31 Debt Free Missions: The Prescription Switch & Save (2024)


Tips like thesehelped us pay off $127K in debt. You can read our story inSlaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After.

Welcome to 31 Debt Free Missions! A new feature this year on Queen of Free, during each day in January, I will provide 31 concrete missions or challenges for you to take on to #SlayDebt and take charge of your finances this year. Each mission will take you less than an hour (some will only require 15 minutes). Whereas,31 Days to Kick Debt in the Teeth(which I’m reworking this year and reposting in January, too) focused on some of the philosophical changes you need to make in order to be successful with money, 31 Debt Free Missions are action steps to put into place after you have your thinking straight. Even better, during the month of January, I’m revisiting each of these challenges in order to sharpen my money saving and debt slaying skills.

Are you ready? Your mission is as follows:

Let me begin by saying that this debt free mission is not medical advice nor do I know your specific health situation. It might apply to some but not others. That being said, let’s begin.

Do you know if you’re really getting the best deal on your regular prescriptions? Have you counted the cost of your pharmacy? Is there a discount available you weren’t aware of? Today’s debt free mission is designed just for you! Spend just an hour today and see if you can’t scratch up some more cash on a monthly basis with these simple ideas.

So you may or may not know that many drug companies (especially name brand) offer discount cards for their specific products. If you have a standing script begin by searching the name of the drug and the word “discount” or “savings” or even “coupon.”Or simplygo directly to the manufacturer’s website and search for a discount card or multi-use coupon. I quickly found a $20 off coupon forNasonexthat can be used up to six times with qualifying purchase. Or here’s a savings card forCrestorthat could make it as little as $18 per prescription. Once again, be sure you are on the actual website for the specific drug. Also, open a dialogue with your doctor about finding the most affordable prescription for your condition. An over the counter or generic drug might be able meet your medical needs with fewer dollars spent. BUYER BEWARE: There are plenty of Prescription discount cards that are scams so again, be sure you are on the site of the actual drug company and not a third party seller.

Oh how I love free. To entice consumers into the store, many pharmacies offer perks like free antibiotics for kids or even prenatal vitamins. Ask your pharmacy if they participate in such a program.

Does your pharmacy offer an incentive for regularly filling your prescription there? I love Meijer’s mPerks Pharmacy Rewardsbecause I get a $10/$10 for every five prescriptions we fill. Other pharmacies offer similar programs.

Again, if you have a regular prescription, the cost can vary pretty dramatically from pharmacy to pharmacy. It is worth your timeto make a few phone calls to see if that amount is lower somewhere else.

Think about your shopping habits while you are in the pharmacy. Are you buying extras that you could eliminate from your budget? Do you walk out with a cart full of things instead of just the small prescription bag? Then you might need to make a switch. Are you driving a longer distance than necessary? That could mean you need to make a switch, too. Your purchase has many facets involved so try to think through each one of them.

Finally, even though we have transferred prescriptions to get the $25 gift card incentive that some offer before, I would not recommend this for everyone. If your medical history is complicated or you have allergies or drugs that could interact with each other negatively, you would not want to go this route (I love you my pharmacy friends who are concerned about patients hopping from place to place). However, evaluate the best pharmacy for your needs and then sticking with is a great way to cut back on a regular expense and free up more funds for you to continue your path to becoming debt free.

My book is now available:Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After.You can also check outInspiration to Pay Off Debt: 30 Days of Encouragement from the Queen of Free31 Debt Free Missions: The Prescription Switch & Save (4)on Kindle.

This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you get a great deal or maybe even something for free, you also help our family pay off our mortgage early. And for that, we royally thank you!

Related posts:

5 Ways to Save on Medical CostsRoyal Video Tips: Save on Medical Costs31 Debt Free Missions: Unsubscribe Now31 Debt Free Missions: Save Money On Appliances

31 Debt Free Missions: The Prescription Switch & Save (2024)

FAQs

What to do with money if you have no debt? ›

Here are several things you need to do once you are debt free.
  1. Get Serious About Your Emergency Fund. ...
  2. Investigate Your Retirement Options. ...
  3. Organize Your Financial Life. ...
  4. Review Your Insurance Coverage. ...
  5. Start Saving for a Major Purchase.

Is being debt free the new rich? ›

In many ways, being debt-free is increasingly being regarded as the new rich. This doesn't necessarily mean having immense wealth in the traditional sense, but rather enjoying financial freedom and the peace of mind that comes with it.

How to become debt free in 1 year? ›

How to pay off debt in a year
  1. Avoid accruing more debt. ...
  2. Create (and keep) a budget. ...
  3. Focus on your high-interest debt first. ...
  4. Cash out some savings or equity. ...
  5. Consider a balance transfer card or debt consolidation loan. ...
  6. Increase your income. ...
  7. Automate the process. ...
  8. Call in the professionals.
Nov 13, 2023

Is it good to be debt free by 40? ›

Being debt-free — including paying off your mortgage — by your mid-40s puts you on the early path toward success, O'Leary argued. It helps you free yourself from financial obligations at a time when your income is presumably stable and potentially even growing.

At what age are people debt free? ›

The Standard Route is what credit companies and lenders recommend. If this is the graduate's choice, he or she will be debt free around the age of 58. It will take a total of 36 years to complete. It's a whole lot of time but it's the standard for a lot of people.

Is it rare to have no debt? ›

Between mortgage loans, credit cards, student loans, and car loans, it's not uncommon for the typical American to have one or more types of debt. The ones who are living debt-free may seem like a rarity, but they aren't special or superhuman, nor are they necessarily wealthy.

What percentage of Americans are debt free? ›

Around 23% of Americans are debt free, according to the most recent data available from the Federal Reserve. That figure factors in every type of debt, from credit card balances and student loans to mortgages, car loans and more. The exact definition of debt free can vary, though, depending on whom you ask.

Are debt free people happier? ›

Key takeaways. Over time, paying down debt has the potential to significantly improve your health and overall quality of life. No matter how small, any step toward becoming debt-free is a positive move in the right direction.

What percentage of people live debt free? ›

It's no wonder just 23% of Americans say they live debt free, according to the Federal Reserve.

How can I pay off $30000 in debt in one year? ›

The 6-step method that helped this 34-year-old pay off $30,000 of credit card debt in 1 year
  1. Step 1: Survey the land. ...
  2. Step 2: Limit and leverage. ...
  3. Step 3: Automate your minimum payments. ...
  4. Step 4: Yes, you must pay extra and often. ...
  5. Step 5: Evaluate the plan often. ...
  6. Step 6: Ramp-up when you 're ready.

Can I get a government loan to pay off debt? ›

While there are no government debt relief grants, there is free money to pay other bills, which should lead to paying off debt because it frees up funds. The biggest grant the government offers may be housing vouchers for those who qualify. The local housing authority pays the landlord directly.

Is $6000 a lot of credit card debt? ›

If you're saddled with credit card debt, you're not alone — the average American household has more than $6,000 in revolving credit card balances. But with a good payoff plan, you can be debt-free sooner than you think without hurting your credit.

How to retire at 55 with no money? ›

If you retire with no money, you'll have to consider ways to create income to pay your living expenses. That might include applying for Social Security retirement benefits, getting a reverse mortgage if you own a home, or starting a side hustle or part-time job to generate a steady paycheck.

How to retire at 65 with no savings? ›

If you determine you need more than Social Security income to meet your retirement needs, consider these options:
  1. Set a detailed budget to minimize expenses. ...
  2. Downsize your home. ...
  3. Continue working. ...
  4. Take advantage of tax-advantaged retirement plans. ...
  5. Open a traditional or Roth IRA.
Jan 31, 2024

How do people retire with no savings? ›

“In retirement, income is king. There is a common belief that huge amounts of savings are necessary, but the reality is that guaranteed income is far more important than an IRA balance.” Reverse mortgages can offer homeowners income in exchange for the equity in their homes without the retiree having to sell or borrow.

What happens if you have no debt? ›

Without any debts to worry about, your monthly expenses will drop, freeing up your personal cash flow and allowing you to focus on savings and daily living expenses. Few people understand just how free you can feel when you're no longer beholden to a slew of banks and lenders.

What to do with large amounts of cash? ›

Some common goals include:
  1. Paying off debt.
  2. Saving for retirement.
  3. Buying a home.
  4. Funding education.
  5. Starting a business.
  6. Traveling the world.
  7. Supporting a cause.
  8. Leaving an inheritance.
Oct 13, 2023

How can I live a life without debt? ›

Here are six ways to completely avoid incurring debt.
  1. Build a large savings. Working toward a sizable savings account is difficult, but it's also the most important way to stay out of debt. ...
  2. Pay off credit card transactions immediately. ...
  3. Buy a cheap used car. ...
  4. Go to community college. ...
  5. Rent. ...
  6. Buy only what you need.

What to do if you have a lot of money? ›

What to do with extra cash: Smart things to do with money
  1. Pay off high-interest debt with extra cash. ...
  2. Put extra cash into your emergency fund. ...
  3. Increase your investment contributions with extra cash. ...
  4. Invest extra cash in yourself. ...
  5. Consider the timing when putting extra cash to work.

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