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Posts tagged with: Budget

5 Reasons It’s More Important Than Ever to Invest in Your Health

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Your health is the foundation of everything else in life—from how you move to how you think and how long you thrive. As demands on our time increase and modern conveniences compete with our well-being, prioritizing health isn’t just a smart choice—it’s a necessary one. Investing in your health now can help you enjoy better energy, prevent chronic conditions, and maintain independence as you age. From physical strength to emotional resilience, the benefits extend into every part of life. Here are five reasons why taking care of yourself should be your top priority.

Returning to Health Services Reflects Ongoing Value

People are more likely to invest in something that delivers real results, which explains why so many continue their wellness routines over time. According to the American Med Spa Association, 73% of patients at med spas are returning clients. Whether it’s skincare, stress reduction, or pain management, this return rate shows that once people see the value of investing in their health, they keep coming back. These routines aren’t simply luxuries—they’re part of long-term strategies to feel and function better.

Community Activities and Sports Keep You Engaged

Joining a recreational league or committing to a group fitness class does more than just burn calories. It builds friendships, teaches discipline, and keeps you motivated. According to Jersey Watch, 81% of Americans agree that sports are important. Regular physical activity, especially when paired with community, is one of the easiest ways to stay accountable. When you invest time and money into sports or active hobbies, you’re also reinforcing mental wellness and social connection, which are just as vital as physical fitness.

Mobility Issues Can Affect Anyone

It’s tempting to put off health routines until something goes wrong, but reactive care often comes too late. Proactive choices—like strength training, stretching, and balanced nutrition—can help maintain physical independence. According to the CDC, 12.1% of adults in the United States have a mobility disability with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs. These issues don’t just affect seniors; they can emerge at any stage of life. Investing now in functional movement can reduce the risk of future limitations and help you continue doing the things you love.

Preventive Health Saves You Money Over Time

It may seem expensive to buy quality food, join a gym, or attend health appointments, but waiting until a health crisis hits often costs much more. Hospital visits, medications, and missed work days add up quickly. Regular wellness check-ins, screenings, and mental health care can detect problems early or prevent them entirely. Small, consistent investments in your health now may help you avoid major expenses and disruptions later, making it one of the smartest financial decisions you can make.

Mental Health Is Part of the Equation

Your mental and emotional well-being is inseparable from your physical health. Chronic stress, poor sleep, and isolation all contribute to physical issues like inflammation, high blood pressure, and lowered immunity. Activities such as meditation, therapy, and personal hobbies aren’t indulgent—they’re critical tools for a balanced life. By investing in self-care and mental wellness, you’re strengthening every other part of your health, too. A clear mind supports better decision-making, stronger relationships, and more sustainable energy to keep pursuing your goals.

Taking your health seriously isn’t just a trend—it’s a long-term commitment to a fuller, more capable life. As data shows, people are returning to wellness services, valuing active lifestyles, and recognizing the risks of delaying care. Every step you take today—from prioritizing movement to addressing stress—is an investment in your future self. Whether you’re aiming for strength, longevity, or clarity, the effort you put in now will pay dividends for years to come. Don’t wait to feel worse—take action to feel better.

House Proceeds – Family Time, part 2

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Continuing on with my series this month to detail where the house proceeds went. You can find Part 1: My Car here.

Lumping two similar spends into one with this post. And these will come as no surprise to the BAD Community…

First, I paid for a week long family visit over Princess’ graduation. We stayed in a hotel for 3 nights. And we had two rooms. We ate out at least once a day. We went to Top Golf, the movies, and a museum. I also paid for a graduation cake for Princess.

Second, I paid for a wine tasting tour here in Texas for Princess’ 21st birthday. Well, I didn’t pay for an organized wine tour. I paid for wine tastings at three different wineries. She came for 10 days post-graduation, bringing a college friend along for a few days. And the two of them, plus my sister and I took a day and visited 3 wineries in the Hill Country.

wine tasting

Family Week in Georgia

All five of my kids, plus Beauty’s fiance, plus one of my brothers and his girlfriend gathered in Atlanta to celebrate Princess’ college graduation. So these costs cover 9 of us.

Each of the kids paid for their own travel, their own alcohol, and some activities while they were here.

Hotel: $982

Meals, Entertainment, & Top Golf: $2,128

Total Cost: $3,110

Brother/Girlfriend Contributed: $450

Kids Contributed: $150

My total spend: $2,510

Princess Birthday in Texas

Princess and her best friend from college came towards the end of June. We had planned a “wine” tour for her birthday. It was her present from me for her 21st. And it was kind of a girl’s trip with my sister.

Hotel: $329

Wine Tour: $340 (this does include 1 bottle of wine that I purchased and shipped to her apartment so she could have a bottle of the first wine she ever had in a tasting)

Meals: $217 (these are the ones I paid for, my sister paid for a couple of meals as well)

Total spend: $886

Before you ask, we chose a hotel in downtown Austin for two reasons (vs staying at my parents). My dad/parents are teetotalers. Never drink, never have it in the house, and don’t approve. So out of respect, I didn’t want the girls there on days they were drinking.

Our original plan was to find a small town, stay in a bed and breakfast, and pay for a wine tour company. But after my sister and I did the research, it just didn’t make sense. I don’t drink so no reason for me not to drive.

Staying within walking distance of two of my brothers’ places, meant we could meet up for meals. And the girls could go out at night without me needing to drive them or them needing to drive.

It was a very fun couple of days. Then Princess and her friend kept my car and moved to Gymnast apartment for the duration of the stay.

How Much Did All this Cost?

The total spent out of the house proceeds for these two events was $3,396.

Could we have done it cheaper, yes.

Would it still be as memorable, yes.

Do I wish I had done a few things different, most definitely! In my defense, the last months in the house were excruciatingly hard mentally. I am typically spot on with planning and finding fun and cheap. But I just struggled so much. That both of these events were very last minute and unplanned. Very odd for me.

But do I regret even a single minute spent making memories with my kiddos? Absolutely not.

After this second part in my How I Spent the House Proceeds series, I’ve now detailed out: $5,539. More to come…