In this economy you may have had to cut back on some purchases (say um, bringing lunch rather than buying at school?), but that doesn’t mean you have to hold back on effective birth control!

In California, many clinics provide free or discounted BC for teens and adults who don’t have insurance or have a low family income, thanks to the FamilyPACT program.

Still skeptical about whether you’ll have to spend a lot of money on BC? Consider this: a long acting, reversible method like the IUD can be safely inserted into your uterus during only 1 procedure, and remain effective for 7-12 years, depending on the IUD you choose (Paragard or Mirena). Now that’s a good investment!

Highlights of the IUD are:

• May be safely left in place for 7-12 years
• Over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy
• Private and hidden, and can even help relieve period symptoms like cramps or PMS.
• The IUD can be expensive, but most young people can get most or all of it covered even if you don’t have insurance, or you don’t want your parents to know. Click here to find a clinic that provides IUDS at low to no cost.

So whether or not you’ve got money in your pocket or in the bank, you can definitely afford some effective, long-acting BC that is safe, effective and forgettable! Once you’ve got that taken care of, you can focus on how you can achieve your goals and grow your income in the future.