Use It or Lose It
Posted on November 7, 2018
Making the Most Out of Your Flexible Spending Account
It’s almost the end of the year, and your flexible spending account dollars are on the verge of expiring.That’s tax-free money you could be wasting! Instead of racing to Walgreens to stock up on Tylenol or nose spray, consider what you could really do with what’s left in your FSA account, like perfecting the smile of yourself or a loved one.
At my practice, I get a lot of patients who wonder if their flexible spending account funds can go toward extra orthodontic care. The answer is, “Yes!” This knowledge always puts a smile on their faces. Many of my patients come to my practice to help their children with their smiles, but never think about giving themselves with the smile they’ve always dreamed of. My advice? Use your end-of-the-year funds on a Christmas gift to yourself that keeps on giving all year round- a smile you are confident to share with the world! After all, a great smile never goes out of style.
4 ways to put your flexible spending dollars to good use:
1) Treat yourself.
If you’ve always wished you could improve your smile, now is the time to make that dream a reality! By using your FSA dollars to give yourself Invisalign or braces, you’ll be well on your way to a more beautiful smile in no time.
2) Do something nice for your spouse.
Wondering what to get your spouse for the holidays? Wonder no more! Giving them the rest of your FSA dollars to fix their smile is a great way to not only use up your remaining funds while also giving your main squeeze a special gift that will last them a lifetime. It’s especially nice if you don’t have dental insurance!
3) Purchase extra retainers and mouthguards.
It’s inevitable that you or your children will misplace your retainers or mouthguard at some point. Buy an extra one to make sure you’ve always got backup!
4) Start your child on the path to greater confidence & self esteem.
If you have a child that will eventually need orthodontic treatment, there’s no better time than today! Just bring them in for a free consultation, and we’ll help you determine next steps.
These are just some of the ways you can put your remaining Flex Spending dollars to valuable use. Just make sure to use your funds soon, because once 2019 hits, that money will be gone for good!
Happy Holidays!