Because being healthy doesn’t mean buying every $300 wellness gadget Instagram tells you that you need.

5 Things I Spend Money on for My Health—and What I Refuse to Waste Money On

People love to say:

“It’s too expensive to be healthy.”

And listen, I get it.

Groceries are expensive. Gym memberships cost money. Supplements can add up. And apparently you now need a small loan to buy a coffee. 😂

But after 20 years in the health and fitness industry, I’ve learned something:

Being healthy doesn’t necessarily mean spending more money. It means being intentional about where you spend it.

There are things I’m happy to invest in because they support my health and help me enjoy my life.

And there are other things?

Hard pass.

Here are 5 things I spend money on for my health—and 5 things I don’t.

1. Quality Groceries 🛒

I’ll admit it.

I’m a grocery snob. 😂

I love good food, and I’m willing to spend money on ingredients that make my meals taste good.

I prioritize plenty of fruits and vegetables, quality protein, beans, oats and other foods that make up the majority of my meals. I also choose organic options for certain foods when it makes sense for me.

Because here’s the deal:

I’m going to buy groceries anyway.

I’d rather spend money on food I genuinely enjoy eating than buy a bunch of “healthy” food that sits in my refrigerator until it becomes a science experiment.

What I DON’T spend money on:

An $8 coffee every day.

Listen. I love coffee.

But I can make a pretty darn good cup at home. ☕️

I’d rather spend that money somewhere else.

2. Workout Programs That Actually Have a Plan 💪

I’ve been a personal trainer for 20 years, so I might be a little picky about this one.

If I’m spending money on a workout program, I want it to be an actual program.

I want:

• A plan
• Progressive overload
• Structure
• Options
• A reason for doing what I’m doing

I don’t want to wake up every morning and randomly search:

“Best ab workout for women over 40.”

That’s not a program.

That’s fitness roulette. 😂

What I DON’T spend money on:

Random, one-size-fits-all workout programs with no progression.

Your body deserves more than random workouts strung together because someone needed content for YouTube.

3. Going Out and Enjoying a Good Meal 🍷

I don’t eat out constantly.

But when I do?

I want it to be worth it.

Give me the great restaurant.

The good food.

The patio.

The cocktail.

The experience.

My version of wellness includes enjoying my life, and sharing a great meal with friends absolutely counts.

What I DON’T spend money on:

Food that I don’t even enjoy just because it’s convenient.

You want to be healthy then stop posting all your 2,000 calorie drive thru suppers!

But personally, if I’m going to spend the money, I’d rather have an experience I actually enjoy.

4. Travel ✈️

Yes.

I absolutely count travel as part of my wellness routine.

Getting out of my normal environment, exploring somewhere new, spending time with people I love, walking around a new city, trying new food and having new experiences?

That does more for me than another wellness gadget sitting in a drawer.

And personally, I’d rather take several smaller trips throughout the year than wait for one giant vacation.

Why?

Because I really like going on vacation. 😂

And once a year isn’t enough for me.

What I DON’T spend money on:

Waiting 12 months to have fun.

No thank you.

I want more adventure built into my actual life.

5. Quality Supplements 💊

This is the hill I will happily die on.

I am absolutely willing to spend money on supplements.

But not just any supplements.

I want to know:

• Why I’m taking them
• What ingredients are in them
• Whether the company takes quality seriously
• What evidence supports the product or its ingredients
• Whether the product actually fits into my overall wellness routine

Supplements aren’t magic.

They don’t replace real food, movement, sleep or taking care of yourself.

But I also don’t think they’re something you should automatically dismiss.

A good supplement routine can be a helpful way to support your overall nutrition and wellness.

What I DON’T spend money on:

❌ Every new supplement trending on TikTok
❌ Wellness products making ridiculous promises
❌ Fad gadgets that will be forgotten in six months
❌ Random products just because someone said, “You NEED this!”

Just because something is cheap doesn’t automatically make it a good value.

And just because something is expensive doesn’t automatically make it worth buying either.

I want quality and a reason for spending my money.

So…Is It Expensive to Be Healthy?

Sometimes.

But I think we’re asking the wrong question.

Instead of asking:

“How can I spend as little money as possible on my health?”

Maybe we should ask:

“What is actually worth investing in?”

For me, that’s:

🥩 Good food
💪 Strength and structured workouts
💊 Quality supplements
✈️ Travel and new experiences
🍷 Enjoying life with people I love

My definition of wellness isn’t about spending money on every new product or following some ridiculously expensive “perfect” routine.

It’s about being intentional.

I want to spend money on things that help me feel good, stay strong and actually enjoy the life I’m working so hard to build.

And honestly?

That’s a health investment I’m willing to make.

Now I want to know…

What’s one thing you happily spend money on for your health?

And more importantly…

What’s something you think is a complete waste of money? 😂

Tell me in the comments.

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