Old Fashioned Ways

A slower lifestyle can be both money saving and healthier. Think about the way people lived 40, 50 or more years ago. There are some things we would not want to do without, such as air conditioning. But there are other things that might matter less.

Spend more time walking outside and less time walking around stores buying things you do not really need. Get more fresh air.

Spend more time with people and visiting than doing things that cost a lot of money. In the end, the quality of your relationships will be a major determinate in the quality of your life.

Do less. Have less. Yes, you can. Your life is not the sum total of what you possess. It sometimes gets in the way of life because you have to tend the stuff rather than enjoy peace and rest and relationships.

Drink lots more water. It is inexpensive and it is much healthier. You'll live longer with less ailments.

Dry your clothes out on a clothesline. The sun does a better job of killing bacteria and germs than bleach and with no harmful fumes like bleach.

Eat food as close as possible to the way they occur in nature. It costs less to eat a banana than a banana creme pie from the frozen food aisle and it is healthier. Eat your fruits and vegetables. Avoid processed cheeses and cured or processed meats. Many of our current health problems are the result of our dietary habits. It costs a whole lot less to eat 5 to 7 fruits and veggies a day than it does to take lifelong medications, have surgeries and deal with all the medical needs stemming from our bad food choices. There's a lot less pain and suffering too.

Bake, boil and broil your foods rather than fry them. If appropriate, eat foods raw, such as carrots. You save money by saving your health. Heart trouble and diabetes and knee surgeries are expensive.

Eat at home. Simple, healthy meals are much better for you than the salt and fat laden items served in restaurants. Eating sitting at a table and not rushing leads to better digestion. Saves money on the anti acid pills.

Turn off the a/c or heat when the weather is nice and open your windows to let in fresh air. Unless you live in a very polluted city or have severe lung problems already, this is healthy. And healthy is frugal.

Buy clothes that can be washed at home. Do not purchase clothes that must be dry cleaned. Dry cleaning is not frugal. Dry cleaners use chemicals on the clothing to clean them. Over time you are exposed to these chemicals which are considered not very good for your health. Healthy is frugal.

Worshiping the Lord is frugal. How? People who attend church and have faith in the Lord live longer, are happier and are healthier than those who do not. Researchers have concluded this. Why? People in church have friends and social contacts. Those correlate to a better life. They have faith and purpose and life has meaning. Things that make one healthier. People who are faithful in worship tend to have healthier lifestyles than those who do not, drinking, smoking, doing drugs, and other high risk behaviors tend to be avoided more. Prayer is time of quiet and tends to slow down the heart rate so the body is more relaxed, a healthy thing. Singing lifts the spirits and stimulates chemical reactions in the body that encourage better health. It also gives the lungs a work out and increase dopamine in the brain which lead to a sense of well being.