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

 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.

First consider the actual cost of ownership. Do you own a car that is paid for? If the answer is “yes” then keep that car if at all possible. Buying or leasing a new car and making those payments will run anywhere from two hundred dollars a month on up. If you are not spending that amount of money on repairs and maintenance, you are ahead already. In addition, it costs less to tag and insure an older car. Be sure to keep up on regular maintenance such as oil changes, rotating tires, and fluid, engine, and brake checks. Owning your car outright will save over a thousand dollars a year easily.

Tired of paying so much for fuel? Limit your driving. Does that sound hard to do? Well it is not really that difficult.  One possibility to reduce the amount of time you spend driving and how much you spend for fuel is car pooling. If you are part of a car pool of four people, you will drive (or pay for gas and minimal maintenance) about one week a month, which means you will spend one fourth as much money on gasoline and have one fourth as much wear and tear on your car. In addition, car insurance is often based in part on the number of miles the vehicle is driven per year. Reducing the miles driven reduces the cost of insuring your car.

Another way to cut back on fuel charges is to plan your errands so that you are doing several things on one driving trip. Go to the hardware store, pay a bill, mail a letter and go grocery shopping all in one afternoon. Stop those impulsive short trips to get one grocery item. Make a list and buy for a week at a time. If you run out of something, improvise, make something else, or substitute something you have for something that you want. You will be pleasantly surprised at the gas savings. Save even further by walking or biking to as many of those errands as possible.

Taking a defensive driving course can save you money because having a current defensive driving certificate can reduce your car insurance. Also often covered in the class are techniques that reduce the cost of fuel and the wear and tear on brakes and tires. Those are savings, too.

Finally, if you have more than one vehicle, it may be time to evaluate selling one. Can you justify having multiple vehicles? Years ago families usually used only one vehicle, and they did just fine. Not every teen needs to own a car. Sharing rides to school, to work and to the stores promotes more together time with busy friends and family.

Owning a car is often a necessity, but with a little extra effort, you can drastically reduce the amount of money you spend on automotive expenses.