ECONOMY

When the economy nosedived, and companies had reason to be scared, a few businesses got resourceful.

Low incomes and record job losses pushed consumers toward trends like buying in bulk and using group discount websites. And where there was demand, supply soon followed.

In came the success of wholesalers like Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s. But warehouse clubs weren’t the only stores seeing growth in bulk sales. Farmers markets, co-ops and natural food stores observed more supersized shopping. Whole Foods said bulk food purchases were growing by approximately 25 percent every year.

That wasn’t the only buying trend to emerge, however.

“The Groupon following led to an explosion of similar sites, like LivingSocial and Dealfind, not to mention all of the city-specific ones,” says Joe Kalfa, the leader of a new movement of group buying called All Our Power.

“You can buy virtually any commodity in bulk and get all kinds of group discounts on spas, restaurants and vacations galore, but what about monthly expenses like car insurance, gas and health care? It seems to me like there’s room for some improvement,” adds Kalfa.

Well, maybe there is.

According to Time magazine’s Moneyland, warehouse club members can save 25 to 35 percent on their food budget. Shoppers who forego packaging altogether and buy food from bins or dispensers save anywhere from 30 to 90 percent over prepackaged products.

Imagine those types of savings applied to insurance policies, gas prices, medical bills, cell phone plans and more.

All Our Power, which seeks to rally 10 million members and secure membership discounts from all kinds of service providers and retailers, could be the next group-buying trend to take flight.

A buzz has already formed around the young movement as consumers worldwide realize the potential benefits of a free membership with access to serious negotiating power.

Are you tired of paying too much for car insurance or gas? You’re not the only one. Sign up and learn more about your buying power at www.allourpower.com. Or, see what others are saying on Twitter@allourpower.

No doubt there are enormous benefits to owning a pet, but the care needed to keep your pet healthy can also come with a hefty price tag and leave an indelible mark on your wallet. According to the ASPCA, owning a dog or cat can cost up to $1,000 in the first year, and for many people, much more. Fear not, however. The good news is that you can cut your pet care expenses without compromising your pet’s health and wellness. The following tips will help you save money on pet care for your dog or cat:

    1. Don’t skip the vet.

If you’re trying to save money, it might be tempting to decrease vet visits. But, according to Julie Ciarmella of the American Veterinary Medicine Association, “an investment in preventative healthcare can reduce your long-term pet healthcare costs.” Why? Like humans, regular check-ups can prevent expensive complications down the road.

    2. Get by with a little help from your friends.

Dog-walking, pet-sitting, and kennel services can be one of the most expensive parts of owning a pet. Save some green by taking the “you scratch my dog’s belly and I’ll scratch your cat’s back” approach, and tap into a network of other pet owners in your area. Neighborhood dog parks are a great place to meet likeminded pet lovers; or you could try good old-fashioned advertising.

    3. Choose high-value pet products that give you more bang for your buck.

Grabbing the cheapest product can feel like a thrifty move, but you may be surprised by the impact “cheap” products can have on your budget. For example, cheaper clay cat litter tends to have to be changed more often, so cat owners go through bag after bag at a much faster rate. World’s Best Cat Litter is an alternative that harnesses the concentrated power of corn for long-lasting performance. You’ll use a little less litter, replace it less often and save money for your efforts.

At the end of the day, what your pet needs most is love. Keep things simple and invest in high-value products where it matters, and you’ll be on your way to a pet care budget that works for you and your pet.

Contact Lenses: Focus on Proper Care to Reduce Risk of Infection

(NewsUSA) – Today, nearly 41 million adults in the U.S — that’s 1-in-10 — wear contact lenses, a safe and popular form of vision correction. However, when they do not use lenses as directed by an eye doctor, the consequences can be dangerous and can even damage the eyes. Many contact lens wearers are guilty of a number of serious bad habits. According to the American Optometric Association‘s (AOA) 2015 American Eye-Q consumer survey, 59 percent of contact lens wearers admit to wearing their disposable contact lenses longer than they should. Not following an eye doctor’s recommended changing schedule can cause permanent eye damage from bacterial infections and oxygen deprivation. Taking proper steps when wearing and caring for contacts helps keep the eyes healthy. The AOA recommends wearers: * Wash and dry hands before handling contact lenses; * Use cleaning solution to rub the lenses with fingers and rinse thoroughly before soaking lenses overnight in multi-purpose disinfectant solution; * Store lenses in a proper lens storage case and replace it every three months; * Use fresh solution to clean and store contact lenses — never reuse old solution; * Use products recommended by your eye doctor to clean and disinfect your lenses; * Follow the recommended contact lens replacement schedule prescribed by your eye doctor; and * Remove contact lenses before exposing them to water. Another thing to remember is contact lenses aren’t just for adults. Eye doctors agree most children between the ages of 10 and 12 are mature enough to wear and care for contact lenses, but even some younger children are capable, especially with daily disposable contact lenses. The AOA is also warning about the risks of wearing non-corrective, decorative contact lenses that often times are acquired illegally through vendors that don’t meet quality or safety standards. While many people may consider these lenses a fashion or costume accessory, in reality, they are also classified as medical devices and pose the same safety and health issues as corrective contact lenses. Eye doctors urge wearing only decorative contact lenses that are prescribed through an eye doctor. Illegally purchased lenses can result in significant eye damage, which could lead to irreversible sight loss. For more information about contact lens hygiene and safety, as well as the risks associated with decorative contact lenses, visit www.aoa.org.