If you have been a long-standing patient at your dental office or if you have a payment history at the dentist that shows you can pay your bills on time, you may be able to arrange a payment plan with your dentist. In this arrangement, you would have to pay for a portion of the dental work up front as a down payment, usually one-third to one-half of the total bill. This will ensure you cover the dentist's fixed costs, such as the dental lab bill and the overhead expenses for maintaining the office.  You can then arrange to pay the remainder of the bill in monthly fixed payments. Your dentist may set a repayment time frame, usually several months, depending on the cost of the dental work. You should also discuss if your dentist is going to be charging you interest each month on top of the payments. “No Interest” payment plans are typically offered if you have a short time period to pay off your balance, between six to eighteen months. You will be required to pay the minimum balance once a month and pay off the balance within the allotted time. Otherwise, interest will be added. “Low Interest” payment plans are typically arranged when you have a longer term to pay off the bill, usually up to five years. You should try to pay off the monthly payments on time and as fast as possible to avoid paying interest. If you are able to pay for your dental work upfront with cash, you may qualify for a cash discount. Ask your dentist if he can offer you a tax-free amount if you can pay your bill in a lump sum on the spot. Often, paying in cash can allow your dentist to avoid processing costs or third party costs via dental financing. Your dentist may be more amenable to a cash discount if you present the cost savings for the office that are involved. Go over your treatment plan with your dentist and prioritize the most necessary dental work first. Look at treatments that are urgent or required and treatments that may be nice to have or not as necessary. You and your dentist should schedule the required treatments first, such as a treatment to prevent further deterioration of your teeth or gums. Focusing on the most necessary dental work first will help to spread your dental costs over a longer period of time and ensure you are able to get essential treatments out of the way. You can then work to save for other dental work at a later date. If you feel your dentist's rates are high, you may want to consider shopping around before you make your next dental appointment. You should also look at payment plans offered through other dental offices and compare them to the payment plan offered by your dentist. If you feel your dentist's interest rates are high or his payment plan window is shorter than other dental office plans, you can negotiate with your dentist for a better plan. Your dentist may agree to meet you halfway if you show you have done research into other dental office plans and have found a more competitive rate.
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One-sentence summary -- Talk to your dentist about a payment plan. Ask if you can get a cash discount. Discuss prioritizing only the most necessary dental work. Consider other dentist rates in your area.

Q: Lubricate the tip with petroleum jelly or water based lubricant such as “KY jelly."  Lubricating the thermometer will make the experience slightly less uncomfortable for your dog.  If you have a digital thermometer, turn it on and make sure that it is in working order before inserting it into the rectum. Most digital thermometers can read in Fahrenheit or Celsius. Check your thermometer’s directions to figure out how to change the type of reading. Mercury thermometers should be shaken down to the end closest to the mercury tip before inserting to ensure the most accurate reading. The mercury thermometer may have both Fahrenheit and Celsius, you will have to check your particular instrument. Have the other person give the dog a “hug” by placing his or her left arm under the neck of the dog and using his or her left hand to hold the side of the dog's face against the shoulder. Your helper will then place his or her right arm under the belly of the dog just in front of the back legs to keep the dog standing.  It is not uncommon for a dog to want to sit down when they feel a rectal thermometer inserted. If your dog is comfortable lying down and stays there for the temperature taking, then you can leave them lying down. Sitting is not the preferred position because the rectum will not be easily accessible. Be careful not to insert the thermometer too deep, or too shallow, as this will affect the readings. Try to gently insert along the side of the rectum, particularly if there is feces present.  The anus is the opening into the rectum, which is a long tube that collects feces. The anus is a muscular sphincter that relaxes and opens to allow feces to leave the rectum. The sphincter can shut very tightly if the dog is painful or afraid. Avoid forcing the thermometer through the anus, but do aim into the middle of the pucker where you will find the least resistance for your well-lubricated thermometer. Remember to keep your hand steady and the thermometer straight. Be deliberate in your approach. This has probably been a very intrusive and stressful experience for your dog, so be sure to use a soft touch. Clean the thermometer off after use - rubbing alcohol works well.Remember, this is the doggy thermometer for rectal use. It should not get mixed up with thermometers you use for humans.
A: Prepare the thermometer. Have another individual restrain the dog's body. Insert the thermometer into the dog's rectum about 1 inch (2.54 cm). Remove the thermometer gently.

Article: If you look in between the holes in your tire you can see the rotor, which is the round metal part that your rubber wheel fits over. Many vehicles will have drum brakes on the rear wheels, which have brake shoes rather than brake pads. Find the long metal piece pressing up against the rotor. The large metal piece clamped to the side of the rotor is called the brake caliper. If you look inside of the caliper you should see a rubber lining. This rubber lining is your brake pads.  This method is less accurate than taking your wheel off and measuring the brake pads. Make sure your car has been turned off for a while or it may still be hot. Shove a straw in between the caliper and the rotor. Continue pushing the straw until the straw hits the brake disc and comes to a stop. A vernier caliper is a measuring tool that's able to measure in small spaces where a ruler can't reach. Stick the end of the vernier caliper through the hole and read the top of the tool to get a measurement for your brake pads. You can purchase a vernier caliper at a hardware or automotive store or online. Use a marker to make a line where the straw and brake pad meet. Use a ruler or tape measure to measure the space between the end of the straw and your line. This will give you an approximation for how thick your brake pads are. The brake pad backing plate is about 5 millimetres (0.20 in)-thick, so you must subtract it from your number to get the accurate width of the brake pads. Your brake pads should be at least 1⁄3 inch (8.5 mm)-thick after you subtract 5 millimetres (0.20 in). if they are under 1⁄4 inch (6.4 mm)-thick. A new brake pad is usually around 1⁄2 inch (13 mm)-thick. Once it has worn half-way, you have to replace it soon. Brake pads that are 1⁄8 inch (3.2 mm)-thick should be immediately replaced and aren't safe to drive on.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Look in between the spokes and locate the rotor on the front brakes. Find the caliper next to the rotor. Push a straw in between the brake caliper and rotor. Use a vernier caliper to get a more accurate reading. Make a line on the straw with a pen and measure it. Subtract 5 millimetres (0.20 in) from the number. Replace your brake pads