With this new card, union families can save an average of 20% on brand name prescription drugs and 55% on generic drugs at over 53,000 pharmacies nationwide. There's also a mail order pharmacy available. Sign up and print out your prescription card online. You can even check pharmacy and mail order prescription drug pricing online.

		Take control of your health. Discuss with your doctor why you need the medicine being prescribed, how it is going to help you, any concerns you have about taking the medicine and what other treatment options you may have. Read more ways to take control of your medications.

Download your Prescription Savings Card at UnionPlus.org/RxCard

Q: I fell behind on a bill more than seven years ago and it was charged off by the lender. (Charging off an account means a lender treats it as bad debt for accounting purposes.) I have now been contacted by a collection agency that has put the debt on my credit report. Can they still collect it after seven years, even if it was charged off? Can I have it removed from my credit report because it is more than seven years old? If not, how does it affect my credit score? If I pay it, will it be removed and improve my credit score? How will it affect my credit if I settle it for less than the full amount?

Read Consumer Advocate Gerri Detweiler's answer.

Next month: How will cosigning for my son affect my credit report?

• Tune up your car to prepare for the spring/summer driving season using Union Plus Goodyear discounts good for 5-10% off service and union-made tires.
• Research products and services with a unionized consumer education leader and save 25% using the Union Plus ConsumerReports.org Discount.
• Buy a new union-made car with the Union Plus Auto Buying program and get a $100 rebate.

"Going green" is not only good for the environment but it can also be good for your wallet. By making simple, inexpensive changes you can save money at the gas pump and on your electric bill.

Passenger cars are responsible for 30 to 50% of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, 33% of toxic water pollution, and over 45% of toxic air emissions. But there are some basic driving and maintenance habits that you can adjust, such as making sure that you have clean oil and properly inflated tires which can increase fuel mileage up to 15%.

About 35% of all electricity produced is used to run homes. The EPA estimates that each homeowner could reduce home electricity use by 30% by just using energy more wisely and purchasing energy efficient products, such as unplugging seldom-used appliances and electronics, which could save you $10 on your monthly electric bill.

April 15 will be here before you know it. The Union Plus Online Tax Service can save you time and money. File your federal ($14.95) and state ($19.95) returns for a total cost of $34.90.

The AFL-CIO recently released the results of its Health Care for America Survey and the results are troubling. 95% of the more than 26,000 union, non-union, insured, and uninsured workers who responded to the survey say that the health care system needs fundamental change or to be completely rebuilt. Read more about this historic poll.

Did you know?:
Look for the next E-News issue on May 6 from enews@unionprivilege.org: Mother's Day flowers, travel, and more.

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