1. Eat in, not out. Download “101 Simple Salads for the Season” from the New York Times for an amazing list of easy, tasty, and good-for-you summer meals. This not only keeps you out of restaurants, it also gives you a whole cookbook-full of nifty recipes, for free!
2. Declutter a bookshelf or a closet and sell the discards collector’s items on Amazon.com.
3. Go for a thirty-minute walk. Regular walking amounts to free preventive medical care. In addition to the obvious weight-control benefits, it can stave off stroke, gall-bladder surgery, high blood pressure, cardiac disease, and osteoporosis. You should pay God for letting you do this!
4. Brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day and floss every night before going to sleep. Good home dental care keeps the dentist away…and as we know, dentists can be mighty expensive. More than saving on dental bills, though, good hygiene may protect you from heart disease. Daily brushing and flossing prevent gum disease, which is thought to be associated with heart attacks and stroke. Big savings there!
5. Check your local NPR station’s website for listings of community activities, many of which are free or modestly priced.