Lifestyle
How Women Can Tame Medication Costs for the Whole Family
Last Updated on August 10, 2025 by Daily News Staff
How Women Can Tame Medication Costs for the Whole Family
(Family Features) If you’re the one tracking medications, scheduling appointments and making sure the whole household stays healthy, you’re probably wearing the invisible badge of chief household officer – the one who keeps the family healthy and moving forward. Nearly 80% of women serve as their household’s primary health care decision-maker, managing not just their own care, but also the needs of loved ones.
It’s a big job, and it can come with financial pressure. Research shows women spend almost 30% more out of their own pocket on prescriptions than men, adding up to $8.5 billion more in 2024 alone.
With prices still climbing, it’s important to find ways to stretch your health care dollar further.
That’s why many women are turning to GoodRx – a free, easy-to-use tool that helps you scout out affordable prices on both brand-name and generic medications, compare pharmacy options nearby and make confident choices for your family’s health and wallet. Think of it as your digital saddlebag: stocked and ready with savings, wherever the trail takes you.
As chief household officer, consider these simple, time-saving strategies to help keep everyone on track, spend less on medications, save time and feel more confident managing care:
1. Compare Prices Before Heading to the Pharmacy
Prescription prices can vary dramatically, even between pharmacies just a few blocks apart. These price differences can exceed $100 for the same medication. That’s why you should compare prices ahead of time at pharmacies near you by entering your prescription information and zip code. Then, simply head to the location offering the most affordable price.
2. Save Big on Generic and Brand-Name Medications
Whether you’re treating a simple infection or managing a chronic condition, there are discounts available on thousands of medications, including both generic and brand-name options. You can save up to 80% on generics, and in many cases, find prices online that are even lower than insurance co-pays.
For brand-name medications, GoodRx partners with pharmaceutical manufacturers to offer unique programs where manufacturers offer discount prices for their medications, like insulin Lantus for just $35 or a discounted cash price on Humira biosimilar adalimumab.
These savings extend to care for the four-legged family members, too. For example, pet owners can explore savings and have pet medications delivered right to their door, as well as access pet-specific medications that aren’t available in retail pharmacies.
3. Round Up Medications for the Whole Crew in One Place
Whether you’re wrangling care for kids, parents or even the family dog, you can easily keep track of everyone’s needs in one place. Save and manage medications, set reminders to take them on time, get alerts when it’s time for a refill and even earn rewards.
4. Be Your Own Health Hero, Without the High Price
From birth control and menopause treatment to hormone support and fertility medications, women often face higher costs for life’s milestones. Look online for savings on many of the most commonly prescribed medications for women. Some medications, like progesterone for fertility treatment, may be available for as little as $20. Resources like the GoodRx Women’s Health Center feature expert-reviewed information to help you navigate every stage of care, whether you’re managing symptoms, exploring treatment options or planning ahead.
5. Ride Steady with Trusted Health Info at Your Side
The health care landscape can feel like the Wild West at times, but there are tools available to help you ride steady. Beyond prescription savings, expert-written articles can empower you to understand your medications, insurance coverage and care options. Whether you’re gearing up for a doctor’s visit or figuring out the next steps in a new diagnosis, these resources can help you ask the right questions and take the reins on your family’s care.
From everyday refills to high-cost treatments, you can spend less time wrangling medications and more time with the people you love. With savings available at more than 70,000 pharmacies nationwide, GoodRx.com is a must-have tool for every chief household officer riding point on their family’s health.
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(Feature Impact) Menopause is a phase of life every woman knows will come eventually yet few are truly prepared for. Beyond stereotypical symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings, the other realities of menopause can be mysterious, taking women by surprise when their experiences differ from expectations.
Rather than being a single event, menopause involves a gradual transition that happens as estrogen production changes – meaning symptoms can appear and evolve unpredictably. According to a survey commissioned by the National Menopause Foundation, 63% of U.S. women ages 35-54 experienced symptoms they believed may be related to perimenopause or menopause, yet nearly half (49%) said they weren’t prepared for the changes beforehand.
When women and their loved ones understand what they’re facing, they can approach this time with patience and compassion, which can make a real difference to the 71% of women who wished the people in their lives understood more about perimenopause or menopause. Consider these five facts to help fill in the menopause knowledge gap.
Perimenopause Can Start Years Before Menopause
The physiological transition to menopause can happen up to 10 years before a woman’s final menstrual period, although the average length of perimenopause is about four years. Symptoms may quietly begin in a woman’s 30s, 40s or 50s, and what might look like an isolated problem at first – like brain fog, a night of insomnia or an irregular monthly cycle – could be connected to broader hormonal changes.
Menopause Is More Than Just “Hot Flashes”
Since more than half of women surveyed were already aware of menopause symptoms like hot flashes, mood changes, anxiety and fatigue, these may not take them by surprise. Little-known symptoms are a different story – the majority of respondents didn’t anticipate menopausal issues like rage, inner-ear itching or reduced joint mobility. According to the National Menopause Foundation, women may also experience sleep disturbances, sweating, changes in libido, vaginal dryness, incontinence, weight changes and more.
Every woman’s experience is unique, so these symptoms could present in different combinations and intensities during menopausal years or may not appear at all.
Talking About Menopause Can Be Difficult
Even as women go through these physical and emotional shifts, many struggle to open up about their experiences. In fact, women rank menopause symptoms (17%) more difficult to discuss than hot-button topics like political views (13%), weight (13%) and religious beliefs (10%).
However, suffering in silence can lead to feelings of isolation, relationship misunderstandings and hesitation to seek help, which is why 66% of women said the lack of open discussion about menopause makes the experience worse.
Menopause Isn’t All Bad News
Although this season of life comes with challenges, there are joys to embrace as well. Women navigating midlife can come out the other side with more resilience, emotional awareness and a stronger sense of self. In fact, 44% of women surveyed said their outlook on life became more positive since their transition.
What Loved Ones Can Actually Do
Menopause is a highly individual experience, but that doesn’t mean women have to navigate it alone. Support from partners, families and friends can lift women up during difficult moments, and it can be as simple as taking the time to ask questions, listen and learn about how menopause is affecting their lives. With 30% of women in the U.S. labor force – approximately 15-16 million – in the age range corresponding to menopausal transition (ages 45-60), workplaces can also take steps to become more menopause friendly.
For more resources to help understand symptoms and discuss the transition with loved ones, visit nationalmenopausefoundation.org.
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home gardening
Beyond the Leaf Pile: 4 Tips for Autumn Lawn Care
4 Tips for Autumn Lawn Care: Many people associate fall yardwork with raking up the crispy, colorful leaves that have drifted down from surrounding trees. Don’t let that be the only task on your outdoor agenda, however, because this season is also an opportunity to improve the overall health of your lawn so it’s ready to thrive once spring arrives.
Beyond the Leaf Pile: 4 Tips for Autumn Lawn Care
(Feature Impact) Many people associate fall yardwork with raking up the crispy, colorful leaves that have drifted down from surrounding trees. Don’t let that be the only task on your outdoor agenda, however, because this season is also an opportunity to improve the overall health of your lawn so it’s ready to thrive once spring arrives.
Start with these autumn lawn care tips:
- Continue Mowing
As long as the grass keeps growing, homeowners should keep mowing – with a couple of smart seasonal adjustments. First, lower the mower height for your final two cuts so the grass isn’t too tall going into winter. Second, instead of raking all the leaves up beforehand, think about leaving a layer on the lawn so the mower can shred them and effectively turn them into mulch, returning their nutrients to the soil.
- Fertilize the Lawn
Especially if you grow cool-weather grass varieties like rye or fescue, feeding your lawn can actually be most effective in the fall. Fertilizer helps nourish the roots of your grass, strengthening it through the winter and preparing it to grow lush and green in the spring and summer. Aim to feed it once in the beginning of the season then again 6-8 weeks later or according to the recommended schedule for your region.
- Battle Stubborn Weeds
If you’ve been dealing with perennial weeds throughout the summer, fall could mean your chance to get rid of them once and for all. Weeds absorb herbicides readily on days with moderate temperatures and moist soil, so this task might be well-timed after some autumn rain has fallen.
- Add Grass Seed to Thin Spots
Whether you have bare patches on your lawn or areas of thinning grass, fall is the best time to seed cool-season lawns. (Skip this tip if you live in the South and have a warm-season lawn.) At least six weeks before the first hard frost in your area, spread grass seed over the areas you want to replenish or thicken then keep the lawn consistently watered until it germinates. Aerating the soil first can help the seed take root.
Find more seasonal home and garden tips by visiting eLivingtoday.com.
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Lifestyle
7 Fire Prevention Tips to Protect Your Home and Community
7 Fire Prevention Tips: Fires can be devastating, but many of them are preventable with simple precautions and smart everyday choices. Consider these tips to reduce the risk of fires and keep your household, family and community safe.
7 Fire Prevention Tips to Protect Your Home and Community
(Feature Impact) In observance of National Fire Prevention Month, it’s a good time to review your fire safety habits at home and in your neighborhood. Fires can be devastating, but many of them are preventable with simple precautions and smart everyday choices.
Consider these tips to reduce the risk of fires and keep your household, family and community safe.
Test Your Smoke Alarms
Smoke detectors are one of the simplest yet most important tools for protecting your home, loudly alerting you to potential danger at any time of the day or night. Test them monthly, follow manufacturer’s instructions for replacement and change batteries as needed.
Heat Your Home Safely
Depending on how you heat your home, there can be different hazards to remain aware of. Never leave fireplaces unattended when in use and have them inspected and maintained as recommended by a trained professional. If you use portable heaters, keep them at least three feet away from curtains, bedding, furniture and other flammable materials.
Prevent Electrical Fires
Frayed cords, damaged outlets or overloaded appliances can pose real danger to your home when they overheat or spark. Particularly if you live in an older home or have outdated appliances, keep an eye out for warning signs like tripped circuit breakers, malfunctioning devices or the smell of burning. If you’re concerned, have your system inspected by a qualified electrician.
Store Flammable Objects Carefully
Keeping matches and lighters out of reach of children is always a smart first step for household fire safety. Also follow safe storage practices for items like lighter fluid, propane, aerosol cans and other household products that could potentially ignite when exposed to heat or a stray spark.
Practice Smart Kitchen and Grill Habits
From sparks flying off the grill to hot oil forgotten in the frying pan, cooking is the leading cause of household fires. Stay attentive in the kitchen, never leave cooking food unattended and avoid setting combustible materials like paper plates or fabric towels too close to a stove or grill. Also keep your appliances cleaned and well-maintained.
Plan Your Escape Route
Fires can spread quickly, which is why it’s important for everyone in your household to know the plan (and backup plan) for safely exiting different areas of the house during an emergency. Decide on a specific meeting place outside and practice quick fire drills together to build muscle memory.
Observe Local Fire Safety Rules
Where you live determines what kinds of fire risks affect your community, so make sure you stay informed about local regulations. For instance, areas prone to drought or wildfire may have rules about outdoor burning, and local fire prevention ordinances may outline specific requirements for smoke alarms in your home.
Find more home safety tips at eLivingtoday.com.
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eLivingtoday.com
