Broke-Ass Financial Coaching: Broke-Ass Wellness

While being young, broke and beautiful is all well and good, some people’s finances are more jacked than others.  That’s why we’ve invited Betsy Crouch (aka Coach $izzle) to come onboard and dole out some much needed advice.  She is a professional financial coach after all.  If you’ve got a question you’d like answered please email her atcoachsizzle@brokeassstuart.com.  Maybe your question will be the next one answered.

“How much should I spend on massages each month?” – DW

Wow that is a super specific question AND you don’t sound like a broke ass!  Ok, I’ll go easy on you.  It is a fantastic question and one that is similar to questions that many people ask themselves.  If you have read any of my articles you will know by now that I can’t directly answer most questions like this.  Well, I could just say “$100,” but I would be way short of my article length expectation.

Especially when we are low on funds we tend to cut out nurturing things that sustain us because we feel like they are “extra.”  Only we can define what is a fairly basic need and what is “extra.”  Anyone who knows me knows that I feel passionately about self care, health/healing, personal growth, and nurturing oneself.  I recently suggested to a client to take out a loan to rest for a month.  I give recommendations that some would call “radical,” well let’s be honest I would call this recommendation “radical.”  I mean, a loan so that you can hang out for a month!  This client has extreme stress and health issues.  It just seemed to me that this person could use some time to chillax, recharge, and reconnect with herself.  She agreed and she is receiving support from her parents and others.  They have never seen her slow down and rest and she is feeling so much better.  Without our health and well being how can we enjoy life?

The problem is that when we are low on funds we have a tendency to throw the baby out with the bath water when it comes to personal care.

Ten awesome low cost and free nurturing activities:

1. Walk:

One of my favorite things to do in life is to go on a walk and listen to This American Life.  The TAL iphone app is only $2.99 and you can access any of their shows from ALL TIME, that is over 400 shows.  The latest show is always free through iTunes.

Seriously, walk in the park, walk somewhere instead of taking the bus, a train, or driving. Dr. Weil says that walking is the best exercise, “walking offers the great advantage of requiring no skill or practice.” Yessss.  Keep it simple.  Keep it real.  Walk.

2. Massage:

Although a good massage is worth every penny, when you have it..

You don’t have to spend $100+ to get a massage!

• SF: Super Cheap Massage $20 for a 50 minute massage, M-F before 5:30pm, National Holistic Institute (they do not accept tips)
• SF: $10 donation for 30 minute massage, Monday afternoon, (415) 282-7600, American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine
• NY: $35 for 50 minute massage, New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

3. Acupuncture:

• SF: $5 donation for acupuncture on the ear, Monday afternoon,(415) 282-7600, American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine
• NY: Coupon for one free acupuncture session, New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

4. Yoga:

In San Francisco and New York there are so many yoga studios.  Choose a studio that offers a low rate for a period of time you can try out the studio.  In San Diego, I was given a free 7 day unlimited pass to try it out, and I went to 4 classes.  In Phoenix, I bought a $25 pass for unlimited yoga for 2 weeks.  So do some research and share your findings in the comments below, if you would like to have your own little “yoga intensive.”

• NY: Sonic Yoga, attend “donation” classes M, W, F at 3pm or Sat at 12pm, and pay what you can.
• SF: $49 unlimited for one month, Yoga Mayu
• SF: More inexpensive yoga options
• Anywhere: Free and inexpensive yoga options, in cyberspace

So, you may be low on funds, but not low on creativity.  If it is important to you, make it happen, be creative, negotiate, barter.  This is the only body you have.  I support you making your wellness a priority!

Questions?  Ideas? Comments?  Resources?

coachsizzle@brokeassstuart.com