Testimonials
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Al Johnson
“The Art of Saving Money”
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Devin & Maria
“Every Dollar You Save Is Important”
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M.L. Collins
“Helping Families Save Money for Over 25 Years”
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Mary Brown
“Spreading the USA+ Gospel”
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Mickey Mann
“Giving Back to the Community”
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Ric Hilliard
“Street Sense Saves $ and ¢”
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Other Members
“Read other member testimonials”
Ric Hilliard
“Street Sense Saves $ and ¢”
During more than 20 years as an information technology manager for several corporations, computer expert Ric Hilliard has learned a great deal about the importance of staying within his budget.
“In many ways, running a successful IT Department depends on how well you manage your financial resources,” says the 54-year-old Hilliard, today the Chief Information Officer for the Texas-based National Health Insurance Company (NHIC).
“As the manager of 18 busy communications staffers and several million dollars’ worth of high-tech computer equipment, I know the value of saving a buck whenever I can,” adds Hilliard. “At the end of the day, such savings can really add up—whether we’re talking about a corporation’s balance sheet or a typical family budget!”
Armed with both a bachelor (of science) degree in Business Administration and an advanced degree in Computer Science, Hilliard spends lots of time analyzing ways to keep costs down at NHIC, which provides health insurance for self-employed workers and small businesses.
But the tech-smart Hilliard is also an astute manager of his own family budget . . . which is why he’s pleased to be “saving so much money, so often” as a longtime member of the United Service Association for Health Care (USA+).
“After more than 10 years with USA+, I’m still amazed by the frequent savings,” explains the computer guru. “USA+ membership allows us to slash costs on medical prescriptions, eye care, groceries, auto expenses, hotels, entertainment, travel, you name it. And the savings are substantial— sometimes 50 percent or more.
“Just the other day, I saved $222 on a pair of prescription sunglasses, thanks to my USA+ membership. And there was no charge at all for the eye exam I received before getting the glasses, thanks to USA+.
“That’s $322 in eye care bills I didn’t have to pay, and it’s also a great example of why joining USA+ was a real no-brainer for me and my family.”
Describing the cash savings he often achieves with USA+, Hilliard says that signing on with the association was “simply a matter of common sense.”
“Before I became a computer scientist, I was a rock guitarist for five years,” recalls the IT manager with a nostalgic chuckle. “I spent a lot of time out on the road, playing nightly gigs. The plan was that we were all gonna become rock stars! That didn’t happen, of course, but it was still a great experience— and I like to think it gave me some ‘street sense’ that I still use today.” For Ric Hilliard, that “street sense” paid off recently when his wife Sunshine blew a tire while zipping along a Texas freeway near their Dallas-area home. “Thanks to the USA+ Auto Club program, all Sunshine had to do was call a nearby repair truck, and she was back on the road immediately,” he says. “She made her appointment without a problem, and when I looked at the bill later, it said ‘Total Charge: $0.00—USA+!’
“Now, that’s the kind of bill I don’t mind getting!”