A Penny Saved…

I get excited over a good deal, I just can’t help it!

 

* * * RETRO POST * * *
9/17/07

While shopping at our local Jewel Osco the other day I noticed they had an unadvertised sale – Buy One Get One Free on Quaker Simple Harvest, a new kind of hot multigrain cereal. I decided to give it a whirl since I’m supposed to be watching my cholesterol. And just how many 20-somethings do you know that has to do that I ask you??? Let me tell ya, it can be a pain finding good (read: tasty) food that helps reduce your cholesterol levels and I’ve just found my new favorite!! Quaker Simple Harvest comes in three flavors: Apple Cinnamon (not tested yet), Vanilla Almonds & Honey (YUM!) and Maple Brown Sugar with Pecans (YUM!)

 Wait…it gets better!

 Since I liked the hot cereal so much I decided to see if there were any online coupons. I did a google search and found a listing on eBay. $0.90 plus $0.41 shipping for nine $1.00 off coupons. SO…one of those for each box of BOGO = even more savings!!! All in all I got 6 boxes for a whopping $8.07!!! And if you break it down even further, $0.17 per serving!! (Or $0.20 when you factor in the cost of the coupons.)

Yes, apparently I am one of those crazy nuts who gets all psyched over saving a few bucks at the grocery store. Oh well. Simple pleasures, right?

Treat Your Pets Well & Save Money

As I was dealing with Putter’s poor ears I realized it was time for me to get more meds for the dogs to keep them safe from fleas and heartworm. Sound expensive? You bet. Now take that times three dogs!

Being the cheapskate frugal person that I am, I’m always looking for a way to save a few bucks where I can. So I’m happy I was able to treat Putter’s ears with inexpensive household products. But, that’s not so much the case with flea and heartworm medications.

To save on those things I started using 1800petmeds.com. You do have to have a prescription from your vet to get the medications but 1800petmeds will contact your vet and get the info for you. I’ve found that my vets aren’t big fans of you buying those products from someone other than them. They tell me the products do not have the same guaranty which may be true, but I’ve not had any issues.

I’ve learned of another way to help save A LOT on the flea meds. Typically, you buy boxes that have 3, 6, or 12 of the above little applicators based on the weight of your dog. Each container has a pre-measured amount of medicine. Usually you break the top of the container off and apply the full amount to your dog. If you do the math you will see you are paying A LOT more per ml for a smaller dog. You can save by buying the larger containers (intended for bigger dogs) and carefully dividing it into smaller doses.

Since you can buy Frontline and similar products without a prescription, something else I have done is buy a flea medicine “kit” from ebay. The kits come with the medicine, a glass vial, and a plastic syringe as shown above.

The idea is that you buy the medicine in a higher dosage, empty the solution into a glass vial, and divide it up amongst your pets using a plastic syringe. This is WAY less expensive than buying multiple applications separately. But, also very likely be frowned upon by some (including vets) because you’re increasing the risk of giving them too much medicine. But, if you’re careful you will do just fine.

Here’s the dosage from the 1800petmeds website:

Pet	Weight	Dosage
Dogs/Puppies: (8 weeks of age or older)	Up to 22 lbs	Apply contents of 1 applicator once a month (0.67 ml)
	23-44 lbs	Apply contents of 1 applicator once a month (1.34 ml)
	45-88 lbs	Apply contents of 1 applicator once a month (2.68 ml)
	89-132 lbs	Apply contents of 1 applicator once a month (4.02 ml)
Cats/Kittens: (8 weeks of age or older)	All weights	Apply contents of 1 applicator once a month (0.5 ml)

And the math behind it based on my three dogs:

TYPICAL PURCHASE

• Putter – dosage for 1-22 lbs = 0.67ml = $45.99 for 3 months ($15.66 per 0.67ml dose/month)
• Tiger - dosage for 1-22 lbs = 0.67ml = $45.99 for 3 months ($15.66 per 0.67ml dose/month)
• Max - dosage for 23-44 lbs = 1.34ml = $46.99 for 3 months ($7.83 per 0.67 ml dose, but Max needs TWO 0.67 ml doses)

Total = $138.97 for 3 months for all three dogs, or $46.32 per month.

SAVE A LITTLE

Buy the 23-44 lbs package, which is 1.34ml, divide it by two = 0.67ml and you have two doses for 1-22 lb pets. $46.99 for 3 months which will treat my two smaller dogs for 3 months. So, one pack for them and one for Max is $93.98, saving me $44.99. This option would cost $31.32 per month.

SAVE A LOT

Buy the largest dosage for 89-132lbs (which equates to $4.31 per 0.67 ml dose) and divide that up amongst all three dogs for a total of $17.24 per month.

SAVE THE MOST

If you’re not afraid of buying on ebay you can save even more on your meds, just make sure it’s a reputable seller. I bought 6 month supply for 45-88 lbs for $51.99, add $2 for shipping/insurance for total of $53.99. This is 24 applications of 0.67ml, which is $9.00 per month for all three dogs – saving me $37.32 per month from the typical purchase!

I love my boys and while I will cut corners and attempt to save money where possible I refuse to switch to lower quality food or skip medicines to save a few bucks. I want them to be as healthy as possible and besides, a sick dog can cost way more than just paying to take good care of them in the first place.

What do you do to cut costs on pet care?

It’s That Time of Year Again

I recently attended a tax seminar presented by my good friend, Kim who is a CPA. I thought you may be interested in some of the notes I took on ways to help reduce your tax liability and make the most of your money.

Please note that I am not a financial advisor and although I believe I take good notes, ask your accountant if you have any interest in or questions regarding these items or other tax matters.

2008 Tax Matters

• Those under 50 years of age have until April 15th to contribute up to $5,000 to IRA accounts; those over 50 years old can contribute $6,000.
• Roth IRAs are NOT tax deductible (they are funded with after-tax money and withdrawals are not taxed)
• There is a First Time Homebuyer “credit” for 2008 if you purchased a home after April 9,2008; there are pros and cons to this program. It is actually more like an interest free loan amortized over 15 years ($500/yr). So if you are not a good saver, or plan to move before 15 years this may not be a good idea for you. If you move before the “loan/credit” is paid back you will owe the difference. Also, if you have any overdue government debt (child support, student loans, etc.) that credit will go straight to that debt and you will be liable for the repayment should you move.
• Students attending Iowa schools in the flood disaster zone last year may be eligible for double credit towards the Hope or Lifetime Learning program.
• If you housed a displaced flood victim or had mileage to assist in flood efforts you may be eligible for more deductions
• If you added energy efficient items to your home – geothermal energy, solar panels, energy efficient windows, doors, air conditioner, furnace, or insulation you may be eligible for up to $500 in credit. (Be sure to ask your accountant about the limits before you buy new items!)
• Mileage rates have changed:
  • $0.505 until June 30th
  • $0.585 July 1 to December 31st
  • $0.550 January 1
• If you incurred business related expenses not reimbursed by your employer you may be eligible for deductions (uniforms, union dues, tools, etc.) Ask about limitations

Ways to Reduce Your Tax Liability in 2009

• Contribute to your 401(k) at work if you have one – at the VERY LEAST contribute whatever your company will match. It’s free money people. There is no excuse. Plus, it will reduce your tax liability now when you are likely in a higher bracket than you will be upon retirement. It will also reduce your federal taxes so you may not see that much difference in your take home pay.
• If you have a Flexible Spending Account use it! But be wise in budgeting…it’s a use it or lose it type of account. If you find that you have a lot of money left in it at the end of the year check the website as you can buy all kinds of reimbursable items (medications, supplements, etc.) to use the money.
• Dependent Care Benefit – the maximum is $5,000 per couple and it is not taxed. Check with your accountant as you may be better off taking the dependent care credit.

I learned a few things and I hope you did too!