We went to the mattress store and laid down on a handful of mattresses to see which one felt best. You really need to lie down for at least 5 minutes, ideally more, to really get a sense of how it feels. Lie on your back, your sides, your stomach.

Do you have the Original Mattress Factory out there? That's where we got ours. They were great to work with.

Also, a lot of mattresses now aren't made to be flipped -- they only have the pillow top on one side. I think that's kind of ridiculous, and we found a mattress than has pillow top on both sides so we could flip it. (Of course, flipping it is a pain in the ass, but it's good for mattress life.)

I have not only met my deductible for the year, I've met my OOP maximum. So now I'm sitting here trying to think of medical stuff I need, which will be free if I can get it done before January.

Dana - eyeglasses?

We don't have a Mattress Factory, but in Googling it, we have several Mattress Firms who are having end of year sales.

That tidbit about one-sided only pillowtops is a good point, Tep, and one I wouldn't have thought about until I went to flip the mattress.

I think it was Theo who gave me the advice to go the mattress store and start lying down on beds...cheapest first, and keep going up in price until you find one that's comfortable enough for your body.

There's lots of buying guides out there and they can provide helpful info...which brands also make what store brands etc.

The Sweethome did a comparison shop on some of the new online mattresses, which I found informative enough to know they don't sound like they're for me. [link]

Glasses and dental are separate, naturally.

Found new doctor to replace Houston doctor. Called, made appointment, got to the end of the call, and "Oh, he doesn't accept insurance. Did you not know that?" I DID NOT.

After looking at that Sweethome piece again, maybe I'll try a Casper next, since I am a side/back sleeper. But I am going to give the T&N through Christmas.

Called, made appointment, got to the end of the call, and "Oh, he doesn't accept insurance. Did you not know that?" I DID NOT.

Oy.

So now I'm sitting here trying to think of medical stuff I need,

I need to get three-months' supplies of all the prescriptions I can while I have zero co-pay.

At least this office led with "Oh, the doctor won't be back until the end of January."