photo credit: Starck Ting

I’ve read in the past how you can save so much money by purchasing eyeglasses online. So after a recent eye exam where I found out I would have to start wearing prescription eyeglasses, I decided to try buying them online to save money.

Now I have never worn glasses before, so this was all new to me. My prescription was for bifocals and I decided I wanted progressive lenses. I had to learn all the “lingo” - PD, frame height, lens types, coatings, etc. It was a bit overwhelming. I shopped at several different optical stores and tried on a variety of frames so I could get an idea of the style and size I wanted. I also had each brick and mortar store give me a price quote for the frames and lenses. I was surprised at the large variations in price. My Super Target would give a discount based on our insurance provider. Surprisingly, the local Sam’s Club was the highest price for the type of lenses I was looking for. Since my glasses would be with progressive lenses, I needed a minimum size of lens for them to be effective.

Armed with all the information I thought I would need, I headed to the online stores. I was particularly careful to read each store’s guarantee and return policy. I chose to buy my eyeglasses at EyeBuyDirect because of the ease of navigation through the site and their return policy. After browsing the site and choosing a frame with the color I liked and the size I thought would fit, I placed my order. I did have to call their customer service department as I did not understand how to read the prescription the eye doctor had given me. The customer rep was extremely helpful and explained how to enter the information.

My eyeglasses arrived 2 weeks later. While they were of high quality and exactly as described on the website, they didn’t fit properly and I hated the color of the frames so I sent them back for a refund. I followed the instructions exactly on how to return the glasses and received a credit for the purchase price less the shipping fee (which was only about $5).

It was now apparent to me that I needed more professional help in purchasing my eyeglasses. I needed correct measurements taken and also needed to try on the exact frames I would be wearing. So I headed back to Super Target and tried on frames until I found ones that fit perfectly and purchased my glasses there.

It is definitely true that money can be saved buying eyeglasses online. The ones I purchased online and returned were $63; the eyeglasses I eventually purchased at Super Target were around $200. Being a first-time eyeglass wearer, the difficulty for me was not knowing what exact size frames to purchase. I also think the progressive lenses make things a bit more difficult; as a small framed person (read petite), I needed to have the seg height adjusted on the lenses.

Putting together a fall wardrobe economically is easier than just about any other type of wardrobe. The season’s short duration, combined with its varied weather, make it a cinch to pull a fashionable fall wardrobe out of a few inexpensive purchases and the current inhabitants of your closet. Just follow these easy steps:

Pair your favorite summer tanks with simple lightweight cardigans. Fall weather can be so unpredictable that you’ll quickly learn to love the flexibility that comes with these combinations. For unexpectedly hot days, you can easily shed your outer layer. However, on cooler days, you’ll be glad to enjoy the warm feeling of your sweater.

Ditch your strappy sandals for a pair of hardworking flats. Cute flats can be paired with full-length pants or your favorite Capri pants. Just take care to select shoes that will go with all or most of your existing clothes so that you can wear them with everything.

Mute the bright colors of your summer clothes by combining them with more staid, traditional clothes. Your bright orange t-shirt will fit right into fall when you pair it with a dark pair of jeans. Likewise, a sturdy black skirt is perfect for wearing with a hot pink blouse.

Browse consignment shops for a lightweight trench coat. The rainy weeks of fall can cause even the neatest person to feel slightly soggy and messy. A sleek trench coat will protect your clothes from unexpected puddles and keep you looking stylish.

Give your old clothes a new life by adding a few new accessories to your wardrobe. Inexpensive costume jewelry can give your favorite sweater a whole new look. Pair a silver-toned necklace with a solid-colored t-shirt. Another option is to try wearing a pair of beaded earrings with a lightweight turtleneck sweater.

Don’t forget to check out great sales on fall clothes in late September and October. After the rush of back to school shopping is over, retailers need to quickly move their fall stock to make room for winter apparel. You can add a few new items to your wardrobe for a fraction of their regular prices.

photo credit: CoreForce
Like seemingly everything else these days, food costs have gone through the roof in recent months. Between the rising cost of transporting food from the growers to the market and the increased expenses related to manufacturing foods, it’s no wonder that your food expenses have started to take up a larger and larger share of your monthly budget.

Fortunately, there are some foods that seem unfazed by the crazy inflation that is invading our lives. Working these foods into regular rotation in your meal or snack plans will allow you to insulate yourself from price increases that could wreck your budget. Here are a few examples, as well as some suggestions for how to incorporate them into your family’s diet.

Chips – First of all, snack chips are great additions to your children’s school lunches. But you can use them as more than snacks. You can also add them to dinner dishes like casseroles like Betty Crocker’s Chipotle Red Beans and Rice Casserole to give your dinner a little extra crunch.

Potatoes – While many different types of produce have become increasingly expensive, the price of potatoes has remained pretty flat. Potatoes can be used to make many different dishes such as mashed potatoes, potatoes au gratin, baked potatoes…you see where I’m going with this, don’t you?

Pasta Noodles – Pasta is one of my favorite foods, so I was thrilled to see that it hasn’t really been afflicted by rising food costs. Adding an inexpensive jar of sauce (caught at a sale price) will help you create a dinner your entire family will love.

Chicken – Unlike expensive beef, chicken has experienced a relatively stable price. There are as many ways to prepare chicken as there are stars in the sky. Add mayonnaise to baked chicken to make chicken salad for sandwiches. Or bake in a creamy sauce for a lip-smacking entrée. And, who doesn’t love friend chicken? Peruse your favorite cookbook for more ideas.

Flour/Sugar – Staples that are used in baking are very economical choices while you’re grocery shopping. Forget spending tons on pre-packaged desserts. Instead, you can bake your own cookies. Flour will also stand in as an inexpensive breading for meats.