Category: Wellness

Categories
Health & Home Wellness

How What You Eat Can Actually Boost Your Mood

How What You Eat Can Actually Boost Your Mood

How Can Food Boost Your Mood?

You may know that unhealthy eating habits and food can lead to mood swings. Nutritional imbalances and blood sugar fluctuations are among the causes. When you don’t get the energy from the right source, your mind and body may stop functioning appropriately. The following are some ways unhealthy patterns can disturb your mood and emotions:

  • Avoiding entire food groups decreases the variety of foods in your diet and reduces your chances of getting essential nutrients. This leads to low levels of magnesium, iron, zinc, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acid, and other nutrients. It decreases energy and causes mood swings.
  • Skipping meals leads to low blood sugar, which makes you tired and weak throughout the day.
  • High consumption of refined carbohydrates, such as pastries and white bread, can alter your blood sugar levels, which lead to irritability and low energy.

Some researchers also show that food can contribute to the treatment and prevention of psychological conditions, including anxiety and depression disorders. Although scientists still have to learn more about the effects of food patterns on mental health, some studies show that eating healthy food may have a protective effect. Not to mention, many doctors and researchers believe that balanced consumption of healthy nutrients is as important for your mental wellbeing as physical health.

What Food Can Boost Your Mood?

Here are some nutrients that give you energy and help you avoid nutritional deficiency, which is one of the causes of mood swings. They can also help you produce mood-boosting hormones that make you feel satisfied and happy.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

These nutrients are present in fatty fish like sardines, lake trout, salmon, and albacore tuna. The Omega-3 fatty acid can help you lower inflammation in your body. However, if you don’t like fish, you can consume chia seeds, flax seeds, and walnuts to meet your body’s omega-3 fatty acids needs.

Magnesium

Magnesium is one of the most important components that can help you keep your mood balance. Do you know that spinach is not only high in tryptophan but also in magnesium? This nutrient plays a great role in reducing anxiety and support sleep. Other foods that contain a significant amount of magnesium include whole grains, nuts, and legumes.

Leafy Green Vegetables

Many green veggies offer you B vitamin folate. Although the connection is not yet understood, low levels of folate may have a link with depression.  According to the research of the Journal of Psychiatric, depression patients have lower levels of folate as well as lower intake of folate in their diet compared to people without depression. Other researches also show that low vegetables and fruit consumption can increase the risk of depression.

Here are some folate-rich veggies that you can consume.

  • Okra
  • Avocado
  • Broccoli
  • Lentils
  • Turnip greens
  • Spinach
  • Artichokes
  • Edamame

Vitamin D

Experts believe that vitamin D can increase the serotonin levels in your body that can boost your mood. Some studies also suggest that vitamin D deficiency can increase the risk of depression in older adults. People who fall in the following categories are at a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency:

  • Darker skin
  • Living further from the equator
  • Spend more time indoors
  • Living in a location with more air pollution

For vitamin D, you can eat foods like egg yolks, salmon, milk, orange juice, soy milk, cheese, and sockeye salmon.

Bottom Line

So, if you want to boost your mood, the only thing you need to do is to eat healthy. Other factors that can impact your mood even if you are taking nutrient-rich diets include:

  • Lack of sleep
  • Dehydration
  • Work stress

To uplift your mood, make sure that you consider every factor that can alter your emotions.

Categories
Health & Home Wellness

My Experience With A Lymphatic Drainage Massage

What Happened At My Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Out of all the therapeutic massage treatments, lymphatic drainage has been quite popular since a while now. There’s a reason why all of us love to rush to a practitioner, as soon as the opportunity presents itself. The rhythmic strokes in gentle, long motions and the light pressure feel almost magical as the lymph nodes flow more easily and the toxins begin to leave our bodies.

Our immune systems naturally contain the lymph systems inside, which helps us fight against infections. In nature, the lymph is a slightly yellowish, clear fluid that plays a vital role in transporting oxygen and nutrients to our cells. While it is performing this task, it keeps collecting the toxins from our body and flushes them out through lymph nodes.

Within our bodies, the lymph vessels exist in a quantity that is twice more than the blood vessels in us. The lymph system does not have a pump like that of our heart, which pumps blood in our body. What the lymph system does instead is that it uses pressure from the blood vessels and the muscle movements to run our lymphatic fluid around.

How I Felt After My Lymphatic Drainage Massage

My personal experience of a lymph drainage massage began with an appointment at the local massage center in my neighborhood. Before proceeding, I verified that the masseuse had professional training in this and was proficient at lymphatic massages. I also made it a point to discuss my personal health issues and let her explain how the treatment would be beneficial for me.

My ultimate goal is seeking a lymphatic drainage massage was to get some relief for my chronic back pain and injuries as a result of sports. When we had discussed at length what method the masseuse would use and what I could expect as the outcome, she began the massaging process.

Like every other massage, this one also requires you to undress and lie atop a heated table. After that, you experience light and repetitive strokes on your legs, back, stomach, armpits and arms. It is nothing like the deep tissue massages you get in other treatments, but lighter and more calculated movements.

At the end of the massage, I had to rest aplenty and also drink a lot of water, but like masseuse had mentioned, I experienced the full benefits only a few days later. My steps had an extra spring to them, I felt like a spurt of energy in my body and lightness in my physique. I no longer could feel any bloating or water weight weighing me down.

Rather, my body felt less inflamed, mid section lighter and a constant feeling of contentment and comfort surrounding me. If I keep regular appointments with a lymphatic draining massage expert, I’m sure my health is going to improve even more significantly.

Here are some of the top benefits of a lymphatic drainage massage:

Top Benefits

  • Increased weight loss, due to the higher calorie-burning efficiency of your body from the improved metabolic rate.
  • More reduction in water retention
  • Decreases chances of viruses, including minor flu bugs and cold. Strengthens your body against infections and sickness, and improves the healing process.
Categories
Health & Home Wellness

Nutritionist Advice: 5 Secrets for Better Digestion

Nutritionist Advice: 5 Secrets for Better Digestion

When it comes to digestive health, you need to consume essential nutrients and stop taking unhealthy food. Also, every person responds to different foods in a different way, so make sure that you know what type of food causes constipation and other digestion problems.

Here are 5 secrets for better digestion that you should know. Let’s take a look.

1.    Eat a High-Fiber Diet

A high fiber diet can help you deal with digestion problems. Consuming a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes improves digestion.

Additionally, a high-fiber regular diet can support the process of the food movement in your digestive tract. This way, there will be less risk of constipation. High fiber foods can treat or prevent several digestive problems such as hemorrhoids, diverticulosis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This type of diet also helps you maintain or achieve a healthy weight.

2.    Chew your Food

Few people understand that digestion begins from the mouth. Your saliva and teeth are the first in the digestive process that helps you break down food. Your jaw, teeth, and cheek muscles exert pressure on the food. They turn the pointy bits and big chunks into smaller and softer bits.

Saliva comprises different enzymes that accelerate the digestion process. These enzymes are responsible for starting chemical reactions to crush your food. This process continues when the stomach secretes acids. This is why chewing your food properly is very important.

3.    Limit High Fat Food

Generally, fatty food slows down the digestive process, which is not good for digestive health. They increase the risk of constipation. However, as it is vital to consume some healthy fat, it’s best to pair fatty foods with high-fiber foods.

This way, the food will move to your digestive system smoothly.

4.    Add Probiotics to Your Diet

Soy milk, yogurt, and dark chocolate are rich probiotic food items. Probiotics are live yeast and bacteria that have many health benefits. They keep you healthy by limiting the effects of antibiotics, poor diet, and stress.

They can also help you boost nutrients absorption, treat irritable bowel syndrome, and support the immune system.  Although they are naturally present in the human body, for better digestion, you need to consume them in your diet.

5.    Avoid Foods that Irritate Your Digestive System

Some people can’t tolerate hot spices, while others can. It is important to know what type of foods can impact your health. Common items that don’t suit everyone are:

  • Hot spices
  • Red chilies
  • Alcohol
  • Desserts
  • Caffeine
  • Sugar

Bottom Line

The secret to a healthy digestive system is to balance your diet by either avoiding some foods completely or pairing them with healthy foods. However, it’s best to avoid consuming any food that can irritate your stomach. So, be careful and think twice before eating something for better digestive health.

Categories
Health & Home Wellness

Nutritional Morning Drinks Instead of Coffee

Nutritionist-Approved Morning Drinks to Offset Your Coffee Habit

Coffee has significant health benefits like boosting your focus and staying alert. It can help you lose weight, burn fat, and reduce the risk of stroke, cancer, and dehydration, etc.

Its dehydration part is quite alarming for those who want to sip coffee first thing in the morning. In order to avoid its early morning consumption, scientific research opines there are better alternatives to coffee. Let’s take a look at some of the best nutritionist-approved drinks to offset your coffee habits.

1. Green Tea or Matcha

Green tea has a lot to offer for having matcha as its prime alternative to offset caffeine deficiency. Matcha contains amino acids-like I-theanine, which will offset the effects of caffeine.

You can get a cup of green tea if matcha is not available around. Green tea is rich in polyphenols that keep away inflammation. Both tea options will prove to be great for your caffeine deficiency.

2. White Tea

White tea refers to several styles of tea which is minimally processed leaves of the Camellia plant. Its antioxidants and polyphenols fight your inflammation and aging. What’s more, white boosts heart health by minimizing cholesterol. It’s a pale yellow tea, in fact and doesn’t cause stains.

3. Rooibos Tea

Rooibos tea is low in tannins and from any traces of caffeine and oxalic acid. it’s a good herb for eliminating your caffeine urge because of the presence of antioxidants. It’s another natural remedy for lowering blood sugar.

Rooibos tea will also settle the stomach which is the best alternative to coffee for those people who struggle with early morning nausea.

4. Mushroom Coffee

Mushroom coffee comes from grinding regular coffee with the addition of mushroom powder. It’s good for supporting your immune system because of the presence of antioxidants in mushrooms. Mushrooms offer low caffeine than coffee.

This will help reduce anxiety and improves sleeping patterns. Mushroom coffee reduces early morning headaches that may come while quitting coffee.

5. Warm Water and Lemon

Instead of coffee, try mixing warm water with few drops of lemon. It’s a simple way to replenish your dehydration. As a result, proper hydration can help reduce fatigue, brain fog, and ensuing headaches.

Its early morning consumption will keep your digestive tracts clear during the day. Something everyone should consume. It’s a great help for lowering or soothing joint pains and stiff muscles.

6. Green Juice Before Breakfast

You can add a daily serving of spinach or other green of your liking to make it drinkable. However, you should have a slow juicer that can extract all nutrients from the desired fruit or vegetables.

Green juices offer a lot of benefits, like reducing weight and improving your hydration plus digestion. They will shield you from free radical damage and steer clear from depression.

Conclusion

If you are willing to get rid of your early morning coffee intakes, then go for one of these drinks. These are natural alternatives to replace your coffee. There are hardly any significant side effects that may discourage you from opting for any of these drinks.

Categories
Health & Home Wellness

6 Ways to Make Your Salads Like Sweetgreen

6 Ways to Make Your Salads As Good As Sweetgreen

Salads are hard to resist, especially for those who take their health seriously. Now there are salad parlors offering the best combination of fruit, vegetables and lettuce as a salad.

You may find it difficult to convince younger people in the house to take a salad. If they don’t like it, you may change your salad preparation methods. Surely they will like it.

Let’s go for easy but healthy 6 ways to make your salads taste as good as Sweetgreen.

1. Switch up your greens

There’s a lot of variety to green up your salad. You can do mix and match greens like spinach, romaine, arugula, cabbage, iceberg, and dandelion greens, etc.

Mixing a few of these greens together can add a different flavour to your salad dish you will savour for a long. Kale will offer you healthy vitamin A and C, whereas arugula will give you bet calcium and potassium.

2. Change the Texture

A mix of creamy and crunchy textures will bring your salad to new heights. One serving of ricotta cheese, Greek yoghurt, and or avocado will add a creamy and filling texture to your meal. You can make it taste crunchy by adding some juicy and crispy slices of apple, celery or kiwi.

3. Add a Red to Your greens

You may not like a lot of green in your salad. As many people don’t like green alone, they may like to see a tinge of red in it instead. So you can add a red by cutting small cubes of tomato, or long slices of red chilli. You can go further by adding dry cranberries or nuts; both will add a lot of nutrition and necessary healthy fats.

4. Tomato Replacements

Fresh tomatoes may be in abundance in your area in other areas it may be rare. Rather than going for off-season frozen tomatoes, you can opt for its substitutes:

  • Sweet peppers offer more Vitamin C than tomatoes
  • Raw Beets
  • Strawberries

These are friendly alternatives to tomatoes for offering good antioxidants, vitamins and minerals like a tomato.

5. Get plant-based protein

You can add plant-based protein to your daily salad by adding a small amount of cooked or boiled grains like beans and rice. Whereas cooked lentils are also a significant source for getting proteins.

Besides nuts, seeds and avocado slices will make it a nice and full meal. Such salads will get your proteins, fats, starchy and non-starchy carbs and a unique flavour on top of everything.

6. Add Fruit To Your Salad

Adding fruits to your salad will make it an unbeatable meal. Fruits will give you the fibres, nutrition, and tinge of sweetness. You can go for chopped, sliced, or pieces of fruits for your creation. Remember, to opt for seasonal fruits only to get their best for your health.

In winters, you can add citrus to your salads through caracara, blood red oranges or clementine.

Conclusion

Now, you see there are more reasons to keep salad on your table with every meal. Salads are a fresh way to get healthy food in a manner of your liking and choice.

Categories
Health & Home Wellness

Workout Routine: 7 Tips for Getting Back Into It

7 Tips for Getting Back Into A Workout Routine

After more than a year, it seems that things are slowly starting to get back to normal and the coronavirus pandemic is thankfully coming to a close. Not only are restaurants, theaters, and school re-opening, but so are gyms. That means that you can finally workout again just like you did before COVID-19 struck.

But what should you keep in mind as you start venturing back to the gym? How do you return to a regular workout routine if the pandemic wrecked your progress and schedule?

1.   Start Slowly

This is the most important thing to remember. Hopefully you were able to work out a little bit during the pandemic, even if it wasn’t nearly as much as you did before. Maybe you were able to get some push-ups or sit-ups in even during lockdown. That’s great and that kept your body in a better shape than it could have fallen into. However, now that you are going back to the gym, you need to go slowly. Don’t push yourself too hard and do not attempt to go from zero to one-hundred in your first session. You will soon be working out like you used to but when you are first returning to the gym, don’t overdo it.

2.   Hold Yourself Accountable

You need to keep yourself on target for working out. That means that you need to hold yourself accountable and make sure you really are doing the work to get back to the gym and regularly go again and again. Only you are in charge of yourself so you need to make a workout plan and stick to it, no matter what!

3.   Get Social With Your Workout Routines

Doesn’t it feel good to be around people again? Now that the vaccines are helping people and keeping them safe, you can attend gym classes with others. This is a great idea because everyone in class will be feeling the same sort of enthusiasm and excitement to be working out again. You can feed off of that energy and it will make you work even harder.

4.   Instead of a Gym, Go Outside

After months of being locked up inside, a workout outside is a wonderful idea and a great way to get motivated and to push yourself and get yourself back into the normal exercise routine. The fresh air, the wind blowing through your hair, the sun on your face – it will all feel great and give you terrific drive to work out.

5.   Listen to your Body

You may want to go over the top and really hit the gym hard when you first return to it but you need to listen to your body because it will tell you what pace is right for you. You might be frustrated by how long it takes to get back up to full speed but it’s very important that you don’t overdo it and work yourself too hard. You’ll be in prime form again soon but let your body dictate the right pace.

6.   Set Workout Goals

Do you want to spend twenty minutes on a treadmill? Maybe you want to jog for a half-mile. Perhaps you want to do ten reps of weights. Whatever you want, set a goal for yourself and try your hardest to stick to it as you return to the gym. Make sure you start your goals as small, achievable things and then work your way up from there.

7.   Celebrate Yourself

You did it! You’re back at the gym and you’re taking care of yourself again. Good for you! That is a great thing and you should pat yourself on the back, celebrate, and encourage yourself to keep it up. Well done, it isn’t easy to get back on the exercise horse but you are doing it and you should be very proud of yourself.

Categories
Health & Home Tech & Media Technology Wellness

The 5 Best Fitness Apps To Download Today

Best Fitness Apps

When you are looking to take control of your fitness and take care of your body, you sometimes need a bit of help. Thankfully, smartphones have made it so much easier to keep your body fit and your fitness game on track. Because of wonderful fitness apps, you can now finally have the body and state of health that you have always wanted.

From the mild and easy to the more intense, here are some of the best apps to download when you are attempting to get a better handle on your health and become the fit and active person you have always wanted to be.

Fitness Buddy

Do you want a personal trainer but don’t want to spend the money on one in real life? Well, thankfully there is Fitness Buddy. This app is like a personal trainer and nutritionist in one app. It provides you with hundreds of workouts to keep your body in its best shape. There are videos, workout plans, easy to follow instructions and so much more. Best of all, this app is free so you can enjoy it without plunking down the cash you would need for a gym membership.

MyFitnessPal

This app is all about staying fit, not just by going to the gym. This application gives you a whole bunch of different food options, allowing you to create meals that are good and good for you at the same time. MyFitnessPal has a massive food database, a recipe importer, a calorie counter, restaurant logger, and more. This means that you will be able to stay healthy at the gym and at home, thanks to this helpful app. Staying fit is about more than hitting the gym and MyFitnessPal proves that.

10K Runner

The 10K Runner app is a great way to train and prepare yourself for a marathon. It will gradually teach you how to walk, jog, or run great distances. However, if you are just looking to run for the sake of your health and not to become a marathon champion, you can still use 10K Runner a lot. Whether you are training your body for a long run or just wanting to keep yourself in shape and fit, 10K Runner is an app that is perfect for you and should be downloaded immediately.

30 Day Fitness at Home

30 Day Fitness at Home is an app that you can use to push yourself and encourage yourself to meet your fitness goals. It comes with a slew of video instructions that will keep you on track and losing weight and living a healthy lifestyle. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or a pro, this app will provide you with wonderful guidance.

Home Workout – No Equipment

Going to the gym is a lot of fun but it’s important to remember that you can achieve your goals and lose weight and stay fit even without stepping foot inside one. The app Home Workout – No Equipment will help you hit your marks and achieve your goals without a gym membership. It is easy to use and easy to follow and easy to buy…because it’s free.

Categories
Health & Home Wellness

Got the Sunday Scaries? Try These 9 Things

Got the Sunday Scaries? Try These 9 Things

For most of us adults, Sunday scaries are quite honestly the biggest bane of adulthood. There’s just some unspoken dread about this particular day of the weeks that demands we dread, despair and feel doomed, thinking all about we will have to do over the week, the weekend we wasted and so many other things.

To be honest though, it’s nothing that you cannot conquer. Here are top nine ways to beat those Sunday scaries for life:

1.    Use Friday Proactively

We all know the reality: we tend to barrel through our office doors on dot at 5pm every Friday, with every attention of attacking that laundry pile, paying the bills, meal prepping for the weekend, emptying the fridge and completing the massive task. But all that gets washed away in the first glass of wine you drink the moment you’re home doesn’t it?

Now, instead of leaving all the unpleasant tasks for Sunday night amid panic attacks, start completing them from Friday evening. Once you’re done with it till the clock strikes midnight on Friday, you have all of Saturday and Sunday free to enjoy.

2.    Complete tasks smartly

Do not get over ambitious when trying to get ahead of your chores on Friday evening. Meal preps don’t necessarily mean putting a dozen meals in containers to reheat. Simple chop up veggies for salads, marinate chicken for the Crockpot and the bare minimum for smart meals throughout the week.

3.    No Loose Ends for Monday

A lot of the Sunday scaries come from leaving off too many loose ends to catch up with at work on Monday. Motivate yourself throughout the week to finish every assignment, project, appointment, meeting etc etc. before you leave for home on Friday evening. Heck, even tidy your desk so that you are at peace mentally all weekend.

4.    Make plans, but after fulfilling obligations

Yes, weekends are about fun trips, sleeping in or partying at the clubs. But before you plan an itinerary, make sure you prioritize completing the chores.

The weekend vibes may get you drunk and those tasks and obligations pile up till Sunday night, another room for scaries. Avoid doing that!

5.    Coffee Preps work too

It’s not only meal preps that are helpful, beverage preps are too. When you know you can’t function without your morning java, prepping in advance will ensure you have a cup even on days you’re running late.

So, stock up on necessities during the weekend, including, milk frothers, your favorite syrups, creamer and clean cups etc. Prepping for your favorite caffeine is sure to calm your scaries on a Sunday night.

6.    Unplug from Work

Giving in to the temptation to check your emails, get a head start on reports etc. is only equivalent to feeding your scaries. It is important to totally unplug from work so that you can relax thoroughly, not feel soul-sucked and stressed.

7.    CBD

CBD has worked for many in chasing the Sunday scaries away for good and you should asking your specialist for recommended doses as well.

8.    Make it Special

You deserve some pampering after the grueling week you put in at work. When you do nothing to make yourself feel good, Sunday scaries take root. Beat those away with plans that revive, revitalize, refresh and rejuvenate you over the weekend. Fill in lots of family and friends time if you love that and truly enjoy.

9.    Self-Care Routine

A Sunday self-care routine is also essential. It could be anything that unwinds your frayed nerves and bunched up muscles and melts the scaries away. A hot soak in the tub, a glass of wine with your partner or even a massage is a great start.

Categories
Health & Home Wellness

7 Tips to Make Your Eating Habits More Sustainable

7 Tips to Make Your Eating Habits More Sustainable

Our planet is suffering from a variety of issues and many of our food choices are to blame for it. What we choose to eat has a devastating impact on the Earth, what with the globe forests having to clear more space for growing crops for feeding our livestock, to rearing cattle and others.

Even the oceans are becoming barren day by day, as we overfish and deprive it of life. It’s about time we transform our eating habits to make them more sustainable. Here are a few tips for it:

1. Choose a Variety of Food

The major part of our food supply comes from just five animal species and twelve plants. You’d do a great service to Earth if you start consuming a greater variety so that some of the agriculture disparity reduces.

2. Let go of Red Meat

Considering the staggering global demand for red met, mainly lamb and beef, the toll on the environment is massive due to its production. This includes water resources and soil degradation, greenhouse gas emissions, ecosystem disruption and others.

If you can replace red meat with top-quality plant protein, you’d help lessen the environmental impact.

3. Spread Awareness On How Food Is Affecting The World

If you have already realized the devastating impacts the global food choices is making on the environment, you’d do great to inspire the sustainable food habits of others too. Help teach family and friends about deforestation free food and together try and raise your voice for it.

4. Go for Lentils

Lentils are not only environment-friendly, they’re also super delicious and eating more of these would be a great sustainable habit. Lentils, peas, beans and other plant-based foods are tremendously beneficial for the health too and a great substitute for animal protein.

If agricultural sustainability is your priority right now, you cannot find a better choice than legumes to add to each of your meal from now on.

5. Choose Your Seafood Responsibly

Choosing your seafood wisely is another great tip for sustainable eating. You can try eating a diversity of species from sources you can trust and also opt for seafood options featuring lower carbon emission.

6. No More Refined Grains

Instead of opting for refined grains, you should try and choose whole or minimally processed grains and cereals. They’re far more beneficial for your body and health in comparison to refine grains, which don’t even contain much of their original nutritional value.

Additionally, the whole grains also provide protein, minerals and B vitamins and antioxidants that further benefit your health.

7.  Your Own Sustainable Produce

Truly, there can be nothing better than having your own garden and preparing meals with the home-grown and fresh produce straight out of it. Not only will you find each of your meals more delicious, healthy and wholesome this way, you will also be consuming foods without the carbon footprints that shop-bought items have.

Final Thought

Much of our food choices are significantly responsible for the massive environmental damage our earth is suffering. From excessive consumption of red meat, over fishing certain favorites to deforesting for more space for growing crops and rearing cattle, we’re doing unimaginable harm to our planet just to satisfy our taste buds.

With our helpful tips, you’ll soon be eating sustainably.

Categories
Financial Health & Home Savings Wellness

5 Simple Lifestyle Swaps That Can Save You Money

5 Simple Lifestyle Swaps That Can Save You Money

Trying to save money can be difficult, especially at the beginning. Most people aren’t exactly sure how much money they spend every month and therefore end up overspending.

Maybe you are saving up for a purchase or may you’re just wanting to be better with your finances, either way, these five simple steps will go a long way.

Make a budget

Having a budget using a simple tool like a spreadsheet can show you how much money you can afford to spend in each area of your life. Save receipts or go back through your bank transactions and see how much you really spend every month.

Looking at the numbers may surprise you. Keeping track of expenses is the start of knowing how much money comes in and how much comes out.

Consider taking out the money you can afford to spend out in cash. Then, once this money is gone, you wait until the next month to withdraw money again.

Eat at home

This one is a basic step, but that’s because it really does save hundreds a month. You don’t have to be a chef or a whiz in the kitchen. Just make simple meals that you enjoy eating so you are less likely to order takeout.

Have one day a week that you eat out or order food so that you have that day to look forward to. You can also meal prep so that the food is ready for you whenever you need it.

If you hate cooking, sign up for a meal delivery service that is in your budget to help you out. Consider only drinking water as well to save money you spend on soda or alcohol.

Ditch cable or some streaming services to save money

Spending a few dollars a month on several streaming services may not seem like too much, but things quickly add up. Take a look at what you really watch and what you can go without.

Cancel all the services you do not use often, especially cable, as this can be the most expensive. Most streaming services probably offer most of the shows you watch anyway.

Do more things yourself

Is there a service that you pay for that you could really be doing yourself?

Go through the services you use and find out. Sometimes this can be paying for pest control, lawn care, or car washing services. If you have time to do these things yourself, cut the services.

Start being a coupon clipper to save money

Actually, you don’t have to clip. Most coupons can be found online. Check online at the places you normally shop or go to. Chances are there are coupons online somewhere for all the businesses you frequent.

Even just using a few coupons a month can save you tons of dollars throughout the course of the year.

Sometimes buying in bulk with coupons can save you more money later. Having more supplies in your home can keep you from constantly buying the same items every few days or weeks.