From Braces to Razors, Here’s How to Save Money on Stuff Your Body Needs

You only get one body, so you might as well take care of it.

Plus, it feels good to feel good, right?

But it doesn’t feel so good when you spend $50 on anti-wrinkle cream or treat yourself to a new pair of glasses… $400 later.

And they say organic food is good for the body — but it’s not so good for the bank account.

In the spirit of taking care of our one body, here are some ways to take care of yourself — and save money in the process.

1. Treat Yo‘ Self Every Now and Then

Sometimes it’s nice to just light a candle, pour a glass of wine, flip on Netflix and swipe on a face mask or exfoliate your legs.

Supplies can get expensive, though, and having someone else do it… well, that’s a whole other beast. But here are 15 spa treatments you can do at home — plus 10 must-have products you need to fully unwind.

Sit back, take a deep breath and take care of yourself.

2. Pamper Your Prickly Legs (or Face)

Having freshly shaved legs is perhaps one of the most satisfying feelings in the world. That or kissing a freshly shaved, not scratchy face.

This portion of grooming is annoyingly expensive, though.

If you want to save some money, try a subscription box like Dollar Shave Club. When you first sign up, you can pick a two-, four- or six-blade razor and get it for $1. Then, each month (or however often you want), you’ll get a full case of cartridges for $3.

There’s no fee, and you can cancel whenever you’re fully stocked.

3. Smile, Here’s How to Save Money on Invisible Braces

Did you have braces back in the day, lose your retainers a time or two and are now stuck with a few crooked teeth?

(I’m not saying I’m familiar with that situation…)

If you’re an adult and prefer not to have a set of metal brackets and wires spanning your pearly whites, you might have considered an alternative to braces, like Invisalign. But then maybe you discovered the cost and gave up on ever having straight teeth. (Again, not speaking from experience or anything…)

The good news for you is that more and more companies are coming out with affordable ways to straighten your teeth with invisible aligners. Take, for example, Candid Co.

You don’t have to fork over thousands of dollars, nor do you have to go to an orthodontist for routine check-ups.

You can purchase a starter kit for $95.

You’ll use it to take your own impressions and ship them back. Candid Co. then creates a personalized treatment plan. The treatment costs 65% less than other places, according to Candid Co., and you’ll get a free set of retainers to wear afterward.

And hopefully, now that you’re an adult, you won’t lose ’em.

4. Feed Your Body the Good Stuff

Zaycon Fresh supplies select, commonly-consumed meats like chicken, beef, turkey, pork and fish in bulk at prices well below what you’ll usually find at your grocery store.

For example, we found boneless, skinless chicken breasts for $1.69 per pound — about a third of what we pay at our local supermarket!

You’ll buy it by the case, and a 40-pound case of chicken breasts costs $67.60. So you’ll want to clear space in your freezer, but it’s worth it: That’s more than $150 in savings.

The company’s founders applied their grocery industry experience and a unique model to directly supply food to consumers and cut out the middleman.

By hosting sales events at more than 1,200 locations nationwide, Zaycon Fresh is able to provide farm-fresh meats without charging specialty-store prices.

Here’s how it works:

1. Register for a free account here.
2. On the day of your local Zaycon sales event, bring your order confirmation to a designated location a short drive from your home, and you get your fresh, delicious, nutritious food.

Bonus: Use promo code ZAYCON20 to save $20 off your FIRST order of $75 or more. (Offer can’t be combined with any other offers or promotions and is limited to one use per household.) 

5. Save on Over-the-Counter Essentials

Without leaving your house

Need some Tums? Tampons? Tylenol?

Boxed is an online marketplace that allows you to buy in bulk — and save big. Plus, the items get delivered right to your stoop.

Here are some examples of savings available in its health department right now:

• A 250-count bottle of Tums goes for $11.99 for an 8% savings.
• Get a box of Tampax Pearl Tampons (a big box — 96 tampons) for $14.55. That saves you 62%.
• For a 325-count bottle of Tylenol, it’s $18.99 — 65% off versus in store.

You can also snag toothbrushes, supplements, contact solution and even a Waterpik Waterflosser.

Go big or go home. Or go big and stay home.

6. Get Your Workout On

Honestly, the best part of the gym is leaving it — after a workout, of course, because you’ll feel refreshed and recharged.

But getting to the gym can be tough. (Trust me, I understand.) Then forking over a monthly membership fee can be even more tough.

In order to make a smart choice, you’ll want to shop around. No worries; you don’t have to stop by every gym in your area. We compared a bunch of different fitness chains to figure out which one would be best for you — and your wallet.

Carson Kohler (@CarsonKohler) is a junior writer at The Penny Hoarder. She’s been really into herself lately… as in, she’s trying to take better care of herself.