so maybe it does matter?

2. Car Cars start depreciating in value from the moment they leave the lot. They always need maintenance and they are expensive. While they are deemed a "Need" in many people lives I don't think they are worth the expensive.

3. New CD's I get my fix for new music by checking out CD's from the library. (related post here)

4. Gym membership While I like the gym I think I could do without it. (See this related post)

5. Fancy shampoo from salon I use the drug store brand and while my hair doesn't always seem super "silky" the drug-store brand works just fine.

6. Liquid bath gel Using bar soap saves on packaging (environmental bonus with this one) and lasts a lot longer then it's liquid counterpart.

7. Name-brand dish soap Definitely don't notice a difference with name-brand to off-brand with this one!

8. Laundry detergent Perfect chance to make your own (see this post)

9. Name-brand air freshener Another DIY opportunity (see this post)

10. Name-brand paper towels Doesn't seem to be an absorbency issue with the off-brand.

11. Expensive salon haircuts This is a controversial one. I decided to follow a reader tip and get a once yearly pro cut (to get a good fountain) and then cut my hair myself for the rest of the year. (have you seen this post?)

12. Thrift store shoes Usually the shoe has already formed to the previous owners foot. I've never had success in this area.

13. Thrift store mattresses Too worried about bed bugs!

14. Name-brand oats The off-brand seriously tastes just as good as the name-brand. This was a controversial item when I brought this question up with my family, but I just can't put it on the "Worth It" list. (see this related post). My dad insisted that the steel-cut oats were worth the cost. Haven't tried those compared to the off-brand yet. Have you?

15. Toilet paper This was also a controversial and touchy item. As long as the toilet paper is two-ply I get the cheapest I can find. I can't see paying extra for something that going to be getting thrown right out. On another cheapskate note, would you consider using re-usable toilet paper like this family? you have to check out this video!

16. Name-brand or expensive olive oil I'm not enough of a foodie to notice the difference.

17. Expensive hotels while traveling We chose hostels if possible or the cheapest non-grimy hotel we can find. It's just a place to sleep. I'd rather save the money for something else.

What Facebook and Twitter readers say is "Not Worth It":

Books

Makeup

What do you think? What should have been included in the lists that wasn't? What is worth the splurge to you and what isn't?

Gettin' Guesty With Kady - 7 Ways To Deal With Divorce Debt

Kady of the blog A Lady Reveals Nothing got herself out of over $45,000 in divorce debt. Today she's sharing 7 ways that she got out from underneath the debt to live the life she's always wanted.

"I'm not a finance blogger, but five years ago I was left with $45 thousand in divorce debt. I paid it off in three years, saved an additional $18k, quit my job, and traveled the world for a year-and-a-half. I still haven't gone back to my job. Now, I just bartend when I can, and I pick up odd jobs to save for the next big trip."

It was like a kick to the punch in my gut. He left me, and he left his debt too. It took me three years, but I paid off over $45,000 in divorce debt. I used that momentum to save an additional $18,000 over the next seven months, quit my job, got on a plane and saw the world.  

Here’s how I did it:

1. I Changed My Mind. I looked at my paycheck differently. 

It wasn’t my money. 

It belonged to my creditors. On payday, first I paid my bills, then I sent a big a chunk of money to a creditor, and then I saved (a little at first, and more as I went). This left very little for spending. For more on this, see Anna’s tips here. 

2. I Discovered Craigslist. In my city, it’s absolutely the best way to sell things. I sold what I could in favor of cheaper items. Can you get $800 for the couch you picked out together? Because you can buy an adorable vintage number for about $250. Send the difference to your credit card company. Did he buy you a watch? A pair of earrings? Sell them. Forget making a necklace out of that engagement ring. I sold mine for $3500 to an adorable young couple. I wished them every happiness and sent the full amount to my credit card.

3. I Took a Second Job. My number one tip for new divorcees: Stay Busy. Working a couple nights a week at a restaurant or retail store will get you out of the house and your mind off the divorce. You can easily make an extra $500 a month even at minimum wage. Warning: Resist the urge to use your new discount. Dedicate every dime of that check to a credit card payment.

4. I Tackled Each Debt One at a Time. It works. I focused all of my attention on my highest-interest cards first (see this related post). When my unsecured debt was gone, I worked on my car loan. This not only made financial sense, it also helped me psychologically because it broke up my debt into smaller, more manageable chunks. When I was finally debt-free, I treated savings like a bill and loaded my account with the same veracity.

5. I Didn’t Quit. This was probably the hardest things I ever had to do. And I had to do it alone. But I kept going. I considered every payment a victory, and got a high from watching my balances get lower and lower.

6. I Started Running. I needed something to get my mind off of the grief of the loss, and the stress of the debt. I joined a running club, made lifelong friends, lost weight and finished three marathons. Find an inexpensive hobby that makes you feel good about yourself. Join a book club. Start knitting. Volunteer.

7. I never did go back to my job. Instead, I take odd jobs when I can in favor of spending most of my time traveling.

Now my money is mine. 

Contact me at: kady@aladyrevealsnothing.com if you need further tips or a one-woman cheering section as you go!

Thanks Kady! 

Would you like to be a contributor on a topic related to personal finance? Send me an email at: hello@andthenshesaved.com.  (Please know that credit or lending companies will not be considered. Only real people with real stories and experiences should email.)

9 Free And Simple Ways To Stay Healthy & Fit Without A Gym Membership

Once the New Year rolls around and everyone is done O.D.ing on sweets, detoxing and getting back into shape is a top priority.

Something that usually comes with the "losing weight" resolution is a gym membership. I'm lucky that I have a membership to the local YMCA which is relatively inexpensive compared to the other gyms in town. It also offers a discounted membership for state employees so this is a major bonus. Ever since I started on my personal journey out of debt I have asked companies if they offer discounts. Shockingly a lot of places do!

Did you know that many cell phone, gym, car rental and hotels companies offer discounts to government employees?

So while I haven't gotten a cost of living pay increase through the state in about 5 years getting these little discounts here and there is a nice surprise.

Coming right out and asking for a discount isn't something I did before the Spending Fast because I thought it was kind of embarrassing and I didn't want to be The Cheapskate. Now, I want to be the cheapskate. It's my thing. I own it now. Now, it's totally okay with me. Well, I take that back. Sometimes, it IS embarrassing but I always figure it's worth asking even if an occasional dirty look comes with it.

Today I'm sharing my top tips on how to stay healthy and fit without a gym membership, because it is possible.

Get in Shape Without the Gym

1. Run a stairwell Sometimes, if it's really cold outside or if I just don't want to make the trek over to the gym I'll take a couple of puffs off my inhaler and I grab my old iPod to start running the 5 flights of stairs in my building. I'll do this for about 20 minutes and it's an amazingly good work-out. I end up sweaty after which isn't super desirable but it's doable because it turns out that feeling swampy grows on ya.

2. Utilize this exercise-finder site here This site allows you to click on the body part you want to work and then gives a list of exercises to do for that specific area. These exercises can be done at home. If you don't have weights fill old milk jugs with water and lift those. Actually, I've heard that if you lift unsteady weights it helps to build the little muscles and produces nice results because your body has to work to balance the unsteadiness. Or, maybe I just made that up.

3. Run around your neighborhood It's easy to forget about this one during the winter-time (I know I do) because I automatically find myself thinking, "It's too cold. I don't want to be cold." Pull on the long-johns and hit the road. Also, the days are starting to get longer again and that means more day-light after work.

4. Play with kids If you have kids or know some kids play hide and go seek with them, wrestle, run around something circular (does every kid love that?). Tap into their endless energy and break a sweat.

5. Shovel snow If you've ever shoveled you know what I'm talking about with this one.

6. Get a jump-rope Just about every time that I've gone to the thrift store there has been a jump rope there. Jumping rope burns an amazing amount of calories.

7. Shoot hoops Running up and down the court is crazy good cardio.

8. Utilize Rec Centers While this tip isn't completely free it's awfully close. Most cities have recreation centers that are even cheaper than the YMCA. They're definitely worth looking into.

9. Take advantage of free classes Here in Denver (they also have locations in California, Illinois, Minnesota, and Oregon), CorePower Yoga offers free hot-yoga classes throughout the week. These free classes are always a little busy so just get there early to secure a spot.

Do you have a tip that isn't included in this list? If so, I'd love to hear it!