Generic drugs, keeping receipts add up
Kathy Kadlec is using the insights she gained in a 15-year retail career to pinch pennies as she raises five kids ages 12 to 18.
She has learned to be flexible about where she fills her prescriptions. At first, Kadlec, 45, used a gift card from a local pharmacy to get a discount, but she recently switched to Wal-Mart's generic drug price program.
(Richard A. Chapman/Sun-Times)
"Sure enough, one of my prescriptions that had cost $29 a month was on the generic list for $9," said Kadlec, a resident of Cary. "That's a $20-a-month savings. It adds up."
Kadlec also closely watches department stores' policies on price adjustments. Many major retailers guarantee money back if a shopper buys an item that goes on sale within 14 days of the purchase.
Shoppers must take in receipts to get the money back.
Kadlec noticed that a shirt and tie her youngest son bought for $60 was put on sale within two weeks of the purchase. She took the receipts to the store and got $26 back.
"I'm not trying to scam a retailer, nor would I urge others to do so," she said. "We're not talking about wearing clothes for months and trying to get a refund. It's a matter of being aware of the prices."
Kadlec also shops for clothes during the off season. She looks for swimwear at the end of the summer, when it is usually sold at 75 percent to 80 percent discounts.
"It's such a good deal," she said.
What are you doing to make ends meet? Write to psmith@suntimes.com.