Money-Saving Hydration Hacks
Do you ever get to the end of the day and think, “I haven’t drunk any water”? Well, you’re not alone. It’s an easy thing to do and plenty of us do it! So how can you make sure you’re getting what you need, without breaking the bank?
These money-saving hydration hacks will help you up your water intake without a second thought. From making your water more appealing and adding a few vitamins, to finding the right reusable water bottle and utilizing alarms to remind you on those busy days, we have tips for everyone!
Thrifty herbal teas: Sip your way to hydration
Herbal tea isn’t just delicious, it helps you increase your water intake too. If you’re prone to ‘too many’ dehydrating coffees during the day, try swapping them out for a yummy herbal tea, like a chamomile, peppermint or even ginger tea. There are so many flavors out there to be enjoyed hot or cold, so there’s something for everyone.
Herbal tea is also great to take with you while out and about, especially if you’re cutting back on spending. Simply keep a filled tea strainer in your bag, ask for a cup of hot water (or keep an insulated bottle in your bag) and you’re all set.
Drinking herbal tea is also an affordable way to flavor your water. For a couple of dollars, you can buy a box of herbal tea with enough bags to last you weeks, even months. If you’re trying to reduce your spend on coffee, soft-drink or other beverages, herbal tea can help you save on your expenses, as well as keep you nice and hydrated.
Creative hydration with seasonal produce
To pair with your hydrating teas, why not swap in some fruit and vegetables that contain high amounts of water? We all know about coconut water, but fruits and vegetables like watermelon, celery, cucumber, strawberries, tomatoes and lettuce are all made up of more than 90% water.
Adding water-rich fruits and vegetables to your diet is a great way to make some healthy snack and meal swaps, as well as increase your hydration. Cut up some of the above-mentioned fruits and veggies for snacks, blend them up for a delicious smoothie, or even make a hydrating, crispy salad with your favourite protein for lunch or dinner.
Water-rich produce is always a great way to get the whole family to increase their water-intake (without even knowing it!). Keep some cut-up melon, berries, celery and other goodies, store them in a reusable container in the fridge, and the kids (and you) can just grab and go!
Infused water delights: DIY hydration
Do you often find yourself throwing away fruits, veggies and fresh herbs regularly because you simply don’t use them all or forget about them? Use them to infuse your water instead!
Using seasonal produce to infuse your water is a tasty way to encourage you to drink more of it. Plus, you’ll be using up more fruit and veg, especially those pieces that look a little bruised or unappetizing for your dish. Simply cut it up and pop it in your reusable cup, jug or in a glass, and let the goodness infuse your water with delicious flavors.
The best part is, you can use nearly any fruit, vegetable or herb to flavor your water. Just check out these tasty combos.
Popular infused water combinations:
- Strawberry, basil and lemon
- Strawberry and pineapple
- Orange and lime
- Cucumber, lemon and celery
- Apple and cinnamon
- Strawberry and rosemary
- Lemon, mint and watermelon
The magic of water tracking apps
Now you’ve got your delicious drinks down-pat, it’s time to make sure you’re actually drinking them! If you’re like most, you aren’t ever too far from your smartphone. Make use of your ever-near technology with one of the many water-tracking apps, which remind you at chosen intervals when to take a sip of your water. There are apps for nearly all phones or smartwatches, so anyone can jump on the tech-hydration train.
To find the right hydration app for you, simply type in ‘water tracker’ into your phone or watch’s app store. Then, simply download the one that you like the sound of—many of which are free to download or offer free trials. Some even have features to compete against your friends or family, or have different achievement awards for streaks. So, maybe explore a few different apps to find your favorite.
Make water time fun for the whole family
Of course, the easiest way to drink more water is to make time and to actually want to do it. If you have a family at home and you’re trying to get everyone involved in staying hydrated, the ultimate hack is to make it a game.
Use reusable cups or bottles that are specially for ‘water time’, and set alarms for everyone to take a break and take some sips. Or, if you have a larger bottle for each member of the family, you can give a reward to the person who finishes their bottle each day, or who finishes their bottle every day in a week. It’s all about getting creative and making drinking water a priority. Kids are led by example, so seeing you drink more water means they’ll follow suit.
Water can help us feel more alert and awake, benefit our hair, nails and skin, and so much more. So, there you have it! Our tips for upping your water intake that are as easy for you as they are on your wallet. Happy drinking!
*This is a collaborative post.
