by Hope
Outside of the calamities, ie emergencies that popped up, I still think I’m doing pretty good at sticking to my No Spend Months. I mentioned that in addition to my heat failing, my glasses broke. And I cannot function without them. There is no waiting for new glasses because I can’t see without them.
They literally just fell apart a couple of days after I was let go from my part time accounting job. I tried to stay hopeful that I could super glue them or the eye place could reattach one of the “stems” (I don’t know if that’s the right term but it seems to fit) with a screw. And I walked into the eye glass place with that hope.
She took one look and said, there is no way to fix these. I about broke into tears. Because I knew that I couldn’t afford new ones.
Prescriptions Expire
On top of that, my last eye exam was more than 2 years ago. Even if I could afford new glasses, I would also have to get an exam because they cannot use a prescription that old. And, of course, with no full time job for a year, I have no benefits to help.
She saw my distress. And jumped to help.
She found the same frames that I currently had on the “try on” wall, albeit a different color, and said that I could just buy the frame. They would then take my lenses and just put them in that demo frame. I broke out in tears.
For $150, I got new glasses. They had to keep them overnight because she had to heat them up or something to get the lenses in. But the next morning, I was able to pick them up. And could see the world again…
For the Future
Once I have income again, I am going to make it a priority to get a new eye exam. I know you used to be able to get one at Walmart for $67. I imagine it has gone up a bit.
Hope is a resourceful, solutions-driven online business manager with over two decades of experience helping clients streamline operations, manage projects, and grow their businesses through digital marketing and technology.
But life has a way of rewriting your plans.
A year ago, Hope made the decision to move in with her aging parents full time – a season she wouldn’t trade, even as it came with its own financial and emotional weight. Earlier this year, she lost her mother, and is now walking the tender, disorienting path of grief while learning what “forward” looks like from here.
Hope came to the Blogging Away Debt community in 2015 as a single mom raising five foster and adoptive children. She’s written through job changes, financial setbacks, and the bittersweet transition to an empty nest. Her kids are finding their footing in the world now – and so is she.
Rooted in faith and fueled by the same perseverance she’s brought to every hard season, Hope is ready to face her finances with fresh eyes and an honest pen. She believes that clarity, courage, and community can change the trajectory of anyone’s story including her own.
She lives in Austin, TX with her dad, loves adventures with her dog Addie, and is figuring out, one step at a time, what this next chapter is meant to be.
Look into Zenni when you have a new prescription. You can get glasses for as low as $20.
That was so kind of the eye glass lady to come up with other options. Glad you are able to see again
for future reference, if you have an Americas best anywhere near you or their sister company, I think it’s called eyeglasses world, the eye exam is $50. I ask for it to be printed. I then take that exam and go to goggles4u or Zenni and get a pair for less than $100. g4U, I used to get my kids’ glasses from. with Cheerleading. football, and Wrestling, they always needed an extra pair. I would get them for $20 cuz their rx is not too high.
I’m glad you were able to get it figured out. I know what’s it like to be walking around half blind.