Value-Added Service

The thing about being cheap is, well, it’s cheap.  Thrifty — now there’s a great term.  But the best way I can feel that I’m getting a deal, is to find that value-added service that makes me say, “Boy, am I glad I came here.”  I found such a service recently.

Preface: I have not had good experiences with health care providers here in Omaha.  I’ve found that mostly, the office staff do not care for their jobs, apparently.  Either that, or their jobs do not really, truly incorporate customer/patient service.  Especially true with dental offices.  That’s my experience, I’m sorry to say.

Recently I had to make dental appointments for myself and my sons, and for a variety of reasons, I decided to take the opportunity to switch dentists.  The new dental plan has a nifty doctor-finder, which I used, and I found one closeby, with Saturday hours, who could see us within a reasonable time frame.  Dr. Straub, Whispering Ridge Dental, in front of the HyVee at 156/Maple.

Dr. Straub answers his own phone, first of all, which impresses me, and he makes the reminder calls.  I appreciate a provider who does what needs to be done.  While he does have minimal staff, he is not to “above” knowing how to file an insurance claim, and even doing it.

His x-rays are digital.  Very cool.  No harmful chemicals poured into the environment, no waiting endlessly, and no blurry images that can’t be retaken.  You moved!  Delete it and do it again.  Five whole seconds.

I have also been enduring the age-old struggle with my sons regarding brushing, flossing, and understanding why.  Dr. Straub was not afraid to lay it on the line with my kids: you can brush with toothpaste and floss now, or I can use a drill later, it’s up to you.  THANK YOU!  Finally, a straight-talking doc who will strongly reinforce our efforts with our kids.  No cow-towing, no pacifying, no sugar-coating (pardon the pun).  Okay, so Dr. Straub is from Jersey, and they’re pretty direct there.  I appreciate a provider who will recognize the dynamics and professionally address my sons’ needs (not wishes).

I hadn’t had a cavity in 21 years.  Until a few weeks ago.  I was having discomfort.  He found four.  Then his assistant took pics with a nifty lipstick camera, and they appeared on the TV installed to relax the patients.  How cool is that?!  I could actually see what needed to be filled, and why, instead of blindly trusting that work needed to be done.  I appreciate a provider who understands that I want to know what’s going on and participate in my own health care.

“Do it,” I said.  “But first check my insurance.” 

“You’re covered,” he said.  “Your cost for everything will be $XX.  We already checked your insurance when you got here, and even have this coverage chart (waving it) in your file.”  I appreciate a provider who understands that cost is a factor, and that I haven’t memorized the 86-page policy that Human Resources provided five months ago.

Value-added!  Even if we just had the semi-annual cleaning and checkup at no cost to us, there was value added to the experience.  Plus, he’s pretty funny, so there’s that, which my kids really liked.  And if they like the dentist, we’re in really good shape.

P.S. — I was having trouble with one filling.  Ba-da-bing!  The doc smoothed it out and made it right without issue.  He even offered to see me immediately (which unfortunately wasn’t an option).  Excellent.

The Low Cost of Weight Loss

YAY!  I’m down nearly 20 pounds since Election Day!  In the aftermath of the electoral process, following a good look in the mirror, I stepped on the scale.  Well, if I couldn’t control the economy, I reasoned, I could at least control my own weight.  Something had to be done.

I joined my local Curves for Women last June, during the “30 days for $30″ fitness study.  I lost 4 pounds, then gained it back during a particularly stressful autumn.  (That’s my excuse, and I’m sticking to it.)  The monthly withdrawal from my account is around $36,  or about $1.20 per day.  Shocking!  “Couldn’t you just walk in your neighborhood for fitness?” you ask.  “Surely there must be less costly workouts.” 

Nah, not for me.  I realized that when I use (really work) the hydraulic circuit machines properly, there’s nothing better for me.  I enjoy walking, but not on my area’s crooked  sidewalks, and not with the weight loss success I’ve found now.  Sure, I bought a bike, helmet and lock a few years ago, but haven’t used them much.  And while the males in the family like for Mom to tag along on hikes and geocaches, it’s not a regular, total workout.

See, the value of something is different than its cost.  I get more in 30 minutes in a room full of other sweaty huffy-puffy women than in an hour and a half hiking dusty hills in the middle of summer with my three stinky guys.  In addition to my own personal workout, I’ve received advice on parenting from a professional, warnings on OTC meds from a pharmacist, and spiritual support from the pastor’s wife.  Plus, I’m two pants sizes smaller already, thank you very much.

I won’t rationalize the daily $1.20 by saying I’ll save that much off my food bill, or that it’s so close I’ll save that much in gas somehow.  Heck, I could eat $1.20 worth of celery sticks and fat free ranch dressing while sitting on my butt watching “The Biggest Loser.”  No, this is $1.20 that I choose to spend on my health and well-being, in a way that I know works best for me.  Twenty pounds is quite an accomplishment for this old gal.  And worth $1.20 each day.

This process has brought a new dimension to my lifestyle.  My eating patterns are different; my family’s eating patterns are the same, just a little healthier.  I’m up and at ‘em earlier in the day — my location opens at 6 a.m., and I’m there shortly after that, usually, these days.  It used to take me two hours and four cups of coffee to wake up; now it’s about half an hour of news and weather with one cup now, and one or two more cups doing chores later on.  I don’t crash in front of the TV at 7:30 p.m. anymore, and I’m crossing off my to-do lists more quickly.  It’s a bargain for me.

Fitness membership: $1.20/day.  Reduction in grocery budget: $10/week.  Five inches off my thighs: priceless.

Thrillsville Jackpot!

I still have room in my freezer, which I’m hoping to remedy during the rest of this National Frozen Food Month.  I’m only seeking super-duper bargains, like the .99 cheese, .77 vegs and such.  And, of course, I’m cooking up bargain meals and sides and stashing them in the icy realm.

Yesterday I was just going into the store I don’t like to see if #2’s OTC meds were on sale (sometimes -50%). But nnnooooooo!  Freezer-filling deals were screaming at me, instead.

There, under a beaming ray of light, were 1# chubs of quick-sale ground beef for .99!  Tons of ‘em! I got 20 and even left some in the case!  A Mr. Nosey-Nose was almost reaching in my cart, so as politely as I could, I directed him to said deal.  Now, this isn’t super-lean beef by any means, but today I browned some up, drained it and rinsed it really well for a dish (stuffed green peppers for the freezer).  They might not be the best for burgers, but for crumbles, I can’t imagine a better deal.  (Except those 1# chubs for .29 I got a few summers ago…)

I also found a quick-sale 8-oz container of French onion dip for .10, which I hope to use in a recipe, rather than be FORCED to make Uncle Bill’s Microwave Potato Chips and risk the weight loss.

Another great deal: huge loaves of quick-sale French bread for .69 in the bakery. These are going to become giant pizzas for the kiddos with the .99 HyVee cheese.

The meds weren’t on sale, but I found a great deal elsewhere.

Chillin’ Coupons

This being National Frozen Foods Month andall, there are all kinds of manufacturers’ coupons in circulation.  But don’t forget the store coupons!

BagNSave has these nifty little booklets about the frozen food section: “March Coupon Book” with lots and lots of coupons that expire on the 28th.  So pick up one or two, clip away, and plan to use them before then.  Unfortunately, you can’t combine these coupons with the “$1/3 Our Family products” coupons, but you can still make some great deals with sales, and fill your freezer.

The Season for Freezin’

March is National Frozen Food Month!  That doesn’t mean you put your food on your back porch and let Nature take it’s course.   Even in Nebraska.  No, it’s time to fill up the freezers!  Yay!  My favorite sport.

Even with my recent romp through the appliances, and finding more than a month’s worth of dinner fixin’s, I still have plenty of room.  There are jugs of water taking up the voids, and precious deals to be found in the stores.  Keep an eye out for your family’s favorites.  Here are some of the good ones I’ve found:

At BagNSave, buy 3 Our Family frozen products (any products), and take $1 off with the in-ad coupon, in stores, use once per visit.  Also, fish, fish, fish!  This will only keep more than a week if you repackage; my preference is Foodsaver.  Several varieties of seafood are on sale for Lent, so pick your favorites.

At HyVee, bags of shredded cheese are just .99 (the lowest price we’ve seen in a looong time!), so buy several kinds for use within 4-6 months.  10# bags of chicken leg quarters are 4.99.  Butter is just 1.48, and freezes well in packaging for about 4 months, but I’ve had luck Foodsavering for several months.  Thurs-Sat only: boneless, skinless chicken breasts are 1.79 per pound, and frozen vegs are .77 (the magic price for stocking up around here).

There are some good meat deals out there, but I’ll only pay rock bottom, so I’m still looking for the very best bargains on lean meats.  The store I don’t like has some incredible pork deals, and hot dogs for .88/package.

A nod to the major manufacturers: their items are on seeming endless sales this month, and there are coupons out there for most of it, if you consume those products.  I try to limit our consumption of this food genre to frozen, self-rising pizzas.

Remember, too, that you can freeze produce you process at home (even cole slaw), baked goods, prepared meals/leftovers, and unused portions from most canned goods.  Extra sauce from dinner?  Seal it well and toss it in the freezer.

What are some great deals you’ve found?