January is almost over! Thank goodness, I never cared for the month where it's the dead of winter and the holidays are over. Fortunately for me, some of my neighbors still have their Christmas trees lit up and easily visible from the street! January is also a time when most people give a solid shot at improving their health, either by starting a new workout routine or purging the pantry of Oreo's. Trust me, the older you get, the harder it becomes to maintain optimal vitality and energy. So, you think just because you’re in your mid 20’s you can live off burgers, beer and weekends full of raging bar hopping with little sleep? Well, maybe you can. But if you want to have the energy and vitality to live a prosperous life, you’ve got to prioritize your health. Plus, you’ll save money! Here’s how.

1) Health Care Costs: This is the biggest, perhaps the most obvious one. The unhealthier you are, the more likely you are to end up in the hospital or under a doctor’s care. Most of us have seen our premiums increase as employers look to push more of the costs to employees. If you are healthy, you don’t need to see the doctor as often, hence less co-pays, hospital bills and specialist invoices. Ask a few seniors who are on an oxygen machine or walk with a cane what they wish they’d changed in their lives, and I bet some of them would wish they had taken better care for their bodies.

2) Less Money Spent on Prescriptions, OTC Medicine, and Supplements: I can’t believe how many people I see shelling out $30 to $40 for supplements such as Omega 3’s or multivitamins. If you just include fish, fruits and veggies in your diet regularly, you’ll be fine. And then there are those who think they can eat Cheetos and cheese steak sandwiches all week and then buy diet pills. What’s the point!? You’re just sabotaging yourself. Do you really think it will be that easy? As any healthy person or personal trainer will tell you, balance your diet and exercise. Abs are made in the kitchen. Lastly, the healthier you are, the less you will spend on medications from the big pharmaceutical companies. We all know what a bargain those are.

3) You’ll Save on Travel: We all know that most airlines will make you pay for an extra seat if you “spill over.” However, also consider that if you are healthy, you’ll have no problem walking about a city instead of taking a taxi. You’ll also be in a position to bike around town, whether it be to work or the grocery store. Thus, parking, fuel and transit costs will decrease.

4) Save Money on Unhealthy Products: Smoking can cost you $5,200 per year or more, according to Investopedia.com (The Real Cost Of Smoking by Michael Deane | June 19, 2009). This includes everything from cleaning costs to lost opportunity. Consider when you walk into a sales meeting or interview smelling like a chimney--will it jeopardize your success? You bet. It’s not just smoking, either. Alcohol costs can add up fast, especially if you are spending $100 on drinks every weekend. And don’t even get me started on frozen pizza.

5) Save Money on Services: If you are healthy and able-bodied, you can do your own laundry, clean your own house, garden, wash your own car, move, cook your own meals and even do your own DIY projects. This can be anything from building a bathroom cabinet to installing a ceiling fan. If you are injured, have low energy or are just not in the shape to do these tasks, you’ll have to pay someone to do it. Labor is one of the most expensive costs. Think about all the things you pay someone else for and how much satisfaction you would get from doing them yourself--hence saving major moola. Not only can you do many things yourself, but you can make money doing them for other people. There are a plethora of apps to walk dogs, house sit, run errands, etc.