State Sales Tax Holidays

By: Nicole | August 01, 2008 | Category: Money

Gold sandalsA few days ago, I was browsing through one of our many local malls and found a hot deal on a fabulous pair of new shoes. I try to limit my shoe collection to a reasonable amount (which is relative, of course), but I couldn't pass up this sale. So, I bounced up to the counter with a smile and a credit card. Unfortunately, I had forgotten that Maryland recently raised its sales tax to 6 percent. Dude, that can totally add to the cost of new shoes (and most other consumer purchases).

The good news is that many states offer a sales tax holiday. In fact, 14 different states have a tax holiday in August, many beginning today. That should help for those of you who have back-to-school shopping to do.

If you're not sure about your state’s sales tax or its sales tax holiday, be sure to check them out. Most states have rules about which purchases will be tax-free during the holiday, so do a little research before you go. The money you save could help you buy an extra pair of shoes... guilt-free! Happy shopping.

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Buying Prescription Drugs Online

By: Nicole | July 11, 2008 | Category: Health

Prescription medicine pillsA recent study found that 85% of websites that sold prescription drugs directly to consumers didn’t require a doctor’s prescription. That’s an alarming statistic, especially when one considers the danger of prescription drug abuse and fake medication.

It’s no secret that the price of prescription drugs in this country continues to rise at an incredible rate. For many people, especially those who take maintenance prescriptions, these rising costs can have a serious impact.

Some consumers have discovered that they can fill their prescriptions cheaper and easier online. In fact, some insurance companies require policy holders to do so.

One way online pharmacies reduce costs is by automatically using generic drugs unless prohibited by your physician’s order. Whether or not you buy online, you can usually save some cash by opting for generic drugs.

If you find yourself about to plunge into the sea of online pharmacies, keep these tips in mind:

  • National Association of Boards of Pharmacy logoUse the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy to research a website before using it.
  • Don't buy from sites that sell prescription drugs without a prescription or that sell drugs not approved by the FDA.
  • Only use sites that have a pharmacist available to answer your questions.
  • Only buy from sites based in the U.S. It’s against the law to buy prescription drugs from other countries. It could also be unsafe.
  • Talk to your doctor or clinic before using any medicine for the first time.

When you receive your medication, you might want to verify that it’s the right pill by searching for its image in the Drug Digest database.

Have you used an online pharmacy to buy meds? Were you happy with the experience?

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