Money Saving Tips for Contact Wearers
When you’re prescribed contacts, it can seem like a relief: you’ll get to enjoy better vision without the problems associated with glasses. Glasses can make it hard to wear sunglasses or goggles, play sports, show off your eye makeup, and more. The relief may soon fade when you see the bill for your new contact lenses, though.
Some people pay full price for contacts, but there’s no need to do so. There are cheaper options available that will get you the same contact lenses at a much lower price. Here are some ways you can save money if you wear contact lenses.
Consider a different contact type.
If you’re wearing daily disposable contacts every day, you’re wasting money. This may be convenient if you can’t clean your lenses or for occasional lazy days, but you will spend more money on individual contacts to wear each day than you would on one great pair of RGP (rigid gas permeable) lenses. They cost more upfront, but if you wear your contacts every day, you will quickly make back the money you spend in savings.
Buy contacts online.
Wasting your money buying contacts at a retail shop is pointless. These stores need to pay their staff and their rent, so they mark up all their products. Buying online saves you a lot of money, particularly if you have to buy many lenses. Daily disposable contact wearers or families with multiple contact-wearing people may find this a very important money-saving tip. The only exception is when you are taking advantage of a special sale at an offline retailer, though this doesn’t always mean it’s cheaper than an online retailer.
Don’t try to skip the prescription.
Always buy your contact lenses at Lenstore or another reputable, certified website. Trying to skip the prescription and buy contacts from sites that don’t require one is a recipe for disaster. Contacts are custom-shaped to fit your eye, and if you buy generic contacts, you can quickly find yourself with irritated, infected, or itchy eyes.
Ask for a different prescription.
When your doctor prescribes your contact lenses, it’s possible they write down a particular manufacturer or material. Talk to them about less expensive options and many will be happy to give you a different manufacturer or type of lens that will cost less for you to order. This can save you a lot of money if you’re buying disposable lenses in particular.
Look for sales and discounts.
Buying contact lenses adds up if you’re paying full price. Instead, look for coupon codes, sales, or promotions that allow you to save money on your contacts. Some promotions may give you a discount for buying more than one pair of lenses at a time, and other sales will give you a percentage discount.
If you’re buying contact lenses, you will benefit from the better selection and shaping of today’s contact lenses. Prices have also risen, however, so you should take advantage of these money-saving tips in order to minimize the impact on your bank account.
Chelsea Miller is a personal finance consultant. She enjoys sharing her money saving tips on various online periodicals and publications.
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Category: Saving Money
