Blah. It figures. I have almost fully funded me EF, and am just about set to start putting all extra cash to my CC debt. What happens? Two semi-expensive needs arise.

Our AC from last year in kaput. We could always not have one in the bedroom, but with the heat of the summer, combined with my always being overheated from the MS, and my MS symptoms getting worse in the heat, we really need one. We don't have one anywhere else, and I need it to be cold to sleep. Plus, I just really need one place where I can strip down and cool off when I am having an attack. So, we need a new one. Luckily I found one online at Walmart.com for under $100 that should work nicely. Our bedroom is not too big, so we don't need a 10,000 BTU or anything like that. The best part? Walmart.com will ship it to our local Walmart for free, and we can pick it up there (as opposed to having it shipped to our house for $18).

The other need, which is going to be a bit more that $100, is my glasses. I've had the same prescription for over 2 years now, and I need a new one. And, I need new contacts. The few I still have left are an even older prescription than my glasses. I don't want new frames; I love the ones I have. It's just the new lenses and contacts. I can always not get contacts, but I hate wearing my glasses in the summer. Or, since I will only be wearing my glasses in the house for a few hrs a day, I can just get new contacts and not new glasses. Argh, decisions, decisions.

I know we are taking $100 out of the EF for the AC. Not sure where the money for the contacts will come from.

Whatever happens, though, I am going to pay off this CC debt!!!

Per Ima's advice, I am reposting...

First I would like to say that I do not expect anyone here to donate to this cause, and I totally understand if nobody does. I was never going to post this, but a few people have asked where and how they donate to my team in the MS Walk.

Second, again, please don't feel like I am hitting you guys up for money (we are, after all, ALL trying to save and be more frugal!). The words and support you all have given me re: my MS has been the biggest gift of all, and I can never thank you all enough. THAT is what means the most to me.

But, like I mentioned, a few people asked for this info, so I am posting it. To those people, thank you from the bottom of my heart (and wallet!). You (and everyone else here) are all so special and totally rock!!

*hugs to everyone*

The MS Walk will be April 13th, in Bristol, RI. It's a six mile walk (no, I probably won't walk the whole 6 miles, but my team members all will). My team is called the Errington Clan, and right now we have 6 members.

To donate to the National MS Society 2008 MS Walk on behalf of my team, please click here: Errington Clan MS Walk.

Search for us by our team name (Errington Clan) or by a particpant (Becki Errington). All donations are tax deductible, and you can donate by check or CC (I suggest check...avoid CC debt!!! LOL). You can donate on behalf of the whole team, or in sponsor of one person, and your donations can be made anonymously if you like.

Again, thanks to everyone for ALL the support!!!

First I would like to say that I do not expect anyone here to donate to this cause, and I totally understand if nobody does. I was never going to post this, but a few people have asked where and how they donate to my team in the MS Walk.

Second, again, please don't feel like I am hitting you guys up for money (we are, after all, ALL trying to save and be more frugal!). The words and support you all have given me re: my MS has been the biggest gift of all, and I can never thank you all enough. THAT is what means the most to me.

But, like I mentioned, a few people asked for this info, so I am posting it. To those people, thank you from the bottom of my heart (and wallet!). You (and everyone else here) are all so special and totally rock!!

*hugs to everyone*

The MS Walk will be April 13th, in Bristol, RI. It's a six mile walk (no, I probably won't walk the whole 6 miles, but my team members all will). My team is called the Errington Clan, and right now we have 6 members.

To donate to the National MS Society 2008 MS Walk on behalf of my team, please click here: Errington Clan MS Walk.

Search for us by our team name (Errington Clan) or by a particpant (Becki Errington). All donations are tax deductible, and you can donate by check or CC (I suggest check...avoid CC debt!!! LOL). You can donate on behalf of the whole team, or in sponsor of one person, and your donations can be made anonymously if you like.

Agan, thanks to everyone for ALL the support!!!

Finally got one of my medical refunds! This was the big one ($213.19) from my prescriptions the beginning of November. Still waiting on the one from the Dr. visit, but I am so happy to finally have this one! I got an unexpected bill (from the town of I live in) so $40 of this reimbursement went to pay that. The rest ($173.19) is going to the challenge!

$20 Tax Old Balance: $223.43
Medical reimbursement: $173.19
-------------------------------------
$20 Tax New Balance: $396.62

I got everything straightened out. Turns out my insurance company wanted the Dr. to call them and tell them he was a real Dr. and these were real meds. Right, cuz I am going to willingly inject myself with some med I don't really need. Sheesh!

Then after that, I had to use a special pharmacy that my insurance compnay has a contract with for these types of meds. Cux you know, the bottom line is more important here, not my health. At any rate, they will be here on Tuesday, so I can get started them. And my co-pay???

$40 a month!!!

SO much better than $1,800! Kickarse! I guess it was worth it to go through the hassle with the insurance company, ay???

I went to pick up my first monthly supply of Copaxone, the new med I will be taking for MS. I knew it was going to be expensive; without insurance it is about $24,000 a year. But luckily, I have insurance.

Except for some reason, my insurance won't pay for it! When I picked it up (or went to, anyways), the pharmacy gave me a AAA member discount, but it was still $1,800!!! A month!!!! ACK!!!!!

So, I came home without the meds, freaked out, and called the insurance company. They were closed. Grrrr... Calling today to find out what is going on. Something about it being a brand name drug and me not being at a network pharmacy, I think. Of course, this is the same pharmacy I go to for all my other generic and brand name meds every month...

I just go so angry and frusterated at insurance companies. In my mind, they are helpful in one way b/c they keep you from paying astronimical fees, but sometimes, it seems like they are just in it for the money and they think it is OK to mess around with their clients prescriptions and health. Grumble, grumble...

Back in the beginning of this past December, I was diagnosed with MS. It wasn’t a total shock; I used to work for the National MS Society so I knew a lot about the disease, and a part of me had a feeling I had MS. I had a lot of the classic signs, but my Dr. kept telling me it was something else. When I was in Vegas over Thanksgiving, I lost almost all my vision in my right eye. As soon as I got home I went to my eye Dr., and I was diagnosed with optic neuritis. My eye doctor sent me for CT scans and an MRI, and then to a neurologist. The MRI showed areas of MS activity, and my neurologist diagnosed it.

I have been doing OK with the disease (I start preventative medications this upcoming week and my vision is back to 100%), and since I already know a lot about it, I am not really panicking or freaking out. I’ve told my family, some extended family, and my friends. One woman at work knows; maybe more, for all I know.

Anyways, I wanted to share this with all of you even though it is not financial, because, in a way, you all are like an extended family to me. This actually will affect finances, with the meds being so expensive (between $10,000 and $15,000 a year!), more doctor visits and if, Goddess forbid, something serious happens, trips to the hospital, possible physical therapy, or even equipment to help with disability issues. But for right now, I just wanted to share with all of you, not only because I know you will give me massive amounts of moral support, but because when I do start to mention the financial aspects of it, I wanted you all to know what I was talking about, without having to explain it several times.

You all have been wonderful in terms of listening to (or reading) my rambling, sometimes mindless posts, cheering me up when I feel defeated, and encouraging me when I am doing well with finances. I just felt like this was something I wanted to share with all of you, not only as my financial buddies, but also as just my buddies.

Anywho, enough of this for now. Feel free to ask any question you may have, or feel free not to say anything. But whatever your reaction is, thank you for the support and the (hopefully) continuing support.

I just signed up for medical benefits from my new job. They are so much cheaper than the Cobra I was paying! At my old job, I had Tufts, and I was paying $204 a month. Then, when I lost that job, I picked up Cobra. That was even worse: $341.40 a month!! If I wasn't on so many prescriptions, I might have just said forget it until I found a new job. But Cobra was actually cheaper than paying full price for my meds.

Anyways, my new benefits will be with Tufts, and I am only paying $169.60 a month. That's $170.81 cheaper a month! I am so relieved about this. Especially as I am starting a new medication next week and the copay might be up to $100 a month.

This job just keeps getting better and better.

Happy Happy!