Bipolar and Single: Making It Financially

Published: Tue, 09/16/14

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Hi ,

How are you doing today?

I hope you're having a good day.

I recently received the following email:

Hi David,

I never have written back to you so I first
wanted to thank you for all your great articles
on BP. I also have a suggestion for something to
look into. Have you ever written about the problems
of single people with bi-polar who have financial
problems. I see lots of great ideas for people who
have a strong support network of family and spouses
but I haven't seen anything recently on the issues
of single parents, singles and financial management
for someone who has to earn enough money to pay
for every penny of living expenses and mortgage
and manage their Bi-polar. I've had to amend my
schedule and work a lower paying job to reduce the
stress, but I can't afford not to work full-time.

i hope you have some good ideas for people like
this?

Thanks,

Beth

-----------------------------------------------------------------


Beth does raise some good points in her email, and asks
some really good questions, and they should be addressed.

In my courses/systems, I do go into detail on how to
establish a complete financial plan when you have bipolar
disorder and have a loved one with the disorder:


SUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.bipolarsupporter.com/report11

SUPPORTING A CHILD/TEEN WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.bipolarparenting.com

HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.survivebipolar.net


However, I think it would be good to go over some
of those points and to adapt them to Beth's questions
from her email here.

One area where you can save money right away is in
the area of prescription medications.

Even if you have a prescription plan or Medicare, you
still have to pay some money out-of-pocket for your
bipolar medications, and that can run into a lot of
money, especially if you're on several medications.

For Beth and people like her, who are only working
part-time, or who cannot work at all (or who are on
Disability and only have a limited income), you can
contact the drug manufacturers directly for what is
called a Patient Assistance Program.

For example, Astra-Zeneca, manufacturers of the
bipolar medication Seroquel, have a Patient
Assistance Program called AZ and Me.

Each manufacturer has its own regulations, so you
need to check with your drug manufacturer for details.
If you're not sure who makes your medication, just ask
your pharmacist, and they can tell you.

There are also prescription cards available to you to
help you pay for your prescriptions.

For example, there is a prescription card that is available
on a county by county basis.

You can find out about these discount prescription cards
by going to www.needymeds.org

There is also other prescription help available that that
website can direct you to.

So, saving money on prescriptions can definitely help
you stretch your dollar.

Also, your doctor can sometimes give you free samples
of medication if you ask them.

Sometimes, the drug manufacturers will also give you a
free 30-day supply of a medication (with a prescription) -
you need to contact the drug manufacturer directly to
find out if they offer this, however.

Another idea is to get a "medication sponsor" from your
family - someone who might be willing to help you get
your medication for, say, a month or two to help you out.
They can even pay the pharmacy directly if they want to.

You can make your dollar stretch further by going to food
banks and getting free food as well. This can be done on a
continuing basis.

Every community has these - check with your local Red
Cross or United Way to find out where your local food
banks are. Usually the only requirement is that you are
low income.

You should be able to lower your power bill by asking to
go on budget billing (most power companies now offer
this service) - where they will average your monthly usage
and you pay a lower monthly amount.

Single parents can sometimes get daycare on a sliding
scale. Some churches offer day care for less as well.

For some people with low income on Medicare, some
doctor/psychiatrists and therapists will offer services on
a sliding scale as well.

It goes without saying that you need to keep excessive
spending to a minimum (such as credit card debt) and
to try to live within your means. If you already have
credit card debt, try to pay it off so that will eliminate
one bill that you have to pay every month.

Scale down to only what is necessary, and sell off the rest.
Have a yard sale and/or put your clothes in a consignment
shop for extra income. You might even want to consider
selling things over the Internet for extra income.

Although it is difficult to make it financially when you are
a single person with bipolar disorder, it can be done.

Hopefully, these suggestions will help you.


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Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

Dave

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