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Like so many families with children this time of year (Winter/Spring Flu Season), I spend quite a bit of time at the pediatricians office. Most of the time it’s pretty routine: bring my sick kid into the doctor’s office; the doctor checks his lungs, eyes, ears, nose and throat; if there is sign of infection, she will prescribe an antibiotic(s) and then send us on our way.
On Wednesday, it was a pretty routine appointment: we left with two prescriptions- one for an ear infection and the other for bacterial conjunctivitis- aka “pink eye”. However, there was one thing different this time, the doctor gave us a coupon for the pink eye medication, telling us that the drug would cost no more than $20 dollars.
Here’s the coupon:
What happened next was a series of battles between the pediatricians office and our local Walgreens over that coupon. Turns out, the coupon wouldn’t process correctly and that “pink eye” medication (brand name called Moxeza) wasn’t covered by my insurance. And if I wanted it, the drug would cost me a whopping $147.00 out of pocket.
The pharmacist assured me that there were many alternatives suitable for treatment of children with “pink eye”. The simple solution to the problem would be a new prescription for a drug covered by my insurance.
I just logged onto Huffington Post and apparently, come this summer, we are all FUCKED! According to this scary article, the US will be radiated to hell and back before the Fall.
Now, not only does this news have me rethinking my request to my husband tonight to consider having just one more baby (the result of holding a 4 month old boy today at work), but I’m now also rethinking my decision to grow out my hair again. What’s the use? Odds are it will all fallout come August….
Dear Anonymous,
I got home last night from work to find your mail in our mail box. You obviously took the time to track down my husband to our home address, but unfortunately you didn’t leave a return address (or give your name). So hence, the blog post.
I want to thank you for the encouraging words. However, you should know that Jesus has loved Pete for 40+ years, even during his time in “Bad Religion”.
God Bless,
Pete’s Wife
When I saw the photo of Jessica Simpson in the red dress last week, I immediately thought day’um!! Simpson reminded me of ME when I was pregnant: MASSIVE, swollen and uncomfortable. Basically, she too is all tummy and boobies (yes, I said boobies).
And then I saw her Elle Magazine cover today. Yes, that Simpson looks NOTHING like the pregnant me. As I stare at this flawless photo, I’m thinking that all 8 month pregnant women MUST get hair extensions… it does a big belly wonders.
Second thought, it’s cheaper to invest in Adobe Photoshop.
It appears there is a new way that gas stations are gouging customers when they fill up. And I’m not talking about near record gas prices, but rather when you use your debit card to fill up at the pump.
Did you know that many gas stations are starting to charge a “hold” on your checking account to make sure you have the funds to cover the purchase?
This happened to my mom over the weekend near Seattle, Washington. Here is an email I received from her this morning:
“I got gas Saturday and when checking my bank account noticed a charge on hold for $126.00 along with the hold of $28.75 which was my purchase. I called my bank this morning and found out many gas stations are hold $100 to $126. from your account to assure you have the funds to cover your purchase. So I found out this hold will be on my account until Wednesday. This is three full working days.
You gotta watch this if you run your funds close to the wire in your account. They said one way to avoid this hold is to go inside the station to pay for it with your card. That is considered a point of service transaction so no hold. He said even Costco, Safeway and other store held pumps are doing this.
This really ticks me off. Think about it, if you filled up twice in a week or two cars you could have $250.00 on hold in your checking account. YIKES!”
I did some googling… and it appears this has happened to people across the country. Bottom line, if you use your debit card and you can’t afford to have your money “held up”, it’s probably best to go inside the station and pay.
****UPDATE FROM MY FRIEND AMY CLANCY WHO IS A CONSUMER INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER AT KIRO TV IN SEATTLE*********:
“Tara, this has actually been going on for years —- and we’ve covered it before. That’s why the gas station payment machine “asks” whether you’re using debit or credit. If you’re using debit —- they put a “hold” on it to cover the expense and more. With credit, they don’t. Annoying, huh? Another reason I very rarely use my debit card. In fact, I never use it for anything other than withdrawing cash.”
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