Keeping fit costs hardly anything if you think creatively about your activities.
If you belong to a gym or health club, you'll be familiar with high tech equipment - like elliptical trainers and stairmasters. These items typically cost thousands of dollars and might be beyond your means, if you're working out on your own. But you can get the same results practically for free, says Carol Johnson, director of wellness at the University of Richmond.

All you need is good pair of walking or jogging shoes - about $50 - and you're free to exercise any time, anywhere. If it's raining, run on the spot indoors or walk round the shopping mall. Add a skipping rope for $15 for improving quickness and conditioning, and a pedometer - for about $20 - to monitor progress.

For stair stepping, just use your own stairs at home. Use four or five at a time, to simulate the effect of the stairmaster. Or climb the whole flight. For weights, use canned goods, or buy a cheap pair of dumb bells from the local store. And don't forget that simple activities, like playing games with children or grandchildren, washing the care and gardening all count towards your daily exercise total.