This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I don’t know how many times I may have started a post with the words, “In this economy…” but here’s another fact that you may not be familiar with – just like bank “servicers,” pharmacies are held hostage often times with what can be called the “middleman” when it comes to your prescriptions and the availability of those prescriptions. Worst yet, the middleman approach dictates which pharmacy is part of your network, the costs and availability of certain prescriptions, and much more. Such is the case with Walgreens and Express Scripts.

The Impact on Customers

When the middleman is the sole party to set the rules, for example what does or does not “constitute a brand and generic drug” (which btw has a huge impact on your bank account), you know the world is going downhill. Such has been the case for a long time now, and most of us are unaware it’s happening.

In this particular instance, Tricare is one of Express Scripts “clients.” If you’re not familiar with Tricare, simply put it is the health and prescription programs for our U.S. military service people – men and women alike. Now I’m merely using this as an example, a major example, but a simple check of the back of your own pharmacy card should give you a clue as to who is handling your own prescription coverage (do check).

On a personal level, people just like you and me, generally find a pharmacy they are comfortable with, one that supports them, provides information when asked, and knows you inside and out (literally). Take that away, and the same person is forced to start all over again, perhaps paying higher prices or restricted on what is and what is not covered. They are forced by the middleman to choose another in-network program or suffer the consequences of coverage (or lack thereof).

What You Can Do

I know it’s difficult to say, “Speak up! Speak out!” It’s even more difficult for people to really focus on the fact that rights as we know them put us at the whim and mercy of corporations. Too often we feel, “Oh well what difference will my voice make…” This unfortunate attitude is so untrue. It is apathy that keeps us from making ourselves heard, nothing more.

However, you do have a voice, and here’s your opportunity to use it. Whether you frequent Walgreens or not, you can:

1. Contact your local media and express yourself (if only for the military and not yourself and your family)

2. Support Walgreens! Stay up to date on what’s happening – Walgreens on Twitter and Walgreens on Facebook

3. Talk with your friends, family, and co-workers so they are aware that once again lives are being disrupted (and btw, read this to get the full details I cannot possibly include in a single post – it’s not long, but it is “alarming”)

What Walgreens Is Doing

On a positive note, Walgreens does offer a very affordable Prescription Savings Club at Walgreens. With two million members that’s huge leverage to help you save money. Their program is risk free, with the promise that “if you don’t save more than the cost of your membership” they will refund you the difference.

In the meantime, Walgreens continues its efforts to ensure their customers continue to receive the care and assistance they need. Just don’t be one of the many who once again say nothing. Use the links above, read about the issue (which has long arms and who knows, speculation, but what or who comes next??), and show support for a neighborhood business just trying to help people like us.

Some people hate the idea of preparing their own income taxes, but there are folks out there that just love numbers and figuring out ways for people to save money. The trouble is you cannot just hang out your shingle and become a tax preparer without training or without certification.

Where to Go to Become a Tax Preparer

If you’d like to learn the ins and outs of preparing other people’s taxes, and be fully prepared to past your irs exam, then FastForwardAcademy is your solution. The reasons you need to prepare should be fairly obvious, tax laws change at the speed of light and, above all, you just cannot do other people’s taxes without certification (two of the most obvious reasons of course).

Easy Steps to Become Qualified to Get a Job As a Federal Tax Return Preparer

At FastForwardAcademy, the steps to your new job are simple. They give you:

1. Directions on how to sign up with the IRS (your first step) and even let you know it costs only $64.25 initially and $63 annually thereafter

2. Registration instructions so you can begin either brushing up on, or starting fresh with, what will be on the exam for you to become certified

3. Test, test, test before you take the official one. Lots of practice exams (along with the material) are available on their website. This way you’re ahead of the curve and will know what to expect when you sit for your exam to become an enrolled agent.

4. They also provide continuing education courses. Just like other fields, keeping up on tax laws and changes means continuing to educate yourself (and keep your certification current). When everything you need is in one spot, it sure makes life a whole lot easier

Prices range (currently) from $199 to $349 depending on your needs. That’s a fairly inexpensive way to get a new start in a new direction (or stay current in your existing one), especially in this economy. So if you’re considering a career change or must make a career change, use any of the links above and investigate becoming an income tax preparer. Who knows… maybe that love of “math” will pay you big dividends!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of TravelPro for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? Europe? Asia? South America? Visit family or friends anywhere in the world? Okay, you might think, “What are you crazy in this economy… I’m not going anywhere!” You’d be wrong because it is entirely possible that you could be the Grand Prize winner of the TravelPro sweepstakes! And, lugging huge bags around won’t be a problem not when you also receive two (2) Travelpro® Rollaboard® bags! Their luggage is rugged and very durable; fashion (great styling) also is another great feature. Plus “rolling” your luggage… what’s not to like about that?!

Where would I go? I’d love to win and get a chance to see castles in the UK or Ireland. Ideally, I’d love to visit Amsterdam. It’s been a dream of mine for a long time, but personally I don’t stand a snow balls chance of traveling unless I take great opportunities like this one to enter to win 500,000 Delta SkyMiles. Wow, that 500K miles!

My brother-in-law and his wife fly to the East coast quite a bit, and they are able to do so (and also “share the wealth”) because of the miles they rack up to fly for free. I’m ready to tell them all about the Travelpro® Rollaboard® bags sweepstakes. I don’t think anyone would object to getting even more travel time, do you?

Well… All you need to do is click the link above and follow their easy to enter instructions. Who knows, the trip of a lifetime may become yours!

The value of attending a class on foreclosure mediation cannot be over stressed. With housing prices continuing their downward spiral in many areas, particularly in the West, as the homeowner you need as much information as you can possibly gather.

Here in the Las Vegas area, the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada in conjunction with UNLV’s William S. Boyd School of Law, regularly hold classes to help homeowners facing lender foreclosures. Their class is a few hours long and worth every minute. You will walk away armed with the information you need should you choose to go the route of Mediation with your lender.

We have firsthand experience with this – due to a long span of unemployment for my husband. Our dilemma is similar to many who, through no fault of their own, purchased homes they could afford before the economy took its nose dive affecting so many. However, having exited Round 1, we came out winners. Being prepared – having every single piece of paperwork ready and with you – is your key to a successful mediation.

For us, the lender side was unprepared. This is a sharp stick in the eye for them, and a winner of a conclusion for us. It’s not over, but we have high hopes that when all is said and done, we will have something we can live with – an affordable payment to make each month.

Whether you decide to keep your underwater home or not, choosing Mediation is your best choice for both individuals and families. There are numerous other factors to consider that go beyond the stay or go decision. Six states are labeled recourse states. Be sure to know what sort of laws govern your state, and take these factors into consideration.

Your life strategy lesson for the day… do not sit back and let things happen to you. Be proactive. Be prepared. Be knowledgeable. Take the bull by the horns. After all, those you “go up against” are mere humans working in a highly flawed system. These are two points in your favor if you are prepared!