Do you know how the natives in Africa catch monkeys? They cut a hole in one end of a coconut just large enough for the monkey to get his hand in. The other end is connected to a long rope. They then they put a handful of peanuts inside.

The coconut is put in a small clearing while the native waits in the brush, holding on to the rope. When the monkeys come around, they smell the peanuts. Well, curiosity will get the best of one of them and the monkey will reach into the coconut and grab a handful of peanuts. Now the monkeys hand is too big to pull out of the hole.

The native will simply drag the monkey into the brush because the monkey is too dim-witted to let go of the peanuts. He doesnt realize that if he just lets go, his hand will slip out and he will be free.

This is a great example of how the drug companies capture their customers. They attract you with slick advertising; even give you free samples at the doctors office. You think this medication is going to be the answer to your prayers. This peanut, I mean drug, is going to be wonderful. Unfortunately, your proverbial hand is stuck in the coconut.

The drug companies are slowly pulling you into the brush because every month you are giving them your hard earned money. They know you dont realize that you can just let go, slip you hand out, and escape.

In most cases, there are other medications available that are much less expensive. Not quite as cheap as peanuts, but low-priced none the less.

By educating yourself about your particular medication, you can find a less expensive alternative.

Learn why you are taking your medication and how it works.

Find its drug class and then find a cheap generic in the same class.

Ask your doctor if you can switch because of the cost. Explain to him that they work basically the same but this one is much cheaper. In other words, let go of the peanuts.

Do you think the prescriptions prices are set in stone? Do you feel this is just how it is? Is this how much your health costs? You can shop around and save a couple of dollars here and there but what about your time. Driving all over town, calling all the pharmacies, deciding if driving ten miles is worth saving five dollars. The truth is, you can save. You can save significantly if you just put your mind to it and use a little creativity.

Every month do you say that you are going to do something about these prescription prices? Every month you realize how much you are spending and get upset. Then next month comes along, and there you are right back to being upset and saying, Ive got to do something about these prices.

You just keep putting it off and putting it off. Putting it off is costing you money that could be staying in your pocket instead of going into the pharmacy cash register. Now is the time to do something about it.

Do you think that the doctor knows the medications are expensive but he wants you to have the best? Do you just accept the first prescription the doctor writes without considering the cost.

I got news for you; most doctors dont know the retail prices of these medications.

For just about any expensive medication your doctor prescribes, there is probably a less expensive generic alternate. You have to be educated about your medication and let your doctor know you are educated. Then you can speak intelligently and ask about an alternate.

Do you say, I have insurance and I am saving money every month with it? This is big misconception. Insurance is a business and they have to make money to stay in business. Let me say that again. Insurance is a business and they have to make money to stay in business.

You may think the insurance is paying a lot for your prescription; but in actuality, deals are being done, the massive discounts are handed out, and your wonderful insurance is making out like a bandit. Under certain circumstances, it is cheaper to drop prescription insurance, if that is an option, and pay cash for your medication.

Are you failing to see the long term financial impact? If you spend the average that people spend per month on prescriptions, $140, and the cost continues to go up at the current rate of 15% per year, you will have spent $1.48 million over the course of your lifetime on prescription drugs.

Thats right; you will most likely spend almost one and a half million dollars for your prescriptions if you are under 45 years of age.

I say 45 years old because most people start taking chronic medication at about age 45 and continue until they eventually pass on, about 35 years later. What if you could cut that just 10%?

Can you think of something else to do with $150,000? I know I can.

What about saving 20%, 50%, or 75%. Techniques currently available can easily cut your costs 25%. Using some imagination and a little effort, even a 75% reduction is not all that difficult to achieve.

If you could see how much money you could save over the period of a lifetime, it adds up to a pretty significant amount of money.

Begin learning how to save now. The sooner you get started, the sooner more of you money will remain in your pocket.