Health: Crosslight’s money-saving tips
Check if you are eligible for free prescriptions, dental work, glasses etc on the NHS website; this is part of a low-income scheme that also supports with other medical costs and travel to appointments etc.
Consider a prescription prepayment certificate if you get an average of 12 prescriptions or more over the course of a year (you can get the certificates for 3 or 12 months) - our article has more information on this.
Look into the possibility of purchasing medication over the counter rather than paying for the prescription charge (eq aqueous cream, hydrocortisone etc) – check prices in your pharmacy to compare.
You can also check if an ‘own brand’ product is actually the same as a pricier branded alternative by comparing the PL number (unique licence number given to specific drugs made by a particular manufacturer)- enabling you to make savings by buying generic alternatives of the medication you need
Once you’ve had an eye test, there is no obligation to purchase glasses or contact lenses from the same optician – shop around opticians on the high street or consider online alternatives once you know your prescription.
If you’re thinking about giving up smoking, which could save your life as well as a lot of money, help is available in the form of the NHS’s free online Quit Kit
Need a dental check-up but balking at the cost (or struggling to get an appointment)? Some dental universities provide low-cost treatment by (supervised) dental students – find a full list here.
Looking for free exercise inspiration? Try Adriene’s Yoga, Fitness Blender’s free workout videos, Joe Wick’s YouTube videos, or equipment-free workouts from the good old days of lockdown.
A wide array of mental wellbeing tools can be found online: free meditation resources and soundtracks for sleep, anxiety, morning routines and more, as well as a daily mood tracker, can be found on the Insight Timer app; Calm also has a wide range of free mindfulness resources and meditations, including some aimed at kids.