How Much Do Goldfish Cost?

Quite possibly one of the cheapest pets to own, the goldfish can be yours for as little as a shiny nickel or even free if you won one at a local carnival.

However, did you know there’s more to the goldfish family than the one you often see at the carnival?

Let’s take a gander at the many varieties and what it could cost you.

“DSC_0019” (CC BY 2.0) by mk_is_here

How much does a goldfish cost?

The cost of a goldfish will generally depend on the type of goldfish you’re looking to purchase and where you purchase your goldfish from.  With a variety of goldfish on the market, te costs can range from as little as a few cents to as much as $35, but for most, you shouldn’t have to pay more than $5.

For example, Petsmart listed prices on their official website, with prices ranging from as little as $3 for a fantail goldfish to as much as $32 for a fancy goldfish.  The same price range was also spotted on .

How did we get these prices?  We researched popular pet retailer websites, such as Petco and Petsmart, as well as talked with at least five independent aquarium pet shops to come up with an average of the most popular goldfish often purchased.

Additional costs to budget for

Fishbowl/Tank

Depending on the setup you want, a simple fishbowl can cost as little as $5 to as much as $300+ for a 50-gallon aquarium, but if you plan on keeping goldfish, an aquarium is highly recommended as some goldfish can grow larger than one foot long and require the necessary space to swim around.

If you were to purchase an aquarium larger than 10 gallons, then this price would not include the additional accessories, such as:

• Gravel or pebble substrate ($15-$25)
• Filter ($15-$40)
• Lighting ($20-$60)
• Artifical or live plants ($5-$15 each)
• Decorations ($5-$15 each)
• A net ($5)
• PH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate test kit ($5-$9 for 25 strips)
• Water conditioner ($5-$12)
• Thermometer ($5-$11)

Food

Fish flakes are relatively cheap, often retailing for as little as $2 to $4, depending on the brand.  MyPetWarehouse recommends only feeding your goldfish quality flakes and pellets that are defined as goldfish food as this food, designed specifically for goldfish, will contain less protein and more carbohydrates in comparison to other fish-related food.  Aside from fish flakes, goldfish owners can also choose frozen brine shrimp and/or bloodworms as a supplement as well.

Since goldfish do not have stomachs, the food will past through relatively fast, meaning goldfish will continue to eat until they no longer see any food.  This simply means they will never get full and can often suffer from constipation or swimming problems if you feed them too much.  TheGoldFishTank.com recommends feeding a few small meals a day, rather than one full meal in the day.

Types of goldfish

Before we delve into the types of goldfish, first understand there are type main categories:  the single tail goldfish, which are the goldfish that have one single caudal and anal fin, and the double tailed goldfish, which are often referred to as the fancy goldfish and are considered to be a group of goldfish with unique characteristics.

Butterfly Tail – As the name implies, the butterfly tail displays a butterflylike look as the fins are splashed out from the sides.

Calico – Known for its three or more overlapping colors with multiple scales, the calico goldfish are quite unique as no two are the same.

Common – Sometimes referred to as a feeder fish, this is often the most common type of goldfish found at a local pet store.  Similar to a carp in shape, the common goldfish is just as you picture a goldfish — a bright metallic orange with a slightly forked tail.

Comet – Similar to that of a common goldfish, the comet is known for a tail size that’s often as long as the entire body, making it look like a comet shooting through the sky.

Fantail – Whenever someone mentions the word “fancy goldfish,” most think of this type as it is the most common, yet most diverse variety.  Almost every pet store will have this type, with a wide variety of color, shapes and types available.

Jikin – The jikin, sometimes referred to as the peacock tail goldfish, has a longer body, short double tail and is known for its red and white-like pattern that colors the lips, dorsal fins and both gill plates.

Moor – Has a velvety black color appearance that sticks around for most of the fishes’ life.

Lionhead – Round in shape with a fat face, the lionhead variety are known for its large wens that cover its face as they grow old.

Oranda – Some of the largest fancy goldfish varieties, they can grow larger than 10 inches and are known for a large, fleshy–like growth on their head, which starts to develop at three to four months old.

Pearlscale – Known for its interesting scales, this variety is known for its hard, bulging center on the top of its head, giving the nickname “golfball goldfish.”

Pompom – A true pompom will be dorsalless and gets its name from the overgrown outer portion of its nose as resemble small pom poms.

Ranchu – Similar to a lionhead, the ranchu has more of an arched back and the tail tends to tuck beneath its body with a more rounded look, similar to a coin.

Ryukin – Another common fancy goldfish variety, the ryukin are larger in size and will have a larger hump on their back.

Sabao –  A cross between the syounai and ryukin, the sabao, sometimes referred to as a tamasaba, are slender in size and have a less distinguishable hump.

Shubunkin – Quite different in color when compared to the typical “gold” fish, the shubunkin almost always comes in a calico coloration pattern with clear and metallic scales.  The colors you actually see will be the skin that’s underneath the clear scales.

Tamasaba – A very rare breed, which is known to be crossed between a syounai and ryukin, resulting in a rounder body and arched back.

Telescope Eye – With a body similar to the oranda, the telescope eye goldfish possess larger than average eyes, with a variety of patterns and colors available on the market.

Veiltail – Very rare to find, the veiltail come in very few colors, some of which can include a bi or tri color.

Wakin – Growing over 12 inches long, the wakin, when examined up close, looks similar to the common goldfish; however, the difference relies on the small double tail.  This type is quite rare in the United States and is commonly found in Japan.

Watonai – A cross between the ryukin and wakin, the watonai has a double tail, with long flowing fins, similar to that of a comet.  Colors range from blacks to blues to rich orange and reds.

How long do goldfish live?

A healthy goldfish can live up to 20 years as long as taken care of properly and the oldest goldfish on record was Goldie, a 45-year-old goldfish that died in 2005.

Most goldfish, however, die quite fast, often in as little as three to five years, often due to owner negligence.

The reason?

The fish tank is often too small for the fish, overfeeding and not cycling the aquarium.

How big do goldfish get?

According to LiveScience.com, the average goldfish, regardless of the variety, stay about one to two inches, with some growing as large as six inches; however, in the wild, it’s not uncommon to see some goldfish as large as 14 inches.

Tips to know

You should change your water at least once a week to keep the water levels at a normal level.  Failing to so can increase the ammonia and/or nitrite levels, which, as you can imagine, isn’t the best for your fishes’ health.  Make sure you change the water once a week, and when doing so, change about one-third of the water, not the entire tank at once.

Not all fish are compatible with a goldfish.  While experts recommend keeping goldfish with other goldfish, if you do decide to keep other fish in the tank, make sure they like similar temperatures, will not do any harm to the goldfish and are quick enough to avoid getting eaten by the others in the tank.

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How Much Does a Pot Belly Pig Cost?

When one thinks of a pot-bellied pig, many often think of the farm animal rolling around in the mud, sprawled out on a hot, sunny day.

Far more than a farm animal today, some have resorted to adopting a pot-bellied pig as a household pet due to their interesting personality and intelligence.

Known as a demanding and overwhelming pet to most owners, shelters, today, are overwhelmed with pot-bellied pigs up for adoption.

“Pot-Bellied Pig” (CC BY 2.0) by AndWat

How much does a pot belly pig cost?

A pot belly pig, just like the adoption of any other animal, will depend on the pig’s age, quality, your geographical location and where you adopt it from.  With most pot belly pigs often coming from local farmers or even adoption centers, the adoption fees tend to be in the $50 to $300 range based on these factors, but the prices could be as high as $650 if you wanted to adopt a piglet (often referred to as a miniature, toy or mini pig) from a private breeder.  Some adoption centers may ask for a donation of your choice.  Of course, this is the price for the pot-bellied pig and would not include the starter and recurring costs to follow, as noted below.

When we researched multiple postings on ExoticAnimalsForSale.net, for example, we found the prices to range anywhere from $50 to $350.

Another online classified website we found, PetClassifieds.us, had multiple listings, with prices ranging anywhere from as little as $75 to more than $500.

The additional one-time costs to budget for

Shipping

If you have a pot-bellied pig shipped from out of state, airline fees can start at $250, depending on the location traveled to.

Additional travel expenses

In addition to the travel expenses, most states require an ear tag/tattoo, and a state-required blood test and a USDA health certificate with a physical exam in the case of shipping your pig across state lines, and these tests can often be an additional $300 to $400.  An entry permit, if required, could another few hundred dollars due to the extensive paperwork involved.

Fencing and shelter

If you haven’t done so already, a fenced area, generally at least one-fourth of an acre at a minimum, along with a small storage-like shed, needs to be available on site.  Fencing, if you do it yourself, could cost at least $10 per foot, while a sufficient shed could cost at least $350+, depending on the setup desired.  While a pig can be kept indoors at time pigs, naturally, will want to roam outdoors in herds, so it’s best to allow your pig to be outside for at least four to six hours a day.

Crate

A larger crate, along with a chute to load the pig into your car, for transportation purposes to the vet, for instance, can cost upwards of $500 depending on the size.

Toys and entertainment

A sand pile, busy pool and pool is highly recommended to keep your pig entertained throughout the day.

Recurring costs to budget for

Food

The average pot belly pig will eat close to one pound of feed per day, which can cost about $40 to $50 per month, with the costs increasing as the pig ages due to the requirement for a senior diet.  Many owners often supplement their food with fruits and vegetables, especially when the grazing is poor.  The pig pellets you purchase should be high in fiber, low in fat and low in protein, and experts also recommend chewable multi-vitamins and alfalfa hay as an additional source of fiber.  Pigs4Ever.com, for instance, goes into detail as to what your pig’s diet should look like.  Annually, be prepared to spend about $1,000.

Vet care

As with any pets, you need to budget for the routine, the unexpected visits/surgeries and any routine medicine, if necessary.  Routine visits, including vaccinations, a worming, routing hoof trims and vet checkup, can cost upwards of $300 per visit, plus transportation to $1,000+ for any surgeries or additional medical care.  Do keep in mind that finding an experienced vet to work on your pig can be difficult due to the limited amount of universities that provide training for pig medicine.  With that being said, the average vet may not treat your pig, meaning you may have to travel quite some distance for care.

Pet sitting

Due to the animal’s size, you will more than likely have to hire an experienced pet sitter to watch the pig while away.  The average pet sitter, from our research, seemed to charge $30+ a day, depending on your geographical region.

What should be included in the adoption fee?

From what we researched, most adoption agencies would include any health papers, registration paperwork, up-to-date vaccinations and a spay/neuter.  Some centers may also include a small starter package that includes a care guide, leash, harness and/or samples of food/supplements.  As all sellers vary with inclusions, most will tell you upfront as to what’s included with your adoption fee.

At the Pig O’ My Heart Potbellies adoption center, for example, they include all registration paperwork, up-to-date vaccinations, a microchip, deworming and a spay or neuter.  They are also litterbox trained since each one of her pigs spends time in the home to learn good “piggy manners.”

Sizes

On the market, you will find a variety of pot-bellied pigs, with disagreements in the names, heights, and weights.  However, as per TheSprucePets.com, the most common names you may come across include the Vietnamese, miniature, teacup, toy, Royal Dandy, micro mini, Dandie Extreme and Mini Juliana.  Regardless, the average pot-belly pig can range anywhere from 120 to more than 250 pounds, with the average height in the 15 to 28-inch range.

Tips to know

Before adoption, check your local laws to make sure owning one is legal.  Since a pig is considered to be livestock by the Department of Agriculture, many cities and homeowners associates forbid these types of animals unless you’re zoned to handle livestock such as a farm.

9sites.org reminds us of the regulations and restrictions as they are federally enforced and regulated by the NAIS system of identification.  With this, your pig will be issued an ID number and will need to be permanently ID’d by a microchip, which means you cannot move your pig from your home unless you file a request with the NAIS.  Since pigs can carry deadly diseases that are quite destructive to the farming business, their movements are very restricted by both state and federal agencies.  Failing to abide by these laws can result in your pig confiscated, with potential fines to follow.

Pot-bellied pigs can live an average of 12 to 19 years, with some older than 20.

Pot-bellied pigs are extremely intelligent, making them quite trainable, similar to that of a dog.  They can be house trained, leash trained and, they are even willing to learn a few tricks.  However, for some, this intelligence can often cause a problem due to their destructive behavior if not left with enough entertainment.

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How Much Does an Expungement Cost?

Any sort of criminal record can often hurt your chances in a variety of ways, including being denied for housing assistance, student loans or even prevented from getting a professional license in the future.

The process of destroying your criminal record, an expungement is usually straightforward for a lawyer, but the prices will vary.

“Court Gavel – Judge’s Gavel – Courtroom” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by weiss_paarz_photos

How much does it cost to expunge your record?

The costs to expunge your record will depend on a variety of factors, including the number of criminal records you want to expunge, your geographical region, the lawyer you hire, the nature of your records (misdemeanor vs. felony) and the court fees involved.  As there are so many factors involved, it’s hard to offer an exact estimate, but we can offer a ballpark range.

If hiring an attorney, most will charge by the hour, but some may have a flat-fee package, depending on the factors mentioned prior.  For most, to expunge a single record, the costs can range anywhere from $500 to $1,300 in legal fees but can easily be as much as $5,000+ in the case of multiple records and for those who live in a high cost of living area.  This would not include the court fees, which we get into next.

Aside from hiring an attorney, you can also do it yourself, only paying court fees, but in order to do so, it’s important every phase is processed correctly and qualify.   Most court fees, if you were to do it on your own, would range anywhere from $30 to $400+ in court fees, depending on the state you live in.  As mentioned, this would not include any additional legal fees if you were to hire a lawyer or

For example, in Tennesse, The Marshall Project noted they were one of the costliest states, charging $450 in expungement court fees, whereas other states typically charged less than $150.

PEW said in Maryland, it would cost $30 in court fees, while Kentucky’s new expungement law carries a $500 court fee.  In the end, they stated most states would charge $50 to $250 in court fees.

Gary Churak, a criminal defense lawyer in San Antonio, Texas, for example, stated his office charged $1,500 to $2,000.

How to save on an expungement

Legal aid via nonprofits

Some nonprofits across the United States do offer expungement clinics, which allow people to come in and receive help from either lawyer, law student or a public defender.  To find one in your area, a simple search such as “expungement clinic, followed by your zip code” could yield some local results.

Online help

If you do not feel comfortable doing it on your own, we did find online services that could help, such as Recordgone.com.  Ran by a national law firm, the company claims to have help expunge 19,000+ criminal records and their lawyers have more than 50+ years in experience.  We could not find much in terms of pricing but could be worth a shot if you wanted legal assistance at a lower price than a local lawyer.

Federal grants and financial assistance

A quick search online yielded multiple groups and federal grants that could help with your expungement process as long as you qualified.  The Legal Expungement and Assistance Program (LEAP), offered by Goodwill, for example, could help with the process.

What does expunge mean?

An expungement is intended to help people who made mistakes in the past but are now law-abiding citizens, usually those who completed probation.  The entire goal of this process is to destroy the criminal record in question, essentially “sealing” the record to make it inaccessible to the public as it will not show up on a background check, with the exception of some particular circumstances.

Eligibility for a record expungement

Each state will have its own eligibility, but for the most part, they will be based on the following factors:

Age – Your age at the time of the conviction.  For instance, were you an adult or a juvenile?  This is important because many states will often grant a record expungement for juveniles but not so much for adults.

Convictions – What kind of crime did you commit?  From what we researched, many states were willing to expunge your record for first-time drug offenses, for example, especially if you completed an approved drug rehab program.   The same could be said about misdemeanor crimes in comparison to felonies.

Criminal Record – What does your criminal record look like today?  Most states will expunge your record if it’s a first-time offense and you completed all of the necessary requirements such as paying the fines and serving the jail time, if necessary.  If you have multiple offenses, however, most will have trouble with expungement as it will be highly unlikely.

How to get your record expunged

Expunging your record, just like the eligibility, greatly depends on your state laws as the process can vary from one state to the next.  While you can file yourself, most experts highly recommend you hire a criminal attorney to assist with the process.

Regardless of which state you live in, here’s what the process often looks like:

1. Your state may first ask you to fill out a completed eligibility application to see if you qualify.  Again, refer to this very helpful Restoration of Rights eligibility guide to see if you do qualify.
2. Your state will also ask you to gather copies of your criminal record and any other related court documents to go along with this applications.
3. If eligible, you will be asked to fill out the appropriate paperwork and pay the related court fees as mentioned above.  Some states, however, require you to petition for an expungement.
4. Lastly, after you file the paperwork and pay the fees, the court will then set a court date or you may be asked to select a hearing date yourself.

For information in greater detail, the Virginia Legal Aid Society provides an in-depth overview of the process.

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Budesonide Cost

Budesonide, the generic version of Rhinocort Aqua, is used to treat the symptoms of asthma and if used daily, this inhaled prescription can help decrease the number and the severity of asthma attacks.  However, like other inhalers, it will not relieve an asthma attack if it already started.

How much does Budesonide cost?

The cost of Budesonide will depend on the dosage, quantity, your health insurance and the pharmacy you choose.  Without any insurance, the prices can range anywhere from as little as $70 for 60 milliliters of a 0.25 MG/2 ML suspension to as much as $875 for 180 milliliters of a 1 MG/2 ML inhaler.  Refer to our table below for cost estimates.

How did we gather these estimates?  We referenced the Costco pharmacy directory and called Walmart, Sam’s Club, CVS and Walgreens to gather an estimate for those without health insurance coverage.

As for health insurance, it appears many policies do not cover this particular drug as most, from what we researched, often have their own preference.  GoodRX.com, for example, claims all Medicare plans do not cover this drug, but to be certain, either talk directly with your health insurance company or refer to your insurance company’s online drug cost database if they have one available.

How to save on Budesonide

Manufacturer coupon

Salix Pharmaceuticals offers the UCERIS Instant Savings Program, which is a program designed to help patients with commercial insurance pay no more than $25.  To see if you qualify, you can download or activate the instant savings card by filling out this online form.  Be sure to read the fine print on that page before applying as there are many restrictions as to who can and cannot use the savings card.

Use a third-party prescription coupon website

Drugs.com and GoodRx.com, for example, offer discounted prescription cards you can print at home and take to your local pharmacy to pay the price noted on the website.  Granted, if you do consider this option, do keep in mind that you can only use the prescription discount card or your health insurance, not both.  These cards, greatly depending on the drug prescribed, can save you up to 70% in some cases.

What is Budesonide?

Budesonide is a corticosteroid or steroid (cortisone-like medicine), working by preventing any swelling in the lungs, which will help make an asthma attack less severe.  Inhaling budesonide can also be prescribed with other asthma-based medicines, such as bronchodilators, which is also used to help open up the narrowed breathing passages inside of the lungs.  This medicine cannot be purchased over the counter and is available by prescription only.

The product is available in the following forms:  as a suspension, powder, solution, aerosol powder or aerosol liquid.

Budesonide brand name

In the United States, it has the following brand names: Pulmicort Flexhaler, Pulmicort Respules and Pulmicort Turbuhaler.

In Canada, it has the following brand names:  Pulmicort, Pulmicort Nebuamp and Rhinocort Turbuhaler.

Source:  Mayo Clinic

Budesonide side effects

• Allergic reactions such as a skin rash, itching or hives
• Change in vision
• Fever, sore throat, cough or sign of infection
• Increased thirst
• Frequent passing of urine
• Pain in hips, back, arms, ribs or shoulders
• Severe stomach pain
• Feeling weak or tired
• Vomiting

This is not a full list of side effects; for more information, refer to this FDA guide.  As always, report any symptoms you feel uncomfortable with to your doctor immediately.

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Dulera Inhaler Cost

Dulera, a combination of two medicines, help open up the airways inside of your lungs, decreasing the inflammation and improving your lung function.

Available via prescription only, there is no generic at the time of this publishing and is usually prescribed when a patient’s asthma has not been controlled effectively by other asthma-based medicines or when a patient’s case is so severe, more than one medicine is required daily.

“Dueling Inhalers” (CC BY 2.0) by cogdogblog

How much does a Dulera inhaler cost?

The costs of a Dulera inhaler, like most prescription-based inhalers, depends on the dosage, your health insurance and the pharmacy you choose.  Without insurance, the costs can range anywhere from as little as $350 for a 13 gram 100 MCG/5 MCG inhaler to as much as $1,110 for a 39 gram 200 MCG/5 MCG inhaler.  Refer to our table below to see what an inhaler may cost you without insurance.  In comparison to competing brands, such as Advair and Symbicort, the prices seemed to be in the same range.

How did you get these prices?  We referenced the Costco pharmacy database and also called Walmart, CVS, Walgreens and Sam’s Club to see what the inhaler would cost without any insurance coverage.  We then took these numbers and created our average above.  Remember, these are the prices without any insurance coverage and/or discounts applied, which we will get into below.

As for health insurance, it appeared the coverage would be mixed, with 45% of Medicare Part D plans covering the drug, for example.  Being a toss-up, it’s hard to determine exactly if your health insurance policy would cover this particular inhaler as some companies have a preferred brand.  To know for certain if your inhaler would be covered, either talk with your health insurance company directly or see if you can access an online pricing database on their official website.  If your insurance company does cover the drug, the reported co-pay range was said to be in the $18 to $350 range based on some insurance databases we did explore.

How to save on Dulera

Manufacturer coupon

The official manufacturer of the drug, Merck, offers the Multiuse Savings Coupon, which can reduce your out-of-pocket costs to as little as $15 as long as you qualify.  To see if you qualify, follow this official link, fill out the form, and if approved, you can activate it online to take to your pharmacy.  At the moment, it appears the program is available to those with commercial coverage only and can only be used for up to 12 times a year.

Patient assistance program

Aside from the official manufacturer coupon offered by Merck, they also offer the Merck Helps program, which is a patient assistance program designed to help most people with either limited incomes and/or those without a health insurance policy.  Like the coupon, to see if you qualify, the company asks that you follow the instruction page and fill out the form, asking your doctor if you need help to do so.  Submitted by either mail or fax, if you end up qualifying, you could receive your medication at no cost.  While the program is designed for those with a limited income, some patients with either Medicare or private health insurance may still qualify.

Merck isn’t the only assistance program as we did find others via a search as well, such as Prescription Hope that claimed to work as a value-added program to many insurance programs, where you could pay as little as $50 a month.

Special offers

At the time of this publishing, Merck offered a free trial offer, but according to the fine print, not all patients were eligible.  On this special offers page, aside from the free trial, the company could help sign you up to receive information on ways to control your asthma and connect you with support organizations that can help you cope with your current situation.

Third-party prescription coupon website

Third-party prescription coupon websites, such as GoodRX.com, can help you save up to 70%, greatly depending on the prescription you have.  To use these websites, you type in your drug name, find the dosage you need and click the “get free coupon” next to the pharmacy you want to use.  On the website, it will tell you the price you will pay, and if you do decide to use it, you can only use it on its own, not in conjunction with your private health insurance plan and/or public assistance if you have it.  Even if you have health insurance, you may find the coupons are a cheaper option, so it doesn’t hurt to research before getting your prescription.

Dulera side effects

Possible side effects, while using Dulera, can include dry mouth, a stuffy noise, hoarseness and/or a runny/stuffy nose.  If any of these side effects become severe, contact your doctor immediately.  Other reported side effects include wheezing, headaches, white patches/sores on the inside of your mouth, trouble sleeping, blurred vision, tremors, cramps and a fever.  This is not a full list; for more information on side effects, refer to this FDA guide.

Tips to know

This medicine is unable to relive an asthma attack that already started, according to MedicineNet.

Dulera is available in the following strengths:  5 mcg-100 mcg/inh and 5 mcg-200 mcg/inh.  Always use this medication as prescribed by your doctor.

At the time of this publishing, there is no generic available.

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How Much Does It Cost to Spay a Dog?

Spaying and neutering your dog has many benefits, including controlling the local pet population, becoming much friendlier towards others and even the reduced risk of cancer in the future.

“Labrador pup” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by smerikal

How much does it cost to spay or neuter a dog?

The cost to spay your dog will greatly depend on which veterinarian you use, your geographical region, your dog’s age, overall health and the weight of your dog.  The Humane Society, often the cheapest and best option, for example, could cost anywhere from $55 to $150, whereas a private practice could charge anywhere from $225 to $525+ or even more if a complication were to occur during the procedure.

PetCarRX.com notes that an overweight dog or one with diabetes could add another $25 to $50 to the bill, while bloodwork prior to the procedure to check on the kidney and liver function, could add another $40.  Without any complications, spaying services could start at $35 and be as much as $300 with complications.

The Banfield Pet Hospital, located inside most PetSmart locations, quoted us $324 when we called about a spay for a puppy.  This price, however, could vary from location to location if you decided to use Petsmart as your choice and could be much more if other services or complications could arise.  This quote was for a healthy puppy with no complications such as the ones noted inside the table below.

The Spay Neuter Clinic, located in Arizona, posted prices on their official website, with prices ranging anywhere from $64 to $109 depending on the dog’s weight.  In the fine print, they did not pain medication, heavier dogs, pregnant, obese, and/or dogs in heat would cost more.

Dr. Patty Khuly via VetStreet.com said you should be prepared to spend $100 to $600 per spay, with younger and smaller puppies being on the lower end due to the less time and fewer resources needed to complete the surgery.

Why do regular clinics often charge more?

According to Dr. Andy Roark, low-cost clinics often do not offer a variety of services that regular clinics offer, such as bloodwork before the surgery, an IV catheter during the surgery, limited monitoring due to limited staffing and a lack of a full, comprehensive physical exam before the surgery even begins.  While he doesn’t dissuade you from going to a low-cost clinic as there are many of them with a wonderful staff, the costs, in the end, really comes down to the additional services, time and resorces you receive.

What is spaying?

Spaying is the process of removing of removing the dog’s uterus or ovaries and is best done around six months old, although some research states that larger dogs should be spayed later, around 18 to 22 months to help reduce the risk of joint problems and even cancer, according to the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine.  The entire procedure will take a few hours to perform and can take your dog days or even weeks to see a full recovery.  Females usually come home in as little as 24 hours, with limited activity for the next two to three days to allow the stitches to heal.

During the spaying process, a veterinarian will create an incision in the abdominal wall, removing the uterus and ovaries, followed by stitching the incision.  The entire procedure is usually done under general anesthesia inside of the vet’s office. The Hulen Hills Animal Hospital talks more about the procedure and aftercare instructions as does Banfield.

Since the procedure is painful, your vet will prescribe pain medications after the procedure for the next week until your dog heals.

How to save money on a spay

Check with your adoption agency

All adoption agencies seem to have some sort of spay program, where some may spay your pet for a discounted fee or even include it in the pet adoption fee.  If not included, some may offer a program that allows you to pay what you can afford, kind of like a donation toward the adoption center.  Talk with a representative during the adoption process to see how much you could save.

Contact your local Humane Society or SPCA

From our research, it appears the Humane Society and the SPCA seem to be the cheapest option for a spay, if they offer it at their local center.  If not, then they should be able to point you in the right direction for the best cost-efficient option.  The Humane Society, for instance, offers a low-cost spay/neuter program search on the company’s official website.  The ASPCA offers a similar database as well.

Talk with your veterinarian

Like the adoption agencies, your veterinarian may be able to work with your budget, either offering a discount or setting you up with a payment plan to help you save.  It doesn’t hurt to ask if you’re loyal to your vet.

Why should you spay?

Prevents overpopulation:  Today, there are tens of thousands of dogs looking for a new home, and sadly, many do not find one.  Spaying your dog prevents unwanted litters in the future and offers the shelters and rescues a better chance at finding the dogs they do have a forever home.

Fewer behavior problems:  Intact dogs often run away from home more than altered dogs as males can smell a female in heat pretty far away.  Neutered dogs also are less likely to mark their territory as well.

Aggression:  Aggression levels have been known to drop drastically for both males and females.

Lower fees:  Some cities will offer a cheaper license fee if you prove your dog was spayed or neutered.

Females will not go into heat:  Female dogs go into heat at least twice a year and can last up to three weeks, leaving stains on your carpet and furniture.  Her scent, as noted prior, can also attract male dogs to your area as well.

Better overall health:  Females that are never spayed often are at a great risk of uterine or mammary cancers, both of which are greatly reduced or even eliminated as soon as your dog is altered.  Also, since your dog doesn’t want to run away or be more aggressive, it lessens the chance of potential injuries.

Can you spay a dog in heat?

Yes, dogs can be spayed while in heat; however, they will be prone to bleeding and additional complications, the main reasons vets prefer to wait until the heat has ended to reduce the chances of complications.  During an examination, your vet will be able to determine the stage of the heat cycle and figure out when the best time would be to perform the surgery.

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How Much Does Advair Cost?

Advair, a medication used to treat COPD and asthma by decreasing the inflammation and opening the airways in the lungs, is available by prescription only and no generics are currently available at the time of this publishing.

As one of the most popular prescribed inhalers, it can be quite expensive if you have no health insurance policy.

“Advair” (CC BY 2.0) by stevendepolo

How much does Advair cost?

The cost of Advair, like any prescription, will depend on your health insurance, dosage and the pharmacy you choose.  With a variety of dosage options available, we broke down the costs by calling a few pharmacies in our area to see what they charged those without insurance.

How did we get these averages?  We used the official Costco drug directory and called Walmart, Walgreens, CVS and Sam’s Club and then compiled an average price.  Again, these are prices for those without any insurance and could be much less if you were to use your insurance and/or one of the ways to save as mentioned below.

As for health insurance, it does appear that most policies, including Medicare, covers the prescription, with most reported paying anywhere from $25 to $350+.  As there are hundreds of policies, it can be hard to offer an exact estimate; for that reasons, we encourage you to either contact your insurance company or see if their official website has a drug directory with prices listed.

How to save on Advair

Manufacturer coupon

The official manufacturer of the drug, GlaxoSmithKline, offers a manufacturer coupon, Advair Savings Offer.  To see if you qualify for the savings program, the company simply asks you to fill out the form on the official website, and then, if you qualify, you can take the coupon they offer you and take it to your nearest pharmacy.  According to the fine print, the program is only offered to United States residents and anyone enrolled in a government program, such as Medicaid, are not eligible for savings offers.

Patient assistance program

Aside from the official manufacturer coupons, GlaxoSmithKline also offers an assistance program known as GSK for You, which is a program designed to help cover the costs of the medication as long as you meet monthly income requirements.  Like the coupon, to see if you qualify, follow this link and fill out the appropriate form to see if you qualify for assistance.

Prescription coupons

Free online prescription coupon websites, such as GoodRX.com, can help you save money, regardless of your situation.  These websites are easy to use, only requiring you to find the pharmacy you want to use, along with the dosage prescribed.  With this information, you can then print out the coupon and take it into the pharmacy as noted on the website to pay the price quoted.  Granted, if you do choose this option, you can only use the website coupon or your private insurance, not a combination of both.  Even if you have health insurance, there could be times where you find that the coupons will be much cheaper, so it doesn’t hurt to see what you could potentially save in comparison to your health insurance policy quote.

Longer supply

As seen inside of our table above, a longer supply can often save you as much as 20%.  If you know you will need this prescription for longer than 30 days, then you may want to ask your doctor if he or she can prescribe a longer supply.

Check with your health insurance company

Call your insurance company to know which inhaler they recommend and which one could save you the most.  While a majority of the health insurance plans on the market cover Advair, you may be able to save more with an alternative inhaler.  However, do keep in mind that while there are comparable inhalers with similar active ingredients to that of Advair, most will cost the same, with the exception of some generics.

Is there a generic of Advair available?

As of February 8th, 2018, the release of Advair’s generic was postponed, even though the FDA accepted Sandoz’s application.  According to the manufacturer of the generic drug, owned by Novartis, they had said the FDA was asking for more data on the substitute, making it the third Advair generic to be denied by the FDA, as per Tori Marsh at GoodRX.com.  As of this publishing, a generic could be coming soon; however, there were no timelines when we researched online as the manufacturers have to work with the FDA before it’s approved and sent to the market.  Right now, unfortunately, no generic is available, but one could come in the future, maybe in 2019 or 2020.

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Albuterol Inhaler Cost

Albuterol, a generic-form medication of many metered-dose inhalers, is used to help treat wheezing, shortness in breath and related breathing difficulties, such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema.

The generic is known as Salbutamol, while popular brands include Accuneb, ProAir HFA, Proventil HFA and Ventolin HFA, with Accuneb being the most popular choice.

“Dueling Inhalers” (CC BY 2.0) by cogdogblog

How much does Albuterol cost?

The costs of Albuterol will depend on the brand you’re prescribed, your health insurance policy, the pharmacy you choose and the dosage.  Without insurance, the average cost of the generic ranges anywhere from $13 to $45+, while those with insurance reported paying anywhere from as little as $0 to as much as $15+.  These costs, as with any medication, would greatly depend on your health insurance.  For this price, it will include both the medication and the inhaler.  To know for certain how much you’d be responsible for, it’s best to either talk with a local pharmacy, your health insurance company or in some cases, some health insurance companies offer the pricing via a pricing database located on their official website.

How did we get these prices?  We checked the official Costco pricing sheet and called Walgreens, CVS, Walmart and Sam’s Club to determine the average price without insurance and any discounts applied.

Walmart directed us to this $4 prescription page, noting, at the time of this publishing, that the 90 2mg tablets and 60 4mg tablets would cost $4 for a 30-day supply, while 120ml of the 2mg/5ml syrup would be in the same price range as well.  A $10 90-day supply was also available, offering 270 2mg tablets or 180 4mg tablets.

Additional costs to budget for

A nebulizer may be necessary

With some prescriptions, however, your doctor may also prescribe a nebulizer, which is a machine designed to help mix the air with the medication when wearing either a mask or a mouthpiece, essentially creating a mist that you breathe deep into your lungs.  Each treatment session, if prescribed a machine, would take five to 15 minutes to complete, all depending on your dosage and the medication prescribed.  This machine can range anywhere from $20 to $120 depending on the brand purchased.

Peak flow meter

A peak flow meter, another device which may be prescribed by your doctor, helps measure how fast you’re able to push air out of your lungs and is often prescribed to help determine the dosage you need.  Most doctors recommend that patients use this flow meter before each use and can cost anywhere from $10 to $25.

How to save on Albuterol

Discounted prescription cards

Popular prescription coupon-based websites, such as GoodRX.com, allowing you to print coupons at home and pay the price noted on their website.  To use, you set your location, find the pharmacy you want to use and select your dosage.  With this information, you will then be presented with the prices you will pay at your local pharmacy as long as you print the coupon from the company’s website.  If you do use this option, however, do keep in mind that you cannot combine a prescription coupon with your health insurance — it’s either one or the other, so if you are able to save more with the prescription savings card, then it would be best to use this option instead.  GoodRX.com is one of the many reputable prescription savings card companies online, so be sure to compare other companies as well.

Non-profits

If your health insurance doesn’t help you save enough or you’re finding out that you simply cannot afford the prescriptions out of pocket, then consider a non-profit that may be able to help cover a portion of the prescription.  The HealthWell Foundation, for example, is one of the many non-profits we found online that could assist you with the medication as long as you meet the household income limit and were living with cystic fibrosis.  This Foundation, in particular, was designed for those suffering from cystic fibrosis, but you should be able to find multiple non-profit organizations that may be able to help with your condition.  This Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America list, for example, lists multiple organizations that may be able to help.

Talk with your health insurance provider

Call your health insurance company to see what the prices of other rescue inhalers are and if your insurance has a preferred medication to help save you money.  If so, ask your doctor if he or she can provide this medication instead.

Check the official manufacturer website

As there are many manufacturers that manufacture Albuterol, many of these companies offer financial assistance and/or coupons directly on their website.  Merck, for example, can help you save up to $15 off your out-of-pocket prices, while the manufacturers of ProAir can offer assistance if you qualify.

Albuterol overview

Prescriptions will include an inhaler, which is the plastic device that helps propel the medication into the lungs, with most of the inhalers prescribed including 200 metered doses.  The number of puffs will be printed on the side of the inhaler. To learn how the inhaler works, refer to this Mayo Clinic usage guide.

Plateau Pediatrics notes that, in general, a dose may be given every four or six hours or as needed.  For children, it’s often administered either when a dry, hacking cough is heard and/or if your child is struggling to breathe.  Unlike some medicines, they also note it’s safe to use on an as-needed basis and can be started when there’s a need for acute relief.

The expiration date can be found on the side of your inhaler, with most inhalers safe to use after 12 months, according to Medical News Today.  Most inhalers will expire about one year after being issued, however.

Always store your inhaler in a cool, dry place and replace the cap after each use to help protect the canister and pressure level.

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JumpstartMD Program Cost

The JumpstartMD medical weight loss program, said to be the most referred, medically supervised weight loss center in all of Northern California, has over 70,000 satisfied members, losing an average of 39 pounds, according to the official website.

The program offers one-on-one private sessions, real food, and real science, medically designed by Stanford-trained physicians based on proven nutritional science.

This weight loss program, like most, will come at a fee, however.

“EARLY JOY” (CC BY 2.0) by whologwhy

How much does the JumpstartMD program cost?

On the official website, like most weight loss programs, the company doesn’t specify any costs; rather, they ask you to click the “get started” button and fill out a small form to have a representative call you to set up an appointment to discuss the program in detail.  The FAQ also mentions the program will be based upon the frequency of your meetings and where you are in relation to your overall health and wellness goals.

While the official website doesn’t go into detail about pricing, we did find this Yelp review page for the Walnut Creek, California location, with members of the program claiming they had to pay $350 to $400 a month, but one reviewer, in particular on this Yelp review said the company told her the prices will range anywhere from $60 to $360 a month, but when she went further into details while in contact, a representative said it was a minimum of $360 a month, with the price increasing if you were to need more visits and/or attention.  To pay less, from her knowledge, you would have to submit a claim to see if your health insurance covered a portion of the monthly payment, usually only if you have high blood pressure, heart damage or high cholesterol, for instance.

In conclusion, while we couldn’t find the official prices, it appears you should be prepared to budget about $350 to $385 a month, according to the multiple Yelp reviews we found online, but use this as an estimate only.  For more information in regards to what it could cost you, we highly advise you contact the company directly for more information.

How does the JumpstartMD program work?

According to the FAQ, the initial visit, either with a nurse practitioner, physician assistant or physician, will help you understand the bariatric medicine and the program in general.  During this meeting, they will perform a medical evaluation, help review your goals and establish health and wellness goals, personalizing a path for the future.

The company’s website, from what we researched, was quite vague in the details as to work, only mentioning they believe in “real foods,” a well-regulated exercise program to help maintain your weight loss, personalized one-on-one sessions to help build your confidence and optional FDA-approved medicines.  Even after you lose the weight, the program will continue to help you with your long-term results.

One reviewer for the Los Gatos location said that every week with the nutritionist or nurse practitioner would involve taking your weight and blood pressure, also asking about your week, seeing what worked and what didn’t.  Aside from this, she mentioned the diet was basically no carbohydrates, other than vegetables, and similar to Weight Watchers, you will have a checklist with boxes, where you can check for any protein or carbohydrates.  Also offering appetite suppressant medicine and vitamin shots, an additional cost, was offered, but she declined for her plan.

Tips to know

The program’s patients, on average, lose one to five pounds per week, with the average patient, after about nine months of following the program, losing 17% of their body weight and seven inches in waist circumference, according to the company’s FAQ.  The results, overall, will depend on the starting weight, personal approach, program design and if any medical conditions exist.

Only located in Northern California at this time, the company offers locations in Marin, Piedmont, Walnut Creek, Pleasanton, Burlingame, Redwood City, San Francisco, Menlo Park, Redwood City, Mountain View, Los Gatos and Santa Cruz.  The company, as per the official location page, does note that “more” locations are coming soon.

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La Petite Academy Cost

The La Petite Academy, an educational daycare center founded in 1968, offers early educational child care programs for children of all ages.

Today, it considers itself to be one of the nation’s largest educational daycare companies, with more than 450 locations across the country.

“Crayons, Coloring” (CC BY 2.0) by Hobbies on a Budget

How much does the La Petite Academy cost?

The specific tuition rates, like most daycare centers, are not publicized on the official website; rather, we had to research third-party websites in order to find the costs other people were paying for childcare, with the average costs in the $200 to $ 350 per week range, highly dependent upon your child’s age and the location.  At the time of this publishing, however, the only way you could receive exact costs for your child was either by calling the official toll-free number at 888.330.1458 or requesting a callback by filling out the signup form here.  You could also look for a location nearby and call the daycare directly for more information.

Again, while the company didn’t specify the prices on the official website, we were able to find prices of what other parents were paying, but remember, these are just averages are not deemed 100 percent accurate as the age of your child, the length they plan on attending and the location are all factors that can affect the price of your daycare tuition.

According to members on this Babycenter.com forum thread, for example, a few members talked about the costs, with one member saying it was definitely dependent upon the actual location.  According to those who did reply, the prices they did quote ranged anywhere from $350 a week for a child younger than two to $200 for the infant room.  We found another thread on the same website where a mom said she paid $1,300 a month for her child, but this was for a higher cost of living area.

Via this PDF, the local Ashburn, Virginia LaPetite Academy provided their local costs, stating the one-year-old program would cost $315 a week, the kindergarten program would cost $190 a week, and the after school only program, for first grade and up, would cost $155.

Programs offered

Infants and Toddlers:  Using the “Learn from the Start™,” the company’s exclusive curriculum for early education, the Academy will help this age bracket prepare for preschool, helping them explore developmental milestones.

Twos and Early Preschool:  A program that focuses on active learning, attention, self-regulation, speaking and licensing, helping your child learn about making friends, alphabet/number introductions, and self-help skills.

Preschool:  Focuses primarily on problem-solving, responsible listening and collaborative skills, helping your child with math, writing and reading skills.

Pre-K:  Kindergarten prep programs will help introduce your child to kindergarten-level concepts, extra reading/math, and extended seat work and is recommended for children who will start kindergarten in the upcoming fall months.

Junior Kindergarten:  Focuses on organizing work, controlling impulses, following instructions, teaching your child how to build his or her vocabulary, read/write common sight words and comprehend stories.

Private Kindergarten:  A program that allows your child to learn how to set goals, think critically and work independently, all while learning how to read independently and writing to communicate ideas.

Before- and After-School Programs:  Fun and exciting educational programs for all school ages, focusing on goal setting and reflection, complemented by team building and homework support opportunities.

Teachers and the classroom

Every academy, according to the company, is staffed with highly trained and skilled teachers, highly trained and dedicated to help your child reach his or her full potential.  Aside from this, every teacher is state certified and will meet state child-care requirements as well as complete extensive training in the academy’s curriculum and receive ongoing yearly developmental training.

All classrooms are equipped with a PIN-based lock, which only the parents will know.

Meals are served inside of the classroom family style, offering a variety of foods which meet the daily nutritional needs and satisfy local state licensing requirements.

Tips to know

All schools are licensed in the state they operate in as well as accredited by one or more of the following nationally recognized organizations:  the National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA), Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment (APPLE), National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs (NAC) or National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

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