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FINANCE THE FIRST WEALTH
IS HEALTH

by Jill Ciccarelli Rapps, CFP®
Financial Advisor
F inancial planning involves more than just discussing Naples on April 1 at

investments. In fact, our greatest asset is not a stock or a www.AEuphoricLivingFoundation.org.
bond; it is our health.
An unhealthy lifestyle places a major strain on your finances, while A STRONG MIND MANAGES FINANCES BETTER
One of the most critical aspects of healthy living
embracing wellness can reduce your long-term financial burden. With
is ensuring that your mind stays sharp well into your
the cost of health care rising exponentially, it is more important than
golden years. As your mental capabilities decline,
ever to take care of yourself. By keeping your body and mind in top
managing your personal finances becomes more
condition, you will find it easier to enjoy all aspects of your life.
difficult. Between the calculations required for your
BAD HABITS ARE EXPENSIVE monthly budget to determining the best investment strategies, you
Unhealthy habits like smoking tobacco, drinking too much alcohol, need your mind to be functioning at peak efficiency; otherwise, you
eating junk food or buying sugary coffee drinks all come with huge could end up making very costly errors. The best way to promote mental
price tags. Eliminating or reducing these bad habits will enrich your wellness and alertness is to maintain an active, healthy lifestyle.
health, lower your chances of developing a costly long-term health A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE REDUCES HEALTHCARE COSTS
condition, and save you hundreds of dollars every month. The money
Finally, and most importantly, the biggest benefit to living a healthy
you save by kicking these habits can go towards preserving your family’s
lifestyle is reduced healthcare costs. Medical care in the United States
financial future.
is the most expensive in the world. The average American spends
BEING HEALTHY INCREASES YOUR EARNING POTENTIAL hundreds of thousands of dollars on healthcare during their lifetime.
Being in good health can increase your earning potential. The Your life insurance and health insurance premiums are based on
healthier you are, the more equipped you are to work longer hours and your current state of health. If you are in poor health, or engage in habits
thrive in high-paying positions that have more demanding schedules that deteriorate your health over time, you will pay more for monthly
and responsibilities. Being healthy also reduces the number of sick days insurance coverage. Insurance premiums grow quickly over time, and
you need to take, as well as the number of doctor’s visits you need to could ultimately become one of your biggest expenses.
make. Lastly, healthy people can continue to work and generate steady Being healthy also correlates to lower insurance premiums, fewer
income well into their golden years. doctor’s visits and a major decrease of spending on pharmaceuticals.
In addition, healthy people are more apt to seek out preventative care,
HEALTHY HABITS SAVE MONEY which is less costly than the high fees associated with chronic illness.
Making small adjustments to your lifestyle can save a substantial Simply put, the healthier you are, the less money you have to spend on
amount of money over time. Biking and walking cost less than driving medical care.
a car. Packing a healthy lunch rather than eating out is good for your Our health is our greatest asset. Taking care of your health can save
waistline and your wallet. Unlike drinking sodas and other sugary you a lot of money – from small savings on daily expenses to larger
drinks, water is usually free. Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce savings on insurance rates and healthcare spending. By making a
the number of clothes you have to buy. All of these healthy habits can continual commitment to healthy living, you lay the groundwork for a
help you cut on daily expenses that detract from your savings goals and successful financial future.
retirement plans.
In addition to daily savings, being healthy can have long-term Jill Ciccarelli Rapps, CFP®
financial benefits for your entire family. The combination of increased www.CASMoneyMatters.com
earning potential and increased savings on daily expenses will enable
you to contribute more to the household budget. Secondly, healthy Ciccarelli Advisory Services, Inc. is located at
habits set a positive lifestyle example for your children, which will 9601 Tamiami Trail North, Naples, FL (239.262.6577)
encourage them to be healthier throughout their lifetime. Finally, a
wellness-focused lifestyle will reduce the need for expensive and time- Jill Ciccarelli Rapps is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®,
intensive health care procedures later in life. a trained life coach and a partner of Ciccarelli Advisory Services, Inc., a
family-focused wealth management firm in
Florida and New York.
Here are some resources that will help you to jumpstart your
Investment advisory services offered through Ciccarelli Advisory
healthy lifestyle! Services, Inc., a registered investment adviser independent of FSC
• Discover tips for staying healthy and wellness-related guidance at Securities Corporation. Securities and additional investment advisory
Blue Zones of Southwest Florida services offered through FSC Securities Corporation, member FINRA/
• Check out the upcoming SpelLIFE Women’s Wellness Summit in SIPC and a registered investment adviser.

76 Life in Naples | March 2017