It’s no secret that cold and flu season has been hitting the U.S. particularly hard this year. From over-the-counter medications to doctor visits, cold and flu season can take a big bite out of your budget if you’re not prepared. Here are a few key ways to save money during this annual season.
1. Get Your Flu Shot
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Vaccinating is one of the best ways to avoid budget woes during flu season. According to Medical News Today, the flu vaccine is highly effective. When the vaccine matches the circulating strain, it can reduce your risk of contracting the flu by 40%-60%. The current strain that’s been making its rounds the most this season is Influenza A.
The flu vaccine is a safe preventive measure that is proven effective. For 70+ years, flu vaccines have been helping people protect themselves from this serious virus. Many health insurance plans will cover the cost of vaccinations. If your plan doesn’t, paying for a flu vaccine now can protect your budget during flu season.
2. Stay Active
Exercise is not a cure-all, but it can help to keep you healthy. A healthy immune system can fight off viruses like the cold and flu more efficiently. If you are exposed and fit, you may avoid serious symptoms and complications. Unfortunately, according to the Fitness Council, less than 5% of American adults are active for 30 minutes a day; that works out to less than one out of three adults getting the level of activity that experts recommend.
Daily exercise doesn’t have to be high-impact exercise. Yoga stretching exercises have a low impact on joints. According to the Global Yoga Institute, about 9.5% of American adults choose yoga to care for their bodies and minds. You don’t have to make room in your budget to pay to exercise; you can walk more to get your activity level up.
3. Change Your Nutrition Focus
An immune system-building diet can help to reduce the risk of budget-busting colds and flu. It is easier than you think to incorporate immune-building foods into your diet. For example, citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, and lemons all pack a Vitamin C punch. Vitamin C is well-known for its immunity-boosting effects.
Other foods to add to your diet include peppers, mushrooms, garlic, broccoli, and ginger. A diet that is rich in immune-boosting foods can help your body to fight off viruses naturally.
4. Buy the Store Brand for Medication
If you catch the flu or a cold, don’t buy name-brand over-the-counter medication. Buy the store brand. Store brands are typically markedly cheaper. It will ding your budget less if you don’t overspend on expensive name-brand medication.
Read the labels to compare content. You may be surprised that the less expensive store brands have the same active ingredients.
5. Buy Cold Medicine in Bulk
Preparing ahead by buying cold medicine in bulk when you find it on sale is a good way to preserve your budget. It can be cheaper to buy cold medicine in bulk, especially if you have a family. Typically, cold medicine has a shelf life of about two years from the manufacturing date.
You can find cold medicine in bulk at big box discount stores. Do make sure you look for the expiration date to ensure you are getting the best value. You don’t want to buy medicine in bulk if it is getting ready to expire.
Protecting yourself from the cold and flu this season protects your budget. Try some simple steps to reduce your risk of getting sick this year. Learn more budget-friendly tips today.
