Are you one of those people who just can’t seem to say no to anything or anyone? If you are you may not realize the
impact it is having on your finances, not to mention your health. As parents, it can be particularly demanding to have children involved in recreation activities and organizations that beg for your help. As a single person or married couple without kids, people may often assume since you ‘have nothing better to do” you’ll have plenty of time to volunteer or plenty of money to donate. Guilt may guide you into to doing more or paying more than you really wanted but perfecting the art of saying nope may save you both time and money.
How so, you ask? Here are some tips for saying no and better manage your time and money:
Saying No To Money Requests
Guilt is the driving force behind people’s inability to say no to others. In our lifetime, we will likely be asked to do a number of things we feel obligated to do. While we may always feel obligated, we might also feel uncomfortable doing the things we can’t say no to, especially when it comes to finances.
Have you ever been asked by a friend or family member for a loan? Do you regularly donate more money than you have for your kid’s fundraising efforts? Have you spent money you didn’t have because of peer pressure? Situations like these may seem out of your control but if you begin to practice the art of saying no, it will get easier.
Many people spend more than they can afford because they want to please others and be helpful. However, with the current state of the economy it is becoming more socially acceptable to say no when confronted with financial requests. Be upfront about your inability or unwillingness to lend money or cosign a loan. The longer you wait to tell someone no, the harder it will become. When it comes to school or extra-circular events spend only what you can afford and teach your children to focus on the benefits of helping others rather than the prize at the end.
Saying No to Time Wasters
Just like money is an important aspect in life, time is also something that is precious. Volunteering your time to help others is a wonderful concept but in some cases, people end up being taken for granted.
If someone you know asks you to help when you are operating at full capacity, don’t be afraid to say no. Outside of a life and death emergency, people will usually be able to make other arrangements and learn not to rely on you for everything. If you find that you have overcommitted yourself to too many projects, you need to sit and contemplate what activities you can drop from your schedule. Don’t let guilt be a factor. List your priorities, like family, work, school, and church and decide what activities can go. Over-committing yourself can be a drain on your finances and your health if you are taking care of your responsibilities.
Learn how to start saying no from the get-go when you are feeling too stressed out. It will not always be easy to refuse requests for help but for your own well-being and health, you need to practice the art of no.
Paying for prescription medication is expensive even for those with health insurance plans that help off set the cost. As more and more Americans struggle with unemployment and depleted savings accounts, paying for high cost prescriptions is becoming more difficult. Unfortunately many people with health conditions have taken dangerous risks by skipping doses, not filling their prescription or cutting their pills in an effort to save money. If you or someone you know has trouble paying for prescription medicine there is good news out there. The following tips can help you save money buying prescription medication to ensure everyone has a chance to get the medicine they need.
Don’t Discount Generic Brands- One of the single easiest ways to save money is by switching to generic drugs. In fact savings could reach up to 80% per prescription. For many years consumers have been leery of buying generic brands because they believed lower cost meant lower quality, however this is not necessarily the case with medication. In fact manufacturers of generic drugs must prove to the FDA that their medication has the same ingredients and effects of the brand name drug.
Talk To Your Doctor- Don’t be embarrassed or ashamed to speak to your doctor about your ability to pay for medication. Many doctors are simply unaware of the fact that some of their patients cannot easily afford their medicine which makes it all the more important for you to bring it to their attention. To avoid undue embarrassment you can simply say, “Are there other options that will cost me less?” or “Is there a generic equivalent available?” could do the trick. Most doctors are willing to help find an affordable solution to ensure you get the medication you need.
Prescription Assistance Programs- Pharmaceutical companies have developed programs to help qualified consumers who do not have health insurance or prescription coverage pay for their medication. Eligibility is based on income levels and your specific medical needs. To learn more about prescription assistance programs you can talk to your doctor, pharmacist or visit The Partnership for Prescription Assistance for more information.
Shop Around- A common misconception regarding the cost of medicine is that the price remains the same regardless of where you fill the prescription. Consumer Reports found that in some cases the price for the same medicine can vary by as much as $100. Keep in mind just because one prescription is cheaper at a particular store doesn’t mean all your prescriptions will be cheaper. Finding the best price may require a bit of research and legwork on your part however the benefits are worth it if you see significant savings.
Get Healthy- Obviously there are some conditions that require medical treatment and no amount of lifestyle adjustments will change that. There are of course other factors that can reduce your medical expenses in the short and long term scheme of things. If you smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol or have other unhealthy habits, seek help to quit. Not only will you feel better but your wallet will thank you as well.
This article was provided by SavvyStudent.com – a site that helps students learn how to pay for college with private student loans and other resources.Babies can inspire even the tightest fists to spring open, but it is important to know what is worth spending your hard 
earned money on and what can be skipped, borrowed or taken care of with a much cheaper alternative. As a new parent you’re not expected to know all of these details as instinctively as you’ll soon be able to differentiate between the many different meanings of your baby’s cries, but it pays to do some research.
The following is a list of tips to get you pointed in the right direction.
Budget for the Necessities… and Let Friends Gift the Frills
Your baby will need a safe comfortable place to sleep, bottles from which to be fed, clothes and of course a car seat and stroller. Everything else is more or less icing on the cake and you should always remember that the topping should not cost more than then whole cake. It is best to spend your money on a good crib and a stroller/car set combination that meets modern day safety standards than to go crazy on cute mobiles and nursery décor and then have to sacrifice on the big ticket items. Friends and family are notorious for getting all excited about welcoming babies and they run off individually and spend on things that are ‘nice-to-have’ so you can afford the ‘must-haves’.
Stay Away From Specialty Stores
Stores like Babies ‘R’ Us and other brand name chains are designed to squeeze every last penny out of your pocket by cleverly marketing lots of adorable gadgets and gizmos that you could find for less if you need them at all. Don’t get caught in their trap. If you don’t think you have the strength to resist a beautifully packaged diaper tower that you could buy at the grocery store for a quarter of the price, then don’t go in.
Debate the Diaper Issue Objectively
Reusable diapers are better for the environment and they are hands down the cheaper option. The only issue really is if you are up for the challenge of washing the quantum amount of nappies your baby is bound to go through in a day. If you are good at getting organized though it’s possible to set up a workable system of change, soak and wash that keeps a stack of clean diapers always on hand. Your parents most likely did it. Think of the savings if you don’t have to buy a disposable diaper.
Breastfeed
Obviously this is a personal choice but breastfeeding is the doctor recommended course of action. It also eliminates the need for expensive feeding systems with special bottles and sterilization equipment, not to mention costly baby milk formulas.
Do Accept Hand-Me-Down Clothes
Sure you want your baby to have some things that were bought especially for them, but resist the temptation to have everything new and personalized with prints of his name on his shirts and bath towels and booties. Hand-me-down clothes can save you a lot of money on an item that your baby will out grow in a month or two anyway.
If you’re not careful you can spend a fortune before your baby has even spoken his first word. While having a new addition to the family is a reason to celebrate, there’s really no need to plunk down bundles of cash on things your little one will either outgrow or tire of long before it has had its fifteen minutes of fame. It may be wiser to tuck that money into a college fund instead… the time will come when you’ll be glad you did.
National School Lunch week during October 12 – 16, 2009 has placed the focus on two areas that are in need 
of attention by families. First is on healthy food choices for lunches. Second is the need for reusable containers in which to carry lunches, instead of the throw away products that are not reusable and have a long life in dump sites around the nation.
Fortunately, more and more businesses are manufacturing items that are eco-friendly and have money-saving properties in their use and implementation. These companies stand to benefit from a world-wide emphasis on ‘green’ living by offering these products. Many that have gotten on board are increasing their green product lineups, too. As demand increases, they stand to profit as well.
Here are some suggestions for saving money by obtaining reusable, sustainable, and eco-friendly items:
Drink Containers
A good choice is those that are reusable over and over and come in stainless steel varieties, but there are other materials, too. Aluminum is good because it helps maintain temperature consistency of the beverage that is placed into it. Consider that plastic bottles which are priced at 50 cents each are costing around $100 per year for each child, so not only do you save the planet, but money as well.
Food Containers
Cloth is ‘in’ and you can find a variety of wraps that are made just for sandwiches and other snacks. Also, there are cloth sacks that are large enough for a complete lunch. These wraps offer convenient Velcro that helps keep them closed until you are ready to open them at lunch time. They are also good at keeping your food fresh until it is time to eat.
Eating Utensils
Bamboo is becoming a popular choice for utensils which makes a good replacement for plastic. It is strong and resilient even in liquid and temperature extremes. You will even find bamboo stirring sticks for coffee and other drinks that require mixing.
All of these options are wallet-friendly choices because of the reusability and prevention of additional pollution by the purchase and disposal of plastic which has a high resistance to bio-break down over long periods of time. Going green includes the components of saving money as well as saving the environment. Even if you do not feel inclined to be ecologically responsible (and who wouldn’t be?) you should feel good about saving money in the long run.
It’s happening around the nation – small retail medical clinics are opening up in major retail chain stores. The driving reason for this is demand for convenience and lower cost care.
Hospitals are getting into the act and helping to open up these locations while doctors appear to be less than enthusiastic about them.
The bottom line is that you can benefit by going to these retail clinics. Here’s how:
Lower Charges for Services Compared to visits to a doctor’s office, you can save over 50%. In one city where a doctor’s office visit was $109 and a trip to the urgent care center cost $120, the charge for the same visit to a retail medical clinic was only $44.
Quicker Service One of the biggest advantages of going to these clinics is that the service is quicker than going to an emergency room and sitting for hours while you wait to be examined by a doctor. Emergency rooms must treat those with injuries that cannot wait, so there is no telling how long your wait will be. But not so at a retail medical clinic.
Convenient Locations Going grocery shopping, but have a bad cough that needs attention? Stop by the retail medical clinic first thing to get it looked at, then finish shopping. Some people might have difficulty combining the two, and others might question the practice of going out in public with maladies that can be passed around so freely, but consider that it is happening now anyway. In fact, because the services are less expensive, those who might not otherwise go to the doctor because of cost could find these a more welcome alternative.
What you need to be aware of is that these clinics do not offer major medical assistance. You will be able to get a sore throat looked at, or flu-like symptoms and a shot, but anything major will have to be taken to a hospital emergency room.
While some doctors have expressed reservations about these small clinics, others are beginning to realize that they have to begin to offer more consumer friendly hours so that they can keep their patients satisfied with their services. All of a sudden, a consumer aspect is being added to medical services, which is ultimately good for patients. As we look for more options that will help us bring costs down, this certainly fits the bill as it brings competition and convenience to the market.
Enlightenment and relaxation do not come cheap these days. With some yoga studios charging up to $20
for a drop in rate, mats costing up to one hundred dollars, and a good yoga tank top setting you back around ninety dollars; practicing this ancient disciple can be expensive. The proven benefits of yoga to reduce stress however, are especially needed in these trying times. What’s a thrift conscious yogi to do? Well, there are ways to practice yoga and still get the benefits of not only flexibility and relaxation, but also budget bliss as well.
Avoid drop in fees. Most studios offer special rates for first time students such as ten dollars for ten days of consecutive attendance. Take advantage of these rates and then when you find a studio that works for you, buy your classes in bulk. It’s cheaper to buy a package or membership then it is to continue paying drop in fees which are usually significantly more expensive.
Reduce your studio membership fees. Ask the owner if she can give you a special price. Many studio owners are willing to work with their students if they know they are going through a rough financial time. Some studios have Karma yoga packages where students can exchange classes for work such as cleaning the studio, bathroom, or props.
Shop for yoga gear at discount stores. Yoga has become a huge profit making industry. The cost of stylish yoga pants, chic tank tops and sticky mats can really take the peace out of practicing yoga, especially if you are on a budget. Check discount stores such as Target for good quality yoga clothes and mats at less than half the price of the trendy brands. Relaxation is much easier if you still have money in your wallet.
Try a yoga video podcast.If you just can’t afford to take a class at a studio, check out a video podcasts on iTunes. You can practice in the comfort of your own home in front of your computer. There are several shows available and they are easy to download. Start with titles such as “Yogamazing”, “Yoga to the People”, or “Yoga Today.” You’ll have to try out a few to find one that works for you, but it’s well worth the effort, because well, the pod-casts are free!
Yoga is a wonderful way to increase flexibility, strength, and reduce stress, anxiety, and fatigue. It does not have to be a budget buster. If you follow smart strategies you can become your own money-saving guru.
A hot topic in the news today is health care. Whether or not you agree with the President’s health care reform, most people will agree that something has to be done. Americans continue to see health
care costs rise making it impossible for some families to afford coverage. There are some government programs available to help those who cannot pay for their own insurance however the majority of working Americans earn too much money to qualify for this assistance. That leaves millions of people under insured or lacking insurance all together. For those “lucky” enough to have insurance there are several costs that make health care still less than affordable.
Here are a few of the health care costs that make affordable health care not so affordable after all.
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Out of pocket expenses- The purpose of paying health care premiums is to avoid having to pay high out of pocket expenses. Unfortunately that is not the case for many people who not only pay high monthly premiums but also find themselves shelling out more money for procedures or other costs that are not covered by their policy.
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Copayments- Most health insurance policies require the insured to pay a copayment for doctor’s visits, prescriptions and other procedures. At one time this was somewhere around $25 for an standard office visit but the price is steadily rising making it harder and harder for cash strapped consumers to get the medical care and medication they need.
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Deductibles- Similar to copayments, insured individuals must pay a deductible before coverage kicks in for certain procedures. This adds to the money each individual or family must pay before seeing any actual benefit from their insurance policy. In the case of emergency room visits, medication or special procedures, this cost can also make it difficult for consumers to take advantage of their health care coverage.
These are just a few of the reasons health care is becoming less affordable for those who have health insurance. Of course even at a higher cost, those who have health insurance have a much greater advantage than those who cannot afford to pay the rising premiums. If you have health care coverage and still find it too costly to get needed medical care, you should shop around to ensure you are getting the best rates available. If you have insurance through your employer do not assume that is your only option. While many employers contribute to their employees health care coverage, each employer is different. In many cases you might be able to find a private policy that is better than your current policy at the same rate you are currently paying. This may not always be the case, but you lose nothing by comparing your options. When shopping around be sure to pay attention to out of pocket expenses (things not covered), copayments and deductibles which are costs that make health care less affordable.
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