Oh, and reading up on barrels...........Chestnut wood is widely used in the west of england for cider barrels; apparently it gives a sweeter flavour to the finished product. Might try a piece of that. Doesn't mention anything about charring it or so on.
Thank you for your well-written post about your recent experience with VPI. After reading about your claim, I’d like to clarify a few items and hopefully help educate your readers on how our service works.
Like you stated, the Standard Plan you chose is our most basic and affordable plan, and as such provides the lowest benefit allowance per condition of our plans. The reason your reimbursement was less than the examples from our website is that those were examples taken from, and identified with, several different plans.
We ran your claim to show what your reimbursement would have been if you had one of these plans:
The VPI Injury Plan with a $250 deductible would’ve paid $295.53 (54%) of your $545.53 bill and your monthly premium would be $11.45.
The VPI Medical Plan with a $100 deductible would’ve paid $375.00 (69%)of your $545.53 bill and your monthly premium would be $31.28.
The VPI Major Medical Plan with a $100 deductible would’ve paid $445.53 (81%) of your $545.53 bill and your monthly premium would be $40.54.
When you renew your policy next year, you may want to consider upgrading to one of these other plans. It sounds like you understand the tradeoff between premium and benefits, and you are correct that should your dog need treatment for a major accident or illness (cancer, broken bone, foreign body ingestion surgery) you will likely receive much more in reimbursement than you have put into your policy no matter what plan you have.
Also, just so you know, all policyholders can resubmit claims for review. We process all claims according to the information we receive, and sometimes additional medical records will reveal additional available benefits. For example, our policies have additional benefits available for “multiple lacerations,” and if medical records revealed that your dog was treated for multiple lacerations, these benefits would apply.
For more information on how to resubmit a claim, you can call our customer care department at 800-USA-PETS.
I'm a guy who used to "save" money by hardly ever buying clothes. I recently started picking up a few things at discount clothing stores and started feeling better about myself and have even received some compliments on how I look. So now I'm setting aside about $50 (U.S.) a month for clothes. I don't need to spend that much, but I think the "feel better about myself" quotient is worth it!
Chris - No one goes into a business to lose money. So, yes, of course, it was to make money. The point is you work hard to make your money and that there are a LOT of costs that the Average "Chris" doesn't see. And, welcome to the world of business. Costs incurred must be passed on to the customer in order to be profitable. That is why the cost of your goods and services are always on the rise. More regulation, more taxation on businesses, thanks to a liberal government who will say they are gonna make them pay. Guess who pays? That's right. It's the customer. In order for a business to remain profitable, some costs must be passed on. That is the dirty little secret the government doesn't tell you. When businesses pay, everyone pays. Want cheaper products? Work for less government interference which will allow you to get your Coke for less than $4. And, I don't recall seeing that anyone reamed a customer. It is usually the other way around, but if I'm understanding your vibe right, you think that's OK. Moronic.
In November 2009, my 7 year old dog suddenly lost use of his hind legs. I did not have pet insurance on him. He lost use of his hind legs after jumping off a high bed. I truly thought that was the cause of his injury. I took him to emergency vet who discovered he had a ruptured disc in his spine and, without surgery, would never walk again. I agreed to surgery. The surgery cost around $6,500 and I was kicking myself for not having my pet insured. But, the vet informed me that her diagnosis was that the ruptured disc was not caused by an injury but rather a genetic disorder. Therefore, if I had paid for pet insurance, the $6,500 surgery would NOT be covered under insurance anyway because pet insurance plans do not cover genetic problems. MORAL OF THE STORY...IF YOU WANT PET INSURANCE, READ THE FINE PRINT.
I love this advice. I recently started looking into rewards debit cards for those who refuse to stop using credit cards (under the notion that they pay them off at the end of the month anyhow..) because they want the cash back. PerkStreet financial offers 2% cash back (there are some "catches") for non-pin debit purchases. While I still think CASH is even better than debit cards (because for some it hurts to pay cash), maybe something like that can help folks with number 5.
Zorcy, Boswell's "Life of Johnson", 1791. "The inhabitants of Inverary are the most impoverished and wretched creatures in all creation, having neither corn, nor wheat, nor barley. They subsist on Oats, from which they make both their bread and whiskey; it must be said that while their bread is well-nigh inedible, their whiskey is the finest I have ever tasted.".....................Oat whiskey??? Must be worth a try making it.
OK, let me make you an offer. Send me $14 a month and file any claims with me. When you file a claim, I will consider it carefully, compare it to "samples" on the VPI website, and then pay you a random, unpredictable portion of your claim amount. Oh, and you have not appeal of my payment decision because pet insurance is not regulated by the state. Do we have a deal?
Since you admit you cannot understand the policy terms or anticipate the payment amount for the injuries or illnesses your pet is most likely to face, you are also admitting that you have no idea whether this is a good deal or not. You are simply trusting this web insurance company and letting the love of your pet and the fear that you will not have the resources to care for him, sway your decision.
Financially, your decision to keep the insurance is much worse than the $14 premium. Just assume that your worst-case $7,000 vet bill to save your pet comes true.
Before you commit to the payment, will you know how much to expect back from the insurance.
If the repayment is just 10%, are you really that much better off financially with a $6,300?
The problem is that you will not know whether or not you can afford the vet care because you will have no idea how much of the bill your insurance will cover. So you will be unable to make a financial decision. You will (I am quite sure) incur the debt -- because you love your pet -- and then hope for the best from the insurance company. As laudable as that is for a pet lover, it is NOT good financial advice.
Now I love my pets, too. But that love is not a good excuse for such sloppy financial advice, especially on this kind of site.
At our daughter's 2nd birthday we had "stations" which were our informal way of having things for kids to do. There was a "fishing" station with a bucket and magnetic bath toys. There was a "sandbox" station with a kiddie pool filled with sand and sand toys. And, there was an indoor play area with music, blocks, books, and pillows. We also have a play structure outside that kids enjoyed.
I have been having around 120 blood sugar reading at 10 pm or 11pm after eating dinner around 6:30 or 7. I was 190 lbs with a fasting of 105. I am now 160 lbs and eat the same breakfast most everyday, Oatmeal with bluberries and peanut butter, 2 tablespoons fiber and sprinkled cinnamon. It is usually around 90 more or less in the morning now, sometimes it was after 12 hours when I checked. I have been jogging, riding a bike, and exercising a little with weights most every day. Basically eating breakfast and dinner with little lunch, since off for summer, getting up late, and blood taking long time to go down. After oatmeal, and 1 1/2 hours exercise, still around 120 in afternoon. Any thoughts or suggestions? Should I eat more lunch? Won't my blood go even higher? It seems to stay at the same reading for many hours. One extreme was it was 99 one night and when I woke up in the morning it was 98. I do have stress and anxiety attacks quite a bit now, around the same time the doc said I had pre-diabetes. Noticed it after drinking tapioca express a lot, waking up in the middle of the night shaking, in shock of some kind. Maybe blood going up real high and dropping real low, i don't know.
I recently had to face an urgent matter with my cat, and found a great alternative to paying the entire cost of her procedures. The Vet office inside my local PetSmart(Banfield) has their own policy which covered moss of what my baby needed. This including the start up cost along with the extra work performed, cost me less then a quarter of the original estimate. This plan is most usefull for the more regular health visits that come with older age, however my Vet gave me an awesome deal. She did not charge me anything extra for knocking her out for it was covered in the teeth cleaning. I paid a first month fee along with the startup($100) total, then another $80 for the tooth removal, and tumor removal(Cardorizing proceedure) I am bonded to another 11months of payments($15.00 monthly), between the total cost of the payments and the upfront charges, i paid less than 1/4 of my 1st Esti. This is not a good plan for emergency situations but if there is something that needs to be done, and they can do it while doing the teeth cleaning they may give you a break. Never settle for the 1st Estimate given, get second or in my case a 3rd opinion. Banfield even has plenty of offers where the initial exam is free. I owe my sanity to them for the Vet there was a very wonderful human, and not out to squeeze every bit of change i had out of my pockets.
I have a "wellness plan" - not technically insurance - with Banfield Pet Hospital (that's the one inside Petsmart.) It's an incredible bargain.
$23 a month and you can sleep easily, if you sign up your puppy or kitten early enough. I wrote about it just this week at bit.ly/bM39S6
My plan saves on shots, mouth cleanings, exams, MRIs, even blood work. It's essentially a discount for taking me on as a lifelong customer. I pay $276 a year for my cats (yes, I'm confident enough in my masculinity to admit that I own cats), and it paid for itself within the first year. Not having to deal with PPOs is a nice touch, too.
"Multiply it by 6" - we used to think that three months was enough of a safety net, and now we have saved for 10 month. My goal is to save 2 full years. My husband thinks we should take that money and pay down the mortgage, but I want the cash safety net always at hand.
"When you look at the USDA "food pyramid," many of the things we should be eating the most of — grains, legumes... happen to cost the least. It's often the stuff that's bad for us (at least in large quantities) — red meat..."
This is the most disgusting thing I've ever read.
The USDA food pyramid is the most incorrect, foul, utterly vile misrepresentation of good nutrition to have ever been thought up.
Now, minus all the things you should never, ever eat, the list looks like this.
Apples - One a day keeps the cheapskate away.
Asparagus - HUGE store special at 99 cents a pound during Easter week. I bought 10 pounds, blanched it and then froze it.
Bok Choy - Steam and serve with a little soy sauce.
Broccoli - Yes, a store special. Usually closer to $2 per pound.
Cabbage - Green and red -- I like mine fried.
Carrots - Raw or steamed; rich in carotenes, a healthy antioxidant.
Celery - Stir fry it for a change.
Chicken - Whole or various parts, on sale.
Cucumbers - Try peeling, seeding, and steaming with a little butter and salt.
Daikon Radish - My new favorite raw veggie.
Eggs - Overdo them, eggs provide high quality protein and still cost about $1 per pound. (Plus, there are many eggscellent things you can do with the shells.)
Greens - Kale, mustard, turnip, and collard greens are rich in vitamins and a good source of fiber. Here's how I cook 'em.
Lentils - Perhaps the perfect food -- healthy, cheap, and versatile (think soups, salads, sandwich spreads -- and those are only some of the "s" possibilities).
Napa Cabbage - Delicious steamed or raw in a salad.
Onions - Try baking them whole in a cream sauce.
Oranges - Frequent sale price when in-season.
Pork - Tenderloin only
Pumpkin - Yes, you can eat the same ones you buy as holiday decorations, and they usually cost under 50 cents a pound.
Spinach - Frozen (but Popeye doesn't care).
Squash - Try baking acorn squash with a little brown sugar.
Tomatoes (canned) - Canned are often better than fresh to use in cooking, and occasionally you can find fresh on sale for under a buck, in-season.
Turkey - A popular bargain priced loss-leader around the holidays -- buy an extra bird and freeze it for later.
Turnips - Make me think of my grandparents, who always grew them.
Wine - Red wine will keep you alive until you stop drinking it.
Zucchini - OK, they're a type of squash (above). But I love them so much they deserve their own place on the list. Plus they look great in pantyhose
Don't compromise your health for a few dollars, folks.
Starches and simple carbohydrates (ie. any bread, rice, or starchy vegetable) are linked to heart and liver disease, separately linked to obesity, which has it's own link to heart and liver disease, and which is linked to decreased brain function.
Cancer is on the rise in America. So is Obesity. Both are caused by foods that we're not supposed to digest.
I agree with this in part. The key phrase here is "unknown history." If you're getting a puppy, or a dog with a known medical history you're probably ok -in my neck of the woods, a lot of the older dogs are brought in because of housing issues, or a senior owner passing away or being put in a home so the medical history is usually known.
If you get a purebred dog, the insurance may pay for itself quickly. I know quite a few people who have found this to be true. Purebreed dogs (some breeds in particular e.g. mastiffs, or newfoundland dogs, and ALL smaller toy breeds) have more genetic problems, including hip issues, skin problems etc and that can add up to some serious vet bills. Some of this, insurance will pay for, and some it won't, but it's worth looking into. In fact, the parents should be screened, and you may even be given the guarantee of a new puppy should your dog have a problem, but often they still have some problems and I don't know anyone who would trade their "defective" puppy in. The screening is not a guarantee.
Mutts tend to be hardier and experience far fewer health problems, though this depends on what their life has been like and what they've been exposed to (see above). Personally, I would get a shelter mutt and skip the insurance altogether. Not just because it is highly likely to be cheaper in the long run, but also because I have had wonderful experiences working with shelters and owning healthy, happy shelter dogs.
Personally, I'd get pet insurance on a purebreed dog, but not on a shelter mutt, but I can see why people would think otehrwise.
Unfortunately, VPI is the biggest insurer out there and probably has the worst policy. They have "benefits schedules" which means they decide how much they will reimburse for each incident.
Since them, other companies have popped up that cover a percentage of the actual bill.
Pet insurance can be great, especially for those higher risk breeds; just like car insurance is a good idea to have unless you think you can afford outrageous bills. People just don't spend enough time researching, and they pick VPI off the bat because they are the "biggest and oldest". That certainly does not make them the best as you can tell by reviews all over the internet!
My dog's pet insurance covers 90% of the actual bill (after deductible has been met, but I have a $0 deductible) and there are no caps, and don't raise rates due to birthdays. VPI will increase your rates on a schedule as well, so take that into consideration.
The nice thing about my insurance, Trupanion, is that I can calculate exactly how much I will be reimbursed for each claim that I file (I just subtract the vaccines, fecal test, etc. b/c they don't pay for the routine stuff). I think you should do more research and consider switching companies; I like Trupanion but have also heard good things about a couple of other companies.
Ditch VPI asap!
We has VPI insurance on both of our pets for about five years, but finally dropped it this year. We had only ever had one claim during that time, when our dog injured her hip. The bill was just over $100 and VPI reimbursed us $6. We have decided to just save the nearly $300/year we had been paying for their insurance, and self-insure if something happens to them.
Having read all the comments, there is one other thing that no one else has considered: Insurance is not transferrable. Savings are.
Pets live a fraction of a standard human lifespan. It is effectively a given that your pets won't live as long as you do, and you will probably get other pets further on in your life.
If you put a given amount in a savings account against the potential necessity of paying medical costs, anything you haven't paid from that once a pet has died, is available for medical costs of any future pet, whereas if you paid it to the insurance company, it's gone.
And it will also allow you to get hurt much worse if you are in an accident as it does not have abs or airbags....but as long as you save a few dollars!
Oh, and reading up on barrels...........Chestnut wood is widely used in the west of england for cider barrels; apparently it gives a sweeter flavour to the finished product. Might try a piece of that. Doesn't mention anything about charring it or so on.
Hello Michael,
Thank you for your well-written post about your recent experience with VPI. After reading about your claim, I’d like to clarify a few items and hopefully help educate your readers on how our service works.
Like you stated, the Standard Plan you chose is our most basic and affordable plan, and as such provides the lowest benefit allowance per condition of our plans. The reason your reimbursement was less than the examples from our website is that those were examples taken from, and identified with, several different plans.
We ran your claim to show what your reimbursement would have been if you had one of these plans:
The VPI Injury Plan with a $250 deductible would’ve paid $295.53 (54%) of your $545.53 bill and your monthly premium would be $11.45.
The VPI Medical Plan with a $100 deductible would’ve paid $375.00 (69%)of your $545.53 bill and your monthly premium would be $31.28.
The VPI Major Medical Plan with a $100 deductible would’ve paid $445.53 (81%) of your $545.53 bill and your monthly premium would be $40.54.
When you renew your policy next year, you may want to consider upgrading to one of these other plans. It sounds like you understand the tradeoff between premium and benefits, and you are correct that should your dog need treatment for a major accident or illness (cancer, broken bone, foreign body ingestion surgery) you will likely receive much more in reimbursement than you have put into your policy no matter what plan you have.
Also, just so you know, all policyholders can resubmit claims for review. We process all claims according to the information we receive, and sometimes additional medical records will reveal additional available benefits. For example, our policies have additional benefits available for “multiple lacerations,” and if medical records revealed that your dog was treated for multiple lacerations, these benefits would apply.
For more information on how to resubmit a claim, you can call our customer care department at 800-USA-PETS.
I'm a guy who used to "save" money by hardly ever buying clothes. I recently started picking up a few things at discount clothing stores and started feeling better about myself and have even received some compliments on how I look. So now I'm setting aside about $50 (U.S.) a month for clothes. I don't need to spend that much, but I think the "feel better about myself" quotient is worth it!
Home made veggie pizza is a great way to get rid of the veggie odds and ends left over at the end of the week. Curry also serves this purpose.
Chris - No one goes into a business to lose money. So, yes, of course, it was to make money. The point is you work hard to make your money and that there are a LOT of costs that the Average "Chris" doesn't see. And, welcome to the world of business. Costs incurred must be passed on to the customer in order to be profitable. That is why the cost of your goods and services are always on the rise. More regulation, more taxation on businesses, thanks to a liberal government who will say they are gonna make them pay. Guess who pays? That's right. It's the customer. In order for a business to remain profitable, some costs must be passed on. That is the dirty little secret the government doesn't tell you. When businesses pay, everyone pays. Want cheaper products? Work for less government interference which will allow you to get your Coke for less than $4. And, I don't recall seeing that anyone reamed a customer. It is usually the other way around, but if I'm understanding your vibe right, you think that's OK. Moronic.
These tips are sensational!!! Although the chickens aren't so happy as the scrap bucket isn't as full.
Thanks Heaps.
In November 2009, my 7 year old dog suddenly lost use of his hind legs. I did not have pet insurance on him. He lost use of his hind legs after jumping off a high bed. I truly thought that was the cause of his injury. I took him to emergency vet who discovered he had a ruptured disc in his spine and, without surgery, would never walk again. I agreed to surgery. The surgery cost around $6,500 and I was kicking myself for not having my pet insured. But, the vet informed me that her diagnosis was that the ruptured disc was not caused by an injury but rather a genetic disorder. Therefore, if I had paid for pet insurance, the $6,500 surgery would NOT be covered under insurance anyway because pet insurance plans do not cover genetic problems. MORAL OF THE STORY...IF YOU WANT PET INSURANCE, READ THE FINE PRINT.
I love this advice. I recently started looking into rewards debit cards for those who refuse to stop using credit cards (under the notion that they pay them off at the end of the month anyhow..) because they want the cash back. PerkStreet financial offers 2% cash back (there are some "catches") for non-pin debit purchases. While I still think CASH is even better than debit cards (because for some it hurts to pay cash), maybe something like that can help folks with number 5.
Zorcy, Boswell's "Life of Johnson", 1791. "The inhabitants of Inverary are the most impoverished and wretched creatures in all creation, having neither corn, nor wheat, nor barley. They subsist on Oats, from which they make both their bread and whiskey; it must be said that while their bread is well-nigh inedible, their whiskey is the finest I have ever tasted.".....................Oat whiskey??? Must be worth a try making it.
OK, let me make you an offer. Send me $14 a month and file any claims with me. When you file a claim, I will consider it carefully, compare it to "samples" on the VPI website, and then pay you a random, unpredictable portion of your claim amount. Oh, and you have not appeal of my payment decision because pet insurance is not regulated by the state. Do we have a deal?
Since you admit you cannot understand the policy terms or anticipate the payment amount for the injuries or illnesses your pet is most likely to face, you are also admitting that you have no idea whether this is a good deal or not. You are simply trusting this web insurance company and letting the love of your pet and the fear that you will not have the resources to care for him, sway your decision.
Financially, your decision to keep the insurance is much worse than the $14 premium. Just assume that your worst-case $7,000 vet bill to save your pet comes true.
Before you commit to the payment, will you know how much to expect back from the insurance.
If the repayment is just 10%, are you really that much better off financially with a $6,300?
The problem is that you will not know whether or not you can afford the vet care because you will have no idea how much of the bill your insurance will cover. So you will be unable to make a financial decision. You will (I am quite sure) incur the debt -- because you love your pet -- and then hope for the best from the insurance company. As laudable as that is for a pet lover, it is NOT good financial advice.
Now I love my pets, too. But that love is not a good excuse for such sloppy financial advice, especially on this kind of site.
Please do report back, Forest! Curious to hear about how the honey works.
It's in the older comments. 3.2 or 3.6 per gallon or close to that if your dial only does 3 or 4 just pick one.
At our daughter's 2nd birthday we had "stations" which were our informal way of having things for kids to do. There was a "fishing" station with a bucket and magnetic bath toys. There was a "sandbox" station with a kiddie pool filled with sand and sand toys. And, there was an indoor play area with music, blocks, books, and pillows. We also have a play structure outside that kids enjoyed.
I have been having around 120 blood sugar reading at 10 pm or 11pm after eating dinner around 6:30 or 7. I was 190 lbs with a fasting of 105. I am now 160 lbs and eat the same breakfast most everyday, Oatmeal with bluberries and peanut butter, 2 tablespoons fiber and sprinkled cinnamon. It is usually around 90 more or less in the morning now, sometimes it was after 12 hours when I checked. I have been jogging, riding a bike, and exercising a little with weights most every day. Basically eating breakfast and dinner with little lunch, since off for summer, getting up late, and blood taking long time to go down. After oatmeal, and 1 1/2 hours exercise, still around 120 in afternoon. Any thoughts or suggestions? Should I eat more lunch? Won't my blood go even higher? It seems to stay at the same reading for many hours. One extreme was it was 99 one night and when I woke up in the morning it was 98. I do have stress and anxiety attacks quite a bit now, around the same time the doc said I had pre-diabetes. Noticed it after drinking tapioca express a lot, waking up in the middle of the night shaking, in shock of some kind. Maybe blood going up real high and dropping real low, i don't know.
I recently had to face an urgent matter with my cat, and found a great alternative to paying the entire cost of her procedures. The Vet office inside my local PetSmart(Banfield) has their own policy which covered moss of what my baby needed. This including the start up cost along with the extra work performed, cost me less then a quarter of the original estimate. This plan is most usefull for the more regular health visits that come with older age, however my Vet gave me an awesome deal. She did not charge me anything extra for knocking her out for it was covered in the teeth cleaning. I paid a first month fee along with the startup($100) total, then another $80 for the tooth removal, and tumor removal(Cardorizing proceedure) I am bonded to another 11months of payments($15.00 monthly), between the total cost of the payments and the upfront charges, i paid less than 1/4 of my 1st Esti. This is not a good plan for emergency situations but if there is something that needs to be done, and they can do it while doing the teeth cleaning they may give you a break. Never settle for the 1st Estimate given, get second or in my case a 3rd opinion. Banfield even has plenty of offers where the initial exam is free. I owe my sanity to them for the Vet there was a very wonderful human, and not out to squeeze every bit of change i had out of my pockets.
Gotta ditch the soda entirely, sorry. You'll basically get used to it with time.
I have a "wellness plan" - not technically insurance - with Banfield Pet Hospital (that's the one inside Petsmart.) It's an incredible bargain.
$23 a month and you can sleep easily, if you sign up your puppy or kitten early enough. I wrote about it just this week at bit.ly/bM39S6
My plan saves on shots, mouth cleanings, exams, MRIs, even blood work. It's essentially a discount for taking me on as a lifelong customer. I pay $276 a year for my cats (yes, I'm confident enough in my masculinity to admit that I own cats), and it paid for itself within the first year. Not having to deal with PPOs is a nice touch, too.
"Multiply it by 6" - we used to think that three months was enough of a safety net, and now we have saved for 10 month. My goal is to save 2 full years. My husband thinks we should take that money and pay down the mortgage, but I want the cash safety net always at hand.
I was thrilled to make my first Wisebread round-up. Thanks for the honor with such great company.
"When you look at the USDA "food pyramid," many of the things we should be eating the most of — grains, legumes... happen to cost the least. It's often the stuff that's bad for us (at least in large quantities) — red meat..."
This is the most disgusting thing I've ever read.
The USDA food pyramid is the most incorrect, foul, utterly vile misrepresentation of good nutrition to have ever been thought up.
Now, minus all the things you should never, ever eat, the list looks like this.
Apples - One a day keeps the cheapskate away.
Asparagus - HUGE store special at 99 cents a pound during Easter week. I bought 10 pounds, blanched it and then froze it.
Bok Choy - Steam and serve with a little soy sauce.
Broccoli - Yes, a store special. Usually closer to $2 per pound.
Cabbage - Green and red -- I like mine fried.
Carrots - Raw or steamed; rich in carotenes, a healthy antioxidant.
Celery - Stir fry it for a change.
Chicken - Whole or various parts, on sale.
Cucumbers - Try peeling, seeding, and steaming with a little butter and salt.
Daikon Radish - My new favorite raw veggie.
Eggs - Overdo them, eggs provide high quality protein and still cost about $1 per pound. (Plus, there are many eggscellent things you can do with the shells.)
Greens - Kale, mustard, turnip, and collard greens are rich in vitamins and a good source of fiber. Here's how I cook 'em.
Lentils - Perhaps the perfect food -- healthy, cheap, and versatile (think soups, salads, sandwich spreads -- and those are only some of the "s" possibilities).
Napa Cabbage - Delicious steamed or raw in a salad.
Onions - Try baking them whole in a cream sauce.
Oranges - Frequent sale price when in-season.
Pork - Tenderloin only
Pumpkin - Yes, you can eat the same ones you buy as holiday decorations, and they usually cost under 50 cents a pound.
Spinach - Frozen (but Popeye doesn't care).
Squash - Try baking acorn squash with a little brown sugar.
Tomatoes (canned) - Canned are often better than fresh to use in cooking, and occasionally you can find fresh on sale for under a buck, in-season.
Turkey - A popular bargain priced loss-leader around the holidays -- buy an extra bird and freeze it for later.
Turnips - Make me think of my grandparents, who always grew them.
Wine - Red wine will keep you alive until you stop drinking it.
Zucchini - OK, they're a type of squash (above). But I love them so much they deserve their own place on the list. Plus they look great in pantyhose
Don't compromise your health for a few dollars, folks.
Starches and simple carbohydrates (ie. any bread, rice, or starchy vegetable) are linked to heart and liver disease, separately linked to obesity, which has it's own link to heart and liver disease, and which is linked to decreased brain function.
Cancer is on the rise in America. So is Obesity. Both are caused by foods that we're not supposed to digest.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38528161/from/toolbar
Watch what goes into your bodies. It's not all fine and dandy.
I agree with this in part. The key phrase here is "unknown history." If you're getting a puppy, or a dog with a known medical history you're probably ok -in my neck of the woods, a lot of the older dogs are brought in because of housing issues, or a senior owner passing away or being put in a home so the medical history is usually known.
If you get a purebred dog, the insurance may pay for itself quickly. I know quite a few people who have found this to be true. Purebreed dogs (some breeds in particular e.g. mastiffs, or newfoundland dogs, and ALL smaller toy breeds) have more genetic problems, including hip issues, skin problems etc and that can add up to some serious vet bills. Some of this, insurance will pay for, and some it won't, but it's worth looking into. In fact, the parents should be screened, and you may even be given the guarantee of a new puppy should your dog have a problem, but often they still have some problems and I don't know anyone who would trade their "defective" puppy in. The screening is not a guarantee.
Mutts tend to be hardier and experience far fewer health problems, though this depends on what their life has been like and what they've been exposed to (see above). Personally, I would get a shelter mutt and skip the insurance altogether. Not just because it is highly likely to be cheaper in the long run, but also because I have had wonderful experiences working with shelters and owning healthy, happy shelter dogs.
Personally, I'd get pet insurance on a purebreed dog, but not on a shelter mutt, but I can see why people would think otehrwise.
Unfortunately, VPI is the biggest insurer out there and probably has the worst policy. They have "benefits schedules" which means they decide how much they will reimburse for each incident.
Since them, other companies have popped up that cover a percentage of the actual bill.
Pet insurance can be great, especially for those higher risk breeds; just like car insurance is a good idea to have unless you think you can afford outrageous bills. People just don't spend enough time researching, and they pick VPI off the bat because they are the "biggest and oldest". That certainly does not make them the best as you can tell by reviews all over the internet!
My dog's pet insurance covers 90% of the actual bill (after deductible has been met, but I have a $0 deductible) and there are no caps, and don't raise rates due to birthdays. VPI will increase your rates on a schedule as well, so take that into consideration.
The nice thing about my insurance, Trupanion, is that I can calculate exactly how much I will be reimbursed for each claim that I file (I just subtract the vaccines, fecal test, etc. b/c they don't pay for the routine stuff). I think you should do more research and consider switching companies; I like Trupanion but have also heard good things about a couple of other companies.
Ditch VPI asap!
We has VPI insurance on both of our pets for about five years, but finally dropped it this year. We had only ever had one claim during that time, when our dog injured her hip. The bill was just over $100 and VPI reimbursed us $6. We have decided to just save the nearly $300/year we had been paying for their insurance, and self-insure if something happens to them.
Having read all the comments, there is one other thing that no one else has considered: Insurance is not transferrable. Savings are.
Pets live a fraction of a standard human lifespan. It is effectively a given that your pets won't live as long as you do, and you will probably get other pets further on in your life.
If you put a given amount in a savings account against the potential necessity of paying medical costs, anything you haven't paid from that once a pet has died, is available for medical costs of any future pet, whereas if you paid it to the insurance company, it's gone.
And it will also allow you to get hurt much worse if you are in an accident as it does not have abs or airbags....but as long as you save a few dollars!