4MORE WAYS TO SAVE 1 USE CAMPUS FACILITIES FITNESS
If you live in a college town, ask if the campus athletic center offers memberships to people in the community. Many facilities have high-end gyms (hello, Olympic-size swimming pool!) but charge half the price—think $15 to $20 a month instead of $30 to $40.
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BONUS SAVINGS
AVOID FEES When you dump coins into a Coinstar change-counting machine, you pay a 9.8% fee to convert them to cash. Instead, opt for a gift card to avoid the charge. Coinstar’s health-oriented partners include CVS and Athleta.
GROCERIES
LOOK FOR MIDWEEK DEALS For the widest selection of bargains on fresh produce, skip the weekend rush and hit the aisles on Wednesday nights. That’s when many supermarkets roll out new markdowns on fruits and vegetables while still honoring the previous week’s sales. Double-check with your store’s produce manager to ensure perfect timing.
womansday.com
September 2013
4 Outsmart monthly fees and costly training
INQUIRE ABOUT A DROP-IN MEMBERSHIP Even if you’re
a dedicated outdoor walker, stormy or steamy weather can make you yearn for a nice dry treadmill. Turns out, you might be able to find one without joining a pricey gym. Many community rec centers and YMCAs allow nonmembers to drop in for about $10 (or less!) a day, which is much better than paying for yearround access you know you likely won’t use when the skies are sunny.
GET A PUNCH PASS Maybe you don’t have much use for the pool or weight room, but your local gym has an amazing weekly spin class you’re dying to take. Instead of dropping cash on a full membership, ask for something called a punch pass. You pay up front for a limited number of classes and receive a card that gets punched only when you show up. It can shake out to as little as $7 to $10 a class when a membership would run you $60 a month.
GO FOR SMALL-GROUP TRAINING Personal trainers
aren’t known for being affordable, but many will let you split the fee with friends—a strategy known as small-group training. Say you have a trainer who normally charges $100 for a 60-minute session. If you bring in four friends, you’ll pay just $20 apiece (and still get personalized attention). Enter your zip code at www.acefitness.org/acefit/ locate-trainer/ to find a trainer in your area.
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