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Can Becoming Healthier Make you Rich?

Can becoming healthier make you rich?

By Lorie Jones

              Many people believe a healthy lifestyle requires expensive gym memberships and large time commitments, however getting your bank account in shape could be as easy as getting yourself in shape! The immediate benefits include saving on food costs and better life insurance premiums, but a healthy lifestyle will also provide you with invaluable goal setting techniques and a longer lifespan with a few simple changes.

              Food is an important part of healthy living, and the average person spends about $3,000 a year on their food, which makes up about 6% of an average yearly income.[3] Many people believe that junk food is cheaper than traditionally healthy foods because junk food has a lower cost per calorie, but that is not true. Processed junk foods that are high in calories do not provide quality vitamins and nutrients that will keep you filled longer and help your body build healthy bones and muscles. Grains, Fruits, and Veggies all provide long lasting nutritional support, and were all found to be cheaper sources of food long-term for households then junk food in a recent USDA study. [2]  This not only makes your feel better every day, but it keeps you out of the doctor’s office, which leads to a healthier bank balance as well. 

              Life insurance is another big spending area for those who buy it (and at Fidelis Wealth we recommend you have an appropriate level of life insurance to protect against any unforeseen life events). The biggest and easiest way to cut down your monthly life insurance payments would be to quit smoking if you have a smoking habit. On average people who smoke end up paying 300%+ more than a non-smoker of the same age, and those costs add up quick! Other unhealthy lifestyles choices also affect your payments like being obese.  Obesity will generally cost you an extra $20 more a month on your life insurance premiums and people with high cholesterol will pay upwards of $30.[4] Just 4 miles of running a week (which is only about 20 minutes 4 days a week, if your run is more of a brisk walk like me) reduces your risk of obesity and cholesterol by 45%, so running is a cheap and effective way to save some money on those payments!

            

           Most importantly, the life skills you develop from dedicating yourself to a healthy lifestyle will translate to more money in your investment accounts as well.  It takes self-discipline both to get and stay healthy, and to increase your savings accounts.  Most American’s have less than $4,000 dollars in savings at any time.  Imagine taking the money that you are saving on insurance and doctors’ visits, and saving that instead.  Emergencies and accidents can happen in life, almost 39% of Americans would not have the savings to deal with such emergencies according to one savings study.[5] Being fiscally responsible can help you put away that money so you can feel secure knowing you have it safe for a rainy day.

              A few simple steps, done consistently over time can build a healthier body, a healthier lifestyle, a healthier bank account, and most importantly, a healthier you!

SOURCES:

1. https://www.foodnetwork.com/healthyeats/2012/06/does-healthy-food-cost-more-than-junk-food

2. www.foodnetwork.com/healthyeats/2012/06/does-healthy-food-cost-more-than…

3. https://www.creditdonkey.com/average-cost-food-per-month.html

4. https://www.valuepenguin.com/average-cost-life-insurance

5. https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/18/few-americans-have-enough-savings-to-cover-a-1000-emergency.html 

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John Van Sant

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PROFESSIONAL
John Van Sant began his career in wealth management in 2005 and has spent more than 20 years in leadership roles focused on operational excellence, strategic growth, and advisor support. Prior to joining Fidelis, John served as President and CFO at Cascade Financial Management and as OSJ Principal with LPL and Apollon Financial.

As COO and CCO at Fidelis, John draws on deep industry experience and a passion for building advisor-focused platforms, systems, and processes that help deliver an
exceptional client experience. He currently holds Series 7, 24, 28, and 65 licenses.

PERSONAL
John holds a bachelor’s degree in international business from Johnson & Wales University. A proud husband and father of two daughters, he is an avid golfer, dedicated “Dance Dad,” and enjoys beach days in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, where he now resides after many years in Colorado.

Karley Fidani, CPFA®

PROFESSIONAL

Before joining Fidelis Wealth Advisors in 2022, Karley ran several local businesses, selling products both in the Castle Rock area and online. Her passion for entrepreneurship and finance led her to earn a degree in Financial Management from the University of Colorado Denver.

At Fidelis, Karley has specialized in assisting small business clients with their employer 401(k) plans. She has also taken on client-facing roles as advisor and paraplanner. Karley holds her Series 65 license and is a NAPA Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA®). She plans to pursue the Certified Financial Planner® designation in the near future.

Karley is passionate about building relationships with clients and is dedicated to providing a thoughtful, valuable experience that brings them peace of mind.

PERSONAL

A Colorado native, Karley grew up in Castle Rock. She enjoys spending her free time riding her horse, Dante, hiking and mountain biking with her husband, and playing electric guitar.

Rilee Erickson

PROFESSIONAL

Rilee began working in the financial services industry in 2017 as an associate specializing in property and casualty insurance, as well as life insurance.  Since joining Fidelis Wealth Advisors she has taken on a paraplanner roll, providing life insurance support, as well as client and operations support. She also hopes to obtain her own Certified Financial Planner® designation in the years to come. Rilee’s passion in the industry is helping people protect their family and their future.

 

PERSONAL

Rilee graduated from the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness and Horticulture Science. She is a Wyoming native, growing up on the family cattle ranch in Lander, Wyoming, and now resides in Green River, Wyoming with her husband and two boys. Rilee enjoys spending a lot of time outdoors and exploring the beautiful and rugged Wind River Range.

Tina Jessick

PROFESSIONAL
Tina first began her accounting career in 2019 as an Intern at an accounting firm in Wichita, KS. She started working at Fidelis Wealth Advisors as an Administrative Assistant spring of 2025. Tina hopes to assist in helping clients achieve their financial goals long-term and looks forward to making a difference at Fidelis Wealth Advisors.

PERSONAL
Tina is currently attending Wichita State University in pursuit of two degrees in Finance and Accounting. She is a Kansas native, growing up in city known as the “Air Capital of the World”. She now resides in Castle Rock, Colorado with her husband and three kids. When she’s not running after her kids, she enjoys hiking, crafting, pottery, dance and baking.

RIA Innovations

Fidelis Wealth Advisors has a strategic partnership with RIA Innovations, a Division of NWAM, LLC. RIA Innovations provides administrative support services for registered investment advisors nationwide. This service is under the direction of Nelly Mubashi, the Chief Operating Officer.

 

NWAM, LLC, dba Northwest Asset Management & RIA Innovations is an SEC registered investment adviser. NWAM, LLC dba Northwest Asset Management & RIA Innovations and Fidelis Wealth Advisors, LLC are not affiliated companies.