A burger AND fries AND a coke for $5!

In addition to being a wellness coach, I’m also an amateur baker! Ironic, I know.

When I started my gluten-free baking business just over a year ago, I did all the cost analyses to figure out what would be an appropriate price for each cookie and loaf of banana bread and brownie based on the cost of everything that was going into it (ingredients, equipment, packaging, electricity, labor, booth fees, etc.). This gave me a greater appreciation for the cost of high-quality products of all kinds — food, beauty and cleaning products, clothes, services, and more.

It just costs money to make and offer things.

The other day, I saw a tv commercial for a fast food chain that said you can get a loaded burger and fries and a soda for just $5.

I was selling one cookie for that price! Can you imagine the quality of the meat and vegetables and oils (not to mention how much they pay their workers) to be able to sell all that for $5 and still make a profit? Yikes! But I guess you get what you pay for.

The same can be said for services. Paying for a high-quality service means that you’re getting elevated expertise, more comprehensive and in-depth support, and the person’s heart and mind on your life not only while delivering the services but throughout the time you’re working with them (and beyond!).

When we seek cheap solutions and quick fixes for our health woes, we’re going to get the same thing in return — cheap solutions and short-lived results that don’t actually solve our challenges in the short-term and certainly don’t lend themselves to lifelong health.

Yes, the cost is going to be higher now for quality, meaningful, effective solutions, but that is offset by the costs of medical problems and reduced quality of life in the long-run.

So when you’re evaluating the costs of living a healthier lifestyle, whether that’s buying organic foods or paying for a gym membership or investing in a coach, know that you’ll get what you pay for, not only in the short-term but also for lifelong wellness (or illness, if you so choose).

How can you invest in your health this week, either with your money OR your time?