The folks at Coppertone offered me some last minute tips on how to spend your healthcare FSA before the end of the year. There are some great ideas that many people might not think of. Check them out, along with a fun giveaway to help you start preparing now for the warm weather.
Clock is Ticking on ‘09…Surprising Ways to Stretch YourHealthcare FSA
The average American family spends $2,000 on personal health care expenses each year. Contributing that amount to an FSA can translate to a federal tax savings of more than $500 (assuming the average tax bracket of 27%). But there’s a catch…you need to use all of the funds in one calendar year—or the money vanishes.
The good news is that many surprising categories of products are typically covered by flex spending accounts. Here’s a handy guide to some seasonal, everyday items often covered by flex spending to make sure you don’t waste a single dollar this year:
1. Hand Sanitizer: Flu season is here, and this year, families and schools are being especially vigilant about H1N1 infection. According to a recent study, only 50% of middle and high school students say they washed their hands regularly. Send kids to school with FSA-approved portable hand sanitizer as an added precaution from getting sick.
2. Cold Remedies: If you do fall ill, FSA’s got you covered. Over the counter cold remedies such as cough drops and syrups, throat lozenges, and cold medicines are often reimbursable. And if you suffer from high blood pressure, make sure to stock up on a cold medication that won’t raise your blood pressure like Coricidin® Day & Night multi-symptom at the beginning of the season — that way you won’t have to rush out for relief when you’re feeling under the weather.
3. Sunscreen: Dermatologists recommend wearing sunscreen year-round to protect against ever-present UVA and UVB rays. Good thing sunscreens with SPFs over 30 are typically covered by FSA. Moisturizers with SPF aren’t eligible, so purchase a sunscreen that’s lightweight enough for year-round, everyday use, like Coppertone® Oil Free lotion SPF 50. Buy now and you’ll still have enough to toss in your suitcase for a winter vacation.
4. Gym Bag Essentials: With after-school sports in high gear, bruises, scrapes, and athlete’s foot are regular occurrences. Use flex dollars on items like bandages and antibiotic ointment, as well as for antifungal athlete’s foot treatments like Tinactin® sprays. To maximize FSA dollars, it’s a good idea to buy a variety of shapes and sizes so no “boo boo” goes uncovered.
WIN IT!
FIVE winners will each receive a sample of Coppertone Oil Free Faces SPF 30.
HOW TO ENTER. (MANDATORY)
To enter leave me a comment on this post telling me if you’ve ever had a healthcare flexible spending account and one thing you spent money on.
BONUS ENTRIES
1 - Subscribe to my RSS feed.
1 - Follow me on Twitter (@patperiod) AND leave your Twitter name here.
1 - Friend me on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pat.period)
1 - Fave this blog at Technorati AND leave your Technorati name here.
1 - Blog about this giveaway, including a link here.
1 - Place my button on your blog.
Leave an additional comment for each entry you qualify for. You must have completed the first entry according to the instructions to be eligible for any bonus entries.
THE SMALL PRINT.
US addresses only please. This contest will end on Saturday 11/14/09 at 11:59 pm est. If you’ve entered any of my giveaways before then you know that only comments containing all of the requested information will be eligible for entry. The winner must contact me to confirm they wish to receive the prize within two days of my email notifying them they’ve won. Good luck to everyone!
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.
on Nov 2nd, 2009 at 10:46 am
Yes I have had a flexible spending account, I used it to get new glasses ever year for either me or my husband
Thanks for the contest
on Nov 2nd, 2009 at 10:46 am
I subscribe via RSS
on Nov 2nd, 2009 at 10:46 am
I follow on Twitter
@copperllama
on Nov 2nd, 2009 at 10:47 am
friend on facebook
on Nov 2nd, 2009 at 10:48 am
Fave this blog at Technorati
copperllama
on Nov 2nd, 2009 at 10:48 am
I have your button on my blog
http://copperllamastudio.blogspot.com/
on Nov 2nd, 2009 at 10:52 am
blogged
http://copperllamastudio.blogspot.com/
on Nov 2nd, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Jaime,
WAY TO GO.
Paat.
on Nov 2nd, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Jaime,
APPRECIATE IT.
Pat.
on Nov 2nd, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Jaime,
Thanks.
Pat.
on Nov 2nd, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Jaime,
Glad you follow.
Pat.
on Nov 2nd, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Jaime,
Good luck.
Pat.
on Nov 2nd, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Jaime,
Always max insufrance benefits.
Pat.
on Nov 3rd, 2009 at 1:57 pm
We don’t have an FSA, but we do have an HSA. Which allows you to carry it over year after year while contributing the max which for us is $5,800 this year.
I use it to pay for all out of pocket medical expenses. But I never thought to use it for cold remedies.
on Nov 3rd, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Subscriber!
on Nov 4th, 2009 at 4:02 am
I dont believe I have ever had such an account
on Nov 4th, 2009 at 4:02 am
Im a subscriber
on Nov 4th, 2009 at 4:03 am
I follow you on twitter
hollowsins
on Nov 4th, 2009 at 4:04 am
Im a facebook friend
on Nov 4th, 2009 at 5:04 am
[...] Here And There – Coppertone Oil Free Faces (Nov 14/US) [...]
on Nov 4th, 2009 at 5:44 am
holloqsins,
Hi.
Pat.
on Nov 4th, 2009 at 5:45 am
holloqsins,
Happy you follow.
Pat.
on Nov 4th, 2009 at 5:45 am
holloqsins,
Welcome.
Pat.
on Nov 4th, 2009 at 5:46 am
hollowsins,
Something to consider.
Pat.
on Nov 4th, 2009 at 6:02 am
Marci.
Hi.
Pat.
on Nov 4th, 2009 at 6:03 am
Marci.
And policies afre not quick and clear as how to best use them….
Pat.
on Nov 4th, 2009 at 7:09 am
Yes, I’ve used a flex spending account for my husbands dental implants.
on Nov 4th, 2009 at 7:09 am
email subscriber
on Nov 4th, 2009 at 7:09 am
follow on twitter vickers2622
on Nov 4th, 2009 at 7:10 am
friend on facebook
on Nov 4th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Andrea,
Hi.
Pat.
on Nov 4th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Andrea,
Glad you are following.
Pat.
on Nov 4th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Andrea,
Love email.
Pat.
on Nov 4th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Andrea,
Smart lady.
Pat.
on Nov 4th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
I had an FSA when I had a planned wisdom tooth extraction…
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
on Nov 4th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
Follow on twitter: moziesme
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
on Nov 4th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
And I subscribe via Google Reader
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
on Nov 5th, 2009 at 8:35 am
Winning Readings,
Am using mine now.
Pat.
on Nov 5th, 2009 at 8:36 am
Winning Readings,
Glad you follow.
Pat.
on Nov 5th, 2009 at 8:36 am
Winning Readings,
Good planning.
Pat.
on Nov 5th, 2009 at 9:42 am
I don’t have one but my son does. He uses his to buy all his OTC needs
on Nov 5th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
No, I dont have one and have never heard of one
tmc480(at)yahoo(dot)com
on Nov 5th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Yes, we use these - mainly for copays on doctor visits and prescriptions
on Nov 5th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
subscriber to feed
on Nov 5th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
twitter follow @phxbne
on Nov 5th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Shelly,
Thanks for following.
Pat.
on Nov 5th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Shelly,
Appreciate that.
Pat.
on Nov 5th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Shelly,
So many medical options nowadays.
Pat.
on Nov 5th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Tanya,
Now we know more.
Pat.
on Nov 5th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Rhonda,
I need to research this one more.
Pat.
on Nov 7th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
It’s offered here and had attended meetings a while ago but never enrolled!
on Nov 7th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Google reader subscriber!
on Nov 8th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
My work does offer one but I get too much money taken out of my paycheck as it is
on Nov 8th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
fan on FB
on Nov 8th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
email subscriber
on Nov 8th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
got your button
on Nov 8th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
follow on twitter (GabbyLowe)
on Nov 9th, 2009 at 3:12 am
Laura,
Glasd you are following along.
Pat.
on Nov 9th, 2009 at 3:12 am
Laura,
Thanks.
Pat.
on Nov 9th, 2009 at 3:13 am
Laura,
Medical bills can devastate a person. My parents had none and lost everything when thyey got sick.
Pat.
on Nov 10th, 2009 at 9:07 am
We’ve never had a FSA offered w/healthcare plan.
on Nov 10th, 2009 at 9:16 am
RSS subscriber - wish the politicians would get the job done and set up healthcare for all.
on Nov 10th, 2009 at 9:32 am
FB friend
betty dennis
on Nov 10th, 2009 at 9:33 am
following you on twitter
bettycd
on Nov 10th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Betty,
Glad to have you along.
Pat.
on Nov 10th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Betty,
Thanks.
Pat.
on Nov 10th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Betty,
Politicians only promise….
Pat.
on Nov 10th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
Betty,
It is a good thing for some.
Pat.
on Nov 11th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
No, I haven’t, but just to let you know the last health-related thing I spent money on were a pair of glasses.
on Nov 11th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
TLisa,
Eyes, teeth, body all matter.
Pat.
on Nov 12th, 2009 at 9:47 am
I have an FSA and we mostly spend it on the orthodontist.
on Nov 12th, 2009 at 9:47 am
I subscribe in google reader
on Nov 12th, 2009 at 9:48 am
I follow on twitter, lunaj1456
on Nov 12th, 2009 at 9:49 am
I faved you on technorati, anne1456
on Nov 12th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
Anne G.
Great.
Pat.
on Nov 12th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Anne G.
Glad you are along.
Pat.
on Nov 12th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Anne G.
Thanks.
Pat.
on Nov 12th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Anne G.
Expensive dentist.
Pat.
on Nov 14th, 2009 at 8:32 am
I’ve got a HCA and I’m currently scratching my head as to how to use up the dollars. You’ve provided some good ideas!
on Nov 14th, 2009 at 8:33 am
following you on Twitter (CarmaSez) - oh, and the one thing I spend money on - contact lenses
on Nov 14th, 2009 at 8:37 am
Carma,
Hint: Get an extra rx for them then shop at a discount or mail order for refills. You paid for the prescription with the visit.
Pat.
on Nov 14th, 2009 at 8:38 am
Carma,
Plan ahead for next year but don’t let things go to the holiday season as appointments can be hard to book.
Pat.
on Nov 14th, 2009 at 11:41 am
No I never have had such an account
on Nov 14th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
No I never had a healthcare flexible spending account. I would spend money on school supplies for my teens.
on Nov 14th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Follow on Twitter- Naddez.
on Nov 14th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Facebook fan. (Quanda)
on Nov 14th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Have button on my sidebar.
on Nov 15th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Naddez,
Great.
Pat.
on Nov 15th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Naddez,
OK.
Pat.
on Nov 15th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Naddez,
Busy.
Pat.
on Nov 15th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Naddez,
An interesting alternative.
Pat.