Meet a Reader | Pharmacist Ali
Hello, everyone! This week, we're meeting a midwestern reader who works as a pharmacist. Here's Ali:
1.Tell us a little about yourself
Hello! I’m Ali and I grew up in a suburb of a metropolitan city in the Midwest. I went to college out-of-state and then decided to move back to the area I grew up in. I currently work as a pharmacist.
I’m single and live alone but visit family often. I’ve lived in apartments since my Junior year of college.
2. How long have you been reading The Frugal Girl?
I’ve been reading Frugal Girl for a little while now. Probably since 2018 but for sure since 2019 (because I know it was before the pandemic).
I’ve been a long time lurker but only just recently have gotten brave enough to comment within the last year or so.
3. How did you get interested in money saving?
I grew up in a middle class household, my parents are big planners and savers.
I remember my dad driving older cars most of my childhood and we had my mom’s Oldsmobile from when I was in second grade all the way through my sophomore year of college.
My parents did not really have car payments for a really long time. So they were able to save some money.
Most of our family vacations have been in my home state at various state parks. Campsites are cheap and the car used less gas since we were usually only 2-4 hours away from home.
I guess my frugality has been inherited as I enjoy local vacationing now on my own! I was also taught growing up that sometimes paying a little more for a better quality means something will last longer.
I still have and wear child size XL mittens from REI (from the late 90s-early 2000s!).
The importance of taking care of your things so they last longer is another thing my parents taught me, I have not gone through near as many cell phones as some people I know.
4. What’s the “why” behind your money-saving efforts?
I want to pay off my school loans. My family was in a pretty bad accident before I graduated from college and so I had to pay a good portion of the last two years of pharmacy school with grad PLUS loans in addition to the regular grad loans.
I am also saving because I would like to buy a house or a town house(semi detached) sometime in the next 1-5 years. It would be nice to have my own space and not worry about people coming in all the time like you have with an apartment.
5. What’s your best frugal win?
I earned $750, and saved $1040! My mom and I scrubbed my old apartment from head to toe and so I got my whole $750 deposit back!
There was a new renter who wanted to move in early so I made sure I was moved out 1 month before I had to (I had to give 2 months notice) so he could move in and he paid my last month of rent!
6. What’s a dumb money mistake you’ve made?
Not maxing out my contributions to my HSA during the first 2 years of working out of school (I missed out on matching from my employer and large tax deductions because of this). I was more concerned about having the money in my savings account and so I was only contributing small amounts and missed out on the full employer HSA match.
Having late payments with my federal loans, because of this I could have had saved a couple hundred dollars due to a program I never knew about. Always try to pay bills on time!
7. What’s one thing you splurge on?
I like to get nice haircuts/blow outs about 3 -4 times per year.
Also, I buy (usually on sale or with a discount) expensive, high quality,name brand clothing because I feel like it lasts longer.
8. What’s one thing you aren’t remotely tempted to splurge on?
Salon services like waxing, getting my nails done etc, for so many reasons, including fears of un-proper cleaning of nail utensils and getting a fungal or bacterial infection. Also, I had a very bad past experience with eye brow waxing.
I'm also note tempted to buy the latest and greatest technology. Like other readers I upgrade my devices when I have to but I try to get as much usage (mileage) out of them as possible.
9. If $1000 was dropped into your lap today, what would you do with it?
I would use it to pay off or pay down one of my student loans.
10. Share a frugal tip with other Frugal Girl readers.
When on vacation and staying in a hotel with a continental breakfast, try to get a filling breakfast. Bring along a few snacks (that you packed from home) for during the day and then plan on going out to eat for an earlier (4:30-5 pm) dinner. This will save you a lot of money because then you are only eating out one meal per day!
Always check for discounts from memberships that you are apart of like AAA or if you work for a large employer. I saved lots of money on tickets for theme parks and on hotels with these types of memberships and employer perks!
11. Is there anything unique about frugal living in your area?
The state I live in has amazing parks, trails etc. There are lots of activities that you can do for no or low cost.
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Ali, thanks so much for sharing!
I so agree with your vacationing tips, and I wanted to tell you that like you, I grew up camping.
A question: how did you get interested in being a pharmacist? It's a LOT of school to get through, so I'm guessing there must have been some keen interest on your part.
It’s nice to meet you. Two things really hit me when reading your interview. Taking care of what you have is a super frugal move. I don’t think anyone has pointed that out before. Making things last longer simply reduces cash outlays.
Secondly, I’m glad you are taking advantage of your Health Savings Account (HSA). This may be one of the most overlooked benefits available from employers. (It is also available to most individuals with qualifying high-deductible health insurance plans.) As an older person, my husband and I have contributed the maximum allowable in our HSA for the last 7 years. We have been able to invest a portion of it much like a 401k. It is part of our retirement plan. When we retire, we can pay our health care premiums out of this account and LTC expenses if necessary.
@Bee, Hi Bee, Thank you so much for the nice compliments! I was worried I wasn’t frugal enough:) . It sounds like you are making some good decisions with your HSA. I agree that it’s a powerful tool that could really help you now and later in life!
Hi Ali! At first glance of that photo of a cardinal, it looked like a person in a peaked Little Red Riding Hood cape. Ha. I miss cardinals. I've never seen one here in NM, and we had regulars at our bird feeder in NY.
@kristin @ going country, I thought cardinals were pretend, also lightning bugs, before I moved to Nebraska, bc New Mexico has none of either. So crazy.
@kristin @ going country, I totally saw the picture the same way (my mind flew to Ezra Jack Keats/Snowy Day)!
Ali, thanks for sharing! You remind me that I've had HSAs on the back burner - we're not currently in a high-deductible plan, but I think that's worth another look come open season time. I also wanted to say, I've so appreciated our pharmacist in recent years - just really friendly service during busy times - so, thank you all!
@Karen., If it makes you feel better, I thought roadrunners were huge, tall birds until I moved to New Mexico. I guess that's what happens when you're educated by Looney Tunes. 😀
@kristin @ going country, Hi Kristin, thank you so much for reading my interview! I took a second look and you’re right it could be a person in a little red cape! Haha! I can’t imagine all the cool birds you have there in NM! I think birds are so interesting, there was a little redwing black bird on a road sign just chilling out on my ride to work yesterday. I don’t know if you have those birds in NM either but would love to hear about birds there in NM!
Hey Ali, I love the two sunset pictures. You live in a beautiful place!
Like you, I often opt for the more expensive version of a product that lasts longer, in particular when it comes to everday clothes like jeans, Birkenstock shoes... It is more sustainable and often more frugal (and more stylish ;-)).
@Christine81 and Ali, my take on getting the "more expensive version of a product" is that I always try to buy certain high-quality brands when I'm thrift-shopping. (I adhere to Buy Nothing New principles, though I've never officially joined the BNN Compact.) It's not always easy to find LL Bean, Eddie Bauer, REI, Lands' End, Talbots, etc., in secondhand stores--but my closet contents are proof that it can be done.
I'm also among those who have never had a problem buying children's or men's clothes. Part of my outfit for my courthouse wedding in 1979 was a boy's size 20 tweed jacket (I *was* considerably thinner then!), and now that I'm a lot older and have trouble finding ladies' wide sneakers and oxfords, I often find that a men's 7.5 suits my feet very well.
@Christine81, Hi Christine! Thank you so much for the compliments on my pictures! It’s nice to hear that you buy quality new clothes too!
@A. Marie,
I'm beginning to rethink my I'm not afraid to wear men's clothes philosophy. At 5-10 its often easier to find men's clothes, rather than lady's that are long enough in the legs and sleeves. One of my favorite "jackets" is a gray polar fleece 3/4 zip pull-over. I wear it often, but inevitably when I do, someone refers to me as Sir. I'm beginning to question my femininity. You'd think the long curly hair would be a clue.
@A. Marie, Hi A. Marie! You’re right it is very hard to find brand names at thrift stores! You are very lucky! I’ve gotten a little lucky but it’s harder now with all the pickers who then resell. I don’t mind wearing men’s either. I have a flannel that is my dads and I like how cozy and worn in it is. Ive also borrowed some jackets of his from time to time and snow pants!
@A. Marie,
I recently discovered that I can wear the same size shoe as my 12 year old son (he has big feet, lol). This happened because he wanted a pair of peachy-pink colored Adidas sneakers that were on significant clearance....except that once he wore them to school, some kid made fun of them ("those are girl's sneakers", insert my eyeball roll). Fortunately for me, they fit me, so new kicks for me!
Thanks for sharing with us! I liked your travel eating tip. I do the same thing! I try to get a hotel room with fridge and microwave and when I do eat at a restaurant I try to order something that will heat up well in the room and then use the leftovers for dinner the next night. And I agree packing lots of snack is key.
@Julia, Hi Julia! I agree having a fridge and microwave in a hotel room is the best! Then you can diversify your snack options and eat your leftovers!
Hi Ali! I've always been in such awe of pharmacists. Aside from nurses, they are the most approachable and generous with their time when it comes to explaining the various drugs. As a child I remember one pharmacist contradicting a doctor's prescription and called him up to explain some serious interactions with my mother's other drugs. For all I know he could've saved my mother's life.
Needless to say, pharmacists are aces in my book.
I hope you get your house soon. There's nothing like having your own space.
I second Kristen's question. How did you get interested in pharmacy?
@Maria Zannini, Ditto! I feel the exact same way about pharmacists.
@Maria Zannini, Hi Maria! Thank you so much for the kind compliments and I’m glad to hear you have such a positive memory of a pharmacist helping your mother.
To answer your and Kristen’s question:
@thefrugalgirl
I did career exploration in high school. At the time they were predicting a mass shortage of pharmacists. (unfortunately the opposite happened and there was a surplus so the job market is a little tight). I shadowed a local Walgreens pharmacist one day during the summer in high school ( they had a program where high school students who were interested in pharmacy could shadow-but I don’t think it exists anymore). The local public state university had half day exploration programs for their various health science degrees to get high school students interested and involved. I attended the pharmacy exploration half- day program. Then, Lastly I did a whole week of a science and engineering career camp at the same college and came to the conclusion that engineering was just not for me. I like math and science and I enjoy solving problems and helping people. I don’t mind talking to new people and blood/needles don’t scare me. So it’s the perfect fit!
Ali, I was nodding along in agreement with your vacation meal strategy. That's what we do and it saves us a lot of money. We also find that we're usually tired early from doing a lot of walking and want to turn in early. If we have an early supper, we sleep better.
@Ruby, Hi Ruby! I laughed when I read your comment because your vacations sound a lot like mine! We go go go and try to see everything and do everything. We are usually so tired at the end of the day too!
Hi, Ali, welcome!
Your mittens are great! I was just wearing a child's Lands' End XL tee-shirt yesterday that I originally bought for my kids when they were pre-teen/early teen. They are now 36 and 39, so I'd say it's held up. That's a frugal tip I forget about - if one wears a small or a smaller-type medium, check out kids' clothes. They are often cheaper.
It sounds like you were raised to save and the lesson stuck. Some kids go dead in the opposite direction of thrift once they are out on their own, though. Have you seen this yourself?
Thanks for posting and for the lovely pictures.
@JD, you are so right about looking in other departments with clothes. I hate women’s swimsuits and bought a boys teen x large swim shorts. I use a woman’s swim tank and a men small swim shirt for water aerobics. And boys water shoes. Plus I’ve used these for 4 years or so. The only thing needing replacement is the women’s tank.
@cc, a few years ago, I accidentally learned that kids hiking shoes go up to my size (and actually fit my feet better!), and they are significantly cheaper than the adult versions. They don’t last quite as long, but they do last proportionally longer than the price difference, so I’m still ahead! After that I started checking the kids section in the sports and outdoor stores and discovered all sorts of things from socks to my equestrian helmet that I can safely and comfortably get in child size.
I roomed with two pharmacy students. Some of that stuff is such a mystery to me, and I'm even a science person (pharmacokinetics, I'm looking at you). Good job following through! I think both my roommates would say it's worth the effort over the long haul. One works in a university med center and the other owns a small-town retail pharmacy.
Greetings from another pharmacist! I understand the student loans! One thing I wish I had known/done was still live on a student budget the first few years out of school. That would have greatly helped in paying down those loans!
Hello Ali
Hi Ali nice to meet you. It seems you had a solid childhood putting you on the path to have a successful career and frugal life.
I too love pharmacist. I take very few drugs but I love a pharmacist who will take the time to explain things, most do.
Years and years ago when I was a pharmaceutical rep. I did not call on doctors but called on pharmacist. I loved my job because the were easy to see and talk with. At one point they wanted me to switch and call on doctors but I politely refused.
Also I also implement your strategy about eating out when traveling. When we get a breakfast provided by the hotel it is free, quick and we have spoken with some interesting people.
I'm never going to complain about someone spending more on good quality jeans. 😉
So nice to meet you! If you live in. Beautiful Michigan…I do too!
Planning a frugal meal or snack when you are away from home is a huge win, if you plan. We used to have to drive 100 miles for a quarterly doctor visit and I would pack a small cooler with drinks, then a bag with some fruit nuts and a few cookies.
Ali, dh and I have gone from him taking one med 10 years ago to taking 13 between us now. We are both Type 2, have HBP, he has had a stroke and 6 bypass operation. Needless to say, our pharmacists have become lifelines for us. I know more about meds than I want to, but I also know about medicine in general because they all want to help with the little things that I don't feel like I can call and ask the dr. I'm hoping you have customers who treat you like the gem you are!
Hi Ali,
So enjoyed your story. I love a young person who sticks with education that led to a wonderful job/career. We have two sons in that position and as parents it’s comforting to know your kids have well-paying jobs.
We love our pharmacists! They take the time to explain things more thoroughly than doctors. They’ve helped guide us toward the right non-medicine things we need. Also, a few times they’ve prompted doctors to do things we need. Always friendly. It’s a super career and you clearly are cut out for it being very sensible in the rest of your life.
If you need to boost your short terms savings it is absolutely NOT a mistake to delay contributing to retirement savings. Don't count that as a mistake.
Hi Ali, Great post. I hope you buy your house soon. You are wise beyond your years.
Ali, thanks for contributing to Meet a Reader; you're off to a great start in life. And, like many other commenters, I have good reason to appreciate pharmacists. The ones at our local Wegmans have been extremely helpful to both DH and me.
Thanks for sharing, Ali! That was fun to read your story and I liked the thoughtful photo choices as well. I sense a keen a quiet attention to detail that must be a helpful trait as a pharmacist, as well as in keeping to a frugal lifestyle.
Ali, I enjoyed reading about your life. Thank you for sharing it with us! Your picture of the Lake Michigan sunset is so gorgeous. I'm with you on planning travel food, investing in long-wearing quality items, and going without salon services and the latest technology. I've had only three low-cost phones over the last 20 years and they have provided me with everything I need and more.
Hi Ali! I was raised on buying good brands (on sale) growing up. Fun story: my Mom and my Aunt would stay for HOURS at Belk on the best sale days, and feed my sister and myself homemade Nabs (peanut butter on saltines) in the dressing room to tide us over. It was miserable for us kids, ha. They came prepared I guess. 🙂
@Sarah C., I had experiences like that when I was a kid. Even my ever-patient grandfather wasn't a fan. That may have had something to do with my distaste for clothes shopping.
@WilliamB, And why I hate Nabs to this day! Ha. 🙂 (I don't mind shopping though, just prefer get in and get out)
@Sarah C., lol- I never heard of Nabs, so googled it, and yes, I’ve seen those. Belk is another thing I wasn’t familiar with! Now you’ve educated me today!
Hello Ali,
Nice to meet you. You’ve made great choices with your opportunities. Bravo on your future goals. I had a chuckle when I saw your Silver Jeans. They are made in Canada by a company that is the oldest privately held denim manufacturer in North America (1921). They have a good philanthropic record and a “sales” page on their website. I mention this because thrifted is best but your dollar will go further in Canada because of the exchange.
Hi Ali!
I suspect that you are another Michigander .... or you live in a neighboring state. We are blessed with a lot of natural beauty! I had to laugh at your picture of the sign for Paradise. We drove through there on Saturday but the landscape looks a little different this time of year! We visited my son in the Soo (he's going to college there) and made a day trip to Tahquamenon Falls. We knew there would be snow, but didn't anticipate quite THAT much snow! The falls were strikingly beautiful with the snow and ice. We ended up staying a night longer in the UP due to the bridge being closed from falling ice (yikes!) so it wasn't a completely frugal experience but that's why it's a good idea to budget for unforeseen expenses. It was fun to read your experiences (which sound a lot like my growing-up experiences!) and to see your pictures. Kudos to you for being budget minded in your young adulthood--it will prove to be a blessing to you in the years ahead.
Thanks for sharing! I love Michigan and have been to Newberry (Toonerville Trolley!) but don't remember Paradise, though I've been to the one in Pennsylvania. 😉
I, too, love me my pharmacists. My grandfather and his father (and more, for all we know) were pharmacists, including during the times when pharmacists were more like doctors. I remember Grandpa's outrage, even all those years later, when he failed a test. He only got one out of ten wrong! His prof pointed out that his mistake killed the patient.
Your hotel hint reminded me of another one (good for car rental as well): no matter what your rate when you booked, when you check in ask if that's the best rate they have, then see if you can qualify for it. As often as not, if you're nice and the clerk is inclined, they'll find a way to give it to you.
Hi, Ali!
Beautiful pictures! What a great gift to live so close to and be able to visit several of the Great Lakes.
Thank you for the work that you do as a pharmacist. Especially during the pandemic, your work is invaluable. Also, I've gotten excellent help from a couple of pharmacists with respect to caring for my father and getting his medicines to him, and I really appreciate that. 🙂
I really enjoyed this post - just to see some different choices - like paying for quality clothing brands and hair cuts/blow outs, but not spending on mani/pedis. Variety truly is the spice of life!
Hi Ali, Thanks for letting us meet you. I hope all FG readers will participate in her "Meet The Reader" feature. It has been so much fun to read about people I see commenting on FG's blog.
Hi Ali-
Greetings from another pharmacist, but I'm in Canada. It was nice to get to know you a little bit!
Hi Ali!
I will be going to Paradise this summer! My parents camp at the falls every year and this year we will join them. It's been about 10 years since I've been there, so I'm looking forward to it.
Thanks for sharing with us! It's always a bonus to me to meet other readers from the Midwest!
Very nice to meet you! I really respect most pharmacists so much! My three pharmacists at Osco are almost like friends, since I see them so often these days. They are so busy but professional and nice. It’s a long and hard road to become one, which some people don’t realize.
I’m right here by Lake Michigan and I love living near a huge body of water with no salt and no sharks or jellyfish. My area is between Chicago and Milwaukee. It warms up enough to swim in August and September, but I wade from May to November. It’s my happy place. I’ve been able to visit and swim in all of the GL except Ontario. The south and east sides of Lake Michigan are so different, as is the north part up dere, yah!
I’ve snowmobiled around Newberry/Paradise. On my honeymoon years ago we did a road trip around the lake and up into Canada. It was wonderful. And frugal!