Earn, Save, and Live Joyfully.
As many of my long time readers know I was quite sick a few years ago. I went to the doctor four times in the course of two weeks, but she failed to diagnose me. She blew off my case, because I was young, (27 at the time), fit, and didn’t look ill. I went … Read more
Did you do anything special to celebrate your first mother’s day? My little one was born last October and this holiday has suddenly taken on a whole new meaning for me. I don’t want to spend a lot of money or buy anything unnecessary, but I would like to find a special way to celebrate … Read more
The Newlyweds on a Budget 10 pound challenge ends in four weeks. Thanks to the contest I’ve been fairly focused on my goal of losing weight from my recent pregnancy. I cut back on soda, (something I never drank while pregnant but really craved after my son was born), and started taking daily walks uphill while … Read more
I found another silver lining in my company’s decision to lay me off. I’ll actually get a few hundred free dollars from my FSA account. My FSA account is pre-funded so I am able to spend the entire amount at any point in time throughout the year. I have roughly $1,000 remaining in my account, … Read more
A quick search on the website of my health insurance provider estimated the costs of a vaginal hospital birth at $13,193. The average cost for a cesarean delivery is listed as $18,308. That’s actually a lot less than I would have predicted, but a lot more than I’d like to pay. Now that I’ve picked … Read more
This is the first year that I’ve ever signed up for an FSA (Flexible Savings Account) through my employer. The FSA is a use it or lose it type of account, so at the beginning of the year I have to determine how much money to set aside for medical expenses and hope by the … Read more
Since the winter of 2006 I’ve kept precise records of all medical expenses. Every time I come home from the primary doctor, massage therapist, acupuncturist or specialist I create a digital copy of the bill, (using my scanner), and record the date, cost and a brief description of the service performed. Last night I tallied … Read more
I came this afternoon to find my poor little kitty walking around with one leg stuck straight out behind him. I gave him extra attention and kept a watchful eye on him for an hour and a half or so, but his poor back paw didn’t seem to get any better. He was happy and … Read more
Some weeks I just seem to spend more money than others and this week was certainly pricey. I decided to visit my acupuncturist on Tuesday after a year and a half hiatus. Thankfully my pain is tolerable on most days and my overall health is the best it’s been in the last three years, but … Read more
Four years ago on this very day I landed in the emergency room with a very large pulmonary embolism. I hadn’t felt right for nearly two weeks. I visited the doctor on three occasions in less than ten days, but the doctor failed to diagnose my condition. Each time she sent me home and reassured … Read more