How to Take Control of Your Health

Because good health is difficult to quantify and illness is sometimes impossible to predict, many people have trouble seeing health as something they can control. However, people who can save money and live within a budget can take charge of their health in the same way that they take charge of their finances.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Taking Charge of Your Lifestyle

1. Think of your life as if it were a bank account. Call it your Life Fund. Your life is over when your balance is zero.
2. Imagine that every illness withdraws from your Life Fund. Your goal is to be able to afford to "pay" for even the most devastating illnesses.
3. Add to your Life Fund with healthy lifestyle choices, so your account isn't depleted when you become ill. Remember that you may not be able to add to your Life Fund when you're ill, so it's best to make your contributions while you're still healthy.
4. Try to get rich. If you consistently add to your Life Fund by making healthy choices in food, exercise and abstaining from unhealthy habits. Also avoid having to make many withdrawals, so you'll be able to enjoy a comfortable retirement free of unnecessary health issues. In other words, as you age, you can continue to live independently and make your own choices, instead of depending on other people to take care of you.
5. Leave something for your heirs. Your work in building up your Life Fund translates to a good example for your children and grandchildren, who will inherit your good health habits--Life Funds of their own.

Taking Charge of Your Health Care

6. Shop around. While illness will force you to make withdrawals from your Life Fund, you must decide when and how much to withdraw. Research your health care options at least as carefully as you would any other major purchase.
7. Stay in control. Letting your doctors make all your health care decisions is like giving them unfettered access to your Life Fund. Listen to their advice, but make it clear that you will make your own decisions. Get second and third opinions on big health decisions so you are fully informed.
8. Keep an eye on the market. Stay informed about the latest research regarding healthy habits and the causes of disease. You may find that you need to start doing something new to continue to add to your Life Fund by taking advantage of new or experimental products and programs. Check the source of the information you find to make sure it's reliable.

Tips & Warnings

• Health insurance is a deposit to your Life Fund, not a withdrawal. Use it to get regular preventive care that will help you stay healthy.