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

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By SparkPeople.com | Financially Fit – 6 hours ago

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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.