Staying healthy and well is one of the best things you can do for your finances, as well as for your own happiness. Take a long term view – ask yourself if the way you live your life now is preparing for a healthy future, or sowing the seeds for long term illness.

Our tips for dollar-wise health:

1. Enrol with your GP practice before you get sick: enrolled patients pay about half the amount that casual patients do to see the doctor. Don’t wait until you get sick – You can enrol at any time. If you haven’t been to the doctors for about three years, check to ensure you are still enrolled at your practice. After three years of non-attendance, government agencies take you off our funding register
2. Always go to the practice you are enrolled in. If you go to another practice you are likely to be charged casual rates, which can cost you twice as much
3. If you’re feeling unwell, don’t leave seeing the doctor to the evening or weekend: it may cost you more to go then. Or if you need urgent help and have to go to an after-hours clinic, it will cost you much more. Make an appointment during normal opening times to minimise your wait, and be sure of seeing the doctor of your choice
4. To get the most from your GP visit, be prepared. Think about what you want from the consultation. See ‘Consultations’
5. Eat real food – mainly in-season fruit and vegetables. Cooking at home from scratch, using fresh ingredients, not only ensures you know what is in your food, it’ll cost less in the long run
6. Better still, grow your own vegetables – that costs less and your food will be even fresher – and you’ll benefit from the physical activity and the pleasure of seeing your garden grow
7. Build physical activity into your day  - it has huge benefits for health and can be as cheap and cheerful as walking 30 minutes a day. Find what works for you and do it regularly.
8. Build caring, fun friendships and family links – it warms your heart and is good for your mental health. If you’re new in town, join a club, go to a class, or volunteer for a charity- all interesting, inexpensive ways to meet like-minded people.
9. Caring for your inner self is important for your health too – take time to reflect, meditate, read inspiring books (join the library), experience art (visit your local gallery), go to church, public lectures and so on; whatever feeds your spirit can become a source of strength and resilience.
10. Live a little slower and learn to become stress-smart. Being organised and having a plan for the week will help reduce the strain, and give you time to appreciate all the good things about being alive.