Help me spend my FSA!

Spherick

So as part of my benefits at work, I signed up for a flexible spending account. As it is "use it or lose it", I need to use all my remaining funds by year-end. Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of appointments coming up to spend it on co-pays. I have approx. $225. Any ideas on what to spend it on. I know I can get OTC stuff (but not in 2011), but not sure what else I can really get with it.

So, H&A - help me spend $225 on this stuff

Cauld

new glasses

Spherick

20/20 vision (or actually I guess that's a )

admanb

The list isn't really helpful unless you're going to post your medical background alongside it. I, for example, would stock up on contact lens solution and grab prescription sunglasses.

tl;dr - artificial insemination and a vasectomy.

Spherick

admanb wrote: »

The list isn't really helpful unless you're going to post your medical background alongside it. I, for example, would stock up on contact lens solution and grab prescription sunglasses.

tl;dr - artificial insemination and a vasectomy.

Sorry, that information would be helpful!

Im a 25 year-old male with no real issues other than the occasional hives from an unknown allergy, so I plan on buying a ton of Clariton, etc..

I guess I can just get a lot of general health care items and be stocked up.

Lykouragh

Make a first aid kit? You know, bandages, sterile gauze, painkillers, antibacterial cream, etc.

Also, as a type 1 diabetic, I wish I had your problems.

TheCapn

May or may not be useful to you, but condoms fall under birth control. That's how I cleared mine out last year.

Maguano

stock up on ally over the counter meds as you can. starting next year, you can't use a FSA for them. And condoms, cause, ya know.

Djeet

How about a dental appointment?

When I had to burn through some FSA last year I made a first aid kit that was actually capable of dealing with an injury more serious than a paper cut.

Shazkar Shadowstorm

did you get your flu shot

that's 25 bucks there

Spherick

All good ideas. A health kit and tons of OTC sounds pretty good right now.

Already got my flu shot for free with my health insurance through work. They brought someone in to give us the shots

Lemming

If your feet are flat, orthopedic shoes could be a good use.

Oh snap buy an artificial limb! It doesn't say you need to have a medical reason to buy one

Dunadan019

go to a chiropractor or get a massage?

you have to check to see if those count as health care expenses

get a physical and some immunizations renewed?

stock up on allergy medication?

spending that extra money is gonna be tough in a month so... good luck, break a leg.

admanb

Dunadan019 wrote: »

good luck, break a leg.

I have to say it: well played, sir.

Spherick

admanb wrote: »

Dunadan019 wrote: »

good luck, break a leg.

I have to say it: well played, sir.

I definitely chuckled. Thanks for everyone's ideas. I will be hitting a CVS tomorrow to collect my spoils

Lord Jezo

Condoms.

Rderdall

If you can't think of anything to spend it on, you can claim the benefit contributions you've made in the past year. That's what I do with my health spending account. Basically, they pay me back from my spending account, the contributions I paid into my health benefits. It also covers what my wife pays for hers as well.

Viscountalpha

Lord Jezo wrote: »

Condoms.

Seriously this. Preventative medical items are permitted (at least where I work)

RUNN1NGMAN

Spherick wrote: »

20/20 vision (or actually I guess that's a )

I was going to say sunglasses, but apparently you can only use it for prescription sunglasses. That makes negative amounts of sense.

Inquisitor77

Keep in mind that a lot of things actually expire. Both condoms and contact lens solution, for example. So unless you actually plan on using all those boxes over the next couple of years...

But yeah, if you need to spend it, buying stuff like that is much better than nothing at all. If you have friends who need that stuff, then maybe you can trade with them - "a bottle now for a bottle later" kind of thing.

SilverEternity

massage

Believe it or not I used to have health insurance that paid for bi-weekly full-body massages as long as it was through a chiropractic office. It was great; very relaxing. It is listed as a "maybe" on your list, but worth a shot.

Fireflash

Don't you have by any chancethe option of putting a part of this money in the company's mutual fund? (Mutual fund might not be the right word, I'm not sure what it's usually called in english).

I would have this option at work if I had chosen the flexible plan.

oldsak

Ha ha, also came in here to say condoms. I was in a similar situation a few years ago when I quit a job in February and basically had free flexible spending money.

I basically just stocked up on Advil, contact solution, and condoms.

Guess which went to waste

It was the contact solution. I bought a lot and some ended up going into storage and is still there and probably long past its usage date.

But also many more of the condoms than I would have liked.

Symphony

Employers have the option to allow a grace period of 2.5 months after the close of the tax year to use up your FSA, meaning your benefit year may extend through to March 15, 2011. I suggest checking with your employer.

Figgy

Guys, you're not thinking outside the box nearly enough.

Ambulances are covered. Do you have a girlfriend/wife/hot date coming up? Why not show up in style in the back of an ambulance? Limousines are so last year.

Kakodaimonos

Have you had a full physical? Other than that, seconding the dental work. Any cleanings that need to be done? How long has it been since you've had a tetanus booster? Planning on traveling overseas? Get those vaccinations done. Maybe a Hep C. vaccination.