I had a buzzing in my ears, and the doctor gave me a prescription for a nasal spray. When the pharmacist told me it would cost $135, I was one flabbergasted frugalista! This was not a medicine that the doctor guaranteed would cure me. It was more a case of “Try this. It might help“.  I don’t find that reassuring enough to make a three-figure investment.

I called Jan Drugs in Canada, and their price was around $90, as was my Medco prescription plan. I was getting crankier and crankier, and finally decided to call the doctor to see if there were any other options. The nurse who picked up was as outraged as I was, and he kindly offered to put aside some free samples for me.

So I went from $135 to zero. Not bad, don’t you think?  I guess it never hurts to ask. Especially since the spray doesn’t seem to be doing much.