Live a financially sound life.  Hold all else constant and… sleep well at night without concern over whether to buy groceries or make a payment on a credit card the next day.  Start each day with a fresh look at what lies ahead. No need to worry about having money in the bank account to cover an unexpected veterinarian bill needed to save the life of your furry, life-long companion or replace a blown tire of the car that gets you thirty miles to and from work.

Jog through the day with fresh thoughts about how to be your best.  Get the most out of your day for yourself, your coworkers and your employer with minimal financial stress.  Forget about the day-to-day worries of figuring out how to make a mortgage payment while saving or paying for a down-payment on a home or your two young children’s education.

Invest that mental and emotional energy in other places. Think about how to grow and develop that energy and other valuable resources in your life in ways that improve your health AND contribute to a financially secure and stable future.  It will benefit you and those surrounding you at home, work and other places.  So get financially fit!

Financial fitness involves developing a few key habits.   Keep track of all spending and income earned.  Use your phone, a piece of paper or a napkin to do so.  Devise a budget.  Grab one from the Internet.  Just sit down with it and start.  It is not rocket science.  Lay out where all your funds come and go.  Commit to setting into motion a budget that includes a healthy plan for financial stability.  Every day, stash away a little for a rainy day.  Bring lunch to work.  Skip buying soda, energy drinks, coffee or other incidentals.  In other words, spend prudently.  Invest wisely.  And, give purposefully to others.  Set aside credit cards.

Think creatively about how to save, spend, invest and share in ways that help you and others prosper. Find a personal coach if needed.  Ask a family member.  Visit your bank.  Go online and seek coaching there.  But beware.  Never give out your personal information, especially your social security number.

Inspiration on how to get started is everywhere.  Find a mentor if you want companionship or commit to doing it alone.  Just devise a plan for a healthy and wealthy life.

Stick to the plan and, before you know it, you will gain momentum.  Cutting coupons, buying used versus new or narrowing your cell phone coverage will get you started.  You will soon have enough money to create a small nest egg, pay off high-interest debt or establish a small investment account.  Financial fitness is in reach.

Being financially fit is important for you, and it is important for others.  Just look around the globe.  Health and wealth grow in tandem across countries and time.  Think about wealth levels and health standards one-hundred or two-hundred years ago.  No one can argue that each is not better today.  Individuals living in high-income economies have better health than those living in low-income economies.  More wealth gives individuals access to better food, sanitation, health care, recreational options and the list goes on.  Individuals who are healthy and financially fit are more productive than their unhealthy and fiscally out-of-shape or poor counterparts.  Financial fitness and health benefits the person, his or her families, coworkers, and, society at large.  Plus they place individuals in a stronger position to share time, talent and treasure with others.

Stay healthy and remain financially fit!

Tawni Ferrarini is co-author of Common Sense Economics (2010) published by St. Martin’s Press.  She is a PhD in economics and is published in numerous peer reviewed journals.  She speaks globally on topics related to advancing literacy in economics, entrepreneurship and personal finance.

This article was reprinted with permission from the Spring 2013 issue of Health & Happiness U.P. Magazine, copyright 2013. All rights reserved.