Fun/creative flexible spending purchases?

[slackerinabox]

Completely forgot about my flexible spending (medical) master card and have a pretty impressive balance for something I didn't even notice being deducted. Since it's use it or lose it I figure I have to think of how to spend this sooner rather than later since $500 a month is being added (on top of the 4 figure balance that's just sitting there) and there's only so much I can spend on glasses/contacts.

What are some creative expenses? Notice I didn't say unethical - fraud is not something I'm interested in 🙂

 

[SillyOReilly]

Get some of those contacts from Michael Jackson's "Thriller"

 

[blackdogdeek]

we use ours for copays for the kids' pediatrician appointments and for OTC allergy meds with a doctor's prescription for proof. and my wife bought a pair of glasses. i think you can use it for therapist appointments too.

edit: you might be able to work out a way to get some viagra in case you wanted to try it out.

 

[vshah]

maybe you could find a way to buy exercise equipment with it?

 

[CPA]

If this is for a flexible spending account, your choices were limited with Obama's Affordable Healthcare Act of 2011 2010. You can long buy many over the counter products without a prescriptions on your Flexspend acccount. Here is a list of what's eligible without a prescription and with.

So, out of that list buy $500 worth of condoms.

 

[Farang]

Little rascal?

 

[slackerinabox]

maybe you could find a way to buy exercise equipment with it?

That would be cool actually, though I doubt that's allowed. What's the word on gym memberships? I mean, we go to a cheapie $20/month gym so it's not a huge deal...

Thinking I should reduce my payroll deduction, or get super awesome glasses 🙂

 

[slayer202]

Buy me a pair of glasses/sunglasses and I'll throw you a few bucks 😉

 

[rudeguy]

we use ours for copays for the kids' pediatrician appointments and for OTC allergy meds with a doctor's prescription for proof. and my wife bought a pair of glasses. i think you can use it for therapist appointments too.

edit: you might be able to work out a way to get some viagra in case you wanted to try it out.

Do you have to pay out of pocket then get reimbursed for allergy meds?

 

[Baked]

Check with your HR and see if you can use it for massage therapy.

 

[Elbryn]

a few years ago i bought this with excess fsa dollars:
http://www.drugstore.com/khn-solutions-bactrack-breathalyzer--polished-black/qxp172088?catid=59988

portable handheld breathalyzer... much fun during the annual mancation with the boys.

also got blood pressure monitor.. if you had 1.2k you can get this:
http://www.drugstore.com/philips-heartstart-home-defibrillator-m5068a/qxp95108?catid=59987

 

[ScoobMaster]

I was in that boat last year. I started intently scrutinizing the list of "allowed" purchases and was surprised to see "protective sports equipment" listed. Apparently any sport equipment designed as protective to guard against injury (helmets, pads, athletic supporters, etc...) is allowed. My son had just started hockey and I had purchased $700 worth of Hockey gear. I claimed all of the protective stuff to the tune of $480 and was able to use up my balance.

If you play a sport or are thinking of starting one that requires protective gear, look into using some of your unused funds there.

 

[Ns1]

6g's a year into your flex? holy shit.

 

[rudeguy]

6g's a year into your flex? holy shit.

Also bull. It's capped well below that

 

[slackerinabox]

Also bull. It's capped well below that

$5000 for medical, the rest is for transportation and a very small child care deduction. I think it's 200/200/100 if I recall correctly, regardless it's adding up fast

 

[HardcoreRobot]

$5000 for medical, the rest is for transportation and a very small child care deduction. I think it's 200/200/100 if I recall correctly, regardless it's adding up fast

IIRC dependent care and health care FSAs should be separate accounts.

5k is still huge for medical, unless you had a known planned procedure coming up. id be very hesitant to set aside that much use it or lose it money

 

[slackerinabox]

IIRC dependent care and health care FSAs should be separate accounts.

5k is still huge for medical, unless you had a known planned procedure coming up. id be very hesitant to set aside that much use it or lose it money

I think I'll have to talk to hr and adjust the amount. I don't recall the exact numbers because it was sorta last minute - I originally penciled in a large childcare deduction but swapped it because our sitter is licensed but small fries so I thought getting reimbursed would be more trouble than it's worth.. Anyways, I did a last minute "take that allocation and put it into health!" reaction that was ill conceived perhaps. Dunno, never had flexible spending before and had a stack of other documents to go over during the new gig orientation so figured $250 per paycheck was a good amount.

(Also, the transportation allotment was misguided as well - I can use it for transit passes but my cards been rejected at every parking garage I've tried to use it at even though it's an allowed expense)

 

[vi edit]

You sure that's flex and not a HSA?

 

[slackerinabox]

You sure that's flex and not a HSA?

Ameriflex? Combines transit, child care, and health on one debit card with separate accounts.

 

[FoBoT]

you should switch from flex to HSA

 

[Phoenix86]

If this is for a flexible spending account, your choices were limited with Obama's Affordable Healthcare Act of 2011 2010. You can long buy many over the counter products without a prescriptions on your Flexspend acccount. Here is a list of what's eligible without a prescription and with.

So, out of that list buy $500 worth of condoms.

Zomb--err, disaster prep kit.