Somewhere in my mid-twenties, bunions started to form in my feet. They’re a common condition where the big toes curve inward, mostly from being compressed in shoes over time. Gradually, over the years, they caused me increasing pain while walking. I told one doctor who basically shrugged and suggested I see a specialist, but I saw that the specialist would cost a lot of money out of pocket, and I decided not to go. Another doctor told me there wasn’t much I could do about it anyway. So, I chose to stop seeking medical treatment and manage the pain on my own. As a result, things would get worse before they got better.

Here in the United States, we have to deal with a complex healthcare system that isn’t transparent when it comes to cost; and when we pay, it’s in reaction to urgent health issues or emergencies, rather than being a proactive investment in our health. Health insurance is there mainly to help protect us financially from catastrophic medical bills (although sometimes it doesn’t even do that). 

I don’t blame myself for not seeking treatment. I could deal with the discomfort because I was younger. I didn’t have the money to be paying out-of-pocket fees. And none of the doctors I saw gave me any confidence that my condition could be treated anyway. Now that I’m in my 30s, however, I’m starting to see (and feel) the consequences of avoiding proactive healthcare, and I’m realizing just how important it is to make physical wellness part of your financial plan.

Shift Your Mindset from Health Expenses to Health Investments

This summer, a friend of mine encouraged me to go see his physical therapist with the hope that she might know what to do about my foot pain issues. 

I hesitated. She sounded great, but her practice was out-of-network for my health plan, which meant that every session would cost me $170. I also wasn’t sure she’d be able to help because of how much I had been told by others that surgery was likely the only solution. For a moment I feared another possible dead end that would be a waste of money. 

But then it hit me: this is my health. If this physical therapist can’t help me, I can keep trying to find someone else who will. I realized I’d avoided spending money to fix this problem not only because I didn’t believe that it could be fixed, but because I hadn’t been thinking about my health as an invaluable investment. 

It’s common to think of wellness-related expenses (gym memberships, yoga classes, massages, nutritionists) as discretionary spending. This might mean that any time your budget is tight, those types of costs are the first on the chopping block. And when you’re faced with the prospect of spending money on unplanned health costs, it can be harder to justify the expense–and easier to ignore.

The concept of prevention isn’t new, but we often overlook how we can apply it to both health and finances. Investing in things like regular exercise, a nutritious and varied diet, mental health therapy, or whatever you need to enhance your well-being adds a layer of resiliency to your financial wealth. Investing money into your health now can minimize the risk of costly health issues later in life. You can even think of health investments as compound interest for your well-being. Every dollar spent on health today has the potential to multiply in the form of reduced medical expenses in the future. 

Building Wellness Into Cash Flow

Just as you might allocate funds for dining out or entertainment, it’s worthwhile to carve out a dedicated amount of money to spend each month on your health and wellness. This might include gym memberships, wellness classes, nutritious food, or therapies that help you be proactive about your mental and/or physical well-being. See if you can make your budget flexible enough so that you can redirect your wellness money (or spend extra) towards something unexpected if it comes up. 

Treat your wellness budget with the same commitment as your other financial obligations, and prioritize it as a fundamental aspect of your life. Going forward, regularly review and adjust this budget as needed. Your health needs and goals may evolve, and to whatever extent you can, make it so that your budget honors those changes. 

Also, remember to advocate for yourself financially when it comes to your wellness spending. If a course of treatment or health program is too expensive, have candid conversations with your providers. They may be able to direct you to resources that can offer financial options such as payment plans, financial guidance, or other options.  Don’t let the fear of getting sucked into an expensive health regimen stop you from exploring different things altogether. Sometimes just going to an intro class or intro consultation can be an incredibly valuable and informative experience. 

I decided to see the physical therapist after all; and after one session, which included some revelatory advice on shoe size (I now know what a toe box is) and the therapist giving me strengthening exercises to do at home, she had me walking pain free that same day; and I’ve been walking stronger and pain free ever since. Not to mention, I’m no longer worrying about a surgery that’s going to cost me several thousand dollars. The whole experience made me realize how much our finances and physical wellness are tied together. Shifting your perspective from seeing health expenses as simply extra expenses to recognizing them as vital investments can be transformative. Intentionally allocating funds for wellness in your spending plan can both safeguard your financial stability and set the stage for a much healthier, more vibrant life.