Ways To Be Joyful: Saving Money

This is another opportunity to share ideas that I’ve learned on how to be joyful.  Ways to be joyful is to save some money.  There are so many ways for us to spend money, but not often ways for us to know how to either make some money or save some money So, here are some things that I’d like to share that add to your joy and also may allow you to have a few extra dollars that you can use in other ways.  What are the things that help you to live more comfortably?  An deadbolt lock with an electric keypad.  This kind of lock can be installed on exterior or interior doors, closets, garages.  This device  allows you to enter your house or other space without ever remembering to have a key.  There are multiple codes you can program into the lock.  You can give that number to the keypad to someone else and they can get in and out of your home or into a room without a key.  Some of the keypad will open by recognizing your fingerprint.  You don’t have to remember a code or a key.  Just put your finger on the keypad and it will open.  I have found these locks for as low as $30 on Amazon or Walmart. I found the keypad became helpful when a family member in another city became ill.  I called the 911 for that city and gave the information needed in addition to the code to the door.

Many people may not think about using a folding walker or rollator.

Most people don’t want to think that they need a Walker but as we get older we tend to stumble and even if we stumble and we have a walker we tend not to become injured as badly.  Plus you have a seat so that when you get tired you can sit on that seat.  You can carry bags on the seat or on the handles. These types of walkers are foldable.  They can be used inside your home or outside.  it and and despite getting tired ohh were you aware that in most communities there are paratransit buses I took a trip to O’Hare airport in Chicago for round trip $6.50 you could not beat that that’s far cheaper than Uber or taxi cab and it will take you to the airport and that’s in most cities uh but it will also take you to your doctor’s appointments take you to the grocery store go to the movie theater you don’t have to be a certain age it’s basically whether or not you could stand up and wait on the corner for a bus this I find is even better than a handicapped parking areas because you’ll be taken right to the door and picked up right from the door most cities these programs call paratransit will require you to inform them a day ahead of your travel.  But, even in some places, there is a procedure that will allow you to travel the same day, and also get that very cheap cost of your ticket.  In Milwaukee,  it’s $4.00 for the travel one way.  You can travel to most locations throughout the city.  In Chicago, it will take you not only throughout Chicago but will connect you to some of the other counties, without paying an extra charge over the $3.25 that you pay for your ticket.  Now, that is better than Uber and it certainly helps you to save some money. I  received a free iPhone as a resident of Chicago.  Look up services for those that are hard of hearing.  Many of us as we age don’t hear well.  We are not deaf.  There is an  application that you complete.  A portion of the application must be completed by your health provider. I received the phone in the mail.  I take the phone to my cell phone carrier and they transfer this phone to my account.  I find the phone use more helpful with my vision.  I own an iPhone and I didn’t have to pay for it. Fid you know that if you need a little extra help at home with preparing meals, cleaning your kitchen, cleaning your bathroom, cleaning the spaces you use at home, a home health aide may be available to you.  Eligibility for this program may be related to your income. Simply, if you have a disability, you may be entitled to of certain number of days a week and a certain number of hours per month.  I get five days a week and 3 hours a day.

Instacart or Walmart will deliver.  I receive $216 a month through my health insurance provider.  I have Medicare part A&B and the one called Medicare part C or Medicare Advantage preferred provider organization (PPO).  I have access to healthcare throughout the entire country as long as it is an in-network.  Many people select an HMO plan, but such plans limit you to having a primary provider who is located in your city.  If you like to travel, you may receive services, but the health care is out-of- network.  Service may may be denied because it is not ordered by your assigned or selected primary provider.

Medication: I believe one of the best kept secrets is called the federally qualified health center (FQHC).  There are more than 2000 of these facilities throughout the United States.  Patients who receive care from an FQHC are subject to federal statutes that allow you to receive medication at a very reduced cost as long as you are a patient of that particular clinic.  You don’t have to transfer your care from your favorite providers.

You simply have an additional doctor provider.  If the FQHC provider prescribes the medications you receive (and most of the time they will do so, you get a medication at a very reduced cost.  I have a medication that costs me as much as $300 every three months.  I can get that same medication for as low as $4.00.  That’s money I can put in my pocket and use elsewhere. There are some free clinics.  I’m the medical director of  a free clinic.  You can go to a free clinic with insurance but you may pay based upon your income.  You may have insurance that has a high deductible and a high copay for any of your medications.  The free clinic can dispense medicines to you without cost.  They do not offer all of the medications.  But, they have a lot of the basic ones.  Let’s say you do use a medication with a really high copay.  I have one medication with a $600 copay.  Many of the pharmaceutical companies make their medications available to persons who may simply have a high copay and wouldn’t be able to have access to that particular medication.  I applied to the companies patient assistance program (PAP).  I am sent that medication free of charge.  An application is required that I complete part and your provider completes part of the application.  If approved, the medication is sent to your provider.  You pick up the medication from your provider.

I’m available to answer your questions.  You have my contact information. If you’ve got a question about anything in my articles, give me a call. Leave me a text.  Send me an e-mail.  I will get back to you on ways to save some money, stay safe, and be joyful. I will continue to look for ideas that help you to be well and joyful. Until next time, The Joyful Doctor.