Category Archives: Money

How to save money on your prescription medications!

If you are buying any prescription medications for your child, your teen, or yourself, then you know how pricey they can be. Sometimes they are covered by insurance; sometimes insurance only pays a fraction; and there are drugs that are not covered by insurance and families that don’t have prescription coverage at all.

No matter your situation, there are still ways you can save, even as prescription drug prices continue to rise.

Buy a generic drug alternative. Not all drugs have generic versions, but when they do the generic is usually quite a bit less expensive. Ask your physician or pharmacist if there is a generic available for a particular drug.

Talk to the doctor. In addition to knowing about generic alternatives, your pediatrician may know of a less expensive option for the drug your child is taking. There won’t always be another alternative, but it’s certainly worth asking about.

Look for cheaper prices. If you think the drug prices at your pharmacy are too high, call around. Sometimes there can be quite a difference from one pharmacy to another.

Look online for coupons or other resources. Some pharmaceutical companies have special programs for uninsured patients, or for patients who have difficulty paying even with insurance. In addition, you can often find coupons for particular drugs from a pharmaceutical company.

Drugs aren’t likely to get cheaper anytime soon, and yet they are often necessary. We want to help you find less expensive alternatives. Please ask us.

© MBS Writing Services, 2015, all rights reserved

Teaching your children and teens financial responsibility

Shhhh.  Don’t tell your kids, but it’s almost time for school!  Just starting school is costly, with all the supplies and book fees, sports, extracurricular activities, field trips, etc.  The school year requires planning, budgeting, and financial decisions.  Those are skills you’ve acquired over a lifetime.

But what about your child?  Does she need to start learning those skills, too?  Do you want him to grow up able to manage money and work?  Where to start?

The good news is that it’s never too late to begin teaching the importance of financial responsibility.

  • Start with chores.  These should be age-appropriate and reasonable.  Even a toddler can help put toys away, and they love to “help” by pretending with their toy vacuum cleaner or child-sized leaf rake.  Elementary aged children can set the table for meals and put their dirty dishes in the sink, make their beds and collect trash.  Teens can contribute with yard work and house cleaning.
  • Build a sense of accomplishment.  Lavish praise for a job well done.  Post of checklist of chores in a prominent place, and check them off when done.  Allow your child some choices:  “Would you rather set the table or clear it after we eat?”
  • Tie chores to allowance.  Make expectations clear up front.  Keep the allowance reasonable as it relates to family finances.
  • Set some rules about handling money.  Determine percentages for saving, giving to charity, and spending.  Discuss the benefits of long-term saving.
  • When your teen nears driving age, talk together about the privilege (and cost) of using the family car, and decide well in advance what costs the teen will assume.  Be clear about how one earns—and loses—the privilege of driving.
  • Teach your teens the value of work by encouraging them to get a job, but make sure that job doesn’t interfere with school.
  • Help your child open a bank account.  When in elementary school children can start savings accounts, and when teens start a job they can open a checking account.

With your help, your children can grow up financially healthy, with good attitudes about spending and saving.

Artwork by Molly

Artwork by Molly

 

© 2013, MBS Writing Services, all rights reserved