You can hardly turn on the television anymore without being inundated with news features about the problem Americans face that are caused by being out of shape. Busy schedules make it easy to choose less than healthy foods because they are quickly obtained. And the high cost of gym memberships certainly doesn’t do anything to encourage folks to spend time there.

Fortunately, you don’t need the gym or a lot of time to get in shape. With a little time and determination you can make changes in your daily lifestyle to make you more physically fit and never step foot in that dreaded gym.

Take the stairs whenever possible. If you work in an office building, consider taking the stairs up to your floor. Workers who work on a drastically high floor could simply take the elevator a portion of the way to their floor and then walk the remaining way to their office.

Take family walks regularly. A family walk is a great way to spend time together, to get your daily exercise, and to teach your children good habits. Your kids will love having your undivided attention and you can take some time to enjoy hanging out with your family. Explore your neighborhood taking time to point out interesting sights to your children.

Be a kid again. When you were a kid, you used free time to enjoy games outside with your friends. Share that experience with your family all over again on the weekends. Teach your children a game or just play one they already know. Large families can even play their own kickball game.

Mow your own yard. Sure, it’s a pain sometimes, but mowing your yard is a great strength building exercise. You’ll get some sun and fresh air at the same time. Don’t cheat and buy a riding lawn mower.

Run for it. You can run with a partner or on your own. Having a partner may urge you to push yourself harder. Alternatively, running alone provides a great time for you to clear your mind and make plans. After your run you’ll feel better physically and mentally.

Remember that getting shape doesn’t have to mean long stretches of extreme exercise. To really become healthier and stronger you should try to make your life in general more active. In just a few weeks you’ll start feeling the benefit of your new way of life.

If you’re not trained in tax preparation, doing your own income tax return can be pretty intimidating. Fortunately, Intuit’s Turbo Tax software can take a really complicated process and make it a lot simpler. If you’re pretty savvy about your finances and don’t want to pay a large fee to a tax professional, Turbo Tax may be the perfect solution for you.

Getting a copy of the Turbo Tax software couldn’t be easier. Major retailers like Office Depot or Walmart all carry the software. However, if you’d rather not deal with installing software on your computer, you can use Turbo Tax’s web-based application. Simply create an account on the Turbo Tax website and you’re ready to get started on your return.

Another great thing about Turbo Tax is the many different versions available. If you are single with a relatively simple tax return, there’s even a free version of Turbo Tax for you. Don’t worry if you’re not sure which version is right for you. You can start inputting your information with the simple version of the software. If, during your tax return preparation, your information indicates that a more complex version of the software is required, you will be notified. You can even transfer your information to the more complex version if you decide to upgrade.

Finally, the best part about Turbo Tax is that it gets its customers away from staring at tax forms and instruction booklets. Turbo Tax utilizes a friendly question and answer format that makes preparing your taxes more like conversing with a person. And, if you’re not sure what a question is getting at, there are plenty of help options to help you decide what the right answer is.

Turbo Tax seems to give taxpayers the best of both worlds when it comes to tax return preparation. At a significantly lower cost than having a professional complete your return, you can file your federal and state income taxes, file electronically, and have your tax refund (if applicable) deposited directly into your checking or savings account. The software is easy to use and understand and there’s no waiting in the tax office to visit a tax preparer. If you think you’re ready to complete your own income tax return, Turbo Tax is the way to go.

If you’re trying to live more frugally, you already know that you need to cut down on your spending. The trick now is finding ways to accomplish that. There several different methods to reduce your spending, so you can choose one that works for you.

Put yourself on an allowance. Do you remember the days when you were a kid and you were given a weekly allowance by your parents? Back then you were probably extremely skilled at stretching that allowance to get the most out of it. Why not revisit those times? Determine a reasonable amount for you to spend during the week (not counting fixed expenses like rent or your car payment) and put that amount in your purse or wallet. Whatever happens over the next week, don’t increase that amount. Before long you’ll be an expert at getting the most out of your allowance again.

Remind yourself why you are cutting expenses. Are you saving for a down payment on your first house? Maybe you are saving for your wedding expenses. Whatever the inspiration for your desire to spend less, that inspiration can help you stay on the path to reduced spending. Try carrying a reminder of your goal with you. You could carry a picture of your dream house or a sample wedding with you wherever you go. Then, each time you open your wallet to purchase something, you’ll be reminded about your goal. Is the item your about to purchase worth delaying you goal?

Start running (or walking). The point here isn’t just to get from Point A to Point B. If you are exercising regularly, you’re spending part of your day doing something that doesn’t bring any temptation to spend money with it. Instead of walking around a department store, put on your sneakers and walk at your local park. You’ll save money and get in shape at the same time.

Volunteer at your favorite charity. Like the exercise option, part of the reasoning behind suggesting that you volunteer is using your time in a way that doesn’t encourage you to spend money. However, there is an added benefit to volunteering. When you are surrounded by people who are less fortunate than you are, you may find that the new pair of shoes you’ve been coveting doesn’t seem quite as important as it did yesterday. Remember how lucky you really are.

Have an exchange party. If you just have to have something new, but you know it isn’t in this month’s budget, host an exchange party for you and your friends. Everyone should bring something from their home that they no longer want. Select something that is nice, but you’re not in love with. Maybe, you received a beautiful vase from your boss for Christmas. Although you are touched that your boss cared enough to get you a gift, it’s excessively modern style doesn’t really match the shabby chic décor in your home. This type of item would be perfect for the exchange party.

Choose a method of switching objects. Try to pick something that you and your friends will enjoy like playing games with the objects as prizes. The only rule is that no one goes home with the object they came with. By the end of the night, everyone will have had a good time and will have something new. And no one spent a dime.