This is a guest post is written by Roo who is sponsored by Invisalign. See full disclosure at the end of the post for more info.
Sup, guys, I’m Roo. I’ve successfully hacked Kelly’s blog. (Seriously, Kelly, your password is PASSWORD? It’s 2014, homey, and this isn’t your AOL account.) Just kidding! Kelly graciously invited me to post, and here I am, tracking dirt all over her house.
One of the things I like about Kelly, and one of the things I really like about The Centsible Life, is that Kelly is not an extremist. I could listen to podcasts about financial success, and get so pumped up that I crush a beer can against my forehead, rip my shirt, sell everything I own and live on Ramen for the next year, but is that sustainable? Or sane, for that matter?
Over my many years of being a The Centsible Life fan (HI, GUYS! Long time listener, first time caller!), I’ve always appreciated how grounded and solid her financial advice is.
Is it important to get out of debt? Yes!
Is it important to financially prepare for the future? Yes!
Is it important to be an actual grown-up about my finances? *Sigh* Yes.
But - on the flip side - is it also important to be sane, think about your family’s needs, and quality of living? Well… yes. All of that is important, too.
So when it comes to looking at something side-by-side, I can’t just look at the price. I look at the quality and the value and what it actually means to me. Eight years ago, I spent $150 on a pair of high quality leather boots… on sale. I still wear those boots. They’ve served me well. A $50 pair of boots would have been a cheaper purchase initially, but if I have to buy a new pair each year, at the end of eight years (hold on, I have to math), that’s $400. Sooo… you feel me right now?
When it comes to Invisalign vs. braces, people are like “Invisalign is soooOOOoo expensive.” Some thoughts.
1) If your insurance policy has an orthodontic provision, it applies to Invisalign as well as braces.
2) The difference between out of pocket costs on Invisalign vs. braces is actually kind of nominal. My particular treatment would have actually cost the same had I gone with traditional braces. Other treatments can range from $200 to $500 more.
If that’s the case, you go with braces, right? Well, maybe not. With Invisalign, I don’t have a mouth full of metal, I can eat whatever I want, it isn’t a pain to floss regularly, is entirely more comfortable, and also I’m not a grown-up with blinged-out teeth.
If my kids need braces (it’s likely, sorry, girls, it’s in the genes), I’m happy to shell out a little extra for their Invisalign if it means more convenience and confidence for them. It’s likely the cost difference will be minimal, and I’ll just be throwing up dollar bills in the air, dancing to Wu-Tang and chanting “Cash rules everything around me” while my daughters are like, “Ew, Mom. Stop.”
It’s whatever, girls. Go brush your teeth.
Roo
Disclosure: This is a guest post on Kelly’s blog. As a member of the Invisalign Mom Advisory Board, I’m receiving complimentary treatment to facilitate my review. All content, opinions, and bad cartoons are my own. For the real deal buttoned-up disclosure, holla at this link right here. Interested in seeing if Invisalign is right for you or your kids? Clicky-click here.
We aren’t there yet, but I have my eye on Invisalign for sure. Also, Roo you can sing Wu Tang in this house any day.
Neither my husband or I had braces as kids. So far looks like we’ll have 2 out of 4 that need them. Crossing fingers you don’t need 4 sets!
I’m hoping that our girls don’t need braces. Like 4x braces is A LOT. Then again, it’s a one time deal…and they are probably going to need glasses. Boo.