Problem: Article: 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.
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.

Problem: Article: Regular street craps is played with two dice, which are used by a single player in each game, though the game can be played by any number of onlookers. Players will first roll the dice to determine who will roll for that particular game, and then all the participants will place bets on whether or not the person rolling will "pass" on the first roll (by rolling a 7 or 11), or "crap out" (by rolling a 2, 3, or a 12). If one of those values is reached on the first roll, the game is over and the bets are distributed accordingly. The player shooting the dice is the first to bet and the other players must at least match his bet before the game can continue. If the bet cannot be matched, the shooter can either lower the bet to accommodate the other players, or handicap the odds. Once the shooter's bet has been matched, the other players may place side bets. You'll make the learning curve a lot shorter if you don't have to ask for clarification every time someone says something about the "come-out" or the point. Learn the basic vocab and you'll be rolling soon enough: The shooter is the player who rolls the dice, and will be a different player for each game The come out is the initial roll To pass is to roll a 7 or 11 on the come out roll To crap is to roll a 2, 3, or 12 on the come out roll The point is any value between 4 and 10 rolled on the come out To seven out is to roll a seven before rolling the point In casino craps, obviously, the biggest difference is that you've got an elaborate table on which to place bets, as well as a banker controlling both the money and the action, and James Bond lookalikes are wandering around ordering elaborate drinks. In street craps, the betting is less formalized, and you're probably rolling dice against a brick wall, though the principles of the game are basically the same. Because no one is watching the action, make sure that the piles stay even throughout the game and the tokens or money are distributed fairly. Tempers can flare if you don't take the game seriously and keep it clean. Unregulated gambling like street craps is illegal in every state in the US and in many places elsewhere. There's nothing wrong with playing for fun, and it's unlikely anyone would hassle you over a low-stakes penny game among friends, but it's still important to know that gambling for money outside of a licensed and regulated casino is always illegal.
Summary:
Learn the basics. Learn the lingo. Learn the difference between street craps and casino craps. Understand the legal issues.