Think of it as a birthday with benefits. You turn 65 and you are finally eligible for Medicare. Signing up can be a breeze – under the right circumstances. Or it can be a confusing hassle.Lori McGinnis, a counselor with SHIP (State Health Insurance Programs), a federally funded program that … [Read more...] about How and when to sign up for Medicare
Health & Beauty
How to get a free breast pump through insurance
If you’re pregnant or a new nursing mother, you know that you’re going to either need a breast pump or will have to switch to formula feeding if you are going to go back to work or spend more than a few hours apart from your baby. While breast pumps can range from $25 for a manual pump to $300 or … [Read more...] about How to get a free breast pump through insurance
When medical bills go bad: Fixing costly insurance errors
Each year, the American Medical Association issues its health insurer report card, which reports on the costs and efficiency of health care billing. In 2013, they found that commercial health insurers made mistakes on 7.1% of submitted claims and denied coverage on another 1.8%. The numbers have … [Read more...] about When medical bills go bad: Fixing costly insurance errors
Find the best deal on $4 generic drugs
Many prescriptions go unfilled because people can’t afford to pay for them. But those prescriptions may be more affordable than you think. In recent years, major discount stores, and also some grocers, have started generic drug programs that will allow you to buy a 30-day supply of commonly used … [Read more...] about Find the best deal on $4 generic drugs
How to make your own toothpaste
Toothpaste varieties take up a large percentage of shelf space in the supermarket. A 2010 study predicted that the toothpaste market will reach more than $12 billion by 2015.Toothpastes come in packages of every color. There are ones that cater to kids; striped toothpastes; minty, cinnamon or … [Read more...] about How to make your own toothpaste
7 questions you didn’t know you could ask your pharmacist
Pharmacists do a lot more than count pills and pack them into a bottle. “Think of us as air traffic controllers and customers as airplanes in flight,” says Heather Free, a practicing pharmacist in Washington, D.C., and a spokeswoman for the American Pharmacists Association. “We want to prevent … [Read more...] about 7 questions you didn’t know you could ask your pharmacist
Best gifts under $25 for fitness buffs
Give the gift of health and wellness to friends or family members who are into fitness and biking, or would like to be more active. These gifts are affordable cover a variety of activities. As a fitness enthusiast myself, I already own these items or would buy them self (or have them on … [Read more...] about Best gifts under $25 for fitness buffs
How to get a $500 haircut for $20 — or less
I love high-end haircuts by skilled stylists and outstanding color by equally skilled colorists, but alas, I only have the budget for cut-rate services. Problem solved. I get my hair services at some of New York's top salons -- but the services are performed by apprentices, who are all graduates of … [Read more...] about How to get a $500 haircut for $20 — or less








