Taking the heartache out of managing your prescription costs.

Like almost everything else, the costs of prescription drugs continues to increase. Here are some tips on how to save some money on your next trip to the drugstore.

Chat with your Doctor. Let your Doctor know that your prescription prices are too high and ask him to recommend some alternatives. Is there a generic equivalent , OTC, or Natural/Herbal remedy option? Are all the meds necessary to treat your condition? And, when you have this chat, be sure to arm yourself with good information about what's the best value for your healthcare dollar, check out Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs.

Go Generic. Ask your doctor to recommend a generic equivalent drug. The cholesterol lowering drug, Crestor, is a good example. A 90- day supply on my health plan runs $150. A generic equivalent, Simvastatin, runs $60.

Do a Price Comparison. There are several free online tools that allow you to learn about prescription drugs and do use a price-comparison tool. Check out the Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs , Rxaminer.com, or DestinationRx.com.

Get a A Discount Card. Many nationwide pharmacies offer a discount card that can help you save on future prescriptions or other drugstore purchases (example: CVS ExtraCare Saving). You can also sign up at yourrxcard.com for a discount card, and save up to 75% on all FDA-approved drugs at over 57,00 participating pharmacies. It’s a fast and easy way to reduce your overall costs.

Check out a $4 prescription programs. Stores like Wal-mart, Target, and K-mart, Hannaford, and Publix offer $4 generics at many of their stores.

Order Online. Use Mail-Order. Buy in Bulk. Make the most of your mail-order or online.purchases and when possible, buy in bulk to get a better unit price based on volume.

Split Your Pills. Ask your doctor if pill splitting is an option for you (it isn't for you if you have a time-released based pill or require an exact dose) If the doctor can write the prescription for double the dose, then you can cut the pills using a pill splitter. Doubling the dose does not always mean double the cost. This could be a cost savings of $20-$50 per month.

Ask for Free Samples. Never hurts to ask your drugstore or doctor if there are any free samples of the prescription.

Find a Patient Assistance Program. My Doctor told me that most drug manufacturers have some sort of patient assistance program for the needy. You must meet certain income guidelines and not be covered by a health plan. Also, the application process is a time-consuming one. For more information about Prescription assistance programs, check out list of available programs, check out PatientAssistance.com, The Partnership for Prescription Assistance and NeedyMeds.com.

As a side note,in case of an medical emergency, always make sure to carry a complete list of active prescriptions with you. This list can help doctors more quickly diagnosis and effectively treat you.

Time Saving Tips for Holiday Projects

Holidays are just around the corner. No time like the present to start thinking about your projects are presents. So, here are some tips for you to consider:

1. Plan ahead. Make the most of your time by planning ahead. Organize your projects, develop your checklists for supplies, keep an eye on estimated time for completing. Whatever you've estimated for time, tack on an extra 30% to ensure on-time completion. I usually start planning in April and collect items over the course of several months for my projects.

2. Load balance. Keep an eye on your availability to complete. Be careful not to take on more projects than you can realistically handle. Nothing like over-committing to drive up your stress level and reduce your own level of fun.

3. Set Aside Time. Carve out some time for yourself either daily or weekly basis to work on your projects. Looking to squeak out some extra time? Look for opportunities to multi-task. Toss a small project in your bag and work on it when you've got a few ideal moments (e.g., waiting for a dr. appointment to begin, kid pickup at school, waiting for jury duty selection to begin, etc.). Or round up your friends for a bi-weekly project social. See your friends, chat, gossip and complete whatever you're working on.

4. Dummy it Down. Simplify and Pick Easy Projects. Eliminate a level of stress by picking smaller projects, ones that are less complicated, time-demanding, and with fewer color choices or in.While I love to tackle complex needlepoint projects, I also recognize that the holiday season probably isn't the best time to do one. Pick a smaller project and give yourself a break. Remember it's ultimately the thought that counts, not the scale of effort.

5. Make Multiples. Make multiples of the gift you're making. Set yourself up with a simple production line for whatever you're making. Repeating the creation process gets easier with each one you complete, saving you time and effort in the long run.

6. Cut your coupons. By planning ahead (see Tip#1) and using your coupons, you plan out your materials list, saving yourself time and money. Take advantage of craft store's weekly sales and use store coupons to maximize your savings. And remember, most stores honor their competition's coupons if they sell similiar merchandise. So look for opportunities to double-dip on your savings.

Oh My Gosh, It's Homemade Vanilla Extract

Occasionally, I'll be sharing my recipes and thoughts for great home-made gifts that can be made on the cheap. If you're living on a limited budget like myself, you'll appreciate the minimal effort required to pull the gift together, its low cost, and more importantly, its taste.

Idea #1: Oh My Gosh, It's Homemade Vanilla Extract
Vanilla is the stuff from which baking dreams are made. Vanilla extract recipe below is a simple, easy to make, great gift to receive. Once you've sampled this home-made version, you'll think twice before purchasing the store-bought version again. Start this recipe now, and you'll be ready for the Christmas gift giving season!

Background Information.
Never hurts to be knowledgeable about your spices. Here's a little background information for you. Vanilla is a flavoring, native to tropical America, specifically Mexico. The name comes from the Spanish word "vainilla," meaning "little pod."[ Its derived from a type of orchard. If you're interested in learning more about the history of this favorite spice, its lore/legend, or alternative uses to baking, click here.

Recipe
Ingredients

2 cups of brandy or bourbon
2 vanilla beans, cut into quarters

Instructions:

• Place the brandy and vanilla beans in a jar.
• Seal the jar tightly
• Let the mixture sit for 2-3 months at room temperature in a dark place to let the flavor develop.
• Remove the pieces of vanilla beans before using.
• This extract will keep indefinitely in a well-sealed jar.

Gift ideas:

• Give a cup as a stand-alone item. Hand paint or decorate the jar. Wrap the jar in some ribbon and add a tag
• Give some in a jar, accompanied by some of your favorite recipes that include vanilla as an ingredient.
• Pull together a gift basket of vanilla flavored gifts: Jar of homemade extract, bag of french vanilla coffee beans, and some Vienna/vanilla creme cookies, etc.

Rug Sale To Die For

Managing to a budget, but not willing to scrimp on a quality rug purchase?

Add a little colour to your home and save yourself some money in the process by visiting the Company C's Annual Tent Sale this weekend at the Flagship Store located at 102 Old Turnpike Road, Concord, NH., (800) 818 - 8288. Closeout deals and clearance items at up to 75% off. All sales are final. (Rugs are retail are somewhat pricey, so 75% off is a really good deal!)

I've been a Company C fan since 2000. Great quality. Fabulous color combinations. Terrific textures. Somewhat pricey. Website gives you a sense of rug offerings, but you really need to see the rugs in a store to clearly appreciate the colors and design. In some cases, the rugs that look ordinary, underwhelming, and/or ho-hum in the online photos look extraordinary when you see them in person.

I love the rug collection, but bedding, pillows, throws, and furniture are also available at this tent sale. As an added bonus, bring a can good for the NH Food Bank and you'll be entered to win a Company C holiday rug!

In addition to the Flagship store, there are also retail stores in Portland, ME and Hingham, MA. Products are also available through dealers (e.g., Pottery Barn, Boston Interiors, Jordan's Furniture, and Board and Bowl) and interior designers, and the Company C website where there is also an online outlet.

Tent Sale hours are: 8am - 5 pm (September 20) and 11am - 5 pm (September 21).

Happy Shopping. See you there!

Saving Money at the Movies

Going to the movies these days can be an expensive proposition. If you're interested in holding down the cost of a trip to the movies, check out these money saving tips:

• Go watch a movie at an off-peak time. Take in the first show of the day or a matinee movie when prices are less.
• Check your local movies for sneak previews and coupons. Watch the movie in advance of its major release. Win free tickets for special promotions
• Remember age matters. Often, movie theatres offer Senior Citizen discounts and kid-friendly prices for certain shows.
• Take a close look at the special program. For example, Showcase Cinemas offers a a number of deals: Silver Screen Classic Movies for $2; Bargain Tuesdays - all shows; all seats for $6; Best of the "B" movies double features for $5.
• Say NO to buying the combos at the concession stand. Too much; and too costly. Stick with the medium sized popcorn which is the best bargain of your popcorn choices.
• Bring your own candy. $1.29 for a large box of Junior Mints at CVS compared to $3.50 at the theatre.
• Buy your tickets offline discounter. Go to your local Costco, Sam's Club or your local AAA office and save yourself up to 40%. (membership required)
• Use coupons. Buy in bulk. Don't forget to use those coupons in your Entertainment Book For example, you can buy up to 12 tickets for $7.50 each (versus $11 per ticket at the ticket booth). Check for online web deals as well (e.g, AMC offers up to 12 drink/snack vouchers for $3 each!). Eversave.com is a website that also offers some great deals
• Support your independent theatre. The major releases typically hit the independent theaters approximately one month after the premieres. Typically, you can buy tickets are usually about 50-70% cheaper than the larger, chain theaters
• Join the loyalty program. Receive concession stand discounts and/or ways to earn free tickets.
• Show your military ID. Also, if you're a military personnel on active duty, some theatre chains will give you a 10% military discount.
• Buy it on Ebay. Deep discounts on tickets offered by people looking to offload their extra tickets.

See you at a silver screen!

Tips for a better manicure

With manicure costs running out of control ($40 = Yikes. Where is all my fun money going?!), painting your own nails at home never looked or felt so good. There really is no need to pay those crazy salon prices. Save yourself some cash while you make your nails look lovely by following these tips:

1. Buff your nails before applying polish. You'll get better looking results when your nails are smooth and free of ridges.
2. By-pass cutting your cuticles (too significant a risk of infection). Massage some olive oil into your cuticles and then use a Popsicle stick to push your cuticles back so polish doesn't stick to them.
3. Use the lightest possible pressure when applying the polish.
4. Try to paint your nail in three strokes (Center, left, then right)
5. Apply a some topcoat across and under the tip of each nail. This step will seal the colour and help prevent chipping
6. Wash your hands well after applying sunscreen. Sunscreen can make your nails look dull.
7. Before you get into a shower, rub alittle Vaseline on your nails. This will help keep the hot water from taking the polish and its shine off your nail.

Are you a Gal on the Go? For you, I recommend trying a polish pen. Perfect for fast and easy manicure look that doesn't break your bank in the process. These quick dry polish sticks are fantastic! Try OPI Nic's Sticks Paint & Go or Sally Hansen Color Quick. Available at drugstores and Target nationwide.