Like many of my friends and co-workers, I want to be healthier and wealthier in 2011, and was looking for a way to “jump start” the process—something simple and concrete to get me on the right track.

So, I signed up for the free Small Steps to Health and Wealth™ Online Challenge that runs January 16-February 26, 2011.

Taking the Challenge!

 Small Steps to Health and Wealth (SSHW) encourages   participants to take  one or more of 10 research-based  “small steps” every day for six weeks---5 are related to  health and nutrition, and 5 are related to financial  management.

 Anyone can enroll online, then record and track their  progress online, and even compete for prizes. 
 
Cooperative Extension sponsors the program and participants won't get any marketing or sales offers. 

Meeting the Challenge
Participants do one or more of these activities every day for 6 weeks:

Steps to better health and nutrition:
1. Eat at least 4 cups of fruits and vegetables
2. Get at least 30 minutes of exercise
3. Drink water or unsweetened drinks instead of                sugar-sweetened drinks
4. Walk 10,000 or more steps with a pedometer
5. Learn something new about health and nutrition

Small steps to improve personal financial management:
6. Save a $1 bill (or more) and/or pocket change      
7. Invest $5 or more per day
    (includes automated retirement savings plans)
8. Track money spent throughout the day
9.  Eat lunch prepared at home
10. Learn something new about personal finance

How easy is that?
Go to the website to sign up for the Winter 2011 SSHW Challenge and “Register an Account” to get started.

Or, print the 2011 SSHW Challenge Tracker Form to record daily activities.

Patti Wooten Swanson, PHD
Nutrition, Family, and Consumer Science Advisor 
University of California Cooperative Extension
San Diego County, CA