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Saturday, May 2, 2009
4 ways to cut prescription costs
ShopSmart;) and Consumer Reports Health, savvy sister publications, have come up with four ways for you to save money on prescription medications.
It is no surprise that medical expenses such as prescriptions can be costly.
ShopSmart noted that a recent analysis by Wolters Kluwer Health found that more than 20 percent of costly new prescriptions — with co-pays of $100 or more — were never picked up from pharmacies in 2008. But, the study found, only 4 percent were abandoned if their co-pays totaled $10 or less.
So here are some other tips that can save you money:
Ask your doctor for options, like if you can take a lower dose or if you can split your pills. Request generic. And don’t be afraid to inquire about the price tag on your prescription. A recent Consumer Reports National Research Center survey found that only 4 percent of patients ask their doctor how much medication will cost.
Call around to pharmacies in your neighborhood, the same Consumer Reports survey found that the same pills can vary by more than $100 between drugstores.
Look into prescription-drug assistance programs.
Use caution when offered free drug samples, which can end up costing you more in the long run.
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Retail codes that signal final clearance
The More With Less Today at Tip Hero Web sites noted retail codes this week that will let you know if an item is on final clearance.
At The Home Depot, if the price ends in 66, it means it is marked for final clearance.
At Target, when the price ends in 4, it is the final markdown. If the item doesn’t sell, it is sent to Goodwill or a salvage company.
At Costco, if you are ever there, when a price ends in 9, it is the original price. If it ends in 7, it is reduced for clearance. If there is an * in the price it means the item will not be restocked.
Know of any others? Let us know.
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Beautiful yard on a budget
There are lots of places to scrimp and a few places to splurge when landscaping, but overall it’s absolutely doable to create a beautiful yard on a budget. Here are some tips to help you save money and have the nicest looking property on the block:
• Don’t buy large plants. Fast-growing plants like grasses and perennials can be purchased in small containers and will grow quickly. The place to invest more money is on mature trees and shrubs that tend to be slow growers.
• Design your own gardens. Get online or head to the library for plans and information to help you design like a pro. Try the-landscape-design-site.com/blog/ for lots of plans and design tips. If you feel you need design help, have a professional create a plan you can execute yourself. (Which means getting personal with your shovel and really doing it yourself.)
• Add color with a few strategically-placed annuals in high-visibility areas to add a pop of visual interest.
• Make a seating area with a used Bistro set or weathered Adirondak chairs that have been livened up with a fresh coat of bright, weather-resistant paint.
• Border landscape areas. Creating clean borders creates an I-paid-lots-for-this look.
• Get free help. The Clark County Master Gardeners (mastergardener.osu.edu) program runs a free helpline service. Gardeners with questions can call (937) 328-4632 every Monday and Thursday between 9 a.m. and noon for help with vegetables, flowers, diseases and pests. You can bring specimens to the extension office, 4400 Gateway Blvd., Suite 104, for diagnosis during helpline hours. On-line help is available at plantfacts.osu.edu.
• Have a plant swap. Ask family, friends and neighbors to share. Mature plants and bulbs can be easily divided.
• Use mulch to save money. A layer of mulch — chipped wood or stone — holds moisture, improves the soil and helps keep weeds under control. The best deals will likely be found with bulk suppliers; call around to find out about material pricing and delivery charges. Even though prebagged materials may seem more convenient, they will cost more and may be contaminated with pests.
• Use landscaping materials that are low-cost or free. Boulders, rocks, bricks, an old wagon wheel, or an antique cast iron gate will be an interesting visual element. Ask if you can have scrap materials from building sites and check out garage sales or auctions for items on the cheap.
• Choose plants that are indigenous to the region or can withstand the climate. This can save money and time as it will lessen maintenance and replacement costs. The Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association (buckeyegardening.com) offers a map of planting zones and a plant database.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Consumer interest, Good ideas, Helpful information, Savings
