walking

4 New Year's Resolutions Your Pet Wants You to Make

Emily Guy Birken — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 11:00:07 +0000

Making New Year's resolutions feels great, but let's face it — we are terrible at it. According to research by a University of Scranton, Journal of Clinical Psychology study, only 8% of people who make New Year's resolutions actually achieve their goals. If you're like most people, your plans to go to the gym four times a week, stop wasting time on Facebook, and organize your entire home are probably going to fizzle before the end of January.

But there is someone in your life who can help you create achievable New Year's resolutions: your pet. What Fido and Fluffy want from you in 2017 are actually things that will help to make your life better. So forget the usual resolutions this year, and make some resolutions that will make your pet (and you!) happy:

1. Go On a Daily 30-Minute Walk

You know that Rover loves going on walks with you, but some days, it's all you can do to walk him around the block to his favorite fire hydrant. Especially in the winter, it can be very easy to hustle through a quick walk in the cold and head back inside to your laptop and Netflix.

But your pooch loves the daily exercise and stimulation that a long walk can offer — even in cold weather — and he's not able to understand your enthusiasm for binge-watching The Crown. A nice long walk is just what he wants, even when you want to curl up with a hot chocolate.

Of course, a daily 30-minute walk is literally just what the doctor ordered for you, too. Not only does a daily walk help you maintain (or lose) weight, but such moderate exercise helps to prevent and reduce the severity of chronic diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes. In addition, the exercise and the time outside can both help to improve your mood.

Rather than making a resolution to become a gym rat — and plunking down the gym's hefty joiner's fee and monthly membership fee — resolve to take Rover for a long walk every day, no matter the weather. You'll both be happier for it.

2. Take More Naps

Mittens may act aloof, but there is something she wishes you'd do more of: nap with her. Cats are notorious nappers (and cuddlers), and there is nothing more satisfying than taking a snooze with a purring kitty perched on your belly.

Of course, such naps are going to do more than just make your cat happy. They will also improve your health, your mood, and your level of self-control. According to a 2011 study by the Center for Disease Control, an estimated 50 to 70 million Americans are suffering from sleep deprivation. And being sleep deprived means that you are more vulnerable to chronic illnesses and more irritable, not to mention too mentally exhausted to avoid procrastination.

So this year, commit to curling up with your cat and catching 40 winks a couple of times a week. She'll love the closeness, and you'll reap the benefits of being well-rested.

3. Do Less

Having a full social calendar can be tough on your pets. They miss you terribly when you go out in the evening, especially if you are already working long hours. They would love nothing more than to have you home and available for tug-of-war, fetch, or belly rubs most nights.

It turns out that having a wall-to-wall schedule of events in your life isn't so great for you, either. According to Eldar Shafir and Sendhil Mullainathan, authors of the book Scarcity: The New Science of Having Less and How It Defines Our Lives, you're likely to make bad decisions if you have too little free time. Here's why: Managing your time is something like packing a suitcase. If you have an empty suitcase (or an empty schedule), it's easy to add something new. But if your suitcase or schedule is full, then you have to decide what to remove in order to add a new commitment, and that can be stressful.

The commitments that are most likely to come out of the "time suitcase" are the ones that don't feel urgent — like your commitment to spend time with your pets. But not only does spending time with your four-footed friends make them happier, it is also a great way to relieve your own stress. It is well documented that interaction with animals reduces tension and improves mood.

That's not to say that you should completely clear your social calendar so you can spend every moment with Buddy and Boots. But if you resolve to do less in 2017, you can take the time to determine whether you really want to say yes to the invitations that come your way. Then you'll only agree to the ones that you really want to do — and make yourself and your pets happier.

4. Clean More

Bandit can't get on his favorite spot on the sofa because the laundry basket is in the way. Cleo's litter box has gotten so ripe she's leaving "gifts" on the floor beside it. They may not be able to tell you in words (although your cat's method of protest can be pretty eloquent), but your pets would love it if your house were a little cleaner.

Tidying up would also offer a big benefit to you. According to Sherrie Bourg Carter, writing for Psychology Today, "Messy homes and work spaces leave us feeling anxious, helpless, and overwhelmed." Those piles of clothes and papers overwhelm our senses and make it difficult to truly relax. That can affect everything from your mood to your ability to sleep well at night.

Getting on a cleaning routine this year will not only help your pets to feel comfortable in your home, but it will help you feel better, too. And knowing that you can have unexpected guests drop by without worrying about the pet hair tumbleweed in the living room or the freshness of the litter box is an incredibly freeing sensation.

Listen to Your Pets

Resolutions are often grand promises to ourselves, but making small promises to our pets will actually lead to a better, healthier, and happier year. For 2017, resolve to get more purring and tail wagging from your pets, and you'll also reap the rewards for yourself.

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This article is from Emily Guy Birken of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

5 Best Cities for Going Car-Free

Brittany Lyte — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 09:30:37 +0000

There's ample evidence that walkable neighborhoods breed safer, healthier, and more democratic constituencies. And even in cities with high levels of smog — here's looking at you, Los Angeles — studies show that the health benefits of walking or cycling or recreation or as a means of commuting far outweigh the negative health risks associated with breathing in air pollution. What's more, when city dwellers opt to walk or cycle instead of relying on gas guzzlers, overall air pollution levels can be reduced. It's a win-win-win. You don't need a car to get around these U.S. cities.

1. Boston

Nicknamed America's Walking City, Boston's relatively small footprint is dense with small neighborhoods, each with a unique character and a smattering of restaurants, shops, and convenience stores. That is to say that most Bostonians can complete their daily errands without ever putting the key in the ignition. Boston is also a city where owning a car, in many cases, costs more than it's worth. Take, for example, these tandem, uncovered parking spaces in the high-end Beacon Hill neighborhood. For about a half million dollars, they can be yours. No, this isn't a one-time fluke in pricing. That's actually the going rate. A pair of parking spots on the same street sold for $560,000 at an auction in 2013.

2. New York

The city that never sleeps — Manhattan, in particular — is as pedestrian-friendly as they come. With sidewalks, bike lanes, buses, and subway routes galore, New York brings amenities such as markets, shops, workplaces, medical centers, and gyms in close proximity to the apartments and condos where people live. The city also has easy street crossings and long block lengths, making for more pleasurable pedestrian routes. There is, however, room for improvement. Manhattan is by far the most walkable of New York's boroughs, but it accounts for just 8% of the city's population. Other boroughs aren't actually all that walkable. In the Bronx, neighborhood decline and disinvestment in public transit has made walking around some neighborhoods difficult and less enticing. In truth, the real walkability winner here is Manhattan, and not all of New York City.

3. Washington, D.C.

Much of the nation's capital has walkable zones where residential and retail spaces are in close proximity. And, unlike New York, these zones are evenly distributed between downtown areas and the suburbs. That means it's not just the heart of the city that's walkable, but the outskirts, as well.

4. San Francisco

The Golden Gate City was built on 42 hills — terrain that can make for treacherous gear shifting. And while all those hills will do a number on your calf muscles, there's truly no better way to get around San Francisco's densely populated districts. That's because a quarter of the 49 square-mile city's office, retail, and multi-family rental space is located within the bounds of walkable neighborhoods. And while it's possible to break out of these neighborhood walkability zones and trek the entire city by foot, it's not exactly the fastest or most practical method of getting around. Alas, every city has its walkability limits.

5. Detroit

Oddly enough, you can get around Motor City just fine by foot — no motor required. In fact, these days pedestrian-friendly projects are sprouting up all over Detroit. And it's not just for the sake of recreation. About a quarter of all households citywide lack access to a motor vehicle. New walking path projects can help many in this demographic commute to and from the places they need to go, such as work, the grocery store, and school. And since you can't walk everywhere, new bike paths are surfacing, as well. Whereas Detroit had no bike lanes a decade ago, there are now nearly 200 of them.

What other cities are good for going car-free? Share with us!

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This article is from Brittany Lyte of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

5 Ways to Turn Your Walk Into a Real Workout

Ashley Marcin — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 17:00:04 +0000

Summer is the season for getting fit and strong, for strolling and striding outdoors. Did you know you could be getting more from your morning walk? It's true! And it's as simple as upping the intensity or heading to a new location. Before you lace up for your next loop around town, be sure to check out these tips and tricks. (See also: 25 Reasons You Should Take a Walk)

1. Add Intervals

Instead of heading out on a steady jaunt around the neighborhood, try mixing up your walk by warming up for 10 minutes, alternating fast walking with recovery spells, and finishing up with a cool down. You can use any ratio that works for you, for example 1 minute of fast walking with 1 minute of recovery, but the longer the quick portions are, the stronger you'll become overall. You'll even boost your metabolism this way, meaning you'll burn more calories in less time and keep the burn going after you finish your workout.

2. Climb Hills

This same concept applies when it comes to inclines as well. Walking uphill requires much more energy than staying on even ground. And adding this challenge to your routine has its own set of benefits. For instance, with each increase of 5% incline, you'll burn an extra 3 to 5 calories per minute. You'll also work different muscle groups, giving your legs a more toned look and increased endurance to boot.

3. Try Jogging

Consider jogging your ultimate interval option when it comes to walking. In fact, there is a growing group of exercisers who engage in a walk/run approach to exercise and racing on the daily. Versus standard running, mixing the two is easier on the body yet increases your cardiovascular output. If your goal is to eventually run a 5K race, walk/jogging can get you over the finish line faster (and with less chance of injury) than, say, going cold turkey into running territory.

4. Vary Terrain

If you're sick of standard sidewalks, take your walk to a new location. Not only will you get the change of scenery, but you'll also increase your calorie burn. Trekking on dry sand, loose gravel, dirt trails, and other surfaces has the power burn up to 30% more calories than on solid ground. Of course, be sure to slather on the sunscreen and bring the bug repellent, as there's no shade on the beach and hiking can invite a brigade of bugs to the party. (See also: Homemade Sunblock and 6 Other Non-Toxic Recipes to Get Your Skin Sun-Ready)

5. Stop and Drop

Punctuate your walk with body-weight training exercises for a total body workout. For example, walk for 10 minutes, then drop and do 25 pushups or sit-ups. Resume your walk for another spell and then do 50 jumping jacks. Continue on your way and then stop to complete a set of squats. Anything from tricep dips at the playground to lunges beside a park bench should do the trick. Try to do this type of varied routine once a week to see some toned results. (See also: These At-Home Exercises Will Give You a Gym-Quality Workout for Free)

How do you supercharge your walk? Please share in comments!

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This article is from Ashley Marcin of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

10 Surprising Benefits Of: A 10 Minute Walk

Christa Avampato — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 09:48:51 +0000

A lack of time is the most common excuse people give when asked why they don't exercise. Here's the truth — we don't need a lot of time to exercise. All we need is 10 minutes and the will to be healthier. Walking is the perfect way to get started. Here's a list of ten reasons why walking is our best partner for overall good health. (See also: 15 Ways to Exercise in 5 Minutes)

1. It Promotes Heart Health

Walking has tremendous benefits for the heart: it drops blood pressure, regulates blood sugar, and lowers cholesterol, which are all risk factors of heart disease.

2. It Improves Brain Function

Ever notice how walking clears the mind? It's more than just a figure of speech. Walking might not raise your IQ, but it does help to improve concentration, focus, and attention span. Exercise increases the level of BDNF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor. BDNF has been shown to preserve the health of existing neurons and create new ones.

3. It Eases Depression

The best way to turn a frown upside down is to hit the streets with our feet. Exercise in general, and walking in particular, releases endorphins, "feel-good" chemicals, in the brain. (See also: Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Happier)

4. It Improves Bone Health

One of the best ways to improve bone health is to do weight-bearing exercises such as walking. Weight-bearing exercise is any exercise that requires the body to work against gravity. (See also: How to Get Stronger Bones Without Eating Dairy)

5. It Burns Calories

It's no secret that all exercise burns calories. What's surprising is how many calories we burn just by walking briskly for 10 minutes. On average, we burn about 50 calories for every 10 minutes of brisk walking (depending on your weight).

6. It Helps You Breath Easier

When we exercise, our bodies need more oxygen. This means our lungs have to work harder to deepen and quicken the breath. The more we require of our muscles, the stronger they get. This is also true for the lungs. With regular walking, we increase our lung capacity, and that makes for easier breathing.

7. It Increases Mindfulness

Walking helps clear the mind. It also helps to increase our awareness. When we step outside, we activate all of our senses. We feel the sun and breeze on our faces. We notice scents. We constantly change the scenery in our field of vision as we walk. Rather than letting the world pass us by, we can take time on a walk to be present and notice our environment. This practice will enrich all of our moments, even after the walk is over.

8. It Reduces Stress

As mentioned above, walking increases endorphin levels in the brain and gives us the ability to take fuller breaths. These two benefits also help us to rid the mind and body of stress. Exercise of any kind drops our level of cortisol, also known as the stress hormone. (See also: Easy Ways to Banish Stress)

9. It Improves Gait and Balance

We master what we practice. If we practice walking, we strengthen our legs and feet. Strong legs and feet make up the physical foundation of improved gait and balance. The better our gait and balance, the less likely we are to fall and the more likely we are to keep moving. When it comes to physical health, we're part of a use-it-or-lose-it game. Walking regularly puts the odds of winning this game in our favor.

10. It Reduces Pain

A lot of our physical aches and pains come from underuse, not overuse. When muscles, ligament, tendons, and fascia aren't used, they get tight. The less they're used, the tighter they get and that tightness causes a lot of pain, particularly in the lower back and joints. Walking is a gentle way to get moving and keep moving so our bodies stay limber, flexible, and pain free.

Now that you know the benefits of even a short walk, celebrate National Walking Day on April 2, 2014. A program of the American Heart Association Day, National Walking Day is a day when all Americans are encouraged to set aside 30 minutes to get up, get out, and get moving. Grab a friend, family member, or your dog and hit the road. It does a body, mind, and spirit good!

How much do you walk everyday?

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This article is from Christa Avampato of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

50 Ways to Walk More

Aaron Crowe — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 11:24:20 +0000

The American Heart Association recommends walking 10,000 steps a day to improve health and decrease the risk of heart disease. That’s about five miles. One study found that walkers who got their 10,000 steps a day lost 10 pounds after eight months of walking, along with dropping their blood pressure and losing two inches from their waist size. (See also: 25 Reasons to Take a Walk)

Walking 10,000 steps a day sounds like an impossible number — until you start adding up all the steps you take in a day. The steps add up quickly if you do enough little things to get there, such as walking instead of driving on an errand, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or walking around the block. But unless you're doing a lot of the little things, you won't get to 10,000 steps.

When I first got a Fitbit, I quickly saw that walking from the couch to the kitchen wasn't getting me far, though I did discover that I walked about 2,000 steps around the house each day. If you need more ideas than just walking around the house, here are 50 ways to get in your 10,000 steps per day.

1. Buy Comfortable Walking Shoes

This is the first place to start because without good shoes, your feet may hurt, and you're less likely to walk as much. You don't realize how ill fitting your shoes are until you've walked five miles. I went to an athletic shoe store to have my feet measured and was videotaped walking on a treadmill so they could see how my feet hit the ground. I bought shoes with good arch support and learned that I was previously buying shoes a half size too small. You'll be surprised at how a good pair of shoes can encourage you to walk more. (See also: Stuff We Love: Clarks Shoes)

2. Buy the Right Equipment

There's more to walking than good shoes. Comfortable shorts, shirts, and socks are a must, and you may also need sunscreen and a hat.

3. Get a Pedometer

I've found the Fitbit to be a good measurement of how far I walk each day. There are many other products, including apps for your phone or iPod, for instance, that measure your steps. A pedometer can be attached to your belt, waistband, or put in your pocket. Some can be worn around the wrist. (See also: The Benefits to Wearing a Pedometer at Home)

4. Walk the Dog

You shouldn't get a dog just for this benefit, but an anxious dog is a good incentive to walk at least 5,000 steps per day. I usually walk our dog twice a day, averaging 4,000 steps per outing.

5. Walk (or Run) an Errand

Instead of driving to the neighborhood Redbox to rent a movie, as I used to lazily do, I now walk about 3,000 steps roundtrip when I want to rent a movie. You can probably walk more errands than you realize, though a trip to the grocery store may require a car, or a few friends, if you're going to carry more than a few bags home.

6. Cook Dinner

Instead of driving to a restaurant for dinner, save money and gain steps by cooking in your kitchen. Even in the small kitchen at my house, walking from the fridge to the stove and back, and doing other cooking tasks, equates to an easy 1,000 or more steps. (See also: 10 Recipes for Kitchen Newbies)

7. Walk at Lunch

If you've got an hour for lunch, you probably don't need more than 30 minutes to eat your meal. After that, go on a walk and leave the office. You'll likely get to 5,000 steps before the lunch hour is over.

8. Have a Walking Meeting

Instead of sitting with a group of coworkers for a meeting, make it more of a social event by having a walking meeting. You'll have better one-on-one conversations and the brainstorming may be a lot better because you're thinking while moving around. This could add 2,000 steps or so for a 15-minute meeting. (See also: 7 Things to Change About Meetings)

9. Walk in the Pool

If your legs are aching and you can't get too far, then try walking in a pool. You won't be able to wear a pedometer, of course, but you can add in the time and distance later by estimating how many steps you took, based on how long you were in the pool. Walking in water is less stressful on the joints, and this may allow you to build up to walking more on land.

10. Walk to Work

If you take the bus to work or other form of public transportation, try getting off a few blocks early and walking the rest of the way. The same goes for the trip home. Or better yet, walk the entire way to work if you can.

11. Walk to the Bus or Subway Station

Instead of taking a bus or driving to a subway or bus stop, walk from home to the station where you normally commute from. Or get off the train or bus a stop early and walk the rest of the way.

12. Walk to School

If your kids are walking to school, join them and get exercise together as a family. If you normally drive them to school, consider walking at least one day a week.

13. Bring a Friend

A walking partner can be a strong incentive to walk daily, especially when it's raining or there's another excuse you've come up with.

14. Join a Walking Group

Check with your city or civic groups to see if there's a walking group in your area. There are several hiking clubs around the country.

15. Go to the Mall

Many malls open their doors a little early for walkers, giving them a safe place indoors to walk. It's also a good place to walk to avoid bad weather outside. If you're shopping, walk the length of the mall before going into any stores.

16. Change Your Route

If you walk the same route every day, you'll quickly get tired of it and may stop walking for awhile. Change it up by exploring different areas of your neighborhood and beyond. If necessary, drive to a new area you want to check out on foot. (See also: Benefits of Changing Your Routine)

17. Seek Out Interesting Places to Walk

On your days off, plan walks at places you'd like to explore: the beach, woods, a nearby mountain, or anyplace else you've thought about going but never get around to.

18. Listen to Podcasts

I have an iPod Touch that I subscribe to podcasts on, but many devices will download podcasts that can be listened to whenever you're on a walk. I listen to about a dozen podcasts each week including great storytellers, economists, and comedians, and there are hundreds of topics to pick from.

19. Listen to Music

If you really want to pick up the pace of your walk, add some up-tempo songs to your playlist.

20. Take the Stairs

This should be a no-brainer, but if your goal is to walk 10,000 steps per day, then you should never use an elevator or escalator.

21. Take a Break

If you're stuck at your desk for most of the workday, take a 10 minute break a few times and go for a quick walk around the building. Your legs will feel better by being stretched, and you'll add 1,000 or so steps to your daily total.

22. Get a Stand-Up Desk

This may not be comfortable all day, but a stand-up desk can get you on your feet for a few hours. You won't do much walking there, but it's more than you'll get sitting at a desk. (See also: 11 Standing Desks You Can Actually Afford)

23. Put a Stepper Under Your Desk

Amazon has all kinds of steppers for sale, from $9 to $100 or more. Put one under your desk and you can walk without anyone seeing you move.

24. Have Kids

As any parent with young kids can attest, having toddlers to chase around the house will certainly add a few thousand steps to a day.

25. Carry Shopping Bags in One at a Time

Whether it's groceries or bags from the mall, carry them into the house one at a time to gain more steps.

26. Share Your Journey

Many walking apps allow walking distances to be shared online with friends, providing support for your daily walks and a chance to brag about how well you're doing.

27. Walk While Brushing Your Teeth

Instead of standing in front of the bathroom mirror for a few minutes while brushing your teeth, walk in place and see how many steps you add.

28. Walk Around the Block

If you've got five or 10 minutes to spare and don't have anything to do, take a walk around the block. It beats resting on the couch if you want to reach 10,000 daily steps.

29. Walk 500 Steps Before Going to Bed

After turning off the TV, or whatever your final task is before going to bed, vow to walk 500 steps around the house before going to bed. You can check to make sure all of the lights are turned off, the doors and windows are locked, the refrigerator is closed — whatever it takes to get 500 steps before you call it a night.

30. Park Far Away

When you go to a mall or shopping center, park as far from the entrance as you safely can. You may not want to do this at night if there's poor lighting, or if you do, ask a security guard to walk you to your car.

31. Take a Family Walk After Dinner

After dinner is a great time to take a walk. It can stop you from eating more, it's a great time to be outside, and the whole family can do it together.

32. Meet Friends for a Walk, Not a Coffee

Instead of having a lunch or coffee meeting with friends to catch up, suggest a walk in the park. (See also: 10 Ways to Hang Out With Friends on the Cheap)

33. Walk During Commercials

If you're sitting and watching TV, get up during the commercials and walk around the house. If you record a show with commercials, let them run and walk around. Or stop the show and take walk breaks.

34. Go Window Shopping

This can be a fun walk, especially around Christmas. Go for a walk in your town's shopping area. It's a chance to see what's for sale, as well as meet people and be seen around town.

35. Write a Letter

Instead of sending emails, write a letter and then walk to a mailbox in your neighborhood to mail it from. Or better yet, walk to your local post office and mail it. (See also: 20+ Reasons to Write a Letter)

36. Take Dance Lessons

Check out dance classes offered by your city's recreation department or another organization.

37. Play Video Games

Not games where you sit on the couch, but the Wii or Kinect where players stand up and move during video games.

38. Take the Long Way to the Bathroom

If it's not an emergency, take a longer route when walking to the bathroom at work. Or walk to a bathroom that's one or more floors up or down from your office.

39. Pick Up the Litter

Walk around your neighborhood with a trash picking tool, wear gloves, bring a cardboard box plastic bag, and pick up trash. Your neighbors will thank you, and they might even join you.

40. Pace

Don't sit down and wait at the doctor's or dentist's office. Stand up and walk around.

41. Take an Extra Lap at the Grocery Store

When I go to Costco, I first walk around to explore before coming in with a cart. It adds 2,000 steps to my walk through the store, and I get a better idea of what I want to buy. The same thing can be done at the grocery store by walking around the outer aisles before starting to shop for what's on your grocery list.

42. Walk While Waiting for Your Kids

If you're waiting for your kid at some event, instead of just sitting there, take a five-minute walk and then pick them up. Or arrive five minutes early so you can go for a short walk.

43. Visit Your Co-worker

Don't send that email or make that call. Walk over to your co-worker's desk and have a conversation. You'll likely resolve the issue quicker.

44. Walk and Talk on the Phone

If you get a phone call, take it while walking.

45. Set the Alarm

Set an alarm on your phone to go off every two hours during the workday. If you're not already walking, then get up and go for a short walk.

46. Skip the Drive-Thru

Instead of using the drive-thru to get your morning coffee, park your car at the far end of the parking lot and walk inside the store and order. This goes for anything you buy while sitting in a car. Get out and move.

47. Walk the Cart Back

Don't use the cart return in the parking lot after you're done shopping. Walk the shopping cart back to the front of the store.

48. Take a Neighbor's Dog for a Walk

If you don't have a dog to take for a walk, as mentioned above, then ask a neighbor with a dog if you can walk theirs. Most dogs need and enjoy a lot of exercise, so both the dog and owner will be thrilled with someone else taking the dog for a walk. (See also: 9 Gifts to Give the Neighbor You Like)

49. Walk for Charity

There are all kinds of charity walks, so join a few and see how you like them. You don't have to go fast. Or join a running event and walk the route.

50. Do Housework or Yardwork

Get rid of the maid and gardener and do the vacuuming and leaf raking yourself. Chances are there's always some work that needs to be done around the house. Set aside 30 minutes a day to do some task that requires moving around.

The general idea is to keep moving. It's a good goal to have, and a lot better for your heart and overall health than sitting on a couch for hours at a time.

How do you get your 10,000 steps a day?

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This article is from Aaron Crowe of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

25 Reasons Why You Should Take a Walk

Tara Struyk — Wed, 17 Jul 2013 10:36:30 +0000

I'm always a little amazed when people drive across town to the gym, hunt around for a place to park, change their clothes, sign up for a treadmill, and wait in line to use it, all just to take a nice 30 minute walk. Not that there's anything wrong with walking. Walking's great. But I have a theory that making such a big production of it makes it more work than fun, more exercise than pleasure. Plus, the best thing about walking is that it's so simple. Why complicate it? Here are 25 of the best reasons you should head out for a hike. (See also: 50+ Ways to Have Free Outdoor Fun)

1. It's a Great Way to Enjoy the Weather

I live in Northern Canada, where summers are short and oh so sweet. I just can't wait to get outside, and while I haven't figured out how to be able to spend all day on a blanket at the park, walking somewhere gives me a great excuse to savor a few sweet moments of sunshine. I have nothing against the other seasons. I love rainy spring walks, and crisp fall walks. I even love bundling up for an icy winter walk, especially late at night. Every season (and day, for that matter) has its moments. Walking gives you a chance to soak them up.

2. It's Free

Walking is as close to free as it gets. You don't need fancy shoes, or clothes, or equipment. If you head straight out your front door, a walk will only cost you some time and a little rubber off the bottom of your shoes.

3. It's Good for Your Blood Sugar

In terms of the health benefits, even a little walk goes a long way. Several studies over the past few years have found that as little as 15 minutes of walking after a meal will improve digestion and even out blood sugar levels.

4. And Your Back

A study by researchers at Tel Aviv University found that walking for 20-40 minutes at a moderate pace was as effective at reducing chronic back pain as the sorts of strengthening exercises that are often prescribed by physical therapists.

5. And Your Brain

A brief walk can melt mental fatigue, improve memory, and even help stave off the progress of Alzheimer's disease. We often spend much of the day thinking and worrying. Taking a walk is a way to leave it all behind.

6. And Your Creativity

English wordsmith William Wordsworth is said to have spent much of his life on foot, walking. Henry David Thoreau often walked up to 20 miles at a time before he put pen to paper (he even wrote a whole essay about it). Virginia Woolf was a regular walker. So were Robert Louis Stevenson and James Joyce. In fact, there's a very long list of writers who considered walking part of their craft. If you're a creative type, the walking path might just lead to enlightenment.

7. And Your Weight

A major meta-analysis conducted by the researchers at the University of Michigan and published in "The Annals of Family Medicine" in 2008 compiled the results of nine different studies to conclude that pedometer-based walking programs resulted in weight loss. The longer participants kept a regular walking schedule going, the more weight they were likely to lose. It's easy to assume that being "fit" has to involve super-intense "boot camp" classes or marathon training, but the reality is that high intensity isn't for everyone, and it definitely isn't for all the time.

8. And Your Heart

Walking's good for your heart, too. In fact, the American Heart Association calls it the simplest lifestyle change you can make for heart health. It positively impacts blood pressure, triglycerides, and overall heart fitness. I'd venture to guess that its ability to reduce stress also has heart-healthy benefits.

9. And Your Bones

A 1994 study by researchers at Tufts University found that women with a high risk for osteoporosis who walked at least 7.5 miles per week had higher bone density — not just in their legs, but in their whole bodies — than women who walked less than a mile per week. Your bones respond to weight-bearing activity. Walking seems almost too easy, but it fits the bill.

10. Not to Mention Your Relationships

I read somewhere that if you're going to argue with a man, it's best to do it walking. (Apparently, they see being looked in the eye as a challenge.) I can't say for sure if that's true, but I did find some evidence that couples who walk together tend to have better relationships. When you walk with someone, you're both going in the same direction, looking ahead, and moving in sync. Those are principles that help move a relationship forward, too.

11. And Your Dog (Kids, Significant Other)

Forget toys and treats; dogs are happiest when they're moving. If you don't have a dog, remember that kids and spouses need walking, too.

12. And the Environment

Every trip (however short) you take on foot is one you aren't taking in your car. That's good for you, and it's good for the environment.

13. You Get to Explore

When you're on foot, you notice all kinds of things you'd never notice in a car. Use your walk as an opportunity to explore your neighborhood, admire the scenery, or just make fun of the stupid-looking addition your neighbors are building.

14. And You Get to Know Your Neighbors

Speaking of neighbors, walking is a great way to meet a few of them. If you do it regularly, you'll find yourself greeting the same people time and again, which is kind of nice.

15. And Find Cool New Businesses in Your Area

There's nothing I love more than stumbling across a new bookstore or coffee shop within walking distance (so you know where my loyalties lie). If I didn't walk, all my neighborhood's hidden gems would still be… hidden.

16. It's an Excuse to Get Some Ice Cream or Coffee

Walking is a great excuse to pick up a cup of coffee or ice cream cone to enjoy along the way. At least you're burning some of those calories, right?

17. And to Get New Shoes

My dress shoes (read: shoes that are too uncomfortable to walk more than a few steps in) never wear out, which means they pile up in the closet as a reminder that I shouldn't buy anymore. Wearing out my walking shoes means I get to buy a new pair once in a while.

18. And Some Vitamin D

You've probably heard all about the importance of vitamin D to overall health. The best source? A few minutes of sunlight on your face and hands. A short afternoon walk should do the trick.

19. You Can Listen to Music

A walk is a great excuse to listen — really listen — to a great album. You can even walk to the beat.

20. Or Just Talk

Walking seems to stimulate conversation. There are no clocks and no distractions. Don't come home until you've run out of things to say.

21. Or Spend Some Time Reflecting

We often think of meditation as something that happens when you're sitting still, but in reality, that's very hard to do. The washing machine will chime. The phone will ring. Your kids will find you. If you walk, your brain will be able to do its quiet wandering with less distraction.

22. You Can Work Really Hard

In terms of exercise, walking doesn't have to be a cakewalk. If you want to sweat, try walking uphill, or up stairs, or adding in some lunges. It can be as hard as you want it to be.

23. Or Just Take a Stroll

It can also be as easy as you want it to be. After all, sometimes the exercise we need is the restorative kind.

24. And You Can Do It Any Time

Sometimes I walk first thing in the morning. Sometimes I do it in the afternoon or before dinner. I also love walking late at night. And when I'm up late and can't sleep, I inevitably see some guy walking his dog at 3 a.m. (I guess I'm not the only insomniac in the neighborhood.) The point is that there's really no excuse not to walk because you can do it any time at all.

25. The Best Part? You Never Know Where It'll Take You

It's while I'm walking that I notice the frost on the grass, or a rabbit hiding behind a tree, or the moon peeking out from behind the clouds. It's when I'm walking that I get a great idea, or realize that the one I thought was great is actually pretty lame. I've explored the neighborhood where I live, and admired and fantasized about the ones I'd like to move to. I guess that's why walking is such a well-worn metaphor for life. You might not know where you're headed. All you've got to do is keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Why do you like to walk?

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This article is from Tara Struyk of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

7 Hidden Advantages to Getting Rid of Your Car

Carrie Kirby — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 10:36:43 +0000

When my family moved to the San Francisco Bay Area from Chicago, we didn't bring our car. We figured we would get around to buying a new one by the end of the summer. But now, eight months have slipped past, and although we haven't pledged to remain car-free forever, we have been enjoying some of the unexpected benefits of non-car-ownership so much that we haven't felt any rush to buy one.

The big benefit we were expecting to enjoy was, of course, saving money.

How much money you save depends on how you look at it. If you are going car-free rather than buying a new Escalade on credit, you're saving a ton. But if you are going car-free rather than paying cash for a reliable older car, your savings are more modest. One Wise Bread writer estimated he saved $2,800 a year by giving up one of his household's cars. I estimated that my family is saving about $500 a month by going without a car.

But what are the less obvious benefits?

1. Less Stress

When I was a broke student without a pot to cook ramen in, I was amazed by middle class adults who complained that the possessions they gained only added to the stress in their lives. But when we let go of our beloved old Subaru, I realized that there was something to the "more stuff, more problems" lament. (See also: Stuff Will Never Make You Organized)

To a busy mom, a car is almost like another needy kid. I needed to remember whether it was parked on the street where it would get a ticket overnight. I needed to remember whether it was due for an oil change and, wait, was I supposed to go by the sticker from the oil change place or check the manual? I needed to keep the kids' bikes from encroaching on the car's space in the garage, and I needed to worry whether that tapping sound after I turned it off meant that it was about to need an expensive repair.

Then there's the stress of driving itself — getting cut off by obnoxious drivers, getting stuck in traffic, worrying about hitting someone while backing up, etc.

The great thing about biking and walking is that even though it takes longer than driving, the amount of time it takes is almost always predictable because traffic isn't an issue. And when I turn on the radio to hear that Bay Area highways are all backed up, but know that my husband will be on time for dinner because he's riding his bike from the ferry or train? That feeling is the opposite of stress.

2. More Exercise

Just because you own a car, no one's forcing you to drive everywhere instead of walking or biking. But the truth is, if I owned a car, I would drive on a lot of the errands I currently do on my bike. I would procrastinate leaving the house until it's too late to bike, or I would drive because it looks like rain or because the kids don't want to ride in the bike trailer, and I don't have the energy to argue with them.

Not having the option to drive forces you to organize your life in a way that you have time to get everywhere without driving. For me that has meant more exercise and better weight management results than I got from belonging to a gym.

3. More Pleasant Travel

I underestimated how much I would enjoy traveling by bike or foot compared to driving. On the occasions I drive now, I'm surprised by how annoying it is to wait behind a line of cars to turn when I could have simply walked my bike across the crosswalk with the walk sign. Every day I take in gorgeous scenery and enjoy the feeling of the wind on my face. Of course, it helps that I'm living in a mild part of the country — I can't claim I'd enjoy riding my bike in January if I were still in Chicago!

As a mom, I love taking a trip in which at least one of my kids is on her own bike and not strapped cheek-to-cheek with her siblings squabbling. The two little ones still squabble in the bike trailer together, but if I ride fast enough, the wind in my ears can drown them out. Almost.

4. Drive a Different Car Every Time

When we want to drive to take a weekend family outing, we rent a vehicle at the nearby airport. Using Hotwire and Priceline, this has been unexpectedly affordable — usually about $30 a day including fees — and we have enjoyed trying out different models of cars instead of always driving the same one.

5. Never Have to Clean the Car

With three little kids riding in the back, my car was usually a pigsty inside. With all the chores in the house, going out to the garage to vacuum it out was not high on my priority list. And washing it with the hose was fun about once a year — after that it was yet another chore.

Now when we drive we get to drop off the dirty car at the rental return and let them deal with it. We were told — once — that the rental company may charge an extra fee if you return it really dirty inside, but so far that hasn't happened, not even with the minivan we kept for a month and drove across the country.

6. Feel Better About Your Carbon Footprint

I can't claim that we stopped being car owners out of a selfless concern for the environment. It was more out of desire to save money and just not feeling like car shopping. But that feeling of standing at the gas pump feeling guilty about what I'm doing to the world? It's yet another little stress I don't miss at all. And every time other families at our school see us bike somewhere that they would have thought was too far for kids or too inconvenient, I feel good that maybe we are encouraging others to take fewer car trips as well.

7. Appreciate Your Friends and Neighbors

I cannot count how many times our new neighbors have offered the use of their vehicles to us or offered to pick us up or drop us off places. We almost always politely decline, because usually we have been fine getting around on our own and don't want to save money simply by pushing our costs off onto other people. But simply getting the offer has brought us closer to new friends and neighbors. And sometimes the help has really come in handy, like on the occasional day when it's pouring and another mom from our preschool is driving there, anyway. We find non-vehicular ways to repay those favors and feel our new community grow closer.

I can't pretend there aren't also disadvantages to not owning a car. I have avoided signing up the kids for activities I know they would enjoy because they are too far to quickly bike or take public transit, and I feel like picking up a shared car would also be too much trouble with three kids in tow. Life is less spontaneous when you need to sit down and make a transportation game plan every time you want to venture off your beaten path.

But so far for us, these hidden advantages — when added to the big advantage of saving money — have made the car-free life a worthwhile experiment.

What advantages, or disadvantages, have you experienced by giving up the car?

This article is from Carrie Kirby of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

10 Exercises to Do at Work That Don't Make You Look Silly

Meg Favreau — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 10:24:24 +0000

Many of us work long days at desks, even though we know it's not the best thing for our health. A sedentary lifestyle makes us obese. And heck, I have trouble just focusing if I don't get up and move around every now and then.

This is why I've always loved the idea of exercises you can do at work. Exercise is a great thing to do for your body and mind! However, I find that most articles I read about exercising at work are utterly impractical. Sure, if you have your own office with a door, that's great. Keep weights in there, do some fierce squats, and complete push-ups until your arms scream. And likewise, if you work at an office where you can easily skip out to the gym during lunch, or where you have onsite workout facilities, bully for you.

But when I was still working in offices instead of out of my house, I had none of these things. I always worked in a cubicle hive, where coworkers could buzz by at any moment and see everything I was doing. I'm a person who doesn't mind if someone else sees me doing a few jumping lunges, but I also recognize, out of respect for my coworkers, that behavior like that can be considered weird, if not disruptive. Thus, here are 10 exercises you can actually do at work without weirding out your coworkers. (See also: Fitness for People Who Hate Exercise)

1. Calf Raises

These are perfect for when you're waiting at the copier, printer, or microwave. While standing, simply lift your heels up off the ground, bring them down, and repeat. Sure, they're noticeable, but the actually amount of movement is about on-par with fidgeting.

2. Walking

So many articles on exercising at work include walking for a good reason — it's great for you, easy to do on your lunch break, and a totally normal activity. I won't suggest that you trade eating mindfully for shoving your face full of food so you can get out and walk, but if you can split your lunch break between eating and walking, that's a great compromise.

3. Kegels

Ladies, we've all been told that we should do our Kegels. And fellas, strengthening the pelvic floor can be helpful for you as well (check out this male Kegel explanation from AskMen, but be forewarned that it includes some graphic sex talk). Since you're just clenching and unclenching the pelvic floor, nobody will know you're doing these (unless you find a way to be super awkward about it).

4. Chair Dips

This probably has the highest silly factor out of all the exercises I'm recommending. You can't do these without bobbing up and down a little bit, and depending on the height of your cubicle walls, your up-and-down motion could make you look like you're on a boat at sea. Check out instructions for chair dips from About.com, or if you want to stay seated in your chair, you can also try putting your hands on the arms of your chair and lifting yourself up and down.

5. Taking the Stairs

Yes, this is another old classic. You should take the stairs instead of the elevator, but also take the stairs, up, down, and up again a few times if you can. This can be especially fun if you work in a big corporate complex. Carry a folder to make it look like you're delivering something.

6. Leg Lifts

Lift one leg until it's straight and parallel to the ground. Hold for a few seconds, then lower. Repeat 10-15 times, and switch to the other leg.

7. Stretching

Ah, yes, stretching — or, as I like to think of it, "the only exercise you can do a lot of at work and get away with it." Where most cardio or strength-training efforts might seem out of place in your business-casual environment, pretty much everyone recognizes that sitting all day can make you rather sore. So stand up and stretch your arms, legs, torso — whatever. You might just want to avoid doing a downward-facing dog.

8. Sitting on an Exercise Ball

Times change. It's now acceptable to write "email" instead of "e-mail," and similarly, I think the exercise-ball-as-chair has finally gained enough acceptance that you can bring one into your office and not worry about it being strange. Sitting on an exercise ball helps strengthen your core and keep your posture straight. It's also fun. In fact, I am writing this while sitting on an exercise ball.

9. Muscle Clenches

Your abs and butt are prime candidates for this. Clench the muscles for a period of several seconds, then release. Repeat again in sets of 10-15.

10. Maintaining Good Posture

I know — what kind of hacky suggestion is this? Posture isn't an exercise! But if you normally have poor posture, actively maintaining a straight back will give your back muscles a serious workout.

What exercises do you do at work? Share in the comments!

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This article is from Meg Favreau of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

4 Benefits to Wearing a Pedometer at Home

Linsey Knerl — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 14:00:50 +0000

Many experts have touted the perks of putting on a pedometer for leaving the house and hitting the workplace, but what about us work-at-home types? Check out these compelling reasons to clip one on for health, happiness, and peace of mind.

The Obvious: Exercise

Just so that we can get this out of the way, I’d like to remind you that the #1 reason for wearing a pedometer is to get in some much-needed physical activity. As a blogger, I can sit for hours at a time, moving little more than my fingers and the arm muscle used to put a cup of coffee to my lips. This is clearly bad for my overall physique, which is currently trying to get back into shape after my last baby was born. Set a step goal for your typical day, and try your best to meet (or even exceed) it. Just 5,000 steps can be the difference between suffering from Blogger Butt and feeling fine.

Spend More Time with the Kids

A mom who sits at her desk is also one who is (sort of) ignoring her kids. While I don’t tune them out completely, I have been known to mutter the random “Uh-huh” or “Sure, sweetie” without ever turning my eyes from my assignment. This is not only bad for kids whose parents are always in the home office, it can cause you to lose sight of what is important. I have found the pedometer to be a great motivator to getting to know my kids better.

A simple walk across the living room can bring about all kinds of opportunities to ask questions about the activities that kids are engaged in — even if they are the type that prefers to work alone. I also love that playing active games with the kids in an effort to pump up the number of steps brings the family closer together (i.e., I love my Xbox Kinect).

A Cleaner House

This was an unexpected and wonderful consequence of sporting a pedometer. If I’m up and moving about, I’m likely to be clearing clutter, switching over a laundry load, or vacuuming (which burns more steps than any other cleaning activity.) If I hit 4 p.m. with few steps counted, I’ll jump up and do a marathon speed-cleaning. It not only gets my step goals met for the day, but is also keeps hubby happier.

Healthier Diet

My particular pedometer tracks calories burned based on the length of my stride and the number of steps I make, giving me an estimation of just how much work it takes to undo that donut I had earlier in the day. This makes it much easier to make good food choices — especially now that I’m painfully aware of how many rooms I have to vacuum to cancel out mindlessly eating from the chip bag.

Now that I’ve had a chance to incorporate a high-quality, multi-function pedometer into my lifestyle, I really have no excuse for being lazy. For something that’s incredibly effortless to use (you just clip it on), it’s made a major impact on my work-at-home, homeschooling day.

How have you benefited from a pedometer?

This article is from Linsey Knerl of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Walk, walk, walk, walk, walk

Paul Michael — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:00:06 +0000

There’s one fact that is undeniable in America; we just don’t walk enough. A dependence on automobiles, elevators and escalators, coupled with a growing lack of interest in exercise and a healthy diet, has made walking something of a rarity in most parts of America. And it’s costing you, in so many ways.

In the now infamous documentary Super-Size Me, Morgan Spurlock carried a pedometer with him to ensure that he took the same number of steps that the average American takes each day (5000 at the time of filming…who knows what it is now). He ended up taking buses and taxis a lot. In one scene, he’s already exceeded his 5000 steps before he even had breakfast. Of course, that was in Manhattan, where walking is often quicker than taxis and buses.

But should this be an excuse for people who don’t live in that bustling metropolis? When I lived in England, which was for most of my life, I walked everywhere. I walked to school, to college, to the city centers, even to the grocery store (which was 40 minutes each way, and longer on the way back when I was laden with shopping bags).

Even though my diet was pretty bad most of the time, my weight stayed at a healthy 180-185lbs. I walked away the weight daily. Sometimes I would have to take public transportation to get to work, but I still had a good walk to and from the train stations or bus depots. And I didn’t drive. Why bother? I had everything covered and London was a hellhole to drive in.

Fast-forward 8 years and I’m no longer 185lbs. I’m closer to 215lbs these days, and although my diet is much improved (less beer, more vegetables, less beer) I’ve been steadily gaining for the last 7 years. And what happened in that time? Well, I moved to America and learned to drive. I wish there were a longer, more complex answer but that’s it.

Until recently, I was irritated if I didn’t get a parking spot close to the doors of my destination. I would get annoyed when my friends wanted to take the stairs. I would find myself getting seriously peeved if the moving walkways and escalators were out of order. And that’s what I think the problem is. A diet of cheap fast food, computer games, TV shows and a complete addiction to the car as a means of transportation has left millions of people overweight, in bad health and dying at an earlier age. As the Daily Mail recently reported:

"Parents could soon begin to outlive their children because of an epidemic of obesity afflicting the younger generation. Many youngsters are now so grossly overweight they face premature death caused by a heart attack or stroke."

This unhealthy lifestyle costs us all. Healthcare is the main rising expense, as well as drugs needed for diabetes, joint pain and so many more ailments that come from a lack of simple, daily exercise. And as your waistline increases, so do the costs of many other things you take for granted. A lot of the larger clothing sizes cost a few extra bucks, and even the airlines are starting to charge for obese passengers.

So, what are we to do? And what am I doing? Well, I’m walking more. Yes, I’m also cycling and working out, but I’m walking way more than I used to. It’s a tough habit to get into, but once you do you’ll find it easy to keep going. Here are five ways you can put more steps into your daily routine:

1: WALK from the back of the parking lot.
Whether it’s at a grocery store or your job, park much further away from the doors than you usually do (making sure you’re in a safe spot of course). Those extra hundreds of steps you take each time will really add up.

2: WALK up and down the stairs.
Don’t be tempted to take the elevator every time you have to go up and down a floor or two. Admittedly, if you work at the top of a 50 story building, that’s not going to be a simple walk. But when it’s just up a flight or two f stairs in a mall, at work or in an airport, forget the elevators. And if you have to take the escalators, walk up and down those instead of just standing there.

3: WALK on your breaks.
Most of us get a few breaks at work. An hour for lunch and a couple of 15 minute breaks in the morning and afternoon is fairly typical. Instead of sitting around chatting or trawling the internet, make use of your free time. Take a walk around your floor, your house, your building or wherever it is you spend your day. These additional steps will also give you more energy.

4: WALK your dog (or someone else’s).
It’s easy to get fit when you’ve got a purpose. In this case, taking your pooch on a long, brisk walk at least once a day will really help you burn some calories and fell good about yourself. And your doggie wil love you for it.

5: WALK to the beat.
Sorry for the lame title, but the message is good. With MP3 players almost being given away these days, it’s easy to walk to some of your favorite tunes. It’s also a good way to judge your progress. If you only walk to track seven one day, try going to track eight the next. Or maybe you’ll have covered more ground the next time you get to track nine.

So, that’s a simple but cheap and effective way to get healthy and lose some weight.

If you’re looking for ways to liven up a walk, there’s a great publication out there called The Walking Deck: 50 Ways To Walk Yourself Healthy. Amazon has it right now, and this set of 50 handy cards gives you some great ideas for diversifying your walking routine. Get walking, get healthy and get yourself out there.

This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The good life on less energy--even in the US

Philip Brewer — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:18:50 +0000

Whenever I write a post about energy, I point out that we know it's possible to have a high standard of living while using less energy--people in European countries do, so it must be possible. That always draws comments from people who say that things are different here. When it comes to opportunities for saving energy, that's simply not true.

Oh, sure, the Europeans have a much better train system. In the US we've spent that money on airports and highways. But we do have passenger rail, and it's actually a pleasure to ride.

Many European cities are also more compact than many US cities, making it easier to get around on foot or by bicycle. But there are plenty of nice, compact US cities.

Mass transit is spotty in the US compared to Europe, but there's good mass transit in many US cities.

Many European cities are more friendly to bicycles than many US cities, but there are plenty of cyclists in the US, and many US cities are bicycle-friendly.

So, all these things exist in the US; they're just not widely distributed.

I'd like to make two points in relation to that observation.

First, as fuel prices continue to rise, all these energy-saving advantages that the Europeans have will become more widely distributed in the US as well. As long as you live in a town or city (as opposed to a rural area), these advantages will come to you eventually.

Second, you can choose where to live: In a compact, bicycle-friendly city that's on an Amtrak line and has good mass transit, or someplace else.

Making a drastic change like where you live is not something to be done lightly. Doing it smoothly may require a long lead time. There may be jobs to find--even careers to change. There may be houses to sell. There may be elderly relatives that you'd rather keep in their long-time home than move to another city. There may be children who'd much rather graduate from school with their friends then at some new school where they don't know anybody. But, even taking all that into account, you still choose where to live--now and in the future.

I'd like to gently suggest that waiting for these advantages to come to you is probably the wrong choice, for three reasons.

First, you miss out on the advantages in the meantime. You'll be having to buy more fuel than people who live in communities that support efficiency.

Second, as those advantages come to more and more places, you'll be stuck paying for them. If you move someplace where these advantages already exist, you'll be taking advantage of ones that have already been paid for. If you stay where you are, you can expect taxes to go up to pay for bringing rail and mass transit to you. No doubt the costs will end up being spread around--but that just means that the people who get these advantages last will have been paying longest for everyone else.

Third, these advantages will increasingly be reflected in property values. It's already started. A couple decades ago, being on a bus route was a negative. (It brought undesirables--i.e. poor people--to the area.) More recently, it's been pretty much a neutral. (Even poor people have cars, so who cares?) Just very recently, though, it's begun to boost property values. (Quick test: look in real estate ads and see if they've started mentioning being on a bus line as a positive. They've always done it for apartments. Now they're doing it for houses too.) Property values in communities without these advantages haven't suffered much yet, because communities that provide no services can have low taxes. But as the taxes go up anyway, the lack of services will drive property prices down.

As fuel prices continue to rise, these "European" advantages will spread. But they'll spread pretty slowly. The US has spent trillions of dollars on infrastructure that really only useful for cars and planes. Things like nationwide passenger rail and citywide mass transit systems don't just pop up overnight--they'll cost trillions of dollars as well (although a just a few billion will bring us much closer to the Europeans).

Some of you--probably many of you, given the sort of people who read Wise Bread--already live someplace that has some or all the advantages that Europeans have enjoyed for decades. As I see it, the rest of you can move to where you have these advantages as well, or you can stay where you are. But, if you make the latter choice, you'll not only lose out on the advantages, you'll do so while still having to pay taxes to provide them for everyone else, and then you'll have to sit back and watch as your property values decline and the values of the properties in places that have them go up, making it more and more expensive to move in the future.

Is your local area on the leading edge for any of these things? Are you on an Amtrak line? Do you have a good bus system? Are there places to live that are within walking distance of shopping and jobs? Are the roads safe for bicycles? If you've got some of these things, and the rest are coming, then you may be set already. If not, be sure your plan for the future includes not just higher prices for fuel, but also higher taxes to pay for the infrastructure improvements your area needs. If that doesn't appeal, be sure your plan includes moving to someplace that supports a lower-energy lifestyle.

We know there are ways to have a high standard of living while using less fuel. The Europeans have demonstrated one for us. We're heading that direction as well--our present course simply isn't going to be affordable much longer.

This article is from Philip Brewer of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The Benefits of a Walkable Neighborhood

Xin Lu — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:23:47 +0000

When I lived in Honolulu, Hawaii, I walked practically everywhere because my family did not have a car. The grocery store was a block away, and the beach was less than a mile south. Nearly everything we needed was within walking distance because Honolulu is a fairly densely populated city. Before my family moved to California, we heard from my aunt that not having a car in California is like not having legs because you have to drive almost everywhere. Unfortunately, this is certainly true in the exurbs of Southern California and many suburbs in the Bay Area. As a result, we now drive almost everywhere.

I think there are quite a few benefits to live in a highly walkable neighborhood. One obvious reason is that you can save quite a bit of money and time on transportation. When I visited my inlaws in Southern California last winter, I felt like we spent hours and hours inside of cars. Most of the trips were small errands like going to the grocery store or getting lunch, but they seemed to take a very long time. When I told an aunt that my commute to work each day is 9 miles each way she said to me, "That's not a commute! That's going to the grocery store!" Understandably, it does not make sense to walk when the nearest grocer is so far away, but the cost of driving so much really adds up especially when gas is topping $4.50 a gallon here in California.

Another great reason for living in a walkable neighborhood is that it encourages you to exercise. Walking is an exercise that burns a lot of fat calories, and doing it on a daily basis really increases your fitness. When you walk for things you need like groceries or food then it does not feel like mandatory exercise.

The problem with highly dense walkable neighborhoods is that the real estate could be very expensive. For example, New York is very walkable, but rent is extremely high. In Southern California, Los Angeles has countless suburbs and exurbs sprawled out that could be reached by hours of driving because people drove until they could afford something. However, with the rapidly rising transportation costs, it may not make sense to live so far from daily necessities anymore. Nevertheless, the expensive real estate in these highly walkable areas is a benefit to landlords who are able to retain their real estate value and high rents. So if you do consider purchasing real estate, it may be to your advantage to consider how walkable the neighborhood is.

Finally, a great tool to determine the walkability of your neighborhood is available at Walkscore . This site lets you input an address and shows you the closest stores and restaurants around you. Apparently my current address has a Walkscore of 65 out of 100, and there are restaurants and groceries less than a quarter mile away. My husband and I have walked to the grocery store a few times when we just needed small things, and we will do it more. Hopefully when we move we will go to a place that is more walking friendly so that we can use our cars as little as possible.

How about you? Are you able to walk everywhere? Do you enjoy it?

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This article is from Xin Lu of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Cheap and Romantic Ideas for Valentine's Day (And Any Other Day of the Year)

Xin Lu — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 10:45:55 +0000

I have always loathed Valentine's day because everywhere I went I would see gaudy pink and red balloons and roses and men who are literally suckered into buying the useless things out of "tradition". I also had a pretty darn cheap ex-boyfriend , and I rarely received a Valentine's gesture from him. I think once he did buy me a day old strawberry shortcake that was half off at the Safeway bakery. Anyway,today I shall list some ideas for Valentine's that aren't gaudy or expensive. This is for the frugal and practical guys and gals out there who want to express love anytime without participating in a commercialized fluff of a "holiday".

1. Write a love letter or poem - It costs practically nothing to put your feelings on paper. It may not be easy to write down emotions, but practice makes perfect. You do not have to be a great writer to just recount a great date you have had with your lover and describe how happy he or she makes you. As long as you put some effort into crafting a message that expresses your adoration for your mate, whatever you do will be appreciated. My husband once wrote a whole journal about himself and what led to our relationship and gave it to my birthday. I thought that was a really romantic gift.

2. Take a walk or hike together - Once my husband and I walked for a few hours on the beach and collected seaglass, and we turned it into a bit of a competition to see who found the biggest piece. When you walk together you see the world differently than from your TV or your car and I think it is romantic because walking makes the world and your lover seem more real and tangible.

3. Cook a favorite meal at home - Instead of going to an expensive restaurant, it is fun to dress up a favorite meal cooked at home. You can light candles on the dinner table, dim the lights, and put on some mood music. It is also possible to duplicate expensive meals at home at wholesale costs if you are adept at cooking.

4. Creatively use free flower petals - Usually florists throw away the outside petals of flowers to make the flowers they sell look perfect. Each day if you just go by a florist they will probably have a lot of free flower petals for people to take. You can take these petals and do many things with them. For example, you can decorate the dinner table, bed, or float the petals in a bath.

5. Surprise your significant other at times you usually do not see him or her - If you work in different places then it would be fun to have a surprise lunch date set up for your mate. Of course, do not do this if your partner does not like to be bothered at work or if they are embarassed by you.

6. Take photographs together and of each other - After being together for a bit you may find that you do not actually have that many photographs of each other. It is fun to just set aside a time to pick up the camera and take pictures of each other. You can also go to a photobooth and take pictures together. Photographs are always good reminders of the good times you have had.

7. Do something that your partner likes to do but you do not necessarily appreciate - No matter how compatible a couple is, two people will have different interests. For example, if he loves fishing and you do not, maybe you can accompany him on a fishing trip. If she loves poetry readings and you do not, maybe you can read her some poems. Doing something you normally would not do for the sake of your mate can be very romantic.

8. Shower or bath together - Cleaning each other in the tub or in a shower is great fun because you can touch each other everywhere. It could also conserve water. If one person rinses while the other lathers then it is possible to use the same amount of water one person usually uses to clean two people!

I am sure there are many other ways of being romantic and frugal at the same time. The key is to know your partner and his or her preferences. For example, my husband knows that I think bouquets of roses are stupid because they die after three days so he no longer buys them, but he knows I love food so he always cooks to cheer me up. As long as you make an effort to make your mate feel loved, you can be romantic without becoming a spendy Valentine's Day cliche .

This article is from Xin Lu of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Is Infrastructure Destiny?

Julie Rains — Fri, 18 May 2007 18:30:03 +0000

Today is National Ride Your Bike to Work Day. I have a bike but I chose to drive in my “Share the Road” license-plate embellished car today. Why? The route from home to office, though short, is treacherous. Bike lanes and even sidewalks are a rarity in my city and when I ride, it is alongside fellow cyclists as well as trucks, cars, vans, and the occasional tractor-trailer. I need an infrastructure that supports cycling and walking.

I chose my neighborhood because it was close to the highway that leads to my husband’s workplace and because, despite its lack of sidewalks, it is a walk-able neighborhood. More than 10 years later, my husband has moved to a home office and I’ve joined a gym and taken up cycling to get more rigorous workouts. We are within a few miles of the grocery store, our kids’ schools, and our church but it’s not feasible (to me, at least) to walk or ride to those places.

In the past couple of years since getting a new road bike and having my neighborhood annexed, I have started to think about how geography, municipal services, and even my personal infrastructure (e.g., house, yard, utility services, and transportation) shape much of my daily life and my personal finances.

First, I am thrilled to have recycling pickup and not have to drive 20 minutes to the recycling station; property taxes are up but my garbage pick-up bill has been dropped and my fuel expenses lowered. I could buy a pricey downtown condo and walk to parks, great restaurants, and entertainment venues; or I could stay put in my reasonably priced neighborhood where I need to take the car almost everywhere. So, quality-of-life tradeoffs can be measured in real dollars.

Still I envision living in a tradeoff-less community (that is, one I could afford) with sidewalks, bike paths, restaurants, parks, and more. If you live there now, let me know so I can start planning my next move.

(formatting changed, 6/15/2007)

This article is from Julie Rains of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The best things in life are (more or less) free

Andrea Karim — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 01:44:48 +0000

Now, at the risk of sounding like a great big softy, I have to share a moment that I experienced recently that reminded me of the real value of money and the place I want it to have in my life.

Over the weekend, I was driving around Queen Anne hill in Seattle, trying to find a place that I plan on volunteering at in the near future. Seattle is a nice city, but it is mostly made up of dead-end one-way streets and a couple major highways, patrolled largely by small women with small cell phones in large SUVs who seem unaware that anyone else could possibly occupy part of the road as well.

As usual, I was lost. I wasn't aided by the fact that someone had found it hilarious to turn some of the street signs around so that I was driving in a windy circle, believing mistakenly that I was somehow repeatedly passing my location, which was, in fact, several blocks away.

In desperation, I made a sudden right turn onto a street that looked promising. Dead end. I pulled back out onto the street, made a right, and another right. Dead end.

I believe that my response was to scream some obscenities. I pulled over, trying to calm my nerves. I had exactly 10 minutes to get where I was going, and I was pretty sure that half of that would be occupied finding parking.

When I looked up, I realized that I had pulled onto what had to be the loveliest street in all of Seattle.

This is my favorite time of year. I've fortunately outgrown my allergies to pollen, so spring doesn't affect me badly the way it used to. I'm enjoying the warmer weather and blooming bulbs, the way the grass, dormant for so long, grows a couple of inches overnight and smells so green in the early morning. But my favorite things in the world are the blossoming flowers.

Seattle has a lot of cherry trees. We have a longstanding relationship with Japan, so all over the city, you'll find trees that are gifts from various Japanese sister cities or governments. People grow them in their yards, too, of course.

The street that I pulled over on was lined with cherry trees. Those little strips of grass and yard that are located in front of homes,but separate from the front yard, between the sidewalk and the street? I don't even know what they're called. These little strips were covered, from one end of the small street to the other, with flowering pink trees. The trees had been blooming for a week or so, so the blossoms were just beginning to fall. So the entire street was carpeted in tiny, delicate pink petals.

I opened my window, turned off the car, and leaned back to breathe and relax. The air was sweet and honey-like, with a touch of spice from some nearby cottonwoods that were just beginning to sprout moist, chartreuse leaf buds. It was as though all my responsibilities simply fell away, all my obligations and worries and frustrations, which are many.

Most of the best and happiest moments of my life have been with my family. This was the best of my solitary moments, the most Zen-like time I had allowed myself in a very long time.

I started give myself one of those "best things in life are free" lectures, but I realized that money allowed me to be where I was (and not working), and money allowed me to have my small car that nearly gets creamed by SUVs. Money allows me to live in the city so that I don't have to drive very far to get frustrated and pull off onto a beautiful cul de sac where the air was fresh and sweet and the parking was plentiful. Money bought those trees. I don't mean to seem cynical or jaded, but I'm certainly not naive enough to believe that money isn't a deep and integral part of so much of what we do and see and want and love.

But money didn't make those trees bloom. I'm not religious, so I didn't thank any higher power for my moment of Zen, but I feel grateful for it. For having experienced it then, and for being able to remember its power weeks later, stuck in traffic on I-5, occasionally dodging SUVs, driven by small women, talking on small cell phones.

This article is from Andrea Karim of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: