So I’ll admit I’m kind of cheap. Maybe “thrifty” or “frugal” are better terms. I do spend money often, but almost refuse to buy things at full price (especially clothing/shoes/etc) and am always looking for a deal (my shopping tips can be found in this post from the holidays).
Since my husband and I got married and (finally) moved in to our house, I’ve started spending a lot more on monthly fees like cable/internet, our cellphones (which we combined in to one account), car insurance (combined, again) water, gas, electric, etc, etc, etc. Each one costs more than $100 monthly, and they’re things I didn’t pay on a regular basis while in college/grad school and living with my parents (thanks Mom & Dad!).
Some things I don’t skimp on when it comes to spending: travel (experiences are priceless), food (duh – but I still shop multiple stores to save money), coffee (K-cups / Starbucks). And apparently, fitness (you can view my weekly workouts in my fitness log).
I pay less than $30 a month for my gym membership, and I can use any of their locations across the country (including 6 in Pittsburgh). The ability to count the number of times I’ve “checked in” at my gym (which I’ve only been going to for spin classes), tells me I’m averaging about 5 visits a month (so $6 per visit). I know I’ll use my membership more when the weather isn’t as nice (I’ve been running outside in lieu of spinning multiple times per week), and I’m definitely not paying the fee to cancel or suspend it for the summer.
I’ve also fallen in love with yoga, but won’t pay $15 per class, so I hop from studio to studio when they offer Groupons – and then get super stressed about using all of my sessions in time. For example, I have 8 hot yoga sessions at a nice studio really close to home to use up by August.
Throw in the excellent opportunity to do power yoga at work twice a week ($5/class) and I’m spending close to $70-$80 per month. Throw in a race or event here and there, and it’s over a thousand bucks a year. That’s tough for a cheapskate like me to justify!
Reading blogs about running and Tabata training and other at-home workouts makes me think twice about spending so much when I know I can get fit without fancy memberships or classes.
The reasons the cost is worth the benefit:
- exercise is my stress relief – I’m a different person before and after a workout
- confidence – feeling physically strong and fit is priceless
- preventing chronic disease – diabetes and heart disease cost way more to treat than to prevent
- extra calories to “spend” on food – woo-hoo!
How much do you spend on your fitness each month? What makes it worth the cost?
i’m pretty “cheap” myself… it does all add up quick! i don’t currently have a gym membership, but i will again eventually. that in itself right there can be pricey, but we have a gym/rec center that is super nice and very affordable near our house that i like a lot. i have purchased a lot of fitness equipment to keep in our basement so that we have our own little “home gym”. it helps keep costs down and it’s so convenient!
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I hear you – when I lived in the New York area it was $1200 a year just to be a member of a gym…not including member dues! Being in the south it’s much more affordable – $14/month versus the $80 I used to spend!
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Well since I’m still doing my personal training sessions, renewed my gym membership, and try to go to Bikram, I’d say around $200+ per month, but that will go down very soon thank goodness!
Shanna, like Banana recently posted..WIAW: new foods
This is the perfect topic for me right now. Before starting my training for competition, I didn’t have a membership because my condo building has a small gym. Those free weights plus tabata workouts were enough.
NOW I have to have more robust equipment and joined a gym 2 blocks from my place. That’s in addition to sessions the new trainer and the monthly free for the plans… I’m suddenly spending out the you-know-what.
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I agree with you–each person MUST decide if it’s worth it to them! Because I am an instructor, gyms are free for me….so if you ever want to do that, I’d recommend it
Hehe.
My gym membership is 20 a month, and it is well worth it! That’s one thing I will never give up, because when you weigh it with how I feel, the fact that I am becoming healthier and stronger, and that I don’s feel so bad when I indulge, it’s worth every penny.
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I am the same way about yoga. The introductory rates help too. Unfortunately all the DC studios are inconvenient for me to get to, so sometimes I don’t go enough to get my money’s worth and I get so mad!
Kacy recently posted..Comment on Further proof of my abnormality by Claire @ Live and Love to Eat
I’m cheap too, but I spend money on things that are important to me like food, running shoes, ect…
The rest of the time I am hunting for deals
This is all so true, you really need to find that balance of budget that works for you.
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I’m definitely cheap too, but end up splurging on fitness. I love my gym membership, especially during the months when the weather is too much for running outdoors.
I love this post! Minus the having a husband part, you definitely just described me!
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i think everyone is a bit cheap in their own way.. i’m cheap about paying $2 toll, but i’ll spend on vacations. i also save when buying groceries and all, but then i’ll spend on other things. you can always justify it.
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Okay let’s break down the costs here… I pay $120/month for my & Max’s gym memberships, so that’s $60 for me. I go 4-5 times a week, so 4.5 visits x 4.332 weeks in a month is 19 visits – $3.15. I spend an undisclosable
amount on my coach, and $15 a week on a posing coach. It’s worth it though because it keeps me healthy – mentally and physically!
Hi, Claire! I’ve went through a really stingy phase in my life. It got so extreme to the point that I didn’t even want to step out of the house! Everything seemed to scream out $$$. That was 2 years ago, and I’ve toned it down quite a bit since then. Thank goodness! My friends like me again
. Just like with everything else in life, it’s so hard to find that right balance in terms of finances as well, no?
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I’ve suspended my gym membership for about 2 mo. now. I found myself getting too competitive and pushing myself way beyond my limits! I just started reading blogs about at-home exercises as well, and I’m def going to give it a try. And save $ while doing it! Not too shabby in my book
I can relate to this post! After figuring that I Was only going to my other gym 5 times a month, I froze my account. Then I missed spin class so much that I unfroze it a month later, lol