I got myself into a funny situation this year with my medical flex spending account. Basically, those are accounts you set up through your employer, funded through payroll deductions, that you can use to pay for medical expenses. The benefit is that you don’t pay taxes on that money, but the downside is that you lose any money you don’t use by the end of the year. So it requires accurately estimating the amount of money you’ll need.
I utterly failed to do this. I asked them to set aside $1000, about $85/mo., because I thought I would need it for a lot of chiropractic treatment. I ended up not using it, however, largely because my back hasn’t been bothering me much.
So now I have a cool grand in this account and nothing to spend it on. Assuming a checkup and dental visit don’t turn up much, I’m probably going to be forced to spend it all on the only covered item that is buyable on short notice: glasses.
Yes, I may begin 2008 with an absurd quantity of really nice glasses. Maybe some prescription sunglasses. Hell, maybe a pair with giant Chanel logos drawn in rhinestones. (You got any better ideas?) I’d prefer at least one pair be more outlandish than I imagine most shops keep in stock, which prompts the question — can I just by some crazy frames on eBay and have them add lenses?
I imagine opticians make a killing this time of year.
WOW! What an enjoyable way to use money you can’t use on anything else! It’s like a shopping spree in a gigantic eyewear store. I am a highly motivated and interested reader and likely commenter on a post concerning a follow up to this post.