eyewear

Paying Too Much for Eyewear?

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Prescription eyewear can be a necessity to daily life for many. Those who need their vision corrected may be unable to drive, work, or read without their glasses or contacts – yet many health plans fail to provide this very necessary type of coverage. With 2BenefitU’s Vision Benefit, these out of pocket costs can be lowered.

And costly they are. According to many recent news articles, the prescription eyewear industry is ridiculously overpriced; with little regulation in the industry, those who need corrective lenses are virtually held captive by rising eyewear costs.

This is especially true for those for whom simple single vision lenses and frames won’t cut it. If you have astigmatism, need bifocal or trifocal lenses, or find yourself limited in frame selection due to thickness of lenses or other considerations, the cost can quickly double or triple.   

Prescription eyewear is currently a $64 billion industry with massive 500-percent markups. Eye doctors may tell you that you can’t have your own prescription, or may refuse to release pertinent details about your eyewear needs, such as the pupillary distance (aka PD, derived by measuring the space between your pupils with a ruler), cutting you off from cheaper deals elsewhere.

This can make it even more infuriating to get your glasses or contact lenses without paying trumped up costs. When you end up with a high pressure salesperson who assumes you need special non-scratch coating, sun reactive tint changing lenses, and the most expensive J-Lo designer frames, you can be looking at a $600 bill even for a basic pair of glasses.

To make things worse, even if you do have vision insurance, many companies pay the bare minimum and the lenses can take weeks to be ground in some remote lab. If you have kids on Medicaid plans, even eyewear stores with their own in-store lab are forced to send the lenses off to an “approved” lens grinder, and many parents end up paying cash for a pair of glasses as they are unable to wait 6-8 weeks or more for the backlog.

Thankfully there’s a better option. The Vision Benefit from 2BenefitU isn’t vision insurance, but it does provide major discounts at hundreds of opticians and eyewear retailers across the country – even the big names like LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, Sears, Target, JC Penney, VisionWorks, and more. Doctors not in network can be nominated.

Savings range from 20-60% off of prescription eyewear, 10-40% off of contacts, 10-30% off of eye exams, 15-40% off of online options and mail order services, and even a 40-50% discount off of the average price of Lasik eye surgery.  All of this with 2BenefitU’s Vision Benefit, which covers your whole family!

fight price

Fight Price Gouging for Important Medications with the Pharmacy Benefit

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Stopping at the pharmacy to pick up a prescription has become something many Americans fear, with pharmaceutical costs going through the roof. Recent news stories have brought to light the issue with privately owned medicine patents, and delivery devices, as evidence by first the Pharma Bro and then the Pharma Sis.

First it was a medication for AIDs patients, many of them children, suddenly unable to afford their meds when the price was inflated by the guy who had bought the patent. He was roundly denounced for price gouging a lifesaving drug, and public uproar had a negative impact on his company as the story went viral. Martin Shkreli became America’s most hated person overnight.

Next came an almost identical uproar over the price increases for the Epi-Pen – an injectable form of epinephrine in an easy to use delivery system. The Epi-Pen was patented by a company called Mylan, and when the CEO made the call to jack the cost of a two pack of pens up over $600, parents across the nation were outraged.

Since the pens expire yearly and must be replaced, used or not, the cost was seemingly overwhelming, even when 50% off coupons were distributed. The implications were clear – this wasn’t about helping children, but about increasing company profits, even as the company boosted legislation to make their devices mandatory in schools and other facilities across the nation.

Many other people find pharmacy costs out of control, with insurance companies often refusing to cover needed options and doctors writing name brand scrips over generics thanks to kickbacks from pharmaceutical companies. Things like migraine meds, acid blockers, and other quality of life medications are included in high priced categories. In many cases, people end up going without, or trying to take half doses to make meds last longer – neither idea a viable one.

2BenefitU’s Pharmacy Benefit can often save significant amounts of money even compared to insurance benefit final costs. The benefit is one of up to 20 or more benefits available for a low monthly cost starting at $15.95, and could provide the best savings option on generic medications at pharmacies coast to coast.

If you have been struggling with pharmacy costs, talk to your doctor about prescribing generics, and to your pharmacist about whether or not they accept the pharmacy benefit. Your medications costs shouldn’t impact your ability to pay for electricity and buy food – yet, sadly, that is the choice many Americans are being forced to make.

Pet Ownership Costs

Understanding the Lifetime Cost of Pet Ownership

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Whether you have a Fido the dog, a Fluffy the Cat, a Thumper the rabbit, or a Sprinter the pony (or any less usual pet including lizards, birds, fish, rodents, or llamas) the cost of their care, feeding, and vet bills over their lifetime can certainly add up.

The lifetime cost of owning a dog, for an easy example, will certainly depend on the type and breed of the dog, its size, and life expectancy, with larger dogs costing more and often living longer – however, the bulk of certain costs will occur in the first 12 months of life, when most shots and basic needs like neutering or spaying and microchipping are done and capital costs for carriers, beds, shelter, and other instant needs are accepted.

After that, it’s a known quantity for food, plus an unknown quantity for vet care. Food can range anywhere from $150-$1500 per year depending on the size of the dog; health care will vary wildly depending on the health of the animal, any accidents, and where in the country you live.

Other potential costs include pet sitting, pet walking, pet grooming, and other incidentals like toys, treats, outings, leashes and collars that have to be replaced, items for travel and car rides, and more.

Cats have slightly lower costs, but veterinary care is often higher – although cats may not get as many off the cuff injuries as dogs, they are susceptible to more kinds of illnesses and ailments as they get older which can rapidly rack up vet bills.

Exotic pets can cost a pretty penny at the vet as well. Unless you have a local vet who treats exotics, travel time will have to be factored in.

With the Pet Benefit from 2BenefitU, at least the veterinary portion of your lifetime pet responsibility budget can be cut down, as well as some of the ongoing costs for replaceable items that wear out, and services your vet may offer that aren’t directly health related- and you can even take advantage of the ID tag and pet finder system.

With this benefit, you can enjoy:

  • 25% off medical procedures at participating veterinarians
  • 10% to 35% off pet services and supplies
  • Free ID tag and 24-hour pet location service

Vet not in the network? You can nominate him or her and get the savings, and get them more business, too. Caring for a pet lasts their lifetime, so it only makes sense to get as much savings as you can.

Chiropractic Relief

Three Conditions You Didn’t Know a Chiropractor Could Help With

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Chiropractors don’t just treat tweaked backs, sore necks, and kinked spinal columns. There are many conditions that can be improved by chiropractic treatment, including:

Chronic Headaches

Headaches can ruin an afternoon, a whole day, or – in severe cases – a week or more. Chronic headaches can be tension or stress induced, or you may suffer from migraines that have a more neurological component and leave you disoriented and disabled. Not all headaches can be treated with chiropractic measures, but tension headaches and headaches that begin in the neck can often benefit from spinal manipulation that relieves stress, alleviates muscle tension and joint irritation, and eases or reduces headache pain. Many patients find that regular “adjustments” lead to a reduction in the number of headaches they have as well as a lessening of pain when they do have a headache.

Anxiety or Stress

There are three main kinds of stress triggers – body, mind, and environmental. Something as simple as noise, weather, time crunches and performance expectations can cause stress, as can physical illness, mental distress, or a variety of other causes. When you are stressed, the hypothalamus in your brain goes into overdrive. It stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, causing an increase in heart rate, blood volume and blood pressure, which can eventually lead to very real conditions such as high blood pressure, muscle tissue damage, diabetes, infertility, immune system compromise and more. A chiropractor isn’t a magician, but sometimes spinal manipulation can reduce nerve irritation and release muscle tension, relaxing the body and reducing the flight or fight response that pain sends to the brain.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is diagnosed in patients who typically have a minimum of 11 out of 18 specific tender points on the body, plus symptoms such as long-term fatigue, mood disorders, and insomnia.  People with FM may also present with additional conditions such as IBS, TMJ, psychological conditions, and / or some autoimmune diseases. This widespread pain and sensitivity throughout the entire musculoskeletal systems is thought to affect about 2 percent of the United States population. In one study, 60 percent of the subjects treated by a chiropractor experienced a significant improvement: reduced pain, improved sleep and decreased fatigue, as pressure points can be relieved and nerve pain reduced with proper manipulation.

With 2BenefitU’s Chiropractic Benefit, you can get discounted care from a chiropractor and have these and other conditions treated in a way that may provide more or different relief than you can obtain through regular medical channels.*

* This information is not provided as medical advice and should not be taken as such. Please consult your doctor before obtaining treatment of any kind.

Eight Easy Ways to Start Saving Money This Year

Eight Easy Ways to Start Saving Money This Year

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The goal most Americans should be striving for is to put back 20% of their earnings into savings – but research shows that the average American is only saving 5.5% and many save none at all. How can you increase your savings and still maintain the lifestyle you want?

  1. Meal planning is one of the best ways to save money. By creating a plan for your week, shopping according to a strict list, and only allowing yourself to eat out when planned, you can save hundreds of dollars each year. Instead of driving through for fast food three time a week for lunch, brown bag it and treat yourself to one nice meal at a real restaurant twice a month. You’ll enjoy it more, and still save money.
  2. Cut the cable cord and go wireless instead. With even channels like HBO now available a-la carte, there’s no excuse for paying for packages with 50000 channels you never watch. Pick up a Netflix subscription and catch your shows online with an Amazon Fire Stick.
  3. Ditch your single gym membership. Using a ClassPass or picking up classes through discount online programs like Groupon will keep you motivated and let you switch up your workout. You can try cycling, yoga, Pilates, barre, strength training, boot camp, dance and more without multiple memberships.
  4. Host a potluck party instead of going out for drinks with friends. If everyone agrees to BYOB plus a dish, you can all eat, drink, and watch a movie and have just as much fun for a fraction of the price, Take turns hosting.
  5. Travel cheap. Vacationing can be inexpensive when you find a place to stay on Airbnb, Travelmob or Housetrip. You can often find a place that has a kitchen so you can cook instead of eating out, and visit local sights and museums in the locale where you are staying for a vacation that is fun and relaxed.  
  6. Make your own coffee. While visiting coffee shops and dropping $4 to $5 on coffee every day feels fun and special, it adds up tremendously. Invest in a high grade coffee maker and high end thermos, and learn to make your own gourmet coffees.
  7. Stop and wait before you buy. Click and buy options online make it easy to overdo with instant gratification. Imposing a 48 hour stay on any new purchases over a certain $$ amount can let you reconsider if you really need the item.
  8. Use VIP Savings when you do shop. 2BenfitU’s VIP Savings Benefit can let you save money every day on things you would be buying anyway, so don’t miss out on the chance to take advantage of this benefit!

Every time you save money, take the dollar and change amount and deposit it in a savings account, at the end of the year, you’ll be amazed at how much you saved!

12 Savvy Entrepreneur Tips for Businesswomen

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Women make up a massive percentage of small business owners, leaving the oppressive workforce to set their own hours and do what they love. These tips for businesswomen can be invaluable.

  1. Dream big! If you have something in your life that inspires you, figure out how to turn it into a profitable pastime. There is always room in the world for one more passionate woman looking for a way to be her own boss.
  2. Network, network, network. Join women’s business groups, look for meetups in your area, and sign up for conferences that focus on women helping women succeed.
  3. Go social – media! Social media is now one of the fastest growing ways for networking online, and you can expand your reach exponentially when you network with other female entrepreneurs seeking to connect.
  4. Get a mentor. Having someone who has already fought and won the battles ahead of you can be invaluable when it comes time to fight your own. Having a mentor can teach you to learn and grow via constructive criticism.
  5. Be a mentor. You can also learn by teaching, so take another woman under your own wing and share what you have learned. Women helping women creates a culture and environment of strength and happiness.
  6. Learn to delegate. Doing it all yourself is fine at first, but as you grow you have to learn to let go. Surrounding yourself with smart people you can trust and handing off tasks that speak to their individual strengths is the best way to grow your business and not fall apart just as things are taking off.
  7. Use experts for important stuff. Things like accounting and taxes can only get you in trouble when you do it yourself without proper knowledge. 2BenefitU’s Tax Advice Benefit can give you access to experts, so don’t ignore this valuable help.
  8. Find balance. Being a workaholic can leave you depleted and burned out at a critical moment, so make sure you make time for other things outside of work.
  9. Practice self-care. You can’t help anyone else if your own oxygen mask isn’t firmly in place, so take care of your emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual needs.
  10. Seek inspiration everywhere. Your home life can inspire your work life and vice versa. You can see hope and inspiration in everyone around you and expand your mind. Never stop growing.
  11. Keep searching. There is always something new to learn, to try, to be. Don’t let yourself stagnate. It’s ok if the thing that drove your passion a year ago is something different today. Embrace change as long as there is growth.
  12. Rejoice! There’s nothing quite as amazing as being your own boss, so don’t forget to practice gratitude and joy for your new station in life.

Are you achieving your goals as a businesswoman? Send yourself a bouquet and give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done!

Rabbit

Pet Rabbit Care Tips for a Happy, Healthy Bunny

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A rabbit is a great pet, but proper care is what will keep your pet bunny happy and healthy. These tips can make rabbit ownership easy and fun!

Build a diet plan. Contrary to popular belief, rabbits can’t live on carrots and iceberg lettuce. Carrots are meant to be given as a side dish, among other fruits and veggies, and iceberg lettuce is actually dangerous for your rabbit. Try deep greens like spinach and romaine lettuce instead, or even a cheaper alternative such as kale. For the most part, your bunny’s diet should consist of hay and grass, so be sure to give them lots of crunchy munchies!

Get a friend! Bunnies are a social species, so without proper companionship, your bunny may become depressed. Guinea pigs can sometimes suffice as a suitable house-mate, but nothing can really fill the void only a bunny can fill. Try pairing two females together, or get a fixed bunny of the opposite sex.

Provide a proper living space. While cages and hutches may provide a suitable sleeping quarter for a bunny, this is no way to live. Bunnies need space to run and play, as well as regular adventures outside their hutches or homes. Make sure your bunny can hop a few strides in their cage or hutch, and purchase a halter or a rabbit run for their outdoor play.

Groom your rabbit. While rabbits do not require as much care as a short-haired cat or dog, every pet needs some TLC from time to time. Purchasing a brush and some nail clippers will usually suffice, but you should avoid bathing your rabbit too often, as bunnies can easily fall prey to hypothermia if they get too cold.

Clean up after your rabbit. A bunny is only as clean as their living space, so be sure to dump hutch-pans and replace bedding regularly. Your bunny will appreciate the gesture more than you know, and it will smell much better too.

Provide entertainment and exercise. While a good dash in the grass can brighten any bunny’s life, no animal is happier than a rabbit with toys. Bunnies love toys, from rattle-balls to treat-toys. Just make sure nothing can pose a hazard to them, such as small pieces or toxic substances.

Give them veterinary care. Just like a cat or dog, bunnies need the vet sometimes. 2BenefitU’s Pet Care Benefit provides discounts at the vet for bunny care, too.

Plan ahead. A rabbit is not a fair weather pet. Just like a dog or a cat, a bunny is a commitment, and you should think about your future and where they will fit into it. Treat them gently, feed them right, and love them, and a rabbit can become a steadfast companion for many years!