Today while standing in line at the pharmacy I had an epiphany. My son needs the flu shot. Nope, that wasn't my revelation; I knew that already. Preschools around these parts require it. No, what my brain realized was that every year I pay $40 for a child flu shot. Pretty ridiculous.

Our pediatrician charges a copay for the doctor visit AND another copay for the shot itself. I still haven't figured out how they are allowed to double-dip like that. But every year I pay up. Because there is no alternative, or so I thought.

Walgreens now has Take Care Clinics for minor visits and shots. The clinic is staffed by nurse practitioners and physician assistants. They do accept many kinds of insurance (although not mine because my HMO wants me to go to an approved list of doctors). They accept walk-ins 7 days a week. They take cash or credit. And they gave my son the flu shot for just under twenty-five bucks. And he left armed with 2 stickers and a goodie bag full of samples and coupons (over $30 worth, I might add).