Walking, jogging or running (depending on your physical condition and your preference) are great ways to get a good workout with extensive health benefits, while keeping within your tight budget.

Many people are spending large sums of money on workout and health clubs with contract memberships automatically linked to bank accounts.  The worst part is that many people never use these expensive memberships to their full potential if they even use them. Another costly workout method used by a large number of people is purchasing expensive treadmills that double as laundry get racks, or other weird expensive exercise equipment sold on late night T.V. by buff actors who probably do not even use the equipment any more than required for the filming of the infomercial.

There is an entire industry that thrives on selling junk to people who falsely assume that it will make them healthy and fit. A better method would be to just save all that money and spend it on healthier food and juice to replenish your body after a real workout from walking or jogging.

All that is needed for a great workout is some loose fitting clothes and some decent shoes. You can get a great workout walking or jogging for free. Your biggest expense will probably be the shoes you wear out every few months.

Walking is the easiest way to get out and burn some calories. There is no need for a treadmill, just get out and get some fresh air and sunshine. Head for a local park, university campus, large office complex, or just around the block. Some people in large cities don’t have very good environments to walk in so they go to indoor malls or large public buildings and walk laps around the hallways. Some malls even open their doors early for groups of people for what they call a “mall crawl”. You can still get good walking workout inside, especially if you add in some stairs.

Jogging and running are beneficial for those who are more fit and want a greater workout. This can build up you leg muscles and increase the strength and vitality of your cardiovascular system. If you can stay away from busy roads and car exhaust, it will be better for your lungs and you will have less chance of getting hit by a car or truck. Fresh air is good for running and even better if you can find a river or ocean to run near to keep the large amounts of air you are processing moist with water ions. If you have access to dirt trails or grass to run on, this can be more comfortable for your body as you will put less impact on your knees than running on concrete or asphalt. Many larger parks have jogging and walking trails around them.

With running, jogging or even walking, good shoes are important, but you don’t need $130 top of the line shoes. Any decent brand with good arch support and a comfortable feel are more important than the latest new design. The $130 running shoes are nice and feel great when you try them on in the store, but after you run a week or two in them and they start to break in, the fancy gel and foam insoles start to break down. At that point, they won’t feel much different from any average running shoe. You can often find last year’s shoes on clearance for less than $50.

Your workout clothes don’t need to be high priced brand name workout pants or jackets. A regular pair of sweat pants and a light jacket from you local department store works just as well for a fraction of the cost. The fancy workout clothes do feel nice when you try them on, but if you’re looking for an affordable workout, you don’t need that type of stuff.

One important thing before any good work out is to make sure your body is stretched out and limber. Many sports and workout injuries and strains happen because people were not stretched out and ready for the workout. When your body is stretched out it can handle the impact and strain of a workout more easily. Remember to do a few basic stretches before your walk or run. C3RGGPCXKEDM

If you are in college, or planning to start college soon, you know the cost of tuition alone is plenty to worry about. Even with the best scholarships, many students, from all income classes, have some stress and worry trying to pay everything. However, there are a few tips and tricks to help you minimize stress and save money on many aspects of your college life. You can make college much more affordable with just a few simple steps!

 One way to potentially decrease the cost of your college education is to share off campus rent with a roommate. Living in the college dorms can be expensive, between the convenience of living on campus and the required meal plan you may end up supplementing for added variety and quality, you will probably spend more living in a dorm than living off campus. If you decide to share rent with a roommate, you will cut your off campus living expenses dramatically. While you might not be as close to your college if you do not live in a dorm, there are usually many people willing to rent out rooms within biking distance, walking distance, or along a bus route. You may also be able to find a location that is conveniently located close to your school and stores. Living in a rented space may also be more comfortable and have fewer restrictions than living in the dorms.

 Books are another very expensive aspect of college life. Students often spend hundreds of dollars a semester on textbooks. You can easily save money by purchasing used textbooks. You may be able to get many of your books for very dramatic discounts online or in bookstores offering used textbooks. Of course, if you keep your own textbooks in good condition, you can sell them at the end of the semester and use the money for next semester’s books.

 For many college students, everyday things can become hard to save money on. When shopping for necessities, such as food, take notice of the stores with the best prices. Normally, small food stores are going to be more expensive than larger supermarkets. Just keep your eyes open for great sales, but don’t skimp when it comes to keeping your body healthy.

 Dating can be another expensive aspect of college life. With so many new people to meet, you’re sure to go on a few dates between studying. Movies and nice restaurants can really empty your wallet if you’re going out every week. Many campuses offer a wide variety of social activities that are free or require a minimal cover charge. If a movie is important to you or your date, try to attend the matinee shows, which are typically discounted by several dollars. If you make a connection with the other person, you will have fun just taking a walk or having a picnic in a park. Do not feel pressured to spend money to impress people. Chances are, they are just as worried about their student finances as you are.

 College is probably one of the most expensive investments you will make for your future. With a little extra effort, you can at least minimize the day to day stress of making ends meet and possibly have a few extra dollars in your pocket to treat yourself once in a while.

 Having trouble stretching your monthly food budget?  Are you tired of eating boring “cheap” food?  Many of your friends, family, and neighbors probably are, too.  Grouping together with a few other people can save you a considerable amount of money on your weekly or monthly shopping.  When you consolidate your efforts you can make lists of store sales and split the driving or buy memberships to more than one club store and maximize your savings on bulk items.
 
Bulk items
 
Many things are less expensive per item when you buy several at a time.  If you don’t have the room or desire to store and eat 20 pounds of potatoes before they go bad, you aren’t really saving money.  But if you and a friend or two split the cost of a bag of potatoes, you can likely consume 5-10 pounds before they go bad.  Club stores often pack spices, condiments, soups, cereals, etc. in packs of 2 or more.  If you and a friend or two can decide on which items you both need and will use, you can save a considerable amount over buying one or two items on your own at the grocery store.
 
Grocery sales
 
One grocery store may be having a great sale on meat and dry goods while the other one across town is having a great sale on produce.  Send your friend with your produce list and take his meat list.  When you both get home, separate out the items you purchased for each other and exchange any money needed.  Don’t forget to share (and use) your coupons!
 
Splitting the shopping among friends can save you on the cost of the items themselves as well as on the cost of gas getting all over town to the best deals.

Discount movies
 
Research your local area for discount movie theaters playing older releases for cheaper prices.  Combine that with a largish purse/handbag full of snacks and you can have a movie theater experience for 2 for under $10.
 
Happy hours
 
Many restaurants and bars have happy hour specials that include greatly reduced appetizer, dessert, or drink specials.  Split an appetizer and each have a drink for around $10 including a tip.
 
Taxi/bus
 
As an aside to drinking out, take the bus or a taxi.  It may seem more expensive initially, but a ticket for drinking and driving (even if you don’t feel impaired) is much more expensive than the few dollars to use alternate transportation.  Be safe.
 
Museums
 
Many museums offer free or discount days.  With a little research you may even be able to find some obscure smaller museums that are free.  For example, the Denver Art Museum is free to Colorado residents the first Saturday of every month.
 
Summer outside movies
 
Does your area set up a movie screen and show old movies outside in a park in the summer?  If there is somewhere in your area that does this, there is usually no admission and it is a lot of fun.
 
Parks
 
Grab a Frisbee, ball and couple of mitts, or just a blanket and a good book and head to your local park.  Add some sandwiches and you have an inexpensive romantic afternoon out.
 
Historic Buildings/Monuments
 
Take a tour of your area looking at all of the historic buildings or monuments.  Most towns have several and learning their history can be entertaining.
 
Free local music events
 
Throughout the spring and summer months, you can usually find free music at local coffee shops, bars, or restaurants with patios.  Finding these can be a great way to get out and about in your town while supporting your local talent.

Use leftovers

Don’t over load your plate.  You can always go back for more if you’re still hungry.  The more you leave in the pan, the more leftovers you have, the more you can use for lunch, dinner, or snack in the next couple days.  Be sure to use leftovers quickly so they don’t go bad.

The last little bit

Almost all products have a “last little bit” that is hard to use.  Add a little water to shampoos, conditioners or sauces to use the entire product.  For salad dressings, sometimes it is better to add just a little milk.

Old clothes for rags

Don’t throw out your old jeans, shirts, sheets, towels or other clothing items that are too worn to wear.  Clothing items past their prime are great for kitchen and cleaning rags.

Less is More

Likely you won’t notice if you are drinking 10 ounces of milk with dinner instead of 12 ounces.  Fill your glass a little less than normal.  It is amazing what we consume rather than throw away.  Often, I’d be satisfied long before I finished my drink, but I don’t want to be wasteful and toss it out.  The same goes with shampoo, hand soap, lotion, pretty much anything you squeeze out.  I tend to get more than I really wanted or needed and end up using it anyway.  Try getting less than what you think you will need.  You can always add more later if you need or want more.

Most of all, just be conscious of what you are throwing away and if it is really ready to be thrown away.