Do you have an FSA? An FSA is a Flexible Spending Account. It is a pre-tax benefit account offered by employers that lets you set aside money from your paycheck to pay for eligible out-of-pocket healthcare or dependent care expenses.
Funds can be used for things like co-pays, deductibles, and prescriptions, which lowers your taxable income. A key feature is the “use-it-or-lose-it” rule, meaning you typically forfeit any unspent money at the end of the plan year (thanks, PayChex).
A lot of these FSA plans expire at the end of the calendar year, which means you have 31 days to spend it up. If you have already seen your doctors, refilled your prescriptions, and visited any specialists this year (don’t forget the dentist and optometrist!), one way to make sure you utilize every last cent of your FSA funds is the OTC or Over-the-Counter Benefit.
- Pharmacies like CVS have entire sections of their website dedicated to FSA/HSA-eligible products.
- Walgreens has a section on its website, too.
- And for those Amazon Shoppers- Yeah, Amazon has an FSA/HSA Store.
Online Glasses companies like GlassesShop are a smart way to pick up a few extra pairs of glasses on a budget to stretch those last few FSA dollars. That includes prescription sunglasses, too!
And for my readers with Medicare or Medicaid, check out my post here about OTC benefits you may not have otherwise known about.
I’ve been around the micro-influencer sphere for a while.
While I am not partaking in Black Friday, I know a lot of you do, so here are some deals (and freebies) that might excite you.
Looking to engage in some sustainable fun this weekend? Check out Porchlight Community Services’ end-of-year clothing swap this Sunday, November 30th, from 1pm-4pm.
Thrift stores are getting in on the Black Friday Sales, too. And why not? With more people on a tighter budget, thrift stores are a great way to save money while shopping, support a charity, and keep clothing and home goods out of landfills.
I don’t usually post a lot of Black Friday Deals, but this one is close to my heart.
This is a deal I can get behind.
Hewes Family Fun 