First Person: High Health, Grocery Costs Bolster Creativity, Skimping (ContributorNetwork)

COMMENTARY | Deloitte Center for Health Solutions recently reported that consumers are paying an extra $1,355 in out-of-pocket health care costs. These costs, Deloitte reports include, "ambulance services, alternative medicines, nutritional products and vitamins, weight-loss centers and supervisory care of elderly family members." Read more here.

As someone who works part-time as a communications specialist, I do not have health insurance at my job; however, my husband's full-time job in the insurance field allows us to buy health insurance for me. Unfortunately, his paychecks are cut dramatically every two weeks because so much is taken out to cover my health care costs. These costs are more than $400 a month, and It has gotten worse in the last few years. I can't help but wonder if the new health care reforms will really make a difference for people like us. Will they?

The health care reforms slowly implemented every year are actually causing out-of-pocket health care costs for consumers to increase. For some, like me, these costs are rising faster than the average person's income. I can attest to this. The Deloitte study compared hours taken off from work per month to look after a family member or friend and the wages lost in the process. The results in the report point out the value of unpaid care is $199 billion a year, or $12.60 per hour.

Although we've never had to take time out of work for one another or a family member, we feel the difference when we go to a chiropractor or a naturopath. Going to the chiropractor means spending an extra $40 or more that's not covered by insurance.

Also, we have to meet our health insurance deductibles, and ours is around $1,000. I recently went to my naturopath medical doctor and spent $700 out of pocket (between two visits and blood tests). Also, we spend a lot on preventative care, in terms of vitamins. Although the health insurance covers some costs, for the most part, we end up paying the difference. Unfortunately, I use my credit card more than I should for these things.

There are other costs besides health care, too

Besides the national health care crisis we're in, the price of groceries, gas and the price of living index have gone up tremendously, making it extremely difficult to have any extra money at the end of the month. We easily spend $150 to $200 a week these days on food and gas. Our employers have had their own economic bad news, too, and as a result, raises have been put on hold.

Eating out, for many, is a thing of the past -- for us, too. If we do go out, we're careful to go somewhere that has two for one specials or places that offer liberal portions so we can stretch the left over's to serve for another meal or two. Some of these deals have come from Applebees, Bob Evans and other advertised deals from newspaper inserts or mailings. As for fast food, Taco Bell seems to have the best prices for the quantity. I've started cooking more meals at home and carefully shop for good deals. I often fix lots of fresh vegetables as sides and one entree like a lasagna or a soup that lasts us for several days. I look for good ideas at Recipes.com and even WeightWatchers.com. The key is to get good nutrition for less.

The 2011 National Grocers Association Consumer Survey Report finds that over half of consumers are cooking more at home these days. A solid majority (69 percent) feels comfortable in the kitchen. Many like to experiment with cooking and 75 percent say they want to become better home cooks." Read more here.

Other ways we've saved money is by figuring out exactly what we need per month, and sticking to it as closely as possible. This means no impulsive spending.

I've also been clipping more coupons and shopping at the grocery store on days of sales. To extend my savings, I've also started shopping more at Aldees, Dollar Stores and Costco's. As a result, I've watched my dollar stretch considerably.

Finally, we've really learned to plan our trips carefully. With gas prices up again, planning trips is important. We make a list of places we have to go and try not to make more trips than necessary. The hardest thing for me is driving the speed limit or below, but when I do, it works and I save money by using less gas. Also, getting tune-ups and oil changes regularly has helped maintain good gas mileage.

I'm sure we will implement additional changes in spending habits as necessary. In the home, we've already gotten an energy audit and implemented the recommendations given. As a result our heat and electricity bills have decreased. There are so many things all of us can do to save money. We just need to be ready to make the changes.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/weightloss/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20111222/us_ac/8127064_first_person_high_health_grocery_costs_bolster_creativity_skimping

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