Fabulous Financial Solutions

Years ago, when I didn’t have insurance, I used an online Canadian pharmacy. It all turned out fine, and I didn’t get poisoned or anything like that. It was affordable, and I made sure to use one of the ones that required a prescription from my local doctor.

Now I’m thinking about using one again. I went to my local pharmacy to fill my new prescription for Retin A, and I had an unpleasant surprise. One cream of this cream costs $118! I couldn’t believe it. The reason was that my insurance would not pay for it. I suppose that’s fair, since getting a wrinkle never killed anyone. Still, I don’t want wrinkles, so I’m planning on using this for, forever.

I looked online and it was thirty bucks. Here’s hoping that I have the same good luck that I did last time!

I am an enthusiastic user of the public library. Also, since I work at an alternative school that doesn’t have its own library, I frequently check out books that I know my students will like. Sometimes, my students like the books a bit too much. In other words, I never see them again.

My local librarians are incredibly understanding. When this happens, they let me replace the book. They don’t even require that I buy a new copy. In fact, THEY recommended half.com. It is so incredibly inexpensive to replace books this way, especially since I select the media mail option, which really isn’t as slow as it’s made out to be.

I’ve bought many other books on half.com, many of which are out of print and unavailable via other venues, online or off. Also, as an added bonus, I’ve learned that you can make money on half.com. More on that another time!

When I had my trash underneath my sink, I noticed that if I forgot to take it out every day, it would smell. Ick, right? The thing is, once I’ve put a new trash bag in the can, my natural inclination is not to take it out until it’s full. Kinda like how I don’t run the dishwasher unless it’s full. Of course, with garbage, this is not a good plan.

When we moved, I didn’t have room under the sink to put the trash. I didn’t want to set a can out in the kitchen, because then the dog would get into it. So I started hanging the plastic grocery bags on a doorknob (I know, trashy), and taking them out when they got full. I never got out of this habit. At this point, I’ve been living in this house for four months and I haven’t purchased a trash bag yet. Nor have I thrown out the grocery bags. It’s the perfect balance.

The little things do add up, you know?

The easiest way I’ve found to save money on groceries has absolutely nothing to do with clipping coupons. It has to do with making a list. If I make a menu for the week and then put the ingredients I don’t have on the list, along with things that need replenishing, like coffee, I find that my list is pretty sparse. Especially since no one eats breakfast or lunch at home.

One key thing is the menu. Once I make it, I take one of the meals off of it. I’ve learned from past experience that I’m going to have one night a week when something comes up or I’m too tired to cook. So why waste the food? That money can go towards pizza instead!

I’ve never thought turning off lights when I wasn’t using them was a big deal. Not compared to things like the air conditioner and the washer and dryer, at any rate. Apparently, though, lights ARE a big deal. I found this out when I decided that I was going to put a 100 watt bulb in the shed to deter theft and mildew.

My husband suggested that I look up how much it would cost on a yearly basis. To have that bulb on 24 hours a day, which was the plan, would have cost $300 for the year! I was stunned.

The living room, dining room and kitchen all have multiple canister lights with 60 watt bulbs. Believe me, I turn off the lights now! As for the shed, so far no mildew. Thank goodness.