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Show ^ ^;f*;" i^%^ Beaver Press - November 18, 2010 '- Page 2 '' If you have an adequate amount in savings, increase deductibles USPS 074-400 on your health insurance to Published every Thursday in C lower the cost o{ your premi(ARA) - The holiday season How Can I Save on Medical Beaver, Utah by The Beaver Press ums. • ;.>.;•--::y ••:'/ •/'•"•' is a great time to gather with Expenses? Second Class Postage Paid Beaver/Utah 84713 * Know your health Insurance. It family and friends in your home . . LOGAN, UT - Answer by: may cover more than you think. Marlow L. Draper Publisher/Editor to celebrate the season. In the Melanie Jewkes, Utah State Insurance companies often pro(ARA) -As seasons change, Sue Draper. Business Manager rush of decorating the home and University Cooperative vide benefits to help you stay so do the holidays being celeshopping for gifts, many people Extension family and consumer safe and healthy, 'including disbrated. Pumpkins and gourds SUBSCRIPTION RATES overlook simple safejy precausciences agent , counts on vitamins, alternative.; make way for twinkling lights . . ' In Beaver County $17.00 tions. With health-care costs on medicines, health club member-;; and snowmen, and the big Beaver County Senior Citizen $15.00 Whether you are stringing the rise, consumers are looking ships or bike helmets. You may question is: What is the best Outside Beaver County. ....,.......$20.00 lights inside or outside your for ways to lower medical also be surprised at the range of way to store this year's decorahome, shopping for holiday expenses. A good.place to begin coverage your health plan tions so I am more organized Postmaster please send change of address to: decor for your office or dorm is to practice prevention and offers. Read your plan membernext year? There is nothing The Beaver Press, Box 351, Beaver Utah 84713 room, or looking online for the maintain a healthy lifestyle. Take ship materials to find out what. more upsetting than pulling out latest gadgets and gifts, it is advantage of wellness proproducts and services are covGrandma's vintage tree-topper bpress@xmissfon.com important to keep safety in grams. Maintain a healthy ered through your health plan to find that it has succumb to mind. weight. Exercise regularly. Kick before you pay for them on your dust and mold. Phone:435-438-2891 Fax:435-438-8804 CSA International, a global unhealthy habits and have reguown. Often^ the only place to product safety, testing and cer\U lar checkups. Eat wisely to • Get a second opinion for any store holiday decorations is in fication organization, recomdecrease illness and tooth sweet potatoes, $3.19, up 7 the garage or attic, according to major medical procedure-. There mends that you remember decay. Brush and floss dally. cents; a one-pound relish tray of may be another doctor specialorganizing expert, Barry Izsak, these smart decorating and Learn first aid as well as sympcarrots and celery, 77 cents, up izing in a given area who can author of "Organize Your shopping tips to help ensure toms of common disease so you provide you with a second opin5 cents; a dozen brown-n-serve Garage in No Time." "The probeveryone has a safe holiday know when seeing a doctor is rolls, $2.12, up 4 cents. ion. : lem is that these storage locaseason: advisable. Consider these additions leave your precious holiDeck your halls: indoor safety tional tips for cutting medical "Some of the Thanksgiving dinday decorations and family heirtips costs. ner items have rebounded from looms vulnerable to excessive WASHINGTON, D.C., • Inspect holiday light strings • Contribute to a flexible spendquite low price levels in 2009," heat and moisture, as well as a each year and discard any with November 12, 2010 - Menu ing account. Many employers . Anderson said. "For example, cavalry* of insects and rodents," items for a classic Thanksgiving frayed cords, cracked lamp offer a flexible spending plan last year's milk price was at its he says. dinner including turkey, stuffing, holders or loose connections. that allows you to put pre-tax lowest level since 2001. Dairy Here are some easy ways cranberries, pumpkin pie and alf • Never tack or staple lighting dollars into an account. You are product prices have climbed to properly store your holiday the basic trimmings increased strings or extension cords to any then reimbursed for your out-ofsome in 2010, largely reflecting items: about 1.3 percent in price this surface. pocket medical expenses, such better consumer demand as the • Store holiday decorations in year, according to the American Never run electrical cords as prescription drugs, dental economy has gradually enclosed plastic containers to Farm Bureau Federation. through doorways or under car. care and co-payments. improved this year." guard against water and moisAFBF's 25th annual inforpets and rugs. • Cut the cost of prescription A combined group of mis- ture damage. Check the storage mal price survey of classic items • Always turn off holiday lights drugs. Prescription costs for cellaneous items, including cof- area to ensure there are no found on the Thanksgiving Day when you leave the house unatmedications taken regularly can fee and ingredients necessary water leaks due to the roof or a dinner table indicates the avertended or when going to bed. consume a large portion of your to prepare the meal (onions, wet basement, potentially causage cost of this year's feast for • Do not use open flames or budget. Ask your pharmacist or ' eggs, sugar, flour, evaporated ing damaging mold and mildew 10 is $43.47, a 56-cent price candles on or near flammable doctor to recommend a less milk and butter) also increased to occur. THE OTHER RUT - increase from last year's avermaterials such as wreaths, trees expensive generic drug when Adult bucks are most * in price, to $3.22. • Clearly label the contents of age of $42.91. This year's meal or paper decorations. vulnerable to hunters during the] possible. Also, try ordering preJoining the turkey as items each container on the outside to rut which is the peak breeding , is actually $1.14 cheaper than • Avoid hanging decorations on scriptions through the mail using that decreased in price this year ensure that items are easy to period for adult whitetall does. what shoppers paid two years or near objects like fire sprina traditional or online pharmacy. Uspatly the rut, except for were: one pound of "green peas, locate. Most large retail stores southeastern and southern ago, when the total was $44.61. . klers, fire extinguishers, exit corIf you belong to a prescription $1.44, down 14 cents; and a 14- sell plastic bins in varying sizes states, takes place from the "While this year's meal ridors or exit signs which can drug plan through your health second through the last weeks ounce package of cubed bread and colors; color-coding boxes remains a bargain, at less than of November. The timing of hinder one's vision or safety. insurance, you may be able to stuffing, $2.64, down 1 cent. can help in' identifying the con- • Consider using certified LED the rut Is just about the same $4.35 per person, America's get a three-month supply of your from Canada to as far south Another of the traditional tents , quickly and easily. farmers and ranchers are perholiday lights around your as the Carolina's In the east to medication through the mall for Thanksgiving items, fresh cran- Valentine's Day decorations can Washington In the west. haps most proud of the quality , home, as they are more energythe same price as a one-month berries, was unchanged from be in red bins, Halloween in What a lot of hunters don't and variety of the food they proefficient and longer lasting than supply. realize Is that there Is a second last year, with a 12-ounce pack- orange, etc. This will save you duce for America's dinner table," rut that takes place. Determine traditional lights. • Take advantage of free health age selling for $2.41. the peak of the rut in your time and energy in the long-run. said AFBF President Bob • Ensure your home includes screenings. If your health insurarea and then add 25 days Anderson said.despite retail For example, a red box labeled Stallman, a rice and cattle proto determine the peak of the certified working smoke and ance doesn't provide adequate price increases during the last "Holiday lights" is easier to idensecond rut. This Is the time ducer from Texas. "Our farm carbon monoxide alarms on coverage in some areas or if year or so. American consumers tify and locate than one labeled when does that didn't conceive each level of your home. and ranch families are honored during the first rut come Into you don*t have health insurance have enjoyed relatively stable "Holiday." ' estrous. tf you didn't get a buck All is bright: outdoor lighting knowing that again this year coverage, check into free health food costs over the years, parduring the first rut, you don't • To cut down on frustration tips Americans will celebrate screenings. Local clinics and want to mfss being out there ticularly when adjusted for inflanext year, take the time to check during the second rut. • Before working with outdoor Thanksgiving by gathering with hospitals often provide mammotion. all light strands, and throw out wiring, turn,off the electricity to. their families around the tradi• grams and screenings for blood The 1.3 percent increase in or repair the strands that don't the supply outlet and unplug the • pressure and cholesterol. See if tional feast. If is fitting that the the . national average cost co-host of 100% Real Hunting9 light properly. This is also a connection. food we produce from our land on Versus Network* you qualify for medical assisreported this year by Farm great time to replace any worn Ensure that light strings, is a focal point of our nation's tance. Bureau for a classic out lights with LED lights that cords, spotlights and floodlights For more tips, log onto thankful celebration of its collecThanksgiving dinner tracks • Shop for health insurance. If basspro&om conserve energy, omit less heat are certified and marked for outtive bounty." closely with the organization's you don't have employer-sponand last longer. door use. The AFBF survey shopping 2010 quarterly marketbasket sored health insurance, shop • Organize as you pack your • When hanging lights outdoors, list includes turkey, bread stufffood surveys (available online at around to find adequate, afforddecorations away. Neatly wrap keep electrical connectors ing, sweet potatoes, rolls with hUp://newsroom.fb.org) and the able coverage. Because premiabove ground, out of puddles or butter, peas, cranberries, a rel- . federal government's Consumer up cords to prevent that dreadums vary widely, you'll likely ed tangle next. year. Wrap snow and away from metal gutish tray of carrots and celery, Price Index (available online at save money if you get quotes breakables in bubble wrap or ters. pumpkin pie with whipped http://data.bls.gov/). from several companies. tissue to prevent damage. Keep • Remove lights promptly after cream, and beverages of coffee Evaluate each plan's coverage Farm Bureau volunteer linens, such as napkins, table the holidays to avoid damage and milk, all in quantities suffiand features, taking into shoppers are asked to look for cloths and tree skirts away from caused by extended exposure cient to serve a family of 10. account such things as excluthe best possible prices, without, anything containing wood pulp to harsh weather conditions. There is also plenty for leftsions, limitations and the freetaking advantage of special pro- or dyes which can bleed onto • Use a certified timer to switch overs. (NAPS)—Biopharmaceutical dom to choose health care motional coupons or purchase them, and avoid using paper, lights on and off. The big- ticket item—a 16research companies can help providers. Also, find out howdeals, such as spending $50 cardboard or tissues that aren't • Consider using solar lighting ' close the Medicare "doughnut pound turkey—was actually much you'll end up paying out of and receiving a free turkey. hole" by giving eligible seniors a labeled "acid-free." Launder and for illuminating your walkway or cheaper this year, at $17.66. pocket for co-payments, coShoppers with an eye for bar50 percent discount. To learn' press linens now to save time > outside space to be more conThat was roughly $1.10 per insurance and deductibles. more, visit www.PPARx.org or gains in all areas of the country, next year and prevent damage scious of the environment while pound, actually a decrease of call (888) 477-2669. • Check your medical bills. should be able to purchase indito fibers. improving your outdoor safety. about 6 cents per pound, or a Taking a few minutes to review vidual menu items at prices • Warm, cozy boxes full of tis- Shop safe: avoid counterfeit total of 99 cents per whole the charges may save you. comparable to the Farm Bureau sue paper, linens and decoraproducts * turkey, compared to 2009. While survey averages. Another . tions are perfect places for • • Avoid electrical products such money. Check to make sure the ' the whole bird was the biggest bill accurately reflects proceoption for busy families without unwanted pests to hide and as electric toys, household contributor 16 the final total, It dures performed and applicable a lot of time to cook Is ready-tonest. "I have seen extensive colappliances, power tools and was also the largest price insurance coverage. Errors eat Thanksgiving meals for up lections of holiday decorations consumer electronics that are decline compared to last year. such as computer codes are to 10 people, with all the trimdestroyed by insects and mice missing a label from an accred"Turkey prices are down common, and you*may be billed mings, which are available at because simple precautions ited certification organization some this year despite the fact. for health care you never many supermarkets and takewere not taken to guard against such as CSA. Internationalthat, according to Agriculture received. Contact the appropriM out restaurants for around $50 it, Izsak says. He recommends Counterfeit electrical products Department estimates, turkey ate office if you think you've to $75. using Ortho Home Defense Max have not been tested to the ; production has been slightly found a mistake. If you've The AFBF survey was first Having decided to become a products for pest protection applicable standards and may X lower in 2010 than in 2009 and received an explanation of benconducted in 1986. While Farm better health care consumer, because these products are present an electrical, fire or toxic • supplies of turkey in cold storefits from your insurance comLorene M. Burkbart shares Bureau does not make any sci- effective and easy to use. Using danger. age are below last year's level," insights in "Sick of Doctors? Then pany that you believe Is wrong; entific claims about the data, it is Ortho Home Defense Max • Counterfeit packaging often Do Something About It! A Presaid John Anderson, art AFBF ask the company to review your an informal gauge of price Perimeter & Indoor Insect Killer scription for Patient Empowerhas inferior designs or partial economist. claim. trends around the nation. ment." The book from Curtis Pubkeeps out, unwanted bugs that illustrations. Look for mis"This suggests that retailers • Keep track of your medical More thah 112 volunteer lishing is at www.SickOf can nest in and destroy your spellings and unclear print on ' are being fairly aggressive In shoppers from 34 states particiexpenses. At tax time, you may Docs.com/store. The e-book, at precious decorations. Simply products and labels. featuring turkeys in special Amazon, Sony or iTunes. be able to deduct certain medpated in this year's survey. Farm spray around the insjde perime• Check for a discrepancy • •* sales and promotions," ical expenses if you itemize your Bureau's survey menu has ter of your basement, crawl Children with cancer and between the contents of the Anderson said. "Overall, the return and your total medical remained unchanged since other diseases can be inspired in space, attic or garage to provide product package and its change in the price of this year's 1986 to allow for consistent expenses exceed 7.5 percent of. their fight for health by the Beads protection against listed Insects description. Thanksgiving dinner is basically of Courage program. With a $5 price comparisons. your adjusted gross income. for up to 12 months indoors. When a product doesn't in line with the modest changes donation at BeadsofCourage.org, Allowable medicaf expenses • Place Ortho Home Defense include a brand identifier or you can sponsor an Aflac Duck - that we've seen in #ie overall may include such things as trademark, it may be a fake. Wingman Bead and remind a Max No Touch Bait Stations price level this year. At $4.35 Originality does not consist in health care services, glasses child with cancer he or she is not Look for missing return addressalong the walls of your storage per' person, our traditional aaying what no one has ever and hearing aids. Keep track of alone. es or company contact informaarea to take care of mice. Not Thanksgiving feast is still a bet- said before, but in saying exactly these expenses if there's a only is this product easy to use, tion. ter deal than most fast-food what you think yourself. chance you can deduct them on but you never touch the bait• Check the "look and feel" of. —James Stephens value meals,.plus it's a wholeyour taxes. products. Fakes are often light mice just enter and feed inside .*** . some, home cooked meal." • Negotiate a discount with your and flimsy. the station .After use, simply disA gallon of whole' milk A penny saved is a penny health care provider. While it pose of t h * entire station. • Buy only from reputable increased in. price by 38 cents earned. 1 may not always work, it doesn't stores with clearly stated-return —Ben Franklin per gallon, to $3.24. Other items "With little added effort, you t policies. hurt to ask your doctor, hospital that showed a price increase *•• can ensure that your holiday or pharmacy if they offer disFor a fun and interactive from last year were: a 30-ounce decorations will endure season counts. Research before you website on holiday safety that can of pumpkin pie mix, $2.62, after season for future generathe whole family can enjoy, fea- negotiate to find out what other *** up 17 cents; two nine-inch pie tions to enjoy," says Izsak. "Isn't local health care providers, turing a holiday safety cartoon, Who is rich? He that is content. shells, $2.46, up 12 cents; 34 it worth taking the time now to Who is that? Nobody. charge. You can also ask health visit www.CSAHoliday.com. For pint of whipping crearn, $1.70, preserve your holiday tradi—Benjamin Franklin care providers if they offer dis* more general safety tips, visit up 15 cents; three pounds of tions?" •** counts if yQu pay cash up front. www.CSASafetyTlps.com. THE BEAVER PRESS Safely Store i.And Preserve Your Holiday Decorations • Safety Doesn't Take A Holiday ;Ask a ; Specialist:!!;fff Cost of Classic Thanksgiving Dinner Up Slightly in 2010 • • * • Your Ne#s .Could Be Here -,.;c< ,.. ^- ,'ir^ if. -'...I. >-.. '' .^. 4 ....e,...r. il |