Monday, January 30, 2012

More than a penny saved...

There was an article I found yesterday while reading the news on the internet, sharing the story of a couple who paid cash for their home after zealously saving for two and a half years.  That is remarkable to say the least.  Here's a link to that story. 

The article tells of the ways they were able to save as much as $1700 a month to put towards purchasing that home and ways they earned extra income to help reach their goal-including blogging.

I'm not writing here about their budget. I'm writing about a startling discovery I made when I read the story.  And yes, it's a way to save money---BIG MONEY.

This brief blog is about eyeglasses.   I have myopia (I'm near-sighted).  I've worn glasses since the third or fourth grade.  When I reached my late forties, the optician convinced me that I had a problem reading and seeing things close up.   So he prescribed and I bought bi-focals   None of this is startling news...many of us as we age need reading glasses and many as well are near-sighted. (although to this day, I'm still trying to figure out how we become near-sighted AND far-sighted at the same time).  Over the ensuing years, I've had my eyes checked again and again...of course the prescription changed, too meaning I'd need another new pair of eyeglasses (curiously, the hyperopia - far-sightedness - is the only thing that has changed). 


The last time I had an eye exam, the new glasses with sturdy, bendable titanium frames, cost something like $305.  Since the last eye exam, the economy took a dump and our income did as well.  For the past couple of years, I've made due with eyeglasses and a prescription that is four or five years old.  Well, the frames on that pair of eyeglasses broke for the umteenth time (Remember, I raise horses and sometimes, through no fault of their own, they are knocked off by a flying hoof and a quickly moving head when I'm doing something with the animals- an occupational hazard, to be sure.).  I'm not sure my eyeglass repair person can fix them again so I'm settling for an older, scratched pair for this time.

It's time to get the eyes examined (and perhaps my head, too) for sure right now.  We've been cringing at the cost a new pair will be.  That's where the article I read yesterday comes in.  The author mentioned that they bought their eyeglasses from Zenni Optical.  I'd never heard of them so of course, internet surfer that I am, I checked them out.  All I can say is "wow".

The link to Zenni Optical is above.   To make Zenni Optical work, all you need is a complete prescription in front of you that you can read and accurately type in the the numbers on the prescription.  They have quite a few frame choices from conservative to very crazy (probably more than most optician shops).  they take you through the process step-by-step from choosing a set of frames (and including a way to see exactly how they are going to look on YOUR face) through getting the correct lenses, tints, and multi focal  lenses as well if you need them as I do.

The big deal here is that the cost is amazingly inexpensive.  I mentioned above that the last pair of glasses I bought were $305.  I inputted fairly close information to check prices and a similar frame to "my most recent favorite" frame with light bi-focal lenses that are "progressive" (no-line) and photo-chromic (darken in the sunlight).  I was flabbergasted to see the price-----$50.05!!!!  Without actually completing the order, I don't know if there was shipping included on top of that price but even so...that's saving more than $250!!!

The reviews I read about Zenni Optical were positive.  They have a live chat, an email AND an 800 number if you need help.   Needless to say, I'm going to try them out.   If it works as well as it sounds like it's going to, I may end up with two or three pair of eyeglasses. 



Zenni Optical.com

Crystal Paine, the Money Saving Mom Blog   This blog is loaded with ways to save money from coupon clipping to ways to earn money on the internet.

11 comments:

  1. I've bought eyeglasses from www.eyeglassfactoryoutlet.com on a number of occasions. They cost $34.50 a pair, and that includes the lenses. Shipping is about $5, and they'll tint them into sunglasses for another $5, if you'd like.

    They also have a toll-free number and go out of their way to be helpful. You can even go into a local eyeglass shop, find a pair of frames that you like, write down the info (manufacturer and whatever info is on the inside of the glasses, model #, color, size, etc.), call the folks at the Eyeglass Factory Outlet and within a day they'll call you back with a price on that exact frame--always a lot cheaper than in the local optician's shop.

    Thanks for the link to Zenni Optical. I'll be sure to check them out, too!

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    1. Beth, Prior to reading that article, I didn't know you could order eyeglasses online. I will check out Eyeglass Factory Outlet as well. The only downside I see is getting the glasses fitted but for free or a small charge, I suppose it can be done about anywhere.

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  2. My glasses are also about five years old and I need a new pair and am dreading the cost. I like buying stuff online, but I think I'd be afraid to by eyeglasses online. I'll be interested to read about how they work for you.

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    1. I was reluctant at first, Michael, but after reading the reviews most of which weren't connected to that company, I feel pretty confident. As I said to Beth, above, the only downside is getting them fitted to your face but I think that's an easy work around. I need to make an eye exam appointment and will let you know.

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  3. This is great! My frames and lenses cost me over $450 in September. I've been waiting to update my sunglasses for that very reason! Thank you.

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    1. Maria, I'm really excited about finding this. I haven't had a pair of prescription sunglasses in many, many years due to the cost. THIS might just be the ticket!

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  4. Talk about timing!! I'm due for some new glasses in about 3 months. I'm going to Zenni Optical now to bookmark their site. Thanks so much for letting us know!

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    1. Glad the timing was right for you, Jenn...hope it works out!

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  5. I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to link your blog in a Facebook group called "Pinching Pennies". Not only will the members be interested in saving money on glasses, but I'm sure some will be interested in the blog that you read.

    Thanks for this. I used JC Penney last time I got glasses. It was a sale, but I paid a whole lot more than $50.

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  6. I know I sound like the others, but I could use a pair of glasses very soon. I will be taking your data seriously and will check out the site. Thanks for giving out this money saving advice

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  7. Here's an update to this blog. I recently had my eyes examined and ordered a pair of glasses...transition lenses, progressive bi-focals, titanium bendable frames with the latest and greatest coatings.

    These same glasses with basically the same frame from the Walmart Optical shop would have cost $240. I paid $93. I did have to go to an optician to have the frames adjusted. The glasses are wonderful. My only complaint is that it took one day shy of three weeks from date of order to the arrival to me. But then, it was up to two weeks from the optician--so for nearly 150 dollars savings, well, it surely was worth it!

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