Updated Research Ways to Save: Dr. Mary Offers confidential life coaching in Tulsa Oklahoma

The recession has caused many Americans to cut their spending, pay down their debts, and build their savings. And with the economy's tepid recovery, it's still important to keep your spending in check. Even if you think you've cut just about all the fat from your budget, you can probably slash even more with our savvy shopping advice. Keep reading to find out how to cut your expenses in these areas.
Health Care

• Comparison shop every year. If you have a choice of health plans at work or through Medicare, review your options during the open-enrollment period (usually in the fall). Find out what each plan covers so you know what you'll have to pay. Consider deductibles, co-payments, and other cost-sharing in addition to the monthly premium. If you're buying your own policy, go to HealthCare.gov, which lets you screen every plan sold in your state to find one that will meet your needs. Then consult an independent broker to sort through your options.

• Seek cost-effective treatments. Check out prescription drugs on BestBuyDrugs.org, a Consumer Reports website that compares medications and lists the most cost-effective and safest ones for your condition.

• Buy drugs at big-box stores. We compared the prices of over-the-counter drugs and found they were up to 50 percent cheaper at Target and Walmart than at local supermarkets across the U.S. Those two stores also charge just $4 for a 30-day supply of many generic prescription drugs. For an even better bargain, get a 90-day supply for $10. Similar programs are offered by CVS, Kmart, Kroger, Rite Aid, Sam's Club, and Walgreens, although some, like CVS, charge an annual membership fee. Some local pharmacies will match the low prices at chain stores, but you have to ask.

• Check bills for errors. Eight of 10 hospital bills contain mistakes, according to the Medical Billing Advocates of America, a national association that checks medical bills for consumers. So go over your bills carefully. You might spot mistakes that will save you money—and some insurers pay a reward if you find and report errors.
Food

• Shop the supermarket sale cycle. Food staples like cereal and chicken hit their lowest prices once every 12 weeks. Make a note when you see sales and you'll know when to stock up next.

• Make coupon searches simple. There are so many online coupon sites that searching all of them could be a full-time job. To save time, stick to just a couple of them. We've found Coupons.com and SmartSource.com usually have up to 100 deals at a time, compared with no more than 30 coupons in newspaper circulars. And both sites have new mobile versions that let you scroll through offers from a smart phone without downloading special software or apps.

[More on Yahoo! Shopping: Outlet Stores Worth the Trip]

• Bid on your groceries. Food auctions aren't common yet, but they're a growing trend. Auctioneers say you can save 40 percent or more off typical supermarket prices. We went to a grocery auction website and found big savings. For example, a box of three DiGiorno Cheese Stuffed Crust Three Meat Pizzas was $14, about half the price at a local market; Hickory Farms Summer Sausage and Kellogg's Rice Crispy Treats were 78 percent less than Amazon.com's prices. Look for local events at www.auctionzip.com and www.craigslist.org. Check the prices of the items you want first so you won't overbid, and bring a cooler for pickup.

• Buy store brands. They can save you 50 percent or more compared with brand-name alternatives. Every year we test dozens of store-brand items, and find that many of them are just as good or even better than name-brand products.

• Split a warehouse membership. If you've shied away from those clubs because you don't have room to store dozens of rolls of paper towels, packs of soap, and jumbo-sized packages of frozen food, consider splitting your purchases with someone else. The savings can easily offset the membership fees, which you can also split. In our price comparison between clubs and supermarkets, we found savings of as much as 50 percent or more on such staples as cleaning products, coffee, drugs, paper goods, and snacks.

• Check social-network offers. More stores are using Facebook, Foursquare, and Twitter to lure customers with deals. Walmart uses Facebook to post coupons and specials at the store in or closest to your ZIP code. Whole Foods offers one-day sales, recipes, and more through Facebook and Twitter.



Car Expenses

• Update your insurance annually. The auto coverage you signed up for when your car was new is often more than you need as it ages and depreciates. It's a good idea to call your insurance company once a year to see whether you should adjust some coverage. Every year you don't file a claim or get a ticket, for example, makes you a lower risk, which could qualify you for a lower rate. But you have to ask.

• Check the competition. You might find a cheaper policy by calling other insurers for quotes or comparing prices at AccuQuote or Insure.com. But if you've been with the same company for several years and you've got multiple policies with that insurer, switching might not save you much, if anything.
• Shop for the cheapest fuel. FuelPrices.net, GasBuddy, Gas Price Watch, MapQuest, and MSN Autos can help you compare fuel prices in your area.

• Go longer between oil changes. Although car dealer service departments and oil-change shops might suggest changing your oil every 3,000 miles, modern engines are usually designed to go 7,500 miles or more between oil changes under normal driving conditions. The shorter time span is often used only for cars driven in severe conditions, such as stop-and-go driving, frequent trailer-towing, mountainous terrain, or dusty conditions. Check your owner's manual for its recommendation.
Pet Care

• Buy pet food at Target or Walmart. When we sent 21 of our secret shoppers to stores around the country to price top-selling brands of dog and cat food, prices at those two stores were about 20 percent less. Online pet-food prices were especially high; Target and Walmart beat them by an average of 50 percent. If your vet has recommended a premium food brand because your pet has health issues, check prices at both Petsmart and Petco.

• Inquire about price matching. Some stores will match other retailers' prices. One CR staff member brings circulars or printouts of online deals when she shops at Petland Discounts. Target matches competitors' prices and its own sale prices if you have a receipt showing you paid more within a week before a sale.

• Check out flea-and-tick options. A patent has expired on one of the active ingredients in Frontline Plus, so new competitors have emerged, including PetArmor Plus and FiproGuard Plus. At Petco we found a three-month supply of PetArmor Plus for $28, compared with $50 for FiproGuard Plus and $62 for Frontline Plus. You might find even bigger savings on those products at other stores or online.

• Ask vets about costs. If your pet is prescribed a medication that's also given to humans, compare the vet's price to the cost of filling it at a drugstore, supermarket pharmacy, or big-box retailer. If you're shopping for a new veterinarian, call a few offices nearby and ask what they charge for an annual exam as a gauge of other costs. It can range from about $35 to $46, according to a 2008 national survey by the American Animal Hospital Association.

• Skip pet insurance. Our analysis has found most pet owners are better off saving money in an emergency fund.
Entertainment

• Slash restaurant tabs. BiteHunter.com lists restaurant specials and daily deals from other sites, such as Citysearch and Groupon. It's easy to search by cuisine, deal, or restaurant in a particular city. EatDrinkDeals.com posts discounts from national and regional chains.

• Download free e-books. Hundreds of thousands of books published before 1923, including many classic titles, have been digitized by Google or Project Gutenberg and are offered as free downloads. Some newer titles are free for promotional reasons. There are free e-books for the Kindle, Kobo, Nook, and Sony Reader devices. You can also access e-books free on your Nook, for up to an hour a day, when you're in any Barnes and Noble store. And, of course, you can always borrow books, books on tape, and DVDs from your local library.
Clothing

• Go to outlets for off-season duds. In-season items are often made specifically for the outlets, and manufacturers might cut corners, as we've discovered in our tests. Out-of-season clothes, however, might come from their nonoutlet locations and be higher quality. Still, inspect them for defects before you buy.

• Get free shipping. More online retailers are offering it year-round, not just during the holiday season. FreeShipping.org lists dozens of stores that ship free with no minimum purchase.

• Read the labels. Natural fibers, such as 100 percent cotton, wash and wear better than blends. Cheaper fabrics can shrink and are more prone to pilling. Try to avoid items that have to be dry-cleaned.
Download These Money-Saving Apps
These six shopping apps can turn your smart phone into a savings tool. All are free; to find them, search by their name in a Web browser.

Clothing-Sale App: Where
Once you've followed a few steps to tag favorite retailers, it tells you every time they post a coupon. Works on Android, BlackBerry, iPhone, Palm Pre, and Windows Phone 7. (The app is called Yowza on the iPhone.)

Fuel-Saving App: Gas Buddy
Finds gas stations near you and shows you their recent prices. Works on Android, BlackBerry, iPhone, and Windows.

Entertainment App: Foursquare
By tracking your location, it alerts you to deals at nearby movie theaters, museums, restaurants, and other places. It also connects you to daily deals from Groupon and other social-shopping sites. Works on Android, BlackBerry, iPhone, and Palm Pre.

Grocery-Coupon App: Cellfire
Loads coupons from more than 3,500 grocery stores and other retailers onto your loyalty cards. It sends a mobile reminder that you have a coupon when you enter the store that provided it. Works on Android, BlackBerry, iPhone, and Windows Phone 7.

Price-Comparison App: PriceGrabber
Lets you know who's selling goods at the best price, including tax and shipping fees. Scan the item's bar code or type in the product name. Works on Android and iPhone. Please note that Consumer Reports collects a fee from Pricegrabber for referring users. We use 100% of those fees to fund our testing programs. Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with any retailers.

Yard-Sale App: Garage Sales Tracker
Finds garage sales, flea markets, and consignment shops in your area. Works on the iPhone.

Good bye Angel Food, Hello Good Cheap Food

I really like all of these foods.  They are healthy and affordable.  Angel Food is gone, but this is a good do it yourself list. 

 

Dr. Mary Mihelich Ventonis offers personal confidential life solutions in Tulsa, Oklahoma and surroundinging areas.  With years of experience and a wealth of counseling and therapeautic wisdom, you will be blessed as she guides you through the challenges of life.  Please contact her office at 918-527-0323.

25 Good, Cheap Foods to Keep in Your Kitchen

By SparkPeople.com

• Posts

By SparkPeople.com | Financially Fit – 6 hours ago

• Email

By Stepfanie Romine, co-author "The SparkPeople Cookbook"

The cost benefits of cooking at home far outweigh the money you'll save by cutting processed and takeout foods from your family's diet. We surveyed a major East Coast metropolitan grocery chain to determine these prices. Costs will vary according to where you live, but this list represents foods that traditionally offer great health value while being kind to your wallet.

Beans and lentils: Good for more than just chili, legumes add fiber and protein to any meal in a flash.

Protein

• Canned salmon: $2.89 for 14.75 ounces (59 cents per serving)-Get your omega-3s for less. Salmon is full of these healthy fats, which help lower cholesterol and prevent heart attacks.
• Chicken breasts: $3.49 per pound (87 cents per serving)-Easy-to-prepare and versatile, chicken is full of lean protein, which helps keep you fuller longer.
• Natural peanut butter: $3.39 for 16 ounces (42 cents per serving)-Skip the sugary, processed varieties and spread the real stuff on whole-grain bread. Throw a tablespoon in smoothies or yogurt, use it as a dip for carrots and pretzels, or mix it with a bit of low-sodium soy sauce, brown sugar and garlic, then thin with water for a quick sauce.
• Canned beans: 84 cents for 15 ounces (22 cents per serving)-Bulk up soups and stews while getting protein and fiber. Try chickpeas or black beans if you're not a fan of kidneys or pintos. Drain, rinse, and puree with lemon juice, garlic, cumin, and a bit of vegetable broth for a quick dip.
• Eggs: $1.99 for a dozen large (17 cents per serving)-Not just for breakfast, eggs are among the easiest foods to cook. If you're watching your cholesterol, scramble one egg and two egg whites. Add onion and spinach and you've got a great omelet.
• Dried lentils: 79 cents per pound (20 cents per serving)-Full of protein and fiber, lentils cook in just 15 minutes! Throw some in soups and stews or cook with curry powder for a quick, spicy meal.
• Almonds: $3.99 for 9 ounces (44 cents per serving)-Get vitamin E, fiber, and protein while satisfying a crunchy craving. Nuts are rich in an amino acid that could be linked to heart benefits. Chop up a few raw ones and throw them on yogurt, or add them to a salad.

Fruits

• Frozen fruit and berries: $2.99 to $5.99 per pound (75 cents to $1.50 per serving)-Since fruit is frozen at the peak of freshness, frozen fruit is a great way to get the health benefits of summer's bounty all year round. Berries are very low in calories, but full of vitamins and antioxidants. Frozen berries can be used in oatmeal or drained and baked into muffins and quick breads. Throw some in the blender with milk or yogurt for a healthy treat.
• Apples: 68 cents each-They might not keep the doctor away, but apples are actually full of antioxidants, which help slow the progression of age-related diseases
• Bananas: 35 cents each-Slice one on your morning yogurt or oatmeal for some added fiber and only 100 calories or so. Snack on a potassium-rich banana to prevent cramps after a workout.
• Grapes: $2.99 per pound (75 cents per serving)-Freeze grapes for a low-calorie dessert or snack. Grapes-especially the dark purple ones-contain plenty of antioxidants that are known to help heart health.
  
  
  

Vegetables

• Romaine or other hearty lettuce: $1.99 per head (66 cents per serving)-Banish the iceberg and choose sturdy Romaine for your salads. It will give you more fiber and nutrients, plus a satisfying crunch.
• Carrots: $2.79 for 3 pounds (23 cents per serving)-Mom was right. Carrots are good for your eyes, thanks to the antioxidants they contain, including beta-carotene. (That's what makes them orange!) Dip them in hummus (made from canned beans), natural peanut butter, or low-fat dressings.
• Frozen spinach: $2 for 16 ounces (50 cents per serving)-Thaw and drain this good-for-you green, then toss it in omelets, soups, stir-fries, and pasta sauces. Spinach is full of vitamins A, C, K, plus fiber and even calcium.
• Canned tomatoes: $1 for 14.5 ounces (28 cents per serving)-Choose low-sodium or no-salt-added varieties and throw a can in pasta sauces or chili to stretch a meal. Puree a can with a cup of skim milk and season to taste for your own tomato soup. You'll get a dose of vitamins A, B and C and lycopene, an antioxidant known to prevent cancer.
• Garlic: 50 cents per head (5 cents per serving)-Ditch the bottled and powdered stuff if you want to reap more of the myriad health benefits. Pungent and tasty, garlic can help lower cholesterol and blood clots, plus it can have a small effect on high blood pressure. Crush or chop it to release more of the antioxidants.
• Sweet potatoes: $1.49 per pound (37 cents per serving)-Aside from being sweet and delicious, these bright root vegetables are a great source of fiber and antioxidants. Bake, mash or roast them-you'll forget about those other, paler potatoes.
• Onions: 97 cents each (32 cents per serving)-Like garlic, this pungent vegetable is full of health benefits. Onions have been proven to lower risks for certain cancers, and they add lots of flavor with few calories. Try roasting them to bring out their sweetness and cut their harsh edge. (If you well up while cutting them, store onions in the fridge for a tear-free chop.)
• Broccoli: $2.49 per pound (63 cents per serving)-Broccoli is a superstar in the nutrition world: full of fiber, it will provide you with vitamins A and C, and a host of antioxidants.

Whole Grains

• Whole-wheat pasta: $1.50 for 13.25 ounces (45 cents per serving)-With a nutty flavor and a subtle brown color, whole-wheat pasta perks up any meal. Start with half regular, half whole-wheat pasta, then gradually add more wheat pasta for a burst of fiber and nutrients.
• Popcorn kernels: $2.39 for 32 ounces (30 cents per serving)-Air-popped popcorn has just 30 calories and a trace of fat. Pop a few cups, spritz with olive oil or butter spray and sprinkle on your favorite seasonings for a guilt-free treat.
• Brown rice: $1.49 for 16 ounces (19 cents per serving)-Brown rice is a great side dish, but you can also use it to help stretch your ground meat. Mix a cup of cooked rice with 8 ounces of lean ground beef next time you make meatloaf to save 45 calories and 5 grams of fat (and some money) per serving.
• Oats: $3.19 for 42 ounces (15 cents per serving)-Oatmeal is a hearty breakfast, but you can also cook sturdy steel-cut oats in chicken broth for a savory side dish. Or, mix oats with ground turkey to stretch your meatballs.

Dairy

• Quarts of low- or fat-free yogurt: $2.49 for 32 ounces (47 cents per serving)-Buy large containers of plain or vanilla yogurt, then add real fruit. You'll save money and calories by not buying fancy, single-serve cups.
• Gallon of skim milk: $3.04 (19 cents per serving)-It really does a body good. Full of calcium and protein, milk can help stretch a meal. Pair an eight-ounce cup with a piece of fruit or a granola bar for a filling snack.

Reprinted from The SparkPeople Cookbook: Love Your Food, Lose The Weight (c) 2011 by SparkPeople, Inc. Permission granted by Hay House, Inc., New York, NY 10033. Available wherever books are sold.

Christmas Decor for Savings and Safety

High-Wattage Lights
Go out shopping for Christmas lights this season and you'll come across mini lights, LED lights, C7 big-bulb lights and C9 bigger-bulb lights.
What you won't find is grandma and grandpa's C6 lights, with good reason. Those C6 bulbs were bright, lovely and festive, but insanely hot. In the words of the folks at FamilyChristmasOnline, they "got hot enough to set fire to anything combustible if left in contact long enough." When the paint chipped off of these bulbs, as it tended to do frequently, they let loose a glaring white light that not only overwhelmed the color of the rest of the bulb, but would singe anything it came into contact with.
These bulbs eventually gave way to the cooler-burning C7 bulbs that looked just as lovely, but also burned fairly hot. Manufacturers still advise turning them on their bases so their bulbs don't come in contact with a tree's needles and set it ablaze. The large C9 lights are just bad news for indoor use altogether and best kept outside.
All of these varieties started to take a backseat during the 1970s when smaller, cooler and more energy-efficient mini lights came into vogue. They're still a pain to fix if a bulb goes out in a strand, but a 50-foot string costs just $1.38 to operate for 300 hours, compared with $8 for a C7 strand of the same size, according to Consumer Reports.
The biggest threat to the big, hot bulbs, however, is LED technology. While more expensive in stores than their incandescent brethren, LED lights burn for more than 4,000 hours compared with less than 2,000 for standard bulbs, cost 14 cents to operate a 50-foot string for 300 hours compared with $8 for C7s and $11 for C9s, going by Consumer Reports figures. Incandescent bulbs may be brighter, but the cooler-burning LEDs give owners a better shot of preventing one of the 300 fires and 14 fire-related deaths caused by Christmas lights on average each year.
Even worse for the big bulbs, the LEDs even come in faux C6, C7 and C9 styles, reducing those original firestarter bulbs to dangerous relics.

You knew all of this already, but seeing it in print might inspire you to throw away dangerous old fire hazards in your attic.  Remember Dr. Mary Mihelich (worthyconsults@gmail.com) will be available in the Greater Tulsa, OK area for confidential life coaching over this and any other quality of life issues for yourself and your family.  Have a very Merry Christmas.  Prefer to spend time with  your family, not too much money.

Divorce is the largest unnecessary destroyer of wealth in the world

More than spending impulsively or making a poor investment in the market, divorce is destroying the retirement nest eggs and the lives of more than 50% of the couples in America.  If unhappy couples paid for a competent marriage coach or therapist, they would save their joint resources, legal bills, retirement funds and moving costs.  Not to mention the cost alimony, child support, therapy for their children, and increased rates of illness, criminal and drug behaviors, unwed pregnancies, etc.  Look for "The Unexpected Legacy of Divorce" for a stunning scientific analysis of the damage done to children as the direct backlash of divorcing parents. 

In my area, attorneys run $200-250 per hour.  A decent private therapist or coach will cost $100-150 per hour.  Public clinics often have sliding scale fees affordable to all.  You could buy 10 hours of treatment, approximately 3 months worth at weekly visits, for $1,000-1,500.  This is far less than even the smallest retainer the average divorce attorney charges.  For the ultimate in privacey and confidentiality, look for a Relational Coach and keep your marital asetts and your marital business out of court and out of your medical charts.  For the ultimate in privacy, contact worthyconsults@gmail.com if you desire assistance with making decisions about the future of your family. 

Mall Retail Tricks You Need to Know

7 Shopping Secrets Retailers Won't Tell You

Naomi Mannino
Tuesday, September 27, 2011

 

Today's retailers have uncovered the science behind shopping. Your favorite mall stores actually hire such retail researchers as Paco Underhill, author of "Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping."
Underhill has tracked hundreds of thousands of shoppers to study how they shop. "There is nothing random about how a store is arranged and designed. It is carefully calculated to appeal to you in every possible way," he says.
"The stores have a plan, so you should, too," says Dave Ramsey, best-selling author of "The Total Money Makeover" and host of a syndicated financial talk show on the radio.
The 'Magic' of the Display
We can learn a lesson in Underhill's book from a story told by a retailer about a tempting display of T-shirts.
"We buy them in Sri Lanka for $3 each. Then we bring them over here and sew in washing instructions, which are in French and English. Notice we don't say the shirts are made in France. But you can infer that if you like. Then ... we fold them just right on a tasteful tabletop display, and on the wall behind it we hang a huge, gorgeous photograph of a beautiful woman in an exotic locale wearing the shirt."
Resist the urge: "Write a monthly mall shopping budget and stash cash in an envelope specifically for that purpose. When the envelope is empty, stop spending," says Ramsey. "A written budget makes you think twice when you are tempted by impulse buys."
When BOGO and 2-Fer Deals Are Good
BOGOs (buy one, get one), two-fers (two for the price of one) and bundled-item promotions successfully tempt you into shopping more often and spending more to raise the store's number of sales as well as ticket averages, or amount of each sale. They're not always a good deal for you if you're not familiar with the store merchandise and its regular prices. "You're not saving if you are actually spending more than you planned," says Underhill.
Resist the urge: "Know your favorite retailers, brands, regular prices, promotions and discounts — and always check the clearance area first to find a similar item on sale to avoid buying two of anything and spending more," says family financial expert Ellie Kay, author of "The 60-Minute Money Workout."
"Ask yourself, 'Do I really need two sweaters or two of the same jeans?'"
Don't Turn Right When Entering the Store
"Retail shopping studies have found that most people turn right when they enter a store. That's because the majority of the population is right-handed and right-oriented," says Underhill.
Knowing this, stores highlight tempting new items and trends to the right of the entrance. You'll find that the music is louder and the displays are brighter to attract you where you will look and turn first. This is also where the most expensive items in the store are generally displayed.
Resist the urge: "Shop with blinders on," says Kay. "Stick to your list with the cash in your hand. Avoid credit card debt at all costs, and head straight to what you came for."
Why Clearance Items Are in the Back
The clearance racks are placed in the back of almost every mall store on purpose — so you'll be tempted by everything else more expensive in your path.
You have to pass all the new trends and displays, all the sales and promotions. Retailers are betting that your hands may be full by the time you reach that clearance area, so you will not be able to stay there and search for the better deals, says Underhill in his book.
Resist the urge: "Head to the clearance area first to find the best deals," says Kay. "This way, you will have a frame of reference for comparing prices of similar items in other parts of the store and will be able to make smarter choices."
Why the Clearance Area is Messy
"It's really hard to conquer the clearance area in some stores because it's actually designed to make you not want to spend time there," says Kay.
Retailers know shoppers want to easily find the size, price and item neatly displayed. So they purposely create the frustration of the poorly marked and poorly organized clearance area to tempt you toward the beautifully displayed and perfectly organized full-price merchandise.
Resist the urge: "Never shop when you are rushed for time," says Kay, "because this leads to making rash decisions." Instead, she advises setting aside time to shop, dig and search for what you truly want, need and can afford from the clearance section.
Beware the Small Stuff Around the Registers
Impulse items are tempting goodies such as jewelry, sunglasses, fragrances and magazines that you did not plan to buy. They are displayed purposely near the register. In retail jargon, these are called add-ons (in addition to your main purchase), and they can increase your credit card debt faster than you can say, "Oooooh, pretty!"
Resist the urge: Kay's shopping wisdom is, "Never enter a mall without a specific shopping list. Then, use my 'list test' to justify an off-list purchase with three valid reasons including: paying cash (not credit), a great discount and necessity of the item. Not only will this hassle slow you down until the impulse passes, but you can actually reprogram your mind and habits to shop this way automatically."
Be Selective When Shopping With Friends
"Two best-friend reckless shoppers who both give in to every temptation can overspend into a credit card debt disaster," says Kay — and retailers will do whatever they can to encourage that. Now, you can even have your Facebook friends weigh in on whether you should buy those jeans, or use a dressing room app that elicits "buy it" responses from strangers.
Resist the urge: Kay explains that different people have different shopping personalities. "Some people get frustrated easily, some shoppers are impulsive and some shoppers persevere more than others. If you're going to take a friend shopping with you, take someone who can balance your impulsiveness with their perseverance (or vice versa if your friend needs the help)," she says.

Weddings Are Never Simple

Dr. Mihelich just married Dr. Ventonis.  It was a wonderful, beautiful and altogether loving family event.  I never would have made it without my dear sister and nieces, who hand-made lovely invitations, arranged boxes of fresh flowers, and had my hair look just right.  My wonderful brother-in-law kept the food on the buffet table going for hours.  They can leap tall buildings in a single bound and move mountains as well, but I don't think there is any price you could pay them to do it again. 

No wedding is "simple" once you begin inviting people.  You add degrees of expense and complication with each new guest.  I my opinion, the bridal industry is largely hype, high pressure and full of ridiculus, cheap fal-de-ra.  Girls are suckered into dreaming of looking like a Disney Princess for a few hours at ridiculous cost.  Ask any former bride who had a large wedding if the extravaganza helped her marriage to be stronger, kinder, more lasting, etc...  The bridal gown hangs in a dry-cleaner bag taking up closet space you need for something else.  You may not ever have a daughter who will wear it, and if you do have a daughter, she likely will want what is in style for her generation, not your old gown. 

Ladies, mothers, sisters, women, girls, fiances, whoever you are, please, please, please ponder the things you need to do to make your moment sacred, spiritual and reflective of the way you want to move your paths together on one road, rather than on pagentry, pressured timelines and financial stresses young lovers don't need.  Spend as much time on your vows as you do on picking out colors and interviewing DJs.  It is a sacred event for you and your spouse. The wedding you plan reflects the condition of your souls as you embark on life's journey; two committed to one another before God for all of life's seasons. 

Do involve your loved ones, family and friends. Deligate tasks and allow them to share what they have used themselves.
Do shop around and cost-compare.
Stay away from Bridal magazine ads and Big Chain Bridal Stores near high fashion marketing areas.
Don't be bullied by wedding planners, designers, etc.  It is your wedding, on your budget, not theirs.
Listen to the minister, who has seen many, many couples do this.  He or She has much experience and no money on the table.  Their advice and wisdom is gold.

Consider: previously owned jewelry, previously worn bridal fashion, allowing attendants to choose their own clothing so that they can wear it again, and comfortable shoes. No one knows but you; yes, you with the comfortable, dance-all-night feet and the beautiful smile  -  with money in her pocket!

For many families, a wedding (or a funeral) is the closest thing they will ever get to a family reunion.  Think about venues, dining facilities, activities and pre-wedding schedules that will allow the extended family to relax and visit, get to know the new side of the family and enjoy themselves. 

May God bless you and keep you close, however you decide to celebrate your union.  

Personality Styles and Money Habits

Laura Cone, On Friday August 26, 2011, 3:38 pm EDT

*Note: This was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Do you have a personal finance story that you'd like to share? Sign up with the Yahoo! Contributor Network to start publishing your own finance articles.

People's money habits are generally ruled by their personalities. While you can't change a person's basic personality type, you can persuade your partner to save or nudge your overly thrifty teenager into springing for a second pair of shoes.



Everyone in my family of four has a different personality type, and I've noticed we often clash when it comes to money matters. Here are the four basic personality types that affect the way we handle money, and what we do to smooth out our differences.



Laid back type



My youngest son with a laid-back personality is almost too thrifty. He is not at all money motivated. He has money in the bank not because he's a super saver, but because he rarely wants to buy anything. We get frustrated when he won't let us buy him new things, even when his jeans have holes in them. His life aspiration is to live in a van in Canada. Since he hates to shop, I quiz him about his style and color preferences on the Internet, and then order him new things.



Thinking type



My 18-year-old son is a thinking type who likes to save and isn't afraid to spend. He plans out his purchases years in advance. When he took a vacation by himself to Chicago this summer, he kept a meticulous record of his expenditures. We clash because he is extremely independent. Our solution was to help him open financial accounts at an early age, and teach him how to manage his own accounts so he would feel financially secure on his own.



Social type



Being a more social type, I like to shop for entertainment. My husband helped me turn from a spender into a saver by setting common goals. Once I could visualize how much fun we would have, I was more willing to be frugal and save. Knowing that I'm more motivated by experiences and he is more motivated by things helped us compromise.



Motivated type



My husband is a motivated person who falls into the workaholic and risk taker category. He likes to spend money on things that make him happy, but also buys things for others. We clash when he wants to take bigger financial risks such as buying rental properties. His motto is the greater the risk, the greater the reward. We keep financial peace in our marriage by letting him invest 10 percent of his portfolio in the more risky individual stocks. We have agreed to buy a rental property after we pay off the mortgage on our primary residence.



More from this contributor:

The best day to buy groceries, clothes, fuel and airfare....usually Wednesday.

http://financiallyfit.yahoo.com/finance/video-best-days-to-buy-25914712

Things you can use longer than you thought, from Cosmopolitan.com

By Zoe Ruderman, Cosmopolitan.com

Photo: Steve Mason/Getty Images

Turns out the expiration or generally accepted toss-by date on certain products is total BS. And we hate being a sucker so we rounded up six things you can hold on to for longer than you thought. Read on then start thinking about how you want to use the hundreds of dollars you're going to save each year.

Razors

You're told to toss them after: 6 weeks
But they can really last for: 4 months
Keep your blade sharper for longer by dipping it in rubbing alcohol after each use. And rather than leaving the razor near the shower head, where it will get sprayed with water and is more likely to rust, place it at the other end of the tub.

More from Cosmopolitan.com 12 Easy Ways to Save Money Fast How to Decode His Body Language

Photo: Magazine

Running shoes

You're told to toss them after: 6 months
But they can really last for: up to 2 years
You can quadruple the life of the shoes by keeping them at room temperature when they're off your feet. Leaving them in the garage or in a car overnight in the winter, or packing them in your checked luggage (where they'll sit in the freezing underbelly of a plane) lets cold air in, breaking down the sole and screwing up the air pockets.

Photo: Andreas Kuehn/Getty Images

Mascara

You're told to toss it after: 3 months
But it can really last for: 5 months
There are two reasons you have to toss this makeup: it dries out or it gets contaminated. You can ward off both of these problems by not pumping the wand up and down, which forces bacteria and also air into the tube. Instead, swirl the brush as you pull it out. And if it starts to seem cakey, experts recommend dipping the tube in boiling water for about 15 seconds. It will make the makeup gooey again and may even kill some of the bacteria.

Photo: Magazine

Mattresses

You're told to toss them after: 7 or 8 years
But they can really last for: up to 11 or 12 years
Ask just about anyone and you'll hear that every seven years or so, you have to buy a new mattress. So. Much. Money. But the Better Sleep Council revealed to us that there are ways to get your mattress to last up to 12 years. There are three tricks to getting it to last: Rotate it 180 degrees every six months. This helps keep the mattress from wearing out in the same spot and crapping out after a few years. Secondly, as soon as the bed starts to feel saggy, buy a mattress topper, which can extend the life of it up to a year. And lastly, keep the mattress and box spring on a bed frame. Sure, putting it directly on the floor seems sturdy and supportive, but it can put strain on the mattress where it's not supposed to be.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Perfume

You're told to toss it after: about 2 years
But they can really last for: 5 years
No need to ditch fragrances so soon as long as you keep them out of the sun. The direct light makes perfume lose its scent or even start to smell funky, but keeping the bottles in the original box or in the medicine cabinet can get you three extra years out of the spray.

Photo: Magazine

Nail Polish

You're told to toss it after: 8 months
Extend the lifespan to: 2 years
Since heat and sunlight destroy nail polish by separating the ingredients and causing discoloration, keeping the bottles in the fridge will more than double their lifespan.

Energy Issues

Energy, food and water.  Those are the most basic elements necessary for living.  As we see scary trends that threaten our ability to have what we want in those basic areas, being smart about your strategy becomes even more essential.  Even if you  are rich, it doesn't hurt to understand what you are doing that is ongoing and can result in national level differences if we all add our efforts to the cause.  

What follows is a post about tips on pumping gas into your vehicle.  Very scientific and easy to follow.  This goes into my "who knew" file.  But now I know and so will you?

TIPS ON PUMPING GAS

I don't know what you guys are paying for gasoline.... but here in California we are paying up to $3.75 to $4.10 per gallon. My line of work is in petroleum for about 31 years now, so here are some tricks to get more of your money's worth for every gallon:

Here at the Kinder Morgan Pipeline where I work in San Jose, CA we deliver about 4 million gallons in a 24-hour period thru the
pipeline.. One day is diesel the next day is jet fuel, and gasoline, regular and premium grades. We have 34-storage tanks here with a total capacity of 16,800,000 gallons.

Only buy or fill up your car or truck in the early morning when the ground temperature is still cold. Remember that all service stations have their storage tanks buried below ground. The colder the ground the more dense the gasoline, when it gets warmer gasoline expands, so buying in the afternoon or in the evening....your gallon is not exactly a gallon. In the petroleum business, the specific gravity and the temperature of the gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, ethanol and other petroleum products plays an important role.

A 1-degree rise in temperature is a big deal for this business. But the service stations do not have temperature compensation at the pumps.

When you're filling up do not squeeze the trigger of the nozzle to a fast mode If you look you will see that the trigger has three (3)
stages: low, middle, and high. You should be pumping on low mode, thereby minimizing the vapors that are created while you are pumping.  All hoses at the pump have a vapor return. If you are pumping on the fast rate, some of the liquid that goes to your tank becomes vapor.  Those vapors are being sucked up and back into the underground storage tank so you're getting less worth for your money.

One of the most important tips is to fill up when your gas tank is HALF FULL. The reason for this is the more gas you have in your tank the less air occupying its empty space. Gasoline evaporates faster than ou can imagine. Gasoline storage tanks have an internal floating roof.  This roof serves as zero clearance between the gas and the atmosphere, so it minimizes the evaporation. Unlike service stations, here where I work, every truck that we load is temperature compensated so that every gallon is actually the exact amount.

Another reminder, if there is a gasoline truck pumping into the storage tanks when you stop to buy gas, DO NOT fill up; most likely the gasoline is being stirred up as the gas is being delivered, and you might pick up some of the dirt that normally settles on the bottom.

When Therapy Won"t Help the Marriage.

Couples come in every week for therapy. Many come in with expectations of gaining insight, some are dragged in by their spouses, and some come in out of frustration and wanting out of a bad marriage. The reasons that bring people in are not as important as the couple’s attitude. If couples see their marriage as a work in progress and come to therapy to work past difficulties, they usually will be successful. Therapy is expensive and can be a waste of time. It can also be the single best thing you ever did for your relationship. When a marriage or a person is in psychological distress, the friend with the best intentions will usually say, “Why don’t you go see a therapist?” The friend is saying this because they love their friend, and they don’t know what else to say or advise their friend to do. There are times when a couple should not go to therapy; sometimes therapy may be counterproductive, putting the couple in financial distress and deeper frustration that nothing is going to change.
If you are experiencing any of these, therapy may be a greater strain than beneficial:
1.   If you are only going to therapy to say you did it. A spouse who already has a new significant other and wants to ease their guilt by saying they went to therapy should save their money.  They will need it in court.
2.    Couples who are trying to fool the therapist. If you pay therapists to listen to your story, but the story isn’t true, I am not sure who is wasting their time more.
Knowing When To Let Go of a Marriage
3.    If you or your partner hates the therapist, it may make you less successful with therapy. Keep shopping until you find one you both are comfortable with and respect.
4.    If you go to therapy and engage, but don’t do your assignments, you won’t be successful long term. The assignments are part of the process.  It leads to better understanding of yourself and your partner.

5.    If you don’t prioritize the therapy and schedule it in to your life, then you will miss appointments. We choose what is valuable by our actions. You are telling your spouse and therapist that this isn’t important. Why continue to waste your money?
Top 8 Things that Will Ruin Your Relationship
6.    If you are inflexible with your thinking and unwilling to make changes, you are wasting your money with therapy. Therapy is all about changing one’s self. If you think you are perfect and don’t need to make changes, then therapy most likely will not be effective.
7.    If you don’t believe in therapy or you think its voodoo, most likely it will not work for you. Couples must embrace the therapy and believe it will help them restore communication.
8.    If you have a girlfriend or boyfriend and are in marital therapy with your spouse, get rid of the girlfriend/boyfriend first. Otherwise therapy will not be successful.
Clues Your Man Is Cheating
9.    If you go to therapy, but let your spouse do all the talking, therapy most likely will not be successful. The therapist needs to hear from both of you about how you feel. If you have difficulty expressing yourself with words, ask the therapist if you can write what you want to say. The therapist wants to help you communicate. They don’t care if you talk, write, or act out your emotions.
What Happens When Your Man Disappoints You?

10.  If you have great difficulty laughing at yourself, therapy is going to be very difficult. You may still be successful, but it won’t be as enjoyable.
Therapy is one of the greatest opportunities a couple can venture into. It offers an atmosphere of complete honesty, confidentiality, and openness. Where else can you go and talk candidly about you as a couple and get objective guidance? Just remember therapists cannot read your mind. When a therapist joins your marriage team, you should feel supported enough to take risks.  You should be able to be totally open and honest with your partner with the intention of creating the best marriage possible.

Cutting the Cost of Communication

I gave up on my regular phone lines two years ago.  The fees were just beyond the value that I felt I was getting.  I moved from a commercial office to a home office and ported those two numbers to my home in order to keep the business calls continuous for a while as I transitioned.  Even though I wasn't running a commercial space any longer, I still had to pay "commercial" phone line prices.  I have moved steadily toward using my cell number for most business calls and may make the jump entirely soon.  The aggravation of notifying everyone is the main reason I haven't done it yet.  For my home office lines, I am now using VONAGE, which is a voice over internet protocal phone connection.  It has worked well for my needs and has never given me any trouble.  However, I have just read some great reviews on another voip product called ooma.  You can get the fancy ooma with a handset and many nice features for a one time purchase of the device that you plug into your computer modem and $3.47 per month.  Tonight it was $199.00.  Good by VONAGE, which is $25.00 per month.  The device looks like it would last forever and those who have used it are thrilled with the quality. Currently, the best price on the ooma device is to be found on Amazon.  What are you going to due with your extra money?  Invest it in your ROTH IRA if you haven't started that yet, right?  Isn't technology wonderful?  Now go ahead and do this right away, it is like paying yourself at least an extra four hundred dollars for the small amount of time and trouble it will require. 

A Savings Site that Organizes DEALS from many sources, cuts the e-mail clutter

Yipit.com    Yup, that's it.  Just yipit.  I have found this to be very nicely organized.  When you sign up, you are asked to indicate what sort of merchandise or services interest you.  Then you indicate a major metropolitan area near you if there are local deals to be included.  It is wide ranging, just about anything that you could buy on the internet or at a local restaurant or store.  Wine, shoes, gifts, electronics, etc...  It should consolidate all of the living social and groupon deals so your e-mail inbox will be less jammed. 

The only drawback I can see is if you live in an area that is not near a major metropolitan burg, you may not be able to use all of the vendors.  I still think it is worth watching for a while to see if it consolidates your online sales shopping research.  Or I may decide to move to Dallas or Seattle.  Let me know what you think.

Happy Hunting.

Hair Glorious Hair

Hair. Next to our faces, for most of us, it is the feature of our persona that we care about the most, especially for the ladies.  I grew up in a generation where we had live theater and music about that subject alone:  hair.  When it was in, it was long, messy and a sign of youthfulness and rebellion.  Hair has always played a major part in how we evaluate the appearance of others.  It is felt that thick, healthy hair is a sign of virility and reproductive potential.  The way we choose our mates on a primal level.  The bald men and women who are thinning would tell you that they wish it wasn't so!  We need to take good care of our hair for all sorts of social and psychological reasons.

I want you to be sexy and healthy and proud of your hair, whether you have thick or thin locks, short or long.  It needs to be beautiful, flattering and functional for your lifestyle.  Period.  We don't want cheap to harm your follicles.  Never. 

That being said (sounds like a politician doesn't it?) you can have lovely, healthy hair at value prices. 

I would love to know what others think about this subject.  Please feel free to add your own comments. 

When my sons were little, I invested in a set of hair clippers and assorted guards.  I got fairly skilled at the buzz cut, short and tapered on the sides, a little longer on the top.  And they were very handsome boys no matter who cut their hair.  One evening, just before the fifth grade class pictures at school, I was tidying up my oldest son's hair.  The plastic guard fell off as I firmly buzzed right across the top of his head.  Without a guard on it, the clippers are nearly as close as a razor.  I sucked in my breath sharply.  My son hadn't felt it, but he heard me and asked "Mom, what's wrong?"  I'm looking to see how much it might show in the lense of the camera from eye level. 

Honestly, I don't remember what we did after that, but I do not have any bald-spot pictures of this handsome boy, so it must have turned out alright.  I was traumatized and I bet he was too.  Moral to the story is check your attachments for security, buy a quality instrument that won't get loose on you.  You will make back the purchase price over and over again on a simple boys haircut.  Unless you are very talented, girls and long layered styles are a lot harder.  Go to a real salon.  It is the price we pay for being the pretty things that we are, gals.  I don't know too many fellows that want their females to walk around in a homemade buzz cut.

1.  Check out discount salons who have younger beginning stylists who can be quite talented and motivated to please you.
2.  See if there are beauty schools in your area for more discounts.
3.  Wear your hair longer.  You can extend the time you go between trims.

All of the "Products"

This to me is an area very similar to makeup.  There are ingredients that are very effective.  You can find the same things in very inexpensive products that you find in the high priced designer varieties.  This is an area where marketing is constantly changing the way things look and smell and it is hard to keep up with.  Just remember:  hair is a length of dead cells.  It is only alive at the root.  It picks up dirt and oils from your skin and the environment.  It is stressed by chemicals and heat, but it is dead cells that you are just coating with whatever is left after you shampoo.  That is the logic of what you need to pick.  It isn't going to make your hair any better than what has grown out from your scalp.  Clean, condition and a good cut is all most of us need. 

So you want clean.  You want not too dry.  You want shiny.  You don't want tangles.
OK.  Depending on what your hair is like, you can select a knock off shampoo and conditioner that will do the trick 99% of the time.  I currently love the new SAUVE products and would put them up against any salon product.  They are very nicely affordable and GOOD.  If you have color or special skin conditions that need a medicated variety, that is another discussion, OK? 

Don't buy your shampoo at the grocery store.  It is most expensive there.  Go to the Wal Mart or Target or similar discount store for your toiletries.  The grocery store is for food. 

Try to discipline yourself to use up what you have on hand before you splurge on the neatest new hair goo.  I think my daughter has $200 dollars in unused hair products stacked up around the shower.  It does add up over time.  Use it up and then move on to what you would like to try next, if you need a change. 

Finally, let's talk about CONDITIONERS.  I can't believe I didn't think of this before.  If you are anything like me, you use up the shampoo before the conditioner.  So after a time, you have half full bottles of conditiner that are actually going to grow something creeppy before you can use it all up. 

DID YOU KNOW THAT HAIR CONDITIONER IS A GREAT MOISTURIZER FOR SHAVING YOUR LEGS?  It really works, and it feels as if you just put lotion on after a shave, very soft and nice and smooth.  So there you go.  You can skip buying the leg shaving junk, use your hair conditioner and keep it all fresh. 

So there you go folks.  Have beautiful hair, don't fall for the advertising hype and enjoy a good crown on your head. 

Eight ways to entertain yourself and pocket the savings

When you add up what you spend for entertainment, it can be a large chunk of change.  If you saved what you already have budgeted for things in this category, it could easily be as much as $1,000 or more!  We really are creatures of habit; it is easier to pay more than to keep abreast of less expensive alternatives.  Here are a few ideas for you:

1.  Ditch premium cable or satellite services.  Try pulling up the regular network programs that you enjoy on your computer at the network sites, such as nbc.com, fox.com, hulu, etc.  For movies, rent what you want to see at Redbox, or keep a good list of titles on order with Netflix for less than $10.00 a month.  Many Netflix offerings can also be viewed instantly online, so you don't even need to wait for the DVD in the mail.  You can get high definition signal now with old fashioned rabbit ears!  Unless you are a junkie for a specific sports channel and live games, I don't think there is much that you can't find online for free or nearly free.  You can also hook your computer up to your television screen, so you have the large screen option, not limiting you to your desktop for viewing.  Here is an article on exactly how to do this.  http://finance.yahoo.com/news/First-Person-How-We-Cut-Cord-ac-4204109190.html?x=0         This one tip is worth hundreds of dollars in savings per year.

2.  Use an e-reader.  I think anyone who travels must have a Kindle or similar e-reader for the weight savings and convenience.  But if you want to cut additional costs and save trees, consider getting your periodicals delivered to your device, many books and newspapers and magazines are delivered for less cost and nearly instantly.  I love my library and I do miss the feel of real paper, but unless it is something I love enough to keep dusting on the shelf or I can't get otherwise, it goes into my neat little reader, which easily fits into my briefcase or purse.  My Kindle alllows me to underline, write notes and save clippings.  The only drawback I can see is it is hard to loan to a friend.

3.  If you need to have a real "get out of the house date" and go out for a nice evening, check what is playing at the discount movie theater.  Then check the moneysavingqueen.com blog for discount food coupons for the nicer chain restaurants.  Don't see one you like?  Go to the web site of your favorite eatery and see if there is a coupon there waiting to be printed out.  Also, be aware of early diner specials. 

4.  Drop the gym membership.  You can run in the hood, dance to your favorite music and enjoy a yoga routine right in your own living room.  Trade workout DVDs with your friends so you won't get bored.  Have fun with a walking buddy. 

5.  Go to your favorite restaurant, order one large meal and two plates.  My nephew and I used to do this with our favorite Mexican place.  The servings were plenty large enough for the two of us, plus the free chips and salsa would top us off if we were really hungry.  Be sure to tip big if you do this, though.  It is not right to cheap the wait staff who work just as hard for you regardless of how much you order!  (My daughter is a waitress.  She is only paid $2.00 an hour, so those tips are really important.)
I often dine out with a group of friends, maybe eight or ten of us at a time.  We all order our own meals, but ONE dessert and ten spoons.  Friendly to the waistline and the budget!

6.  I love live theater and musical performance.  Giving up my Friday night orchestra section broadway season tickets was like loosing prime real estate.  Here are some ideas to feed your love of live entertainment:  Watch out for local high school and college productions.  Some of the schools in my area seem to have nearly professional talent.  You might see a future super-star starting out.  Go to park performances that are sometimes offered during out door arts festivals.  Be aware of restaurants and clubs that have live performers, usually on the weekends.  Check with your local college music department to see when performance students are giving recitals.  You won't be disappointed and you are encouraging a young artist.  You might also check into volunteer ushering (RSVP).  That way, you can  see the big shows for free!

7.  Cell phones are not only for communication but entertainment as well.  Check with your carrier to see if you really are using the package you are paying for to its fullest.  You might be able to cut down on your plan.  Speaking of phones, how much are you really using your land line?  Time to cut the cord?  Consider going cellular only or adding vonage or ooma as your home alternative.  Phone plans are very competitive now, so doing frequent research here should pay off, as they continually get cheaper and cheaper. 

8.  Vacations can be a very costly part of the budget, but we Americans need to take them.  We work much longer hours than most other nations and it is harmful to your health, your family and actually makes you a less effective worker.  How about having a "staycation"?  Look at the area where you live as if you were a visitor.  What would you like to go see?  Where would you like to explore, hike, photograph or paint, right in your own back yard?  I have several good museums in my city that I haven't visited since I was a girl.  Bet they would be as much fun now as they were back then!  The only rule is you can't work just because you are at home.  You really have to act like it is a vacation.  Special meals, visiting places, sleeping late, getting a mani/pedi or massage, going for a tour of a historic site...       ENJOY and REFRESH YOURSELF.

Happy Hunting.

Minimizing your car's Gasoline cost

The price of gasoline is rising rapidly.  Some predictions forcast a rise of several dollars a gallon by years end.  As much as we depend on our personal vehicles for living in much of America, running a minimum of fuel through your favorite set of wheels is money that stays in your pocket.  Check this list out to see where you can tweak your fuel consuming habits:

1.  Modern engines do not need a long warm up before driving. 

2.  Empty the junk in your trunk.  The more weight you carry around, the more gas you burn.  (I was carrying a large box of books in my trunk waiting to donate so I would have it handy if I was in that part of town.  I wonder how much that cost me until I realized what I was doing!)

3.  Don't put in a higher grade than your car manufacturer reccomends.

4.  Buy 100% gasoline, rather than the ethanol added blends, if you can find it.  You will get better milage.

5.  Car pool and combine errands if you can to minimize the miles you drive.

6.  Smooth out your accelerations and stops.  A slow steady glide burns less than a heavy-footed punch up to speed. 

7.  Support sidewalks, public transportation, bicycling and walking in your community.  We all would use these healthier options more if our city planners add features that allow is to leave our cars parked!   Then we are living well - on less!

Saving on prescription medications

It seems that the cost of prescriptions is going up much faster than any other purchase that is on my regular budget.  One script, an "old-time" medication that has been around for at least 50 years, went up from $100 to $150  per tube in one year.  We do feel trapped, because in many cases there is no other choice than to pay the price or go without the medication or something else.  If you have a prescription benefit with your health care insurance, then thank the Lord.  For the rest of us,here are a few ideas:

1.  Ask your Dr. if there is a less expensive medication that might work for you.

2.  Of course, you are buying generic whenever you can.

3.  Many pharmacies has some type of "club" card that will give you a discount.

4.  Ask for a ninety day prescription refill if you can get it from your doctor for routine medicine that you take.  This is usually the cheapest way to get refills.

5.  Ask your doctor to prescribe a larger dose of your medication.  For example, you need 100 mg, but your medication also comes in a 200 mg form.  You cut your pills in half to get to your proper dose.  The price of the higher strength forms is usually less than double the lower dose, so you are saving money this way.

6.  CAUTION: Do not lower your doses yourself with out asking your prescribing health care provider.  It can be dangerous to get too little.  You need a therapeutic dose or else you are totally wasting your money taking anything at all. 

7.  See if an over the counter remedy might not work just as well as an expensive prescription.  Sometimes, less is more.  For example, for some migraine pain sufferers, an over the counter NAISD such as naproxin works better than a narcotic, such as codiene.

I wish you an extra penny in your pocket and good health, my friends.

MORE DETAILS ON DISCOUNT PROGRAMS
Many consumers have yet to take advantage of the low prices for prescription drugs offered by many retailers. For example, some American consumers still pay an average of $50 a month for the generic drug pravastatin to lower cholesterol. But you can buy a 30-day supply for $4 at Target or Walmart and pay even less per dose for a 90-day supply.
Retailers such as Kmart, Target, Walgreens and Walmart, and national grocers such as Kroger have been steadily expanding their discount-drug programs. To offer such low prices, retailers often purchase the medications in bulk.
Before you enroll, check the fine print. Also:

• Make sure you’re covered. Many discount-drug programs don’t include high dosages, and the list of drugs can be limited.
• Ask about restrictions. Some programs are offered only to people without insurance or are for medications that are not covered by insurance. And some are not available in certain states or their prices might be higher.
• Note that some programs carry an enrollment fee, which might make them less of a bargain.
• Check with your independent pharmacy. Some will match those deals when possible.
• Review the discount lists frequently. More generics are likely to be added to the lists as many major drugs, such as Lipitor and Plavix, become available as generics over the next 36 months.