Hi : )
The things that I've gone without and found that I don't really need were small but they add up over time.
Sadly (sniff) I gradually gave up my orange tic-tacs that were so dear to me but at over a dollar a pack and rising along with gas ....somin had to give and it was the orange tic -tacs. Sure, I've had a relapse along the way and in a sweat downed a cartion in the parking lot with the justification that I bought the big box one that was on sale but it just isn't the same anymore and thus I don't but them as much and I save a little bling after awhile.
I don't go out anymore to get my haircut and I cut my own bangs. This longer hair has been difficult for me becuase of my gender issues but I hope that I like like one of the guys from the big hair bands in the 80's. I also color my hair at home but don't do that as much either. I will go to the local barber school for a ten dolla hair cut when it becomes really long. I also want to donate my hair for cancer wigs as I am a 4 year cancer survivor.
I will not give up Starbucks and I go more than some but less than others - I've made it my one fix like three times a month with different drinks. I like the mint chocolate chiip frappachino ..it's awesome but I don't go to fast food joints or get any drinks at other places. I stopped drinking alchohol six years ago and three bartenders couldn't make their Mustang payments anymore. I ran into two of the bartenders and they were like we miss you as one rode a bike and the other got into an old beater car or a hoopty.
Second hand clothes are just fine as they are mine once I walk out the store. I found that some thrift storesare actually mercandised nicer then some retail stores.
I actually started eatting more fruits and veggies becuase they are cheaper then packaged foods. The sugar withdrawl isn't a pretty sight : )
I take fosomax plus D and that is 40 dollars for 4 of them and that is with insurance. I take synthroid which is 16.00 with insurance but I'll ask the ladies at the Endos office for the samples. I take the prednisone which is 3 dollars with insurance. I see a GP which is 25.00 co-pay every 3 to 6 months and for the most part it's every 3 months. I see the Endo every six months with a 40 dollar co-pay and I see the cancer doctor now every six months with a 40 dollar co-pay, 8 bucks for the parking and gas to get down there. The add co-pays for lab work, yearly xrays and bone density tests. Plus the out of the blue stay in the hospital ..humm last time it was this throat virus that most people fight off. $$$$$$$$ these things must be paid then car insurance , rent, food. I was helped with assistance for 2 years and I'm the most graitful person for it. Not everyone can go to school for better jobs all at once and that is if those jobs are even there when you get out or you get hired then you are lucky because there are two that aren't. I've listened to a co worker who wasn't sure waht to do becuase here 18 year old was off the state kids program. This kid had asthma in a bad way and although we were lucky to get a job with insurance. The rub is that it cost to much verse what the paycheck was and never mind factoring the rising food and gas prices. ANd then comes the slow down at work and one gets more behind..
I wrote this post becuase I was hoping that something in my post might help someone else get through lean times with a little less stress. I found that some things were working for me and I wanted to share to pay it forward for those that were there for cranky me.
Question - does anyone use Sam's Club or Walmart for perscriptions?
Thank you all for reading and if you aren't poor then you might not get where I'm writng from hummmm I wasn't poor but rather po at the worst time for all this. These days are a a little better but I wanted to share tips that helped.
