Spending on FSA

[af1212]

What would you buy if you were suddenly given the opportunity to get $700 worth of over the counter FSA-eligible products. Anything feminine/sex related is not an option.

Give me your best ideas!

[Susie]

Contact solution/supplies
Bandaids/first aid stuff
SPF 30+ sunblock

[katfco]

New glasses
Stuff to make first aid kits for the cars

[jewel]

I’d get any small machines you don’t already have - blood pressure, pulse ox, good thermometer, etc. I’d also stock up on basically everything at Costco in the pharmacy area - any PTC meds we use, neosporin, bandages, sunscreen. If you use prescription glasses, get sunglasses. I’d also get a new mouth guard from the dentist.

FSAstore.com has some good “bundles” to check out. I also just got a migraine ice hat that is really good. If you use any PRN prescriptions, reorder.

[tealblue]

Glasses for both of us, contacts, bandages, maybe another set of insoles for DH’s shoes.

And I’d look into massage guns that are covered.

[af1212]

Thanks good ideas.

I can do only OTC things which does not include glasses/contacts, etc.

[dancingirl21]

We had a decent amount left last year in our FSA so I went to fsastore and loaded up on Supergoop sunscreen. They have many of the higher end brands that I especially like to use on my face.

[mysteriouswife]

Pulse ox, Blood pressure and glucose meters, bandages, mask, gloves, and ice/heat packs.

[mags]

Ice/heat packs
pulse ox
glasses
gloves
advil
eye drops
vitamins?

[just]

If it’s relevant, the relief bill passed today has a clause to allow full FSA rollovers for the next two years.

taxfoundation.org/coronavirus-relief-bill-stimulus-check/

Flexible Savings Account (FSA) balances can be rolled from the 2020 tax year into 2021, and 2021 balances can be rolled into 2022. This will help taxpayers with unused balances such as for childcare expenses who would normally lose the value of the FSA balance at the end of the tax year.

[kooshball]

A breast pump to donate
Sunscreen
Tampons / diva cup to donate
Glasses or contacts
Bandages
Blood pressure gadget
Temperature gadget
Pulse ox meter

[winecat]

Menstrual hygiene products aren't allowed? That's bullshit. And I thought they were allowed now? I'd buy all $700 worth in all different sizes and donate them because that shit is expensive and not covered by SNAP or other benefit programs so people who menstruate and unemployed are going to suffer.

[winecat]

And no condoms? I want to shank people.

OTC pain relievers, bandaids, and sunscreen are all good to have but menstrual products and condoms are really important.

[Nonny]

Pulse Ox, thermometer, blood pressure cuff - we have these things, but I'd get dupes of the first two for backup/travel.

All the OTC meds, sunscreen, band aids, and first aid items everyone else has already suggested. 

Do you have a CPAP that needs a sanitizer machine, parts, or cleaning solution?

Walgreens says you can get these:
Portable EKG - www.walgreens.com/store/c/alivecor-kardiamobile/ID=prod6389155-product

Home Blood Alcohol Tester (I'd just stick with this for novelty purposes though...) - www.walgreens.com/store/c/bactrack-s35-breathalyzer/ID=prod6191530-product

[Nonny]

Dec 22, 2020 2:02:11 GMT -5 winecat said:

And no condoms? I want to shank people.

Walgreens has menstrual products and condoms as FSA eligible, I think maybe the OP just doesn't need/want these items.

[winecat]

Dec 22, 2020 2:18:28 GMT -5 Nonny said:

Dec 22, 2020 2:02:11 GMT -5 winecat said:

And no condoms? I want to shank people.

Walgreens has menstrual products and condoms as FSA eligible, I think maybe the OP just doesn't need/want these items.

I read "not an option" as "not allowed."  Maybe OP will tell us.  lol  Since only OTC options are allowed, that's a ton of stuff which is why I thought donating stuff so it would be used before it expires.  

[sofamonkey]

Dec 22, 2020 0:23:18 GMT -5 just said:

If it’s relevant, the relief bill passed today has a clause to allow full FSA rollovers for the next two years.

taxfoundation.org/coronavirus-relief-bill-stimulus-check/

Flexible Savings Account (FSA) balances can be rolled from the 2020 tax year into 2021, and 2021 balances can be rolled into 2022. This will help taxpayers with unused balances such as for childcare expenses who would normally lose the value of the FSA balance at the end of the tax year.

Shoot, I wish I knew that earlier. I didn’t sign up for my work’s FSA again this year, because 99% of what I’d planned to do I couldn’t do. I didn’t want to lose money again, so I declined. Ours says specifically that if you don’t enroll, you can’t roll any funds over. So, now I wish I’d done like $100 or something. This is so unfair. I wish they’d put this info out earlier.

[sent]

Dec 22, 2020 3:01:03 GMT -5 sofamonkey said:

Dec 22, 2020 0:23:18 GMT -5 just said:

If it’s relevant, the relief bill passed today has a clause to allow full FSA rollovers for the next two years.

taxfoundation.org/coronavirus-relief-bill-stimulus-check/

Flexible Savings Account (FSA) balances can be rolled from the 2020 tax year into 2021, and 2021 balances can be rolled into 2022. This will help taxpayers with unused balances such as for childcare expenses who would normally lose the value of the FSA balance at the end of the tax year.

Shoot, I wish I knew that earlier. I didn’t sign up for my work’s FSA again this year, because 99% of what I’d planned to do I couldn’t do. I didn’t want to lose money again, so I declined. Ours says specifically that if you don’t enroll, you can’t roll any funds over. So, now I wish I’d done like $100 or something. This is so unfair. I wish they’d put this info out earlier.

I switched us to the HSA eligible plan offered by my husband's employer for 2020 for exactly this reason. We had like $800 from 2019 go unused in the FSA and I was sick of trying to guess how much to fund the FSA each year. I made him put the difference in plan premiums (the HSA eligible plan is cheaper) in the HSA instead and now we have a nice chunk of change that no other entity can claim. My husband had a bunch of unexpected dental expenses this year and he used the HSA money for it. I feel like I finally nailed adulting on this one LOL. 

[af1212]

Thank you. To clarify this is not my fsa but I am being offered a gift of some items. I do not feel comfortable asking This person for feminine/sexual items.

I passed on the info about the rollover. In the past the allowable rollover was legally allowed but still had to be permitted by the employer (and this employer did not allow it). Wonder if that will be true for this as well?

And yes there are definitely plans to donate lots of stuff - that’s not within my $700 gift.

I may delete this part later as IRS relates things make me nervous 😬🤣

[sofamonkey]

Dec 22, 2020 4:54:43 GMT -5 sent said:

Dec 22, 2020 3:01:03 GMT -5 sofamonkey said:

Shoot, I wish I knew that earlier. I didn’t sign up for my work’s FSA again this year, because 99% of what I’d planned to do I couldn’t do. I didn’t want to lose money again, so I declined. Ours says specifically that if you don’t enroll, you can’t roll any funds over. So, now I wish I’d done like $100 or something. This is so unfair. I wish they’d put this info out earlier.

I switched us to the HSA eligible plan offered by my husband's employer for 2020 for exactly this reason. We had like $800 from 2019 go unused in the FSA and I was sick of trying to guess how much to fund the FSA each year. I made him put the difference in plan premiums (the HSA eligible plan is cheaper) in the HSA instead and now we have a nice chunk of change that no other entity can claim. My husband had a bunch of unexpected dental expenses this year and he used the HSA money for it. I feel like I finally nailed adulting on this one LOL. 

In order to qualify for the HSA, we had to enroll in a high deductible medical plan. I have medical through my H. I did love when I had the HSA before, and it was so slick!! But they’ve changed the rules a bit. Which I think is dumb. (Lol, but nobody asked me!) haha

[af1212]

Some of the things are so strangely categorized.

Like prenatal vitamins - eligible. Regular centrum? Not eligible.

Vaseline? Not eligible. Baby Vaseline which is exactly the same but has a pink cap? Eligible.

[dragon's breath]

Did anyone mention a heating pad?

I would also do a lot of what was mentioned, like sunscreen and big Costco sized bottles of ibuprofen, etc.

Aquaphor

Bandages

I don't know if those acupressure mats really work, but I'd be willing to try one if I got it free.

[starryfish]

Ice packs! The nice ones!

All types of medicine, pain relievers, tummy etc
Bandaids
Sunscreen
Heating pad