Prescriptions can be pricey. Especially if your insurance doesn’t cover them. Unfortunately, mine doesn’t so I’ve had to get a little creative with ways to reduce their toll on my budget. Here is my prescription for cutting costs at the pharmacy.

1. Learn to pharmacy hop. I am always on the look out for prescription transfer coupons. You’ve probably seen them. They offer $10, $20, even $25 gift cards with a new or transferred prescription. Target has one in their ad this week. I transferred my prescription from Walgreens to Target and got a $10 gift card to go towards other items I needed.

2. Not all pharmacies are alike. I recently discovered my medication varies significantly in cost from one pharmacy to the next. I’m not talking a buck or two. It’s more like $16! Make a few calls and see how much your meds cost other places.

3. Go generic. Several grocery store and drug store chains are offering generic drugs at deep discounts. For the price of a latte you can stock up on a months worth of antibiotics and dozens of other drugs.

4. Ask for samples. Why pay for what you can get for free, right? While your at the doctor’s office, ask if they have any freebies available.