August’s panic stricken investors are having flash backs. The market tumbled 360 points today over credit concerns. More over, oil was sky high, so high I would be willing to bet money it will reach 110 dollars a barrel before 2010. Your jobs are not going to be there graduates! This month’s economic growth was weak at only 80k jobs this past month, remember too these numbers will probably be “adjusted” to better comfort the rich and powerful.
“For example, Chrysler announced plans Thursday to cut up to 12,000 jobs as it cuts production plans to bring its capacity more in line with lower demand for its products.”
-CNN MONEY at http://money.cnn.com/2007/11/01/news/economy/jobs_outlook/index.htm?section=money_topstories
At the end of the article they are predicting 50k a month added jobs per month in 08′ which is 1/3 the amount needed to keep the economy stable. To add salt to this wound, Americans seem to be losing their homes at record speeds through foreclosure. Even though the houses have been being foreclosed upon, few are being snapped up as inventories are high and prices keep lowering.
This is bad news folks. I don’t think anyone with enough sense to understand it would disagree. I just thought I’d cue you in. However, most Americans, roughly 45 million are probably worried about a whole lot more than just losing their homes, but also their health. Americans go with out health insurance on a regular basis. I am going to offer some tips to get good health care inexpensively. I will use myself as an example.
Dr. Bills
1. Shop around. Don’t be ashamed to ask up front about prices, sliding scale for cash customers, payment plans, etc… Don’t go to any Dr. that charges for phone consultations. That is a money pit you can’t attest against. If a Dr. is not willing to be up front about price, he or she doesn’t deserve your business.
2. Join free prescription discount card offers to lower your prescription costs. You can get discount cards for free at numerous places. I am sending prescription saver cards out as Christmas gifts this year…because it shows I really care and it’s a gift that keeps giving. You can find cards at the following places.
SimpleSavingsCard
- this card saved me over 50 percent off my 70 dollar prescription costs for medicine and it’s free
UNA RX Card
-this is another free card, it’s probably good to have more than one just incase one covers something the other doesn’t.
US Vision Plan
-offers discounts on eye exams, glasses, frames, etc… for only 5 friend emails. Not bad if you ask me.
MediSaveAmerica.com
-This website boasts an ability to sometimes help you save up to 70 percent off blood work. Yes, the information is free as well.
3. Be willing to look outside the box. Dental schools have cheaper prices just like hair dressing schools do. You might consider going to the dental school if you need those wisdom teeth removed.
4. Learn alternative therapies for the symptoms of certain things. We all know the Dr. CAN’T really help us get over the flu because it is a virus. The only thing anyone can do is treat the symptoms. I know most of you probably already do this, but it might be worth it to look beyond the OTC counter and into the spice rack, keep track of OLD science on these things. New science has become too politicized. Vitamin C, rest, chicken noodle soup, acetaminophen or aspirin, purple cone flower, chamomile tea, peppermint tea, eucalyptus tea, chest rub, and tea tree oil in a aromatherapy diffuser may work better than the latest anti-viral. Not to mention a nice bath always makes everyone feel better, except cats.
5. Don’t miss your appointments. Those extra charges for missed appointments add up.
6. Try to combine your Dr. trip with other errands, that is if you aren’t too sick to think of it.
7. Practice preventative medicine on yourself. Just because you don’t have diabetes doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep your weight low, exercise, avoid sugar, and eat very clean. Preventative medicine is the best medicine because it’s free! They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so kick the cigarettes, pick up the running shoes, brush those teeth, pass on the Mickey D’s, and search for the greens. You’ll thank yourself! Not only will you be healthier, but your food bill will better too. I dare you to go completely vegan for 3 days a week. The difference will astound you!
That’s all for now Signing Off the Conservative Pagan
