Most people who wear eyeglasses would rather not. To add insult to injury, the cost of eyeglasses seems astronomical to most wearers-they're nothing more than a few ounces of plastic, after all. There is no question that eyeglasses constitute a major purchase. If you opt for the highest quality ultra light lens, all the special coatings and tints, and expensive designer frames, you may pay around $1000. If you are a person for whom price is no object and time is limited, you may not want to shop around.
For most people, it pays to do a little homework before you shop for eyeglasses. First of all, you should understand that even though your optometrist may have an optical shop as part of his business, you are under no obligation to fill your prescription there. Studies have shown that though these independent shops offer excellent care and an interesting selection of frames, they can be far more pricey. The same studies have found, surprisingly, that warehouse clubs and other big box type stores offer perfectly fine service and low prices. Also, if you have the time to browse around on the web, you can find great deals on frames and then purchase the lenses at a local shop. The cheap plastic lenses, CR-39, are suitable for most people and most often consistent in quality across the country, although the price can fluctuate crazily. In fact, some of the national eyeglass chains charge up to five times what warehouse clubs charge for the same lens.
Another way you can save money is on special coatings. For most plastic lenses, UV protection is already inherent in the lenses and even though some places will try to sell UV coating, you may not need it. There is a measurable difference in frame durability. Plastic frames are more fragile than metal ones. If you are hard on glasses, opt for titanium or titanium-based frames. Spring hinges make a difference if you are rough on glasses or take them on and off frequently.
Finally, knowing what shape frames look best on your face shape can help you find the most attractive frame for you. If you have difficulty seeing without your glasses, it is very helpful to take an honest friend or family member along you when you look at frames.
Finding a great deal on glasses is worth the time it takes to shop around and do some research. When you consider that shopping with care can potentially save you hundreds of dollars, it is time very well invested.
I hope you're not one of those people who paid full-price for a timeshare! Here are some basic rules to save (your cash. Rule number one – Don’t buy from a builder unless it is a genuine closeout. The very first timeshare I ever bought was from a developer that had almost sold out his resort and had a few weeks remaining in which he hoped to close out so he could start a new project elsewhere. I paid $1675 for a week that in the previous year was being sold for $15,999 by the same developer! Don’t be fooled by sales tactics on timeshare tours where they start out very high on the price and then mysteriously find ways to keep discounting the price until you feel that it’s a great deal you can’t possibly refuse. Up to 50% of the cost of a timeshare is marketing costs. It is not uncommon for a developer to hire a promotional company that takes 50% of the sale proceeds. Sadly, in spite of promises made by salespeople, most timeshares resell for only 10-30% of their original purchase price. But this can sometimes be an opportunity for savvy buyers! Always do your homework. Do you want to own a timeshare simply for exchange purposes or do you intend to use the resort? It really does make a difference. If you are seeking a timeshare for exchange it is important you fully understand the rules of the exchange companies (like RCI). Each companyhas similar rules concerning exchanges. As a general rule, last minute exchanges are “first come, first serve". It makes little difference whether you are trading an expensive high season week or an inexpensive off season week. So, that week you buy on livingoffdividends.com/store for $100 may do the job as well as a $5000 high season week if you have the flexibility to travel on short notice and choose from a variety of locations and destinations available. On the other hand, if you want to change into top notch resorts in high season it becomes more important to own something that is in high demand. Exchange companies operate under the principle of “fair exchange" meaning they try to match the vacation experience provided by what you own to where you will exchange to. So, if you owned a 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo at a 5 star resort in Waikiki, Hawaii in the peak of season a comparable exchange would be to a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 5 star in Cancun, Mexico in February. In other words, you have to match what you purchase to the vacation experience you are seeking. Where to buy? A great places to buy is http://livingoffdividends.com/store/Real-Estate/Timeshares-for-Sale. It is not unusual to find timeshares for under $100. The important thing is to know what you are buying. Contact the resort and inquire about the unit and week you are interested in. As the new owner you are liable for any back taxes, unpaid maintenance fees and assessments. Do a search on the internet for “timeshare user groups" and search for the resort you are interested in to see if there are any problems you should be aware of. Another source of inexpensive weeks is from homeowner associations at resorts. Contact resorts you are interested in and inquire about homeowner association weeks for sale. These are weeks that are owned by the homeowners usually because they were signed over to them in exchange for releasing the owner from back maintenance fees and taxes owed. Usually the association only wants to recoup the back fees owed and is not terribly interested in making a profit. See if the resort has a website for owners. There will usually be weeks listed for sale there. If there is an owner’s forum it will provide you with a glimpse on how well the property is managed and experiences that owners want to share.
Both Fabian Toulouse & Rustom Kasturba are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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