Category: Health & Fitness

Environmentalists make a big deal out of sustainability. As thrifty moms, though, we don’t always have the cash to live sustainably. For this reason, a reverse osmosis water filter sounds like something many of us don’t have the money to buy right now.

But is the cost really all that high? That is to say, do the benefits make up for the price?

As it turns out, they do. Find out why below.

1. It Uses Less Energy Than Other Systems

If you’re not currently filtering your water, there is a good reason to. Using a filter is like housekeeping for your water.

If you’re already using a filter, it’s likely not as energy efficient as reverse osmosis filters. Systems such as the well-known Filter Pure Everpure systems, for example, do a great job of saving energy while purifying your water.

And saving energy means saving money, which is something we all want.

2. Your Water Will Be Free of Contaminants

You and your family deserve to drink clean water. Without a filter, your household could be doing just the opposite.

From lead to other metals and particles, your unfiltered water is brimming with unpleasant chemicals. As some of you may know, high levels of lead can be particularly damaging, especially to children. Reverse osmosis filters help remove these nasties from your water and limit your family’s exposure to them.

3. You’ll Save Money

As stated above, reverse osmosis water filters save energy, and that means that they save your family some money. These filters can also save your family money in another meaningful way.

Take a look around your kitchen right now. Do you see any bottles of water sitting around? If so, purchasing a reverse osmosis filter could you save the trouble of buying those bottles of water.

As an added bonus, not buying bottled water would definitely help cut down on plastic waste, which means that your thriftiness would be a boon to the planet in this case.

4. Your Water (and Food) Will Taste Better

Those of you who are coffee fanatics or home chefs will be happy to hear that having a filter in your home will make just about everything you prepare with water from your faucet taste better. Whenever you cook pasta or make tea, the water you use contributes to the flavor of the finished product.

And if you’re using fresh, filtered water, you’ll notice a slight difference in the flavor.

5. They Play Well With Water Softners

Hard water is the enemy of most good hair days. The buildup that it can cause is a headache, so some invest in water softeners.

Of course, softened water doesn’t taste all that great to some people. Fortunately, you can pair a water softener with a water purifier and get the benefits of having both soft water and purified water.

This means that you get to keep your good hair days and have delicious water.

Osmosis Water Filters Are Good Investments

Osmosis water filters are pretty good investments, all things considered. They help save money, remove contaminants from your water, and remove any gross flavors from your water as well.

As usual, thrifty mommas, don’t be afraid to chime in below. What are your experiences with reverse osmosis water filters?

Healthy kids are happy kids.

We all want our children to grow up into happy, healthy adults, and that means making sure they eat a balanced diet and understand the value of good nutrition.

However, making sure they eat good foods at home can be difficult. When they’re out of the house, we’re looking at a nearly impossible feat. Life would be easier if children has access to healthy vending machines.

At school for example.

Kids spend a large portion of their day out of the home, in a place packed offering vending machines filled with sugary snacks. It is natural that they will pick a candy bar over an apple.

How can we combat this and ensure our children continue to eat healthy at school?

Healthy Vending Machines Offer a Great Snack Substitute

There is nothing wrong with vending machines, and there is nothing wrong with a little candy now and then. The problem is the lack of options and the over abundance of unhealthy snacks.

If schools were to offer healthy vending machines containing fruit, nuts, and healthy snacks, they would be offering the children in their care a balanced and healthy lifestyle on school grounds.

It would also be in the interest of the school to give children healthy options which will keep the students energized and ready to learn.

There are many choices when it comes to such machines, and healthyyou vending reviews can help you choose the best products to recommend to your child’s school.

The Benefit of Natural Suger over Refined

Sure, both fruits and candy bars are full of sugars, so what’s the difference,?

Well, the core difference is that fruit is natural sugar, while candy bars are made from refined sugar, and all manner of other ingredients too.

Fruits contain natural sugar and other nutrients, but also fiber, which slows the break down of the fruit sugars and prevents the blood sugar spike that can be seen from eating candy.

Nutritious vending machines can serve as a great educational point for children, to learn about the different types of sugars and how our body processes them.

Educators are Responsible For Helping Raise Your Children

At the end of the day, you entrust your children into the care of school officials, because, they, as educators are the best people to help teach your kids about the world, and how to thrive in it.

Why shouldn’t educational institutions shoulder the responsibility to ensuring children stay healthy while on school grounds?

The two go hand in hand, and the responsibility is on both parents and educators to make sure the children in our care are given the best possible options for them.

Healthy Eating is a Privilege Not to be Ignored

It can be easy to forget that access to healthy foods is a privilege. There are a lot of people in the world who do not have such luxury. We need to teach our children that eating healthy is something they should be thankful for.

Being able to eat a balanced and nutritious diet is (sadly) not a right.

As adults, it is our duty to do everything we can to give our children healthy alternatives.

We are not individuals in this battle. We can work together to make healthy vending machines a school staple.

Just take a look around our site to see how many ways there are for you to get more involved. If you want more information on anything, you can always reach out to me.

All of us love to look great. But one of the problems with weight loss is that it seems to cost so much.

With American obesity at an all-time high, there’s no doubt that there’s never been a better time to focus on losing some pounds.

Make sure you aren’t overspending when it comes to weight loss though. Try these hints and you’ll save money while you lose weight:

1. Save Money With Weight Loss

Many of us think of costly gym memberships when it comes to losing weight or spending money on supplements. But we seldom think about all the money we are going to save by dropping excess fat.

A recent study showed that Americans spend as much as $28 billion a year on medical costs associated with obesity. Just by setting a time to walk for 30 minutes 5 times a week Americans will save an estimated $2,500 per year.

Rather than thinking about all the money you will spend, focus on what you will save. Plus, you can find that new wardrobe with the money you will save.

2. Drink The Tea

You may have heard the insane health benefits of drinking weight loss tea. There are a wide range of types but science shows that some strains of tea reduce fat and can help shrink your waistline.

Not sure there is much to prove that weight loss tea really works? One woman was able to drop over 100 pounds in a single year by drinking weight loss tea.

Tea is a delicious way to feel full and a proven product. Find one that is right for you and watch the pounds slip away.

3. Exercise On a Budget

Unfortunately, many of us want to throw money at the problem and hope we will get skinnier as a result. But buying the latest fad won’t help you lose weight on its own.

Losing weight means good diet and regular exercise. But don’t feel like you need to break the bank to get in some solid exercise.

As noted above, walking doesn’t cost anything at all and it can help you lose weight. But there are a number of ways to exercise on a budget.

Besides walking and doing home exercises why not jump on YouTube and try and find some workouts you enjoy? There is no shortage of options for everyone.

4. Track Your Calories

One of the best ways to lose weight is to keep a calorie diary. You can use a notebook or take advantage of one of the free fitness apps on the market.

Not only will you be losing weight by focusing on healthy eating, you can plan and adjust your calorie intake around your fitness goals.

5. Cook At Home

Meal preparation is a great way to lose some weight. One of the triggers to overeating or eating junk is scrambling to find something to eat at the last minute.

By preparing ahead of time and cooking at home you will have plenty of healthy options to choose from.

Not sure where to begin? Both your wallet and your waistline will thank you if you try our frugal recipes at home.

No one can dispute that health insurance is important, especially in a country with healthcare costs that are so high. 45.7% of companies provide health insurance for their employees.

But what do you do if you’re self-employed? 31% of self-employed people with no employees have no insurance. How can you avoid being part of this statistic without breaking the bank?

Read on to find out more about health insurance for self-employed people!

Understand What’s Available in Terms of Health Insurance for Self Employed

Healthy insurance may feel like a must, but there are many options to choose from in the kind of insurance you can get.

Federal or State

Under the Affordable Care Act, states must either run their own insurance marketplace or use the federal one.

On these marketplaces, you’ll find private companies selling government-vetted policies that offer a variety of coverage amounts.

Healthcare Sharing Ministry

If government-run exchanges aren’t your thing, you can still find reasonable health insurance for self employed people.

With healthcare sharing ministries, your monthly premium contributes to not only your healthcare but other members of your same group.

This is a great way to cut costs, though, as with everything, research is needed to ensure you’re getting the right coverage for you and your family’s needs.

Health Savings Account

A Health Savings Account, or HSA, is great if you’re looking for a lot of control over your health funds.

An HSA is a high-deductible health plan. Essentially, you put all the money you want into a special account, and then, as long as you spend it on medical expenses that meet the qualifications, you pay no tax or penalty on the money withdrawal.

And, the best part, the money is still yours! So if you need it for a non-medical emergency, you can take it out (keeping in mind possible taxes and penalties), and use it!

Price Comparison: Your Ticket to Savings

Competition is the true beauty of the marketplace. Compare health insurance prices to ensure you’re getting the best deal possible.

Look for Savings

Health insurance can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be excessive. Look for ways like these to decrease your costs.

Choose the Degree of Coverage

Less coverage means more savings. The ACA offers a “metal” rating system so you can choose a coverage plan that’s right for you. Platinum covers 90% of your out-of-pocket costs, Gold 80%, Silver 70%, and Bronze 60%.

Check for Subsidies

Depending on your income (less than 400% the poverty level), you may qualify for significant savings if you buy through the state marketplace.

You may also get a tax break from your health insurance simply for being self-employed on line 29 of form 1040 if your self-employed income is less than enough to cover to premium.

To do this, report your profits on Schedule C, then deduct the premiums until your Schedule C is equal to zero. Then report the leftover premium costs as an itemized deduction on Schedule A.

This may or may not work, but it’s worth a try to save money on health insurance for self employed!

Looking for a way to bring in some extra cash to offset insurance costs? Check out easy ways to make money here.

Curious about more ways to save money or improve your self-employed mom life? Feel free to contact this blog!

Getting back in shape doesn’t have to involve expensive gym memberships, pricey fad diet programs or exclusive fitness DVDs. You don’t even need high-end workout clothes.

All you really need is willpower to incorporate exercise into your daily routine and eat a healthy diet full of fruits, veggies, complex carbs, and protein. A good start is adding Jarrow whey protein into your smoothie for an energized morning.

The good news is – you can easily do it without breaking the bank.

But when it comes to actually starting, many people rely on excuses. And the lack of time and money are at the top of the list.

With over 36% of adults in the U.S. being obese, there’s never been a better time to take care of your health and well-being.

Keep reading to discover how you can exercise on a budget, tone your entire body and lose weight in the process.

5 Ways to Exercise on a Budget

1. Go Running or Brisk Walking

One of the simplest ways to add some physical activity into your day is to take up running.

It’s free and you don’t need to spend money on fancy athletic outfits. All you need is a good running trail and quality shoes to support your feet.

Brisk walking around your neighborhood is another excellent cardio exercise as well. It’s a great alternative for people who have health issues or joint problems, but still want to get some workout.

2. Try a Local Gym

The best way to exercise on a budget is to find a local gym in your neighborhood. They usually have all the fitness equipment necessary for a good workout, but for a low monthly membership.

Local gyms may not offer specialized workout programs or personal trainers, but if you prefer the gym over working out at home, this option might be for you.

3. Buy Discounted Fitness DVDs from eBay, Amazon, or Craigslist

You can easily find some great deals on seriously discounted fitness DVDs online.

If you don’t For starters, try your luck on Amazon or eBay and see if you can score used ones or even older versions.

If you don’t find anything there, move on to Craigslist – there always someone out there who’s trying to get rid of their old fitness DVDs.

If all else fails, visit a nearby thrift store or a yard sale and see if you can find some DVDs there.

4. Get on YouTube

What says “exercise on a budget” more than a completely free YouTube fitness video?

All you need is some free time and internet connection and you’re all set. There are so many fitness trainers and instructors that offer excellent at-home workouts. At the same time, you can research healthy diet options to match your exercises.

However, be careful when selecting the videos and exercises. Do your research and see which ones fit your needs the most.

5. Try Biking

Biking is an easy way to get your juices flowing and get some exercise. The only expense you’ll have is buying a bike if you don’t own one already.

However, you can always find second-hand bikes on Craigslist or even new ones for cheap. And if you have kids, biking is a great family activity that you can do in your free time, especially when the weather is nice.

Conclusion

When trying to lose weight, getting fit or just being more physically active, you should also reconsider your dietary choices.

Eating healthy foods doesn’t have to be expensive – you just need to learn how to choose the items properly and plan your meals around them.

This combination of daily exercise and clean eating will make you fitter, more energized and ready to tackle the days ahead.