HealthyLife Articles

Category: Financial Health

Save On Prescriptions

FINANCIAL HEALTH

Whether you have insurance or not, the cost of filling prescriptions can be high. Here are some ways to save big on the medicine you need.

Go generic

Ask your doctor if there is a cheaper generic option they can prescribe.

Talk to your insurance

Some insurance companies have options to make your medicine cheaper, such as direct buying programs.

Get a 90-day supply

Often it’s cheaper to get more at once than to refill a prescription multiple times.

Apply for assistance

Check with state and local governments to see if you qualify for financial assistance with prescriptions.

Compare prices

Call around to different pharmacies to find which one is the cheapest for your specific medicines.

Ask for a higher dose

Ask your doctor if they can prescribe a higher dose and let you cut the pills. Not all pills can be cut, but if it’s possible, it can save you money.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
If Money Grew On Trees

Financial Health

But, it doesn’t, so build a budget! Use a plan to manage your money and stay out of debt.

* Identify your life goals and financial priorities.

* List all sources of income.

* Keep a log of everything you spend.

* Use a software program or a free app, such as one fromintuit.com.

* Include a savings plan in your budget, such as through your company’s 401K and a direct deposit into a savings account.

* Pay credit card balances in full. If you can’t do this, make more than the minimum payment.

* Pay down credit card debt. Start with the card that has the lowest balance.

* Don’t be late making payments.

* Don’t use credit cards for cash advances.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Shopping Around For Contact Lenses

FINANCIAL HEALTH

Many people wear contact lenses. But you don’t have to buy your contacts from your eye care provider. You can choose to get your contacts prescription from your provider and then shop around for lenses.

Get an eye exam

Before you go shopping for lenses, make sure your eyes are healthy. See your eye care provider regularly. Your provider might be an optometrist or ophthalmologist, depending on your needs.

During your visit, your provider will check your eyes and determine your contact lens prescription.

Getting your prescription

Your eye care prescriber can give you your prescription after your exam. Your provider cannot charge you for your prescription. You may have to pay for the eye exam and contact lens fitting.

What should my prescription include?

Your contact lens prescription must include:

* Your name

* Date of your eye exam

* Date of prescription

* Doctor’s name, mailing address, phone number and fax number

* Power, material, and/or manufacturer of the prescribed lens

* Base curve of the lens

* Diameter of the lens, when needed

Source: Federal Trade Commission

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Make Thrifty Count

Financial Health

Building personal wealth starts with making wise financial decisions. Be strategic about where you save money, so it is sustainable. Make it fun and economical, such as cooking a gourmet meal at home with your family and then turning off the lights to have a “candlelit” dinner. Or, get an annual state or national park pass and plan outdoor weekend adventures with your family, saving money while also making memories!

Be More Earth-Friendly

Many products we use regularly consume more energy than is needed. Choose energy-efficient products, such as ENERGY STAR certified LED light bulbs, which use up to 90% less energy than standard bulbs and last 15 times longer.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Should You Join A Mlm?

FINANCIAL HEALTH

Multi-level marketing companies, or MLMs, are companies that sell their products or services through person-to-person sales.

People who join MLMs can make money by:

* Selling the product or service to friends, family and other customers.

* Earning more money if you get someone else to sign up as a representative or distributor for the company.

Many people try MLMs as a side business to make extra money. Unfortunately, many people who join MLMs make very little money. They may even lose money. Be wary of promises to “get rich fast” or make huge amounts of money from MLMs.

If you are thinking about it, ask yourself:

1. Do I want to be a salesperson? People in MLMs have to sell their product or service. They have to ask people they know to invest time or money in their product. They may also ask others to join and become a salesperson too. If this makes you feel uncomfortable, it’s probably not for you.

2. Do you have a sales plan? Think about whether you know enough people who will buy this product from you. They will need to buy from you over and over again if you want to make long-term money.

3. Think about the product and how easy it is to sell. Can people get a similar product in a store by spending less money?

4. How much money do you want to earn? Is this amount possible with the number of people who may buy it?

5. Do you have money and time to invest? Usually, you spend money to get product samples or equipment. Do you also have time to spend selling to people at parties or meetings? Are there training events that require travel? What about website fees?

Finally, be careful about using a credit card to pay for your start-up expenses or other costs. This could backfire if you have to pay high interest rates and can’t pay it off right away.

It’s your money and your life. Don’t let big promises or convincing marketing try to talk you into an MLM if you’re not sure about it.

Source: Federal Trade Commission

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Mend Your Spending

Financial Health

Use your money wisely.

You have probably asked or heard the question, “Do you really need that?” It is a good question to ask when you are thinking of making a purchase. Buying on impulse can be a big budget buster. Getting by with less is a budget saver.

Use credit cards wisely:

* Keep cards to a minimum.

* Pay your bill on time to avoid a late payment fee and a higher “penalty” interest rate. Stay below your credit limit.

* Pay the balance in full. If you can’t, make more than the minimum payment.

* Try to avoid getting cash advances, which have very high interest rates.

* Ask for a lower interest rate on credit cards you currently have.

Trim costs for tech services:

* Choose a cellphone plan that avoids hefty fees for extra minutes and texts. Consider dropping your landline phone or just using it for basic services.

* Shop around for best prices and services for Internet, phone, and cable. Bundle services if this saves money. Contact your current provider and ask if it will match a competitor’s lower price.

* Evaluate your use of cable, especially premium channels. Check out cheaper ways to get movies and programs, such as through your local library, Netflix for movies, and Hulu for TV.

Other savings tips:

* Refinance your mortgage if you can lower the interest rate enough to make it worth your while. Use the extra money for other bills or to apply to the principal to pay your mortgage off sooner.

* Shop for items, even cars, online. Compare prices.

* Take advantage of employer sponsored programs and services. Examples are matching your 401(k) contributions and flexible spending accounts (FSAs), which allow you to use pre-tax dollars to pay for medical and child care expenses.

* Clip and download coupons for free, as well as reduced prices on groceries, restaurant meals, retail items, and home improvement services. Send in rebates that come with products you buy.

* Eat out less. Take your lunch to work.

Action Step

Have fun at little or no cost. Attend free community events, such as concerts and picnics. See movies at discount theaters or swap DVDs with family and friends. Go for hikes and bike rides as a family.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Be Smart About Credit Card Offers

FINANCIAL HEALTH

Offers in the mail

Credit card companies, auto loan companies and other lenders can get a list of names for their credit card offers. They get information from credit reporting agencies about people who have a minimum credit score. Then, they use that list to send out offers for a new card.

Saying “no” to mail offers

If you are receiving credit card offers in the mail and don’t want them, there are two things you can do.

You can opt out of credit card offers for five years. Call 1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688) or visitoptoutprescreen.com. To opt out forever, you must download and mail a signed paper form. You can get the form on the opt-out website.

Beware – the opt-out feature only works for certain credit card offers, though. Companies may get your name if they have done business with you before. They may also get your name from other sources that aren’t connected to the credit reporting agencies, such as memberships or subscriptions.

Why is my child getting a credit card offer?

Sometimes, a person under 21 years of age gets a credit card offer in the mail. This may happen if the company purchased a list of names and didn’t know that the person was not an adult. But, credit card companies cannot intentionally send their offers to people under 21 years old without permission.

Phone calls

Like mail offers, credit card companies can get your name from credit agencies and call you with an offer. You can register your number with the National Do Not Call Registry to stop these calls. Visitwww.donotcall.govor call 1-888-382-1222 to put your phone number on the do not call list.

What is a prescreened credit card offer?

Credit card companies can find out if you have a certain credit score. Then, they can offer you a credit card based on that information. This is known as a prescreened offer because they already have some information about your credit. It is not a guarantee that you will get the card. You still have to apply for it and be approved.

Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Tips For A Healthy Budget

FINANCIAL HEALTH

Not sure where to start with a budget? It doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some tips.

Add up your monthly income.

Look at paystubs or your bank deposits from your job for one month. Include other income, like child support payments, if you have them.

Cut back where you can.

Put a limit on coffee stops or meals out. Too much online shopping? Give yourself a 48-hour waiting period before you buy.

Add up your expenses.

Think about bills you pay each month, such as mortgage, rent, utilities and car payment. Look at credit card bills or bank withdrawals. This tells you how much you’re spending.

Divide into optional and essential.

On a piece of paper or computer, divide your expenses into two columns: optional and essential. When needed, cut expenses from your optional column.

Source: Federal Trade Commission

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Protect Yourself From Identity Theft

Financial Health

Manage and minimize misuse of your personal information

Consumers lose billions of dollars every year to crooks who steal their identity and money through fraud. Avoid becoming a victim.

Keep your personal information safe and secure:

* Put your Social Security card, Medicare card, military ID, and passport in a secure place, unless you need to use them. Memorize your social security number (SSN). Lock your purse or wallet in a safe place at work. Or carry your wallet with you.

* Shred or cut up bank statements, checks, credit card applications, expired charge cards, medical and insurance forms, and prescription labels you no longer need before throwing them away. Otherwise, keep them locked up. You can opt out of credit card offers received in the mail atwww.optoutprescreen.comor by calling (888) 567-8688.

* Use passwords and PIN numbers to protect your credit card and bank accounts, your smartphone, and all computer devices. Choose passwords with upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols. Nix using common items like your house numbers, phone number, and last four digits of your SSN.

* Install and regularly update anti-virus and anti-spyware on your smartphone and computer devices.

* Use only secure sites online when you need to give financial or personal information. These have Web addresses with “https” or “shttp” or show a lock symbol.

* When you are away, have someone you trust pick up your mail or have the post office hold it for you.

Avoid scams:

* Do not give your social security number or bank account numbers to persons in emails or on the phone.

* Don’t wire money to strangers, to sellers who insist on wire transfers for payment, or to anyone who claims to be a relative or family friend in an emergency who wants to keep the request a secret.

* Check your credit card, medical bill, and bank statements when you receive them in the mail or online. Report charges you did not make to the company right away.

* To help avoid ATM theft, use machines inside banks and ones you are familiar with. Don’t use machines that have extra items, even brochure holders, that could be cameras or that say they are “card cleaners.”

Action Step

Request a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months from three nationwide consumer reporting companies – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Call (877) 322-8228. Check the reports for accuracy.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Collecting Unclaimed Funds

FINANCIAL HEALTH

Could you have money waiting for you? Learn about unclaimed money or property from bank accounts, tax refunds, insurance policies or wages and pensions.

You can find your unclaimed money for free. Here’s how:

* Search in every state where you have lived. Look up each state’s unclaimed property office. You can also try contacting the state treasurer’s office.

* Search the FDIC database. If your bank or credit union closed, you could have unclaimed deposits. You can also check out the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) atwww.ncua.gov/support-services.

* Current or former VA life insurance holders can check for unclaimed life insurance funds. Go toinsurance.va.gov/UnclaimedFunds.

* Look for tax refunds from an FHA-insured mortgage. If you earned income but your wages were below the tax filing requirement, you might have a refund waiting. Go toirs.gov/refunds to check. If you bought mortgage insurance from the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), you might have a refund. Go toentp.hud.gov/dsrs/refunds.

* Do you have unclaimed back wages or pension money from a past employer? Go to the Workers Owed Wages (WOW) website atwebapps.dol.gov/wow. You can also check the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation atpbgc.gov.

Notice that these websites include “gov.” They don’t have a “com” or “org.” The “gov” means it’s an official U.S. Government website. You should never have to pay any money to find or claim your unclaimed money. It’s FREE. Watch out for scammers and people who want to charge you for this service.

Source: usa.gov

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026