Not that this week’s bills were great — but I was bracing for significantly worse.
As suspected, the A/C coil were simply clogged with dirt and cat hair. Cleaning it was a fun $262 after tax, but at least we have A/C again. And it wasn’t a major problem. (The technicians checked everything out, at least, so I know things are good until the winter check-up.)
Tim’s dentures cost $150 to fix. I was braced for much worse.
The worst thing about the experience was actually the dentist’s hard sell. We repeatedly explained that we needed the suckers to hold out for four more months. Then he’d have insurance and we would absolutely get a new pair.
But she just kept pushing. We had to explain about four times that we needed to try this first.
Also, I’m somewhat suspicious of her claim that dentures usually wear out in about four years. I’m pretty sure plenty of people have theirs longer than that.
Thanks to her pushiness, that dentist has lost any future business with us. That’s a shame because, apparently, Tim will need new dentures in about four months.
So, anyway, the repairs for the week came in at about $400. It certainly could have been worse.
Granted, we still have to contend with the post-discount $1,500 of hospital bills. But I am hopeful that my letter of contention about the charges will result in at least a small reduction of the fees. It’s worth a shot, anyway.
Meanwhile, all of the places take payments and don’t charge interest. So I think we’ll go that route. We’ll make $50-100 payments until we’re back where we need to be. Then we’ll pay off the balances.
Which is a good thing, because I only get paid once a month. Somehow I doubt we could get any pay day loans. And I’d really rather not pay credit card interest, either.
In the meantime, I’m finally getting organized with regard to food. As mentioned previously, my fast food intake is down to practically nothing. But Tim’s has still been rampant. We just haven’t been able to get it together to feed him at home. This has been true for awhile, and he’s currently about 20 lbs underweight. Eep.
The dentures thing prodded me to get the makings for smoothies (and a blender, since ours apparently died from neglect). Even now that he’s back on solids, I’ve been giving him a couple of large smoothies a day in and around meals.
They’re full of unhealthy calories because those are the smoothies that taste best, generally. Plus, using sherbet helps increase the calories — and he desperately needs those right now.
I also made some brats yesterday and made a couple more for his lunch today. Plus we’re finally getting the makings for burgers. That’s what he generally eats for fast food anyway, so we’re hoping to cut out the middle man.
Realistically, I don’t know how long this organized approach to food will last. Hopefully, at least long enough to bolster his weight and our finances. We may figure out this whole “feeding ourselves” thing yet.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Unless you're chewing nails or something, dentures should last much longer than 4 years
My mom had a full top plate since she was 28 – at age 60 she was on her *second* set of dentures ever. She had a partial plate on the bottom – and that was at least 15 years old – and it was wearing out, but it was a really specialized plate with some really thin parts to wind around her remaining teeth – it wasn't the standard at the time, and the dentist didn't expect it to last quite as long as the full plate.
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I think the smoothies would be a good habit to keep for both of you. Maybe get protein powder to make them more meal-worthy instead of a snack. But good for you for keeping up the forward motion. karla
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I had the same problem with our dentist. Every time we went in she tried to get us to do something we could not afford. So this week I asked a friend who they go to and then I called to make appointments with a new dental office. Sad how these offices try to make a buck so bad, they don't listen when you tell them you can't afford something.
On a different subject- Get a small gas bbq. We end up bbqing at least 4 nights a week. And I don't mind a bit if twice its a burger. They only take about 10 minutes to cook, and are much better than any fast food burger. And you know what you put into them, so no bad stuff. You have better weather there than here in Reno in the winter months, so you'll get lots of use out of it. Yes, its a learning curve for the bbq, but Tim might get into bbqing, and maybe Tim's dad too. Try wrapping potatoes in foil with some garlic salt, and olive oil on them, poke some holes into them and throw them on the bbq too. I do this with a tri tip and it takes about an hour for both items. With a salad thats a nice meal and you don't have to turn on the oven…You could make the salad and get the potatoes ready earlier in the day when you have more energy and don't forget the garlic salt on the meat.
Get some protein powder at the local health food store and add it to those shakes. I do it for my bean pole father in law.. he needs to gain weight too.
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Augh! Dentists have to eat, too, I suppose…but jeez. When you know a client is having a hard time financially, that's not the time to try a hard sell.
Look, if you don't mind driving all the way into town, try Dr. Joseph Davis. His office is in a high-rise on Central Ave north of Thomas. Google Joseph Davis Dentist Phoenix AZ to get his number or e-mail me.
If you explain your situation to him, he will NOT rip you off and he will not try to high-pressure you into something you don't need or can't afford right this instant. No dentist is cheap, but I comparison-shopped the cost of crowns and this guy beat the competition hands-down. He's a very nice man and an excellent dentist.
His building will no longer cover the price of parking, so if you don't want to pony up a buck or two to park in the high-rise parking (all the street parking is metered!), quietly leave your car in the Park Central Mall parking lot across the street. Walk into west entrance of the mall, go down to the deli, walk through the deli and come out their south door, walk across the lot to the street, and cross Central at the signal. So far I have not gotten caught doing that — apparently whoever is watching, if anyone is watching, hasn't caught onto that trick yet.
Heh heh heh heh…and you thought YOU were parsimonious, eh?
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Frontline just had an excellent documentary on dentistry . Many upsell a lot, especially to poor people who can't afford it. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/dollars-a…
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