How Much Money 4 Women Spend On Health and Wellness Each Month

And what you should learn from it

Andrea Travillian, of financial website TakeASmartStep.com, on four women's average monthly wellness expenditures.
 

The Pro Runner
ANNICK, 27, Portland, OR

The Expenses
Running coach: $100
Massages: $120
Preventive physical therapy: $40
Iron supplements and vitamins: $30
Running shoes, racing shoes, and training clothes: $60
Local and organic food: $50
TOTAL: $400

The Takeaway
Since Annick's PT sessions aren't for an injury, Travillian suggests spacing them out by an extra week. The same goes for the running coach. "Try going less but using what you've learned and doing the movements on your own," she says.

The Fancy-Gym, Fancy-Food Fan
LINDS, 33, Denver

The Expenses
Gym: $175
Acupuncture: $160
Herbs: $35
Multivitamins, minerals, aminos, and probiotics: $60
Health food: $350
Raw-pressed juices: $60
Classes like Barre Method: $50
Massages: $65
TOTAL: $955

The Takeaway
Spending big is fine if you can afford it, but Travillian suggests lowering costs by switching from raw-pressed juices to smoothies. "You need less fruit for the drink, and blended produce retains more fiber," she says.
 

The All-Natural Urbanite
TIFFANI, 33, Pittsburgh

The Expenses
Chiropractic co-pay: $25
Organic veggie delivery from a local farm: $40
Organic food: $300
Gym: $50
Weekend trips to de-stress: $175
TOTAL: $590

The Takeaway
A travel outlay of $175 a month may seem steep, but Travillian approves of spending on mental health. "It's so important," she says. However, Tiffani could lower her costs by going organic only for eats that are more likely to be contaminated, like apples or spinach.

The Grad Student on a Shoestring
CARY, 24, Ann Arbor, MI

The Expenses
Multivitamins and probiotics: $40
Gym membership: $25
Gym clothes: $25
Exercise classes: $10
TOTAL: $100

The Takeaway
Travillian suggests doing some legwork and comparison shopping for vitamins and supplements to find the lowest price out there. "There can be a big price difference on the exact same product from store to store," she says. "I buy mine on Amazon for much cheaper than at stores."

4 Healthy Lifestyle Choices That Save You Money

Adopt these smart saving strategies

Travel by Bike
The U.S. is becoming more pedal-happy, which can save you money. If you're just riding to and from work, spend about $500 on a commuter bike—skip the carbon frame or GatorSkin tires. Or, if your city has one, sign up for a bike-share program, which costs about $100 a year.

Eat More Frugal-Friendly Health Food
These go for less than $1.00 per serving: Try black beans or chickpeas (both $0.89 per can) in a salad; snack on non-GMO edamame ($2.49 for a 15-ounce bag, or $0.50 a serving). For dinner, pick up red lentils ($3 a pound, about $0.30 a serving) or quinoa ($5 a box, about $0.40 a serving).

Swap Sweating For Sipping
Organize a girls' night out or "sweatworking" meeting at a fitness class, which costs less than dinner out and spares you all of those cocktail calories.

Bake Homemade Protein Bars For Breakfast On The Go
Could you also buy something pre-packaged? Yep, but a recipe with almond butter, bran cereal, dried fruit, and seeds would cost you less than $.50 a bar, while a similar store-bought version is closer to $2.

MORE: Do You Need Wealth for Health?