Budget-Friendly Ways To Make Your Family Healthier and Safer This Year

It can often seem daunting to consider healthy eating while on a budget. Add expensive safety measures and you may feel like your budget has gone out the window. But keeping your family healthy and safe on a budget is easier than you may think. Here are a few health and safety habits you can use for your family that also maximize your budget:

Healthy Habits

Did you know that Americans get about one billion colds each year? Following some basic healthy habits can ensure that your family stays healthy and happy, especially through cold and flu season. The best part about these healthy habits is they’re free!
The number one and most basic habit is proper handwashing. You should wash your hands anytime you’re dealing with food, eating, after using the toilet or taking out the trash, after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing, and after handling animals. Make sure all of your family members know that the steps of a good hand wash are:

1. Wet your hands with clean warm water.
2. Apply antibacterial soap and lather for at least 20 seconds. Scrub the backs of your hands, in between your fingers, and under your nails.
3. Rinse your hands well under clean running water.
4. Dry your hands using a clean towel or let them air dry.

You should also carry hand sanitizer with you so that even when a handwashing station is not accessible, you can keep germs off your hands.
Some other healthy habits your family should participate in are staying hydrated, getting proper servings of fruits, vegetables, proteins, and dairy, taking vitamins, and staying active. These are just the start and some of the most basic habits. There is quite a bit you can do beyond this to keep your family healthy, but when you’re just starting to instill some good habits, these are key for healthy living.

Healthy Eating

One of the most common misconceptions about healthy eating is that “healthy food” like fresh fruits and vegetables don’t fit in a tight budget. If you shop smart and plan well, you can fit fresh food into your budget even when you’re saving money. If you struggle using your fresh food before it goes bad, there are frozen options that still have great nutrients.
Planning your meals ahead is an underrated way to save money while still eating healthy. Meal planning allows you to use everything you have without worrying about fresh food going to waste. It also forces you to look at your shelves to see which ingredients you already have before heading to the store for more. When you do visit the store, stick to your grocery list and make sure you eat beforehand. Hungry shoppers tend to make poorer choices and end up buying things they don’t really need.
Another way to shop smart on a budget is to reconsider grocery delivery or online shopping. U.S. e-commerce revenue is about $423.3 billion and continues to climb steadily. While buying food or products online may seem more convenient, it can often be more expensive as you have to pay for shipping and other costs. Going to your local store can be cheaper, especially if you keep an eye out for sales and coupons in the mail.

Your Family’s Safety

When it comes to the safety of your family while at home, simply locking your doors might not be enough. A home burglary occurs every 13 seconds in the United States. While many security systems are very expensive, there are a few inexpensive ways you can protect your family at home without breaking the bank.
While a lock alone may not stop a burglar, it’s still important to make sure you have locks on every access point to your home, which includes all doors and windows. Make sure that the locks are updated and working properly. You may also want to reinforce your locked doors and windows so they cannot be easily broken. If you have an extra key hidden outside, make sure to keep it in a safe place. Storing a key under your doormat is like giving a burglar an easy way into your home. There are faux stones or lawn ornaments that have a buried container underneath that you can purchase for a safer place to hide your key. You could even try making your own for a really budget-friendly option.
Motion sensing lights around the outside of your home are also a great way to ramp up your security. Burglars are trying to get around undetected and the spotlight alone might be enough to deter them from your home. You’ll also want to keep valuable items out of sight. If there are valuables that seem easier to reach, burglars may try to break into your home with more force. If they can’t see anything worthwhile, they may give up.
Just because your family is saving money doesn’t mean that your health and safety need to suffer. By applying these ideas to your health practices, eating habits, and home safety, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your family is protected and your budget is still intact.