So you’ve decided to change your life. You’re tired of mindlessly lifting weights at a gym. You’re done with jogging, Zumba and whatever new fitness trend is out there. Instead, you’re ready to unleash your true greatness upon the world. You want to inherit courage, mental strength, discipline, a warrior spirit to conquer adversity, a desire for perpetual self-improvement, and so much more. You want to kick ass in life – literally – and evolve into the best version of yourself. You’ve decided to start martial arts, a lifelong journey of continuous self-improvement. You’re ready to live the life of your dreams. You’re ready to kick ass, look good, feel good, and do good.
Now, your next worry might be — how much is it going cost?
That should be the least of your worries. In fact, martial arts training is not only the best investment you’ll ever make, it’s also the best decision you can make.
So you might ask, how is one able to afford martial arts training?
Today, Evolve Daily gives you 10 Simple Ways To Fund Your Martial Arts Training. All it takes is a little time, effort, and creativity on your part!
1) Less dining out and more meals at home!
Average cost of dining out at least five days a week/month: $15/meal x 3 = $45/day or $225/week or $900/month
Average cost of cooking your meals at home for a month (for 1 person): $140
Money saved: $760/month
Dining out at a restaurant could easily cost you $15 – and that’s if you don’t order appetizers, sides, or even a drink. Even then, chances are, you’ll probably order something unhealthy, which doesn’t do your body any favors. Why not go online and search for easy, healthy recipes of meals that you can make at home? Not only will you be doing your body a favor, but you’ll be giving your wallet a break as well.
2) Less canned drinks and more water!
Average cost of buying a canned drink 3x a day/month: $130.20
Average cost of bringing your own water: $0
Money saved: $130.20
Although the average cost of a canned drink doesn’t sound like much, it all adds up when you’re ordering more than one. Whenever you find yourself looking at the drink menu, think of all the empty calories and carbohydrates you’re drinking. Stick to a glass of water instead – or better yet, bring your own! Although it may be the more “boring” option, there’s no doubt that it’s cheaper and way better for you.
3) Less nights out and more nights in!
Average cost of beer/wine at a bar: $12 x 2 = $24
Average cost of partying once a week/month: $96
Average cost of staying at home: $0
Money saved: $96
Skipping nights out (and the alcohol) at a bar is better for your body and wallet in the long run. Let’s face it, we aren’t getting any younger and the pain of waking up with a hangover could last for days. Instead of putting ourselves through all that pain and suffering, why not organize a night in at home with some friends? Whether it’s a potluck dinner, game night or watching the latest ONE Championship fight, having friends around is the perfect solution to those (ugh) late nights out.
4) Less spending and more researching!
Example: Buying sunglasses at retail price: $300
Buying sunglasses on a Groupon deal: $179
Money saved: $121
There are hundreds of deals out there – all we have to do is switch on our computers, get on Google and research! At one point or another, we’ve all succumbed to the evil throes of online shopping, window shopping and actual shopping. Before even realizing it, we’ve already spent all our money on some completely useless things. Instead of suffering from buyer’s remorse, shop smart! Research the latest deals on the products you’re interested in. Chances are, you’ll find a great deal that won’t break the bank!
5) Less cab rides and more walking!
Average cost of taking a cab daily/month: $14 return trip daily/month = $420
Average cost of taking public transportation daily/month: $56
Money saved: $364
Let’s face it, hailing a cab is easy. All you have to do is stick your arm out and in just a few minutes, a cab appears. There are even apps available on your smartphone to make it even easier (and more expensive sometimes). But getting a cab costs money – a lot of it. Why not take public transportation or walk? You’ll burn off those unwanted calories, take in the scenery and discover something new about your city. What are you waiting for?
6) Less bumming around and more productivity!
Money saved – you mean: money earned!
As the saying goes, when there’s a will, there’s a way – same thing goes for martial arts training. If you want to train bad enough, you’ll find a way to do it. One option is to find a side job to supplement your current one. If time is an issue, there are always freelance jobs online that you can do in your spare time. Are you a good writer? Are you good at graphic design? There’s probably something that you could share with the world. There’s always someone out there willing to pay for something!
7) Less unhealthy snacks and more wholesome ones (or skip snacking completely)!
Average cost of a daily bag of chips/month: $4.30 x 30 = $129
Average cost of a bunch of bananas: $3(approx. 8 pieces)
Average monthly cost of fruit: $11.50
Money saved: $114.5
Choosing snacks that are not only healthy, wholesome and nutritious will not only save you money in the long run but will also help keep you in shape. Snacks such as potato chips, cookies or biscuits could end up breaking your bank and scales if you aren’t careful. Remember, you’re probably paying for the packaging as well!
8) Less cigarettes and more fresh air!
Average cost of a pack of cigarettes: $12
Average monthly cost of smoking cigarettes: 2 packs/week = $96
Money saved: $96
Kick that nicotine habit and breathe in some fresh air! Nobody ever said that smoking is good for you – so why continue to damage your lungs, heart, throat, and harm people around you? If health reasons aren’t enough to push you to quit, the amount of money you can save should!
9) Less impulsive shopping and more planned purchases!
Example: Buying clothes on sale: $30 – 40
Choosing to ignore the sale: $0
Money saved: $30 – 40 or more, depending on your spending history!
Everyone loves the word SALE – and why shouldn’t we? You’re getting items at a discounted price, much less than we would have originally paid for. Instead of shopping just because we see the nice, bright red tag why not think about it first? Do you really need a new winter coat (especially if you live in a tropical country)? Should you buy that third shirt because you can save 20% more if you do? Set a budget for yourself and plan your expenditures. Think about what you NEED to buy vs. what you WANT to buy. Eventually, you’ll find yourself ignoring the SALE sign and moving right along.
10) Less clutter and more organization!
Earn money this way too!
Have you ever gone through your closets and wondered where all that stuff came from? Sort through your closets and divide your items into piles: KEEP, THROW, or SELL. Examples of items that go in THROW pile are: t-shirts with holes, old socks – you get the picture. SELL the items that you’ve used about twice or thrice and don’t see yourself wearing anymore. This will not only help you get more organized but also give you the chance to put more money in your pocket.
GRAND TOTAL SAVED EVERY MONTH: $1,000 – $1,700!
Martial arts is one of the greatest investments you can make on yourself. If you want to unleash your greatness in life, become a martial artist and watch your life change for the better. If you want something, you will find a way. If you don’t, you will find an excuse.
Hopefully these tips prove useful in starting or continuing your martial arts journey. May you unleash your true greatness in life! Good luck!
