Welcome to Friday DINKS…another work week is over and soon it will be time for our weekend to start. With the recent passing of Thanksgiving and other holidays quickly approaching, today we are discussing how to save on food and gifts during this holiday season.
Do you splurge during the holidays or do you still try to save and live financially responsible?
While we are on subject of unnecessary spending, and on a subject totally not related to the holidays, I recently got my flu shot and it cost me $100 for both Nick and I to get our flu shots. I should also mention that this expense is NOT covered by our private health insurance. I am just wondering if any of you DINKS got your flu shot this year and how much it costs to get a flu shot in the USA. I know that I shouldn’t complain about health care. I also know that spending $100 on 2 flu shots is better than losing 4 days of pay while I am sick at home with the flu.
I know this isn’t related to the holidays, and I know that it’s not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but it still really bothered me that I paid $100 for 2 flu shots. If the H1N1 virus was such a huge worldwide health pandemic, then I think that flu shots should be free for everyone. Thanks for listening (I mean reading).
Back onto the topic of saving during the holidays, I know that we all have a lot of expenses during the holidays. Here are some tips on how to save money during the holidays:
Brooklyn Bitches on a Budget offers delicious side dishes for discount prices.
Out of Debt Again discusses how a dehydrator can save money on food during the holidays as well as all year round.
The Girl with the Red Balloon discusses how to save on homemade Christmas gifts.
E-cards are another great way to save time and money during the holidays. Yes, I know it’s a little bit impersonal; but it saves money on cards and stamps. It also saves a lot of time.
Here in Mexico we got this kind of shots for free, well not exactly free, but they are covered by the public medical insurance that as employees we are forced to pay to the government. In fact if your company request it a team of nurses goes directly there and apply the shots to every employee interested and also their families, in my job HR organice that. But also I have to say that you have to be on alert if you want to get you “free” shot because most of the time they are limited.
My work offered it to myself and family for free on a pre-scheduled day (really nice). My husband came in for it. Normally would have cost around 30$ per person at drugstores in area (Illinois).
I’m shocked at that price! My husband and I both got them free at our workplaces. Plus, our local hospital has a few clinic days where they offer them free to anyone (nothing to do with insurance). If not free, they are about $25 apiece at the local pharmacies, and you usually get some coupon to lure you to THEIR store (i.e. 10% off your next purchase).
I have to say that it is a little surprising to hear that you paid $100 for two people to receive flu shots. Around Wisconsin, the pharmacies are generally charging between $20 and $25. However, my wife got hers for free through work, and I refuse to get a flu shot. Yes, I understand that flu shots can help lower your risk for catching the flu, but I feel ill every time that I get the shot. I guess that I can save my $25.
In Canada flu shots this year combine the H1N1 shot with the regular flu shot and they have to be given by a Doctor. I am sad to say that I have developed a horrible allergic reaction to the flu shot. My upper right arm is swolen and all red! It’s actually kind of itchy too!