Three Tips That Can Save You Big Money

While America continues to implode, daily life does go on. An example is of one of my recent columns dealt with later in life care for elderly parents and you. I'm happy to report I was able to reserve a nice little apartment for my momma in a beautiful assisted living facility across from the hospital in her town; we're moving mother into it in a couple of weeks. A huge load off my mind. That facility is like walking into a Doubletree Hotel. Timing in life is everything and by chance, the one room they have at a discounted price became available for $2,595.00 per month.

Very inexpensive for that industry which throughout California run $3,000.00 - $5,500.00 per month for a single apartment. There are facilities for less, but all the ones I visited were like a hospital floor. Rooms all around (tiny) and a big area that herded people in their wheel chairs who didn't look very upbeat to me. Kinda sad.

One thing I did find out that may be of help to people who at this stage of their life need to go into assisted living or require nursing care. If you are the surviving spouse of a veteran or your elderly parent is, you are eligible for a tax free pension to supplement your costs up to $1,149.00 per month. In mother's case, my deceased step father was a WWII Navy veteran so mother is eligible for the full amount. You can find out more at Transitions for Veterans. One thing: you or an elderly parent have to be in the facility in order to apply. On the first day mother goes into her new apartment I will submit the paperwork to the VA. My older sister and I will make up the difference for mother's monthly rent until her application goes through.

Two more tips. One canine, one for humans. As money is tight and getting tighter all the time for people, I thought I'd share these with you.

I have three beautiful dogs I love dearly; you can see my girls here. Three throw aways on the street no one wanted. My two boy muggers, Mr. Willy & Dusty died in late 2010, so I began my search for new furry friends for life in January 2011. I then adopted my white West Highland Terrier and my Jack Russell mix and in January 2013, my Tibetan Mastiff/Tibetan Terrier, Maddy. I fed my three girls the same dog food as I fed my boys, Castor & Pollux Organic Chicken, Rice & Flaxseed.

About seven months later Maddy started having the runs. Yuk, what a mess. So, off to our vet who said she probably had developed an allergy to the chicken. So, I took them off the chicken and switched to Castor & Pollux Natural Salmon. Before I did I called and spoke with one of their people about the salmon. They only use wild Atlantic salmon; nothing from the Pacific Ocean (think Fukushima), no farm raised and all the veggies are organic.

I also had my babies on a probiotic. Just like us humans, their gut takes a beating. A full 62% of all veterinarian visits are because of gut problems caused from poor diets. I receive no compensation for any of the products I mention here, but I believe the one I was using is the best on the market. Probiotics for Dogs from Dr. Mercola.

Maddy had three episodes of the runs, three prescriptions and I said this isn't working. Our vet is great. A really caring man with a great staff. But, when the third episode hit, about four months down the road, I told our vet let me do some research. If it's an allergy to chicken and possibly the salmon Maddy is having a problem with, I'll find something else.

Well, I did after many hours on the computer. The one animal that causes the least problems for dogs is venison. I found this one: Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Canine Hypoallergenic Selected Protein Adult PV Dog Food. It is by prescription only and very expensive. 25# bag is $107.00; they just raised the price a month ago, but if you get their emails, they offer free shipping here and there. It's venison and potato and nothing else. No additives, no fillers, nothing and Maddy eats it like it's steak.

It's been about a year and a half since I put Maddy on that food. Missy (Jack Russell mix) and Muffin (my Westie) are both still on the Natural Salmon. There hasn't been a single episode of the runs since and my Maddy is a happy girl. I'm a happy momma! Since she is the only one eating the venison, 1/4 cup for breakfast and one cup for dinner, a 25# bag lasts a long time.

Now, I've had pet insurance for my dogs for two decades that has worked out financially to our advantage over the years. All those trips to a vet for things like tummy problems can run into serious money not to mention how miserable your dog or cat is along with you. Keeping your pets immune and digestive system in top condition can save you a ton of money in the long run. Many vets are catching up to natural remedies like probiotics, but it's up to pet owners to find natural remedies when we can, I think.

I receive email from folks here and there who tell me they feed their dogs meat and veggies they cook not 'store bought' products. That's fine if your dog or cat is used to it. Long before pet food companies dogs did eat "off the dinner plate". But, I'm not a veterinarian so I can't speak to that method of feeding. Always good to do the research and consult with a good holistic veterinarian if you can find one in your area. I do know that grains and rice cause inflammation in pets. There are spices, berries and leafy veggies you can add to your dog's food to cut down on it.

• Anti-Inflammatory Food for Dogs
• Foods that reduce inflammation in dogs

If money is tight and you can't afford organic dog/cat food, then, in my humble opinion (not medical advice as I don't need dragoons from the Federal Death Administration [FDA] swooping down and charging me with giving medical advice even if it is pets), a probiotic is critically important to add to your pet's dinner. You're talking maybe twenty-five cents a day but what a difference it can make for your pet's health. Many of the big name dog food manufacturers have gone to more natural ingredients which is great. But, certain ingredients can cause an allergy in a dog after eating it for awhile that they didn't have before and some ingredients cause inflammation. A good probiotic can help hold that in check keeping your pets digestive system in good shape and save you a lot of money at the vet.

Had I not had pet insurance for Maddy, it would have cost me close to $1400 for tests and treatment. Instead, after reimbursement from our insurance carrier it ended up costing me about $250.00 which is still a lot of money. But, I changed her diet and I have a happy, healthy girl. No more trips to the vet or throwing her in the tub; she weighs 40 pounds.

My Westie has an auto immune disease likely from the heart worm which was cured, but she has, if you will, bad blood. Her policy is more expensive. Muffin almost died in August 2013; I was frantic let me tell you. She had to have blood tests every few days and then every week sent to Texas A & M for a couple of months. $52.50 each time; our insurance reimbursed me in full each time because of our policy coverage. Thankfully she has done super well since then, but still gets a blood test every six months. Under Muffin's plan that test is 100% reimbursed plus a large portion of the office visit.

For a long time we had VPI Pet Insurance, but when I adopted my Westie, Muffin had heart worm and they would not insure her. Heart worm was considered a preexisting condition. I then signed up my girls with Pet Plan Insurance in 2011 for Missy & Muffin and added Maddy in January 2013. They are great and like other pet insurance companies have premiums at all different levels making at least some coverage affordable.

Here is a list of the top ten pet insurance companies. Most of them have discounts for multiple pets. Another tip: The younger your pet the less coverage you need as a rule. As your pet ages, you can always increase coverage. Since Muffin has her medical problems, I have her on a gold plan. A member of my family had a beautiful Bassett hound who developed cancer. They spent $16,000 out of pocket (which they are fortunate enough to be able to afford), but decided to put Sohpie down two years later as it was the most humane thing to do. If they would have had the same plan I have for Muffin it would have cost them 90% less than what they paid out.

Now for we humans and again, this isn't medical advice, but real life experience. I am very blessed with good health which I work hard at keeping it that way. In 2008, I had this pain and went to the doc who sent me to a specialist. Long story short, I had a procedure where they shoved a tube down my throat. Diagnosis: a little bleeding on my esophagus from what's called acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease). I was shocked because I don't eat spicy foods and stick to my organics. But, stress can play havoc with your body as well all know. Doc wrote a prescription, the only medication I've ever had to take in my life; I turned 66 this past June. When the prescription ran out two months later my doc said you have to take the "little purple pill' for the rest of your life.

Wrong answer.

I called my friend, Lori Walter out in Oregon. Dear Lori is gone now. I told Lori I'm not taking pills for the rest of my life, did she know of something natural I could start using? Lori was just a fountain of information for natural remedies and such. Anyway, Lori told me to take an apple cider vinegar supplement along with my probiotic. Off I went to the health food store to purchase the apple cider vinegar supplement, 500 mg. I take one before breakfast and dinner. I also take my probiotic (refrigerated) at the same time (Acidophilus & Bifidus 10 billion active cells). Both are Natural Factors brand; just my preference. When I travel I use a probiotic that doesn't have to be refrigerated. Very important if you're on the road and have to eat in a restaurant.

There are all kinds of apple cider vinegar supplements on the market. Read the label to make sure you're getting the purest ingredients. Those few extra pennies for a product can make the difference in quality. Some folks use the liquid form. Both are available at most health food stores.

Never had another problem and no "little purple pill" for me, thank you. The pharmaceutical industry doesn't make a penny off me all year unless it's the rare time when I have to take a pain killer because of my spine; the pain is excruciating. But, those episodes are infrequent and thankfully don't last but a few days. I need full reconstruction of my spine, but I'm working to avoid it. Not something that can be cured through natural remedies. Hopefully, I will pass away before it ever becomes so bad I would have to go under the knife. Today I remain medication free and work to keep it that way.

Once the pharmaceutical industry gets their hooks in you they've got your wallet for decades if not the rest of your life. Doing research on the issue it appears that eating a small slice of a green granny apple before bedtime can also curb acid reflux, but for me, the supplement works just fine. There are literally dozens and dozens of web sites dealing with treating acid reflux so you never have to take prescription drugs again. Just use a search engine and type in: treating acid reflux naturally.

Aloe Vera juice is also very popular to take even if you have no health problems. It can taste a bit tart so you might want to mix it with a little orange juice, but watch those juices because they pile on the pounds. Another product that folks swear to me is fantastic is an Amish natural treatment instead of medications for acid reflux if you're one of those people who have 'heart burn', which I don't.

More and more Americans are finding that our bodies are best treated naturally with foods, spices and herbs the good Lord put on this earth. Something the pharmaceutical industry hates because it cuts into their bottom line which is why they buy the favors of the hookers in Congress to keep attacking our RIGHT to treat our bodies naturally. Remember: There's no money in the cure, only the treatment and with Obamacare and the rip off cost of medications, people are going without to pay for heating or food.

Just think of all the money one can save, not to mention no longer taking pills with so many side effects, by learning to use natural remedies!

I know at times it can seem expensive buying supplements, but in the long run look at what you can gain both for your wallet. your body - and your pets.

[Just a short note about 9/11. The cost of America's undeclared "war" (invasion) in Afghanistan has now reached $1 trillion borrowed dollars - massive debt heaped on us all based on what happened on 9/11. Regular readers of my column know I continue to press for the truth about the events of 9/11. Military grade nanothermite is not a conspiracy theory. It was found and tested from the rubble at the twin towers. A new, powerful film has been released: The Anatomy of a Great Deception. For full disclosure I receive no compensation, but I want you to get a copy (or a few) and share it with others or give a copy as a present. I've purchased half a dozen copies and given them to individuals I believe seek the truth. It's very powerful simply because it's one 'ordinary' man's story who ask a simple question that led him to a not so simple journey. There is factual information in this film that many have never heard about but everyone should. Just a suggestion, order more than one and give one to a friend. Must see video on the dangers of Smart Meeters on your home, titled: Take Back Your Power.]

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