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FISCAL FITNESS THROUGH PHYSICAL WELLNESS

October 30, 2023

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Although improving your physical well-being may not instantly boost your financial wealth, a definite link exists between physical health and financial security. And while committing to a healthy lifestyle requires determination and hard work, the benefits are unquestionably valuable. Yet, making decisions such as choosing an apple over a cookie or hitting the gym instead of taking a nap can at times appear quite intimidating. Fortunately, for those living in Santa Barbara, the opportunity to enhance both personal well-being and financial stability is readily available right in our own backyard.

a group of 5 women doing Yoga on a foggy beach beach
Photo by Kaylee Garrett on Unsplash

The Financial Benefits of Well-Being in Santa Barbara 

In Santa Barbara, a commitment to well-being is a way of life. Our communities are teeming with outdoor activities, from hiking and golfing to stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, surfing, horseback riding, and leisurely walks amidst the Spanish Revival architecture. For those looking to immerse themselves in nature, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden or the renowned Lotusland, one of the world's top gardens, provide excellent opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and engage in physical activity. 

Private tennis court surrounded by lush landscaping


Staying active here is effortless. There's a new website where you can book a private tennis court, and there are numerous pickleball courts and a thriving Santa Barbara Pickleball community. Residents can take advantage of our diverse running terrains from sandy beaches to rugged mountains, and exceptional hiking trails in the Santa Ynez Mountains. We even have two Himalayan mineral salt caves in town that offer the perfect place to relax, recharge, and rejuvenate both body and mind. Alternatively, you can visit East Beach for volleyball, explore Elings Park on your bike, or take your dog for a stroll in Douglas Family Preserve. Santa Barbara even hosts outdoor yoga meetups for yoga enthusiasts.

In addition, residents can shop at local farmers’ markets here almost every day of the week. Those, in addition to numerous excellent markets offering organic and otherwise healthy food make it easy to maintain a healthy diet. 

The Financial Perks of Regular Exercise

A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association highlights the substantial financial benefits of regular exercise, saving individuals between $500 and $2,500 annually on average. These savings predominantly arise from reduced medical expenses, indicating that individuals who maintain a regular exercise routine spend less on healthcare than their sedentary counterparts. But that’s not all. If you're seeking motivation to embrace a healthier lifestyle, consider these 10 financial, emotional, and health incentives:

1. Enhanced Immunity Translates to Savings
A healthier diet strengthens your immune system, reducing doctor's visits, medication expenses, and sick days, ultimately boosting your productivity.

2. Reduced Complications, Reduced Expenses
Prioritizing a nutritious diet and regular exercise can help you avoid costly complications associated with conditions like obesity.

3. Boosted Productivity Equals Increased Earnings
Regular exercise improves physical and mental well-being, enhancing alertness, time management, job satisfaction, and workplace interpersonal relationships.

4. A Healthier You Yields a Happier Retirement
Investing in your health ensures a more enjoyable and active retirement, free from ailments and discomfort.

5. Reduced Health Risks Equal Lower Insurance Costs
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle reduces health risks and, consequently, lowers life insurance costs.

6. Stress Reduction Through Exercise
Regular exercise is a potent stress reducer, fostering vitality and mental clarity.

7. Elevates Energy Levels
Exercise enhances energy levels by optimizing cardiovascular function.

8. Enhances Mood
Physical activity releases mood-enhancing hormones and neurotransmitters, including endorphins.

9. Promotes Productivity
An active lifestyle enhances motivation and productivity through reduced stress and improved mood and energy.

10. Boosts Cognitive Health and Memory
Exercise improves brain function, safeguards memory, and prevents cognitive decline.

Embracing the Santa Barbara Lifestyle

Picture a home brimming with opportunities for physical activity, serving as your daily inspiration. Envision commencing each morning with a revitalizing swim in your private pool, surrounded by flawlessly tended landscapes designed for tranquil moments of reflection and meditation. Fiscal fitness enhanced through physical, mental, and emotional wellness. Now, that's the Santa Barbara lifestyle.

A MOntecito Mid-Century luxury home with a sparkling pool in the middle


Suppose you invest in this Montecito Mid-Century Architectural Masterpiece from esteemed architect Jack Warner. Imagine waking up every day and opening the glass portal to the sparkling pool for some laps. The manicured grounds of this amazing property also have places for reflection and meditation with lush emerald lawns, artfully crafted plantings, meticulously manicured hedges, and inviting walking paths.

A lap pool with an ocean view in Montecito


If you’re a fan of nature, then you’ll love this Idyllic Montecito Contemporary Ocean View Haven with its air of opulence and seclusion. Enveloped by majestic oak trees with ocean views and private decks, the approximately 1± acre property includes everything you need to enjoy the great outdoors including an integrated barbecue, a wet bar, an outdoor shower, and meticulously maintained gardens, creating the perfect backdrop to embrace the Santa Barbara lifestyle.

Motivation for a healthier lifestyle may be challenging. Still, when you consider the myriad benefits—physical, emotional, and financial—it becomes evident that choosing to live healthily is the most prudent course of action.


When you’re ready to enhance your fiscal fitness through physical exercise with a move within Santa Barbara, Montecito, or any of the surrounding communities, please get in touch with me at (805) 886-9378 or via email at Cristal@montecito-estate.com. I'd be delighted to share more insights on how I've cultivated my own connection of fiscal fitness through exercise by living and working in the beautiful Santa Barbara area.


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Client Reviews

“It was an emotional experience selling our mother’s home in Montecito that we all loved so much but Cristal made the process easier on our whole family by guiding us through the transaction every step of the way. She knows the market so well and everything she recommended was on point including the asking price, painting, and staging the home, which looked beautiful and helped the buyer envision her new home. We sold it the first day it hit the market with an offer above asking! Cristal did an incredible job communicating with us and the buyer to ensure that the transaction would run smoothly. We highly recommend using Cristal, she was a pleasure to work with! ”

- J & A

“Cristal is a pleasure to work with! Her knowledge of the local real estate market coupled with her amazing listening skills resulted in her showing us an array of homes that were all excellent choices. Her low-pressure patient attitude made us feel extremely comfortable with the whole process. I cannot recommend her highly enough.”

- M.F.

“Cristal Clarke is #1 in her field - and you don't become #1 by luck. Cristal works harder, and longer, and with more charm and patience than any real estate agent I have ever worked with in the past; her calendar has no weekend, her days have no clocks, her only concern is selling your property as soon as possible and for the best price on the market. Am I a fan? You bet!”

- P.B.

“We have used Cristal now several times and cannot express how grateful we are for her expertise, dedication, and unwavering support throughout the entire home-buying process. Cristal is knowledgeable, patient and attentive. Her attention to detail is remarkable, and she consistently went above and beyond to provide us with all the information and resources we needed to make informed decisions. Cristal is a skillful negotiator and advocate. She can navigate complex negotiations with professionalism and grace and felt like a true partner to us in the home-buying process. Cristal has a genuine passion for real estate and a deep commitment to her clients' satisfaction. I cannot speak highly enough of Cristal and her exceptional service. She is a true expert in her field and her dedication to excellence, combined with unwavering support is the reason we choose to work with her for all our real estate buying needs.”

- T.C.

“Cristal is a top-notch realtor who sold my home before it ever went on the market. I had two competing offers that enabled me to get top dollar for my home. Not only is Cristal superb but her team is extraordinary. I cannot say enough about Cristal and her team. They are simply phenomenal, the consummate professionals, who took care of every possible detail, making the sale and transition period, smooth from our end. They are also lovely, caring people, who knew all the right professionals, to get the job done. Thank you, everyone!”

- D.R.

“I could list lots of cool adjectives to describe Cristal. All good by the way. But, that is not why I or anyone should hire Cristal. My reason for hiring her, which proved to be correct, is very simple. She got the job done. And, she does it time and time again and with zero issues. And, that is why she is one of the top agents in the country. End of subject. ”

- M.A.

“Working with Cristal was a complete pleasure. Cristal was extremely patient with us as we evaluated nearly 2 dozen homes over a span of 2 years. Her knowledge of the market is unmatched. Cristal provided us with exceptional counsel as we evaluated opportunities and negotiated pricing. The closing process was handled thoroughly and efficiently. We could not be happier with our purchase and even more happy to now call Cristal our friend.”

- D.K.

“Cristal Clarke has conducted numerous real estate transactions for me beginning 13 years ago with the purchase of a Lemon Ranch. She has handled both large and small purchases and sales with equal dedication. As a negotiator, you can’t find anyone better. Her transactions are always conducted in the most appropriate and professional manner. Cristal has considerable knowledge of the Santa Barbara market.”

- S.N. Decker Ph.D.

“Living in Europe, we were to say the least, unaccustomed to the nuances of Real Estate acquisition in California and Cristal steered us through the process with absolute professionalism and personal attention to detail at every turn. Her in-depth knowledge of the market place combined with enthusiasm and drive was the only reason we secured the property of our dreams and will be forever grateful. If you are looking for personal discrete and private representation of the highest quality we suggest you look no further than Cristal Clarke.”

- Johan and Paula van den Berg

“Cristal is very straightforward, cheerful, helpful, professional and trustworthy….we felt very lucky to work with her.”

- John and Lacey Williams

“After considering our many choices, we are grateful it was Cristal Clarke of Sotheby’s International who represented the sale of our Montecito cottage. We are familiar with Cristal’s reputation of hard work and dedication to clients, but it was her attention to detail that made our experience so positive. She offered suggestions for staging the property, worked in harmony with potential buyers and was even able to secure back up offers. The sale of our cottage was completed much sooner than we expected, due in great part to Cristal’s professional skills and support. We highly recommend Cristal as a first choice for anyone needing representation with real estate.”

- Michael & Nancy Lee

“Our experience in working with Cristal Clarke resulted in the successful and discrete acquisition of a property which was not yet on the open market. Her knowledge of the Montecito/Santa Barbara area and vast expertise blended with her passion for real estate and architecture, provided us with the very highest level of professionalism and personalized services. Cristal exhibited a rare combination of excellent communications, attention to detail, creativity and patience.”

- Richard and Catherine Frinier

“Cristal really breaks the mold. She knows every nook and cranny of this real estate market, understands value, and follows up on everything, all the time. She was incredibly patient with our two year quest to find the perfect house. Every house hunting trip from across the country was well planned, and our time was never wasted. On top of her professionalism and expertise, she is delightful to spend time with. We are thrilled with the home we purchased, and grateful to Cristal for so wisely advising us through this process, right through to the close and beyond.”

- Laurie Siegel

“We met Cristal first in the course of renting a winter home (for three years), then buying a house using her as our agent. She was amazingly good at listening to our wants and showing us homes that fit our needs. Her mastery of the paperwork was perfect. Most importantly, there was never a situation where we doubted her straightforwardness or integrity. If we do another real estate transaction in Montecito (which I doubt, we’re happy with what we purchased), without question we’d use Cristal again.”

- Ken Saffir

“Susan and I just want to thank you for your efforts in the sale of our home. You are really quite amazing. Your competence, persistence, optimism and humor made the entire process effortless. Every problem that arose, you somehow fixed; any obstacle, you overcame. We have bought and sold many homes. It has never been such a painless and enjoyable process!”

- Michael & Susan Marquart

“A little something about “our” realtor, Cristal Clarke. My wife and I came to Santa Barbara about fifteen years ago looking for a seasonal home from which to enjoy the weather and amenities of the central coast. Being in the real estate business myself I was familiar with agents and brokers so entered the market with open eyes. We “flipped” a few houses in the early years, dealing with various agents and finally ended up in Montecito. That’s when good fortune put us together with Cristal. To say we were impressed is to put it mildly. Cristal really knows the market. She is familiar with the area, its history and trends. When we have questions about a particular property she either has the answers immediately or gets back to us by phone or email. There is no waiting or wondering with Cristal. She is an agent who is “on top of it.” Her recommendations as to price points, contractors, inspectors and title agents have proven to be exceptional, showing great insight and the highest professional standards. We consider ourselves exceedingly fortunate to say that Cristal Clarke is our realtor and would recommend her services to any serious buyer or seller.”

- Rob & Judi Kelch