Frugal Parenting
(featured column)
10 Practical Tips to Save Money on Medical Expenses
by
Rachel Keller
Good health–we
all crave it. No one enjoys being sick, not to mention the lost money from
missed days of work, expensive doctor visits, and costly prescriptions and
medicines. More...
It
is easy to get a thousand prescriptions but hard to get one single remedy. -
Chinese Proverb
Adopting a healthy lifestyle and making wise decisions can help prevent illness.
Although you may not be able to avoid all illnesses, you can certainly improve
your health while saving on medical expenses by following these tips. Most of
these suggestions are common sense, but reminders (especially for children) are
always helpful.
1. Eat healthy
Just like your car, your body needs proper fuel to operate efficiently. Feed
your body whole grains and healthy fruits and vegetables. You will have more
energy and better health than if you eat junk food and refined sugars and
grains.
2. Hydrate
As much as possible, eliminate sodas, fruit drinks, and other high-sugar
beverages. The extra sugar adds calories while doing nothing to aid your immune
system. Instead, drink plenty of cool refreshing water. (See How
to Become Healthier and Save Money on Your Food Budget to read more about
the effects of soda and for ideas on drinking more water.)
3. Rest
Your body needs time to recuperate to fight off those sick germs. Neglect
rest, and your body may get sick, thus forcing you to rest.
4. Get moving
Exercise helps you burn those extra calories and boost your immune system.
For maximum results, exercise several times a week. Even if you're busy, look
for ways to "sneak" in some extra movement ( e.g., take the stairs
instead of the elevator, park farther away from a store, etc.). [Our family fits
fitness in to our busy schedule while saving
thousands every year on gas and vehicle expenses.]
5. Practice cleanliness
Avoid sicknesses by washing your hands carefully and often. This is
especially important with children who often forget to wash hands. Teach your
children to scrub their hands properly with soap and water.
When in a public bathroom, use a paper towel to turn off the faucet. (Hint:
Dispense paper towels before washing hands and then use that towel to dispense
more paper towels as needed.)
At home, clean door handles, faucets, light switches, phones, and other surfaces
that could harbor germs to prevent spread of sickness.
6. Keep hands away face
Teach your children not to put their hands near their mouth nor to rub their
eyes or nose with their hands. This is especially important when out in public.
Germs are everywhere (water faucets, door handles, light switches, etc). By
touching these items and then touching your mouth, eyes, or nose, you introduce
those sick germs into your bodies.
7. Practice common courtesies
Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing. Throw away the tissue
and wash your hands carefully with soap and water.
8. Seek advice before making appointments
Not all sicknesses necessitate a doctor's visit. Before scheduling an
appointment, call your doctor's office and ask to speak to a nurse or doctor if
you are uncertain. This can save you time and money.
9. Use caution at doctors' offices
Practice common sense while at the doctor's office–especially during flu
season. Avoid touching door handles, magazines, toys, etc. Always wash your
hands and your children's hands during and after a visit to the doctor's office.
You don't want to take any sick germs home.
10. Reduce prescription and medical costs
If you must have a prescription, ask about free samples or purchase a
generic brand which costs less and is usually just as effective. On some
prescriptions, you may be able to split the pills using a pill splitter; but
always check with your pharmacist and doctor to see if it's safe to do so.
Whenever possible, seek or ask for less expensive alternative treatments.
Consider some homemade remedies
as less expensive alternatives.
Germs abound everywhere. Following these suggestions may not eliminate sickness
from your family, but diligence may help you avoid extra missed days of work and
costly visits to a doctor's office.
Author's
note: I've been a mother of 5 children for over 14 years. Except for occasional
routine physicals, we've gone to the doctor for sick visits 5 times. (My
youngest child has never had a sick visit.) Only twice have any of my children
ever had antibiotics.
* * *
Copyright
© 2007 by Rachel Keller. All rights reserved.
Want more
money-saving tips? Get a FREE Subscription to our monthly
newsletter!
Related article you may also be interested in
reading: How to Save Money on Prescriptions
