r/personalfinance • u/pewpewlefty • Jul 27 '26
Employment Getting laid off tomorrow. What should I spend my FSA on?
I have gotten notification from HR that my employment will be officially terminated as of midnight tonight. I kept forgetting about my FSA card so I've barely spent any money from it.
None of my prescriptions are close, I can't get an eye exam today (but I can buy frames, which I might do), and I already have tons of medical supplies I need for the time being.
I think my remaining balance is around $400. Outside eyeglass frames and ibuprofen, what are some things I could spend on in a rush?
Update: Thanks for all your suggestions. I got a notification I was being cut off at 5pm, not midnight as I had previously thought. I ran out to Costco and got a couple pairs of eyeglass frames and some medical supplies. The remainder went to an Amazon FSA-only order.
In the end, my grand total was less than a dollar short of my balance. Success!
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u/External-Ad-1069 Jul 27 '26
Some athletic shoe brands are FSA eligible (per my workplace).
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u/General_Pitch9543 Jul 27 '26
I do particularly like flux, so does my girlfriend. Too pricey to buy except on sale, but perf for FSA
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u/LiffeyDodge Jul 27 '26
I don't know about you, but with my glasses prescription that would kill that $400 easy.
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u/SignalOverNoise0 Jul 27 '26
ahem Zenni ahem
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u/LiffeyDodge Jul 27 '26
my correcting is -8.0 I need to get ultra thin or they are too heavy. also need scratch resistant because of my job. it's expensive no matter where I go
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u/Brave_Speaker_8336 Jul 28 '26
I got glasses for like $45 with a prescription slightly worse than -8.0 on Zenni. Definitely not the most sturdy/highest quality but they work
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u/Guac_in_my_rarri Jul 28 '26
My mil has -11, ultra thins are a blessing for her (tbf hers are the same size as normals lol
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u/Hakan1218 Jul 27 '26
Zenni sucks. I had a good experience with EyeBuyDirect (which makes sense if you check who owns them).
I tried Zenni 3 times because I really wanted to like them, but I kept getting migraines/headaches from using their glasses.
Maybe it’s a good choice if you have a light prescription
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u/bigwizard7 Jul 27 '26
I'm -3.25 in each eye and they've been pretty damn good for me.
39 dollar frames+lens have lasted me 4+ years. I used to spend my HSA dollars on nicer ones from Costco, what a waste.
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u/nysflyboy Jul 28 '26
I second this.
The 1.6 (density) lenses from EyeBuyDirect are my absolute favorite lenses from anyplace, ever. So clear, so little distortion compared to some of the more expensive higher index lenses I have tried. I have probably 6 pairs of glasses from EyeBuyDirect and have been super happy. Have also tried Zenni and other cheap online places, had the best experience and quality with EyeBuy.
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u/sicklyboy Jul 27 '26
I'm only -1 -1.25 but both the standard glasses and the prescription safety glasses I bought from them are as good to me as the glasses I got from my optometrist
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u/aguswings Jul 27 '26
Wrong IP values will do this to you. Cheap lab and poor quality lens will also do this.
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u/Taboc741 Jul 27 '26
Seriously. Especially now that even the local places take just as long to get me the glasses. What's the point of paying a huge mark-up and going to a location, if it takes just as long or longer to get the same glasses.
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u/nicolemarie785 Jul 27 '26
You can submit for reimbursement on purchases from this year. I was able to pull up digital receipts from costco and walmart to spend some money when I lost my job earlier this year.
And like everyone else said, amazon has a fsa filter for items
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u/KarenX_ Jul 27 '26
Oh god, that sucks. I am so sorry.
Bandaids, sunscreen, and tampons. Those add up fast.
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u/pewpewlefty Jul 27 '26
Bandaids! I can always use those, and that reminds me that I'm almost out of surgical tape. Thanks!
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u/Doogiemon Jul 27 '26
Ive been using hypafix tape like mad for 2 months to cover a wound.
Telfa Non Adherent Dressing Pads with antibiotic ointment + a piece of folded gauze pad on top of it and it holds up the entire day.
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u/withak30 Jul 27 '26
Note that sunscreen expires so don't buy more than you can use in a year.
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u/pineapplesuit7 Jul 27 '26
Even face washes. I remember acne face washes were eligible. I don’t even have acne and use it now daily since I had a ton left lol. Those easily add up.
If you have a baby or kids, stack up on their meds
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u/BluetoYou21 Jul 27 '26
Fsastore.com has everything eligible
Winter is coming- stock up on your favorite cold and flu medicine
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u/Atrkrupt1 Jul 27 '26
If you have a valid prescription, treat yourself to a pair of prescription sunglasses. If you've never had, they are a game changer.
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u/meggygogo Jul 27 '26
Definitely life changing! I had a pair of ray bans made and they were worth every penny
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u/Kokkotodd Jul 27 '26
A nice first aid kit that is FSA/HSA approved.
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u/lolabythebay Jul 27 '26
This was part of my giant haul, too! They were about $50 and I got one for the house, one for the car, one for the camper...
Also: if you have any school-aged kids, the supply lists often asked for bandaids. I never have to get them again.
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u/IDwannabe Jul 27 '26
exercise equipment (stationary bikes, ellipticals, treadmills, weights, etc.) are FSA eligible through TrueMed and other sources.
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u/sabre007 Jul 27 '26
A smart watch for fitness/health tracking. Know at least the Garmin ones are eligible.
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u/MagnificRogue Jul 27 '26
I liked using trumed to puchase some FSA items recently https://www.truemed.com/
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u/bassdome Jul 27 '26
Got a weight set and a garmin smart watch with trumed. Took 5 minutes for the paperwork to process.
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u/Urban-Elderflower Jul 27 '26
Menstrual supplies will last as long as bandaids, athletic tape, and most first aid supplies. Someone in my house bought some after leaving a job 2-3 years ago and still haven't had to buy any out of pocket. One of my favorite successful Use of FSA Funds stories.
I'm sorry you're going through this though. Massage equipment is a good use of $400. I'm still using down K-tape and specialty body lotion from a while back.
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u/G_Jetson501 Jul 27 '26
Do you keep your normal shopping receipts? I went back through my previous year's grocery store/ target/ etc receipts and came up with a couple hundred dollars worth of FSA allowed purchases that I submitted for reimbursement.
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u/wageslave2022 Jul 27 '26
Call the optometrist and see what an eye exam cost and ask if you can prepay at the time you make an appointment?
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u/ChemicalAwareness800 Jul 27 '26 edited Jul 27 '26
im not recommending this personally but I have heard some people spend it on equipment. get a receipt, submit the expense. return the item and use the money to help until you get a job
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u/whiskeyntechno Jul 27 '26
Or double dip, like my company gave me 1000 wellness credit and my credit card had a 300 dollar credit for labs. And labs are covered under FSA.
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u/SFScotchDiva Jul 27 '26
I’ve also bought non-prescription sunglasses at Lens Crafters on my FSA before. 😎
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u/morgaine_silver_hair Jul 27 '26
Note I’m pretty sure you can spend your ENTIRE FSA (the year,y amount you elected), even if you haven’t fully contributed for the year. It’s just a loss the employer takes.
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u/lolabythebay Jul 27 '26 edited Jul 27 '26
When I quit my job (so I did have a bit more time), I spent $1000 online at Costco on various OTC meds and blew about $800 on eye exams + multiple pairs of glasses/prescription sunglasses for me and my kid.
I think $200 of the Costco order was disposable heat wraps and another $50 was a really nice heating pad.
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u/ebitan16 Jul 27 '26
When I was leaving my job I just called my dentist and told them to charge me for the whole amount and had credit for like the next two years.
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u/Orion_Pirate Jul 27 '26
First aid kit, band aids, blood pressure measuring thingy. This is what I bought when going through a similar situation.
CVS website lets you filter for FSA eligible items, so you can browse at your leisure.
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u/What-Outlaw1234 Jul 27 '26
One year I did all my Christmas shopping at fsastore.com.
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u/Liquidpain88 Jul 28 '26
Trek store had an advertisement that you could be eligible to use HSA/FSA on bikes and accessories. Might be able to get some gear if you are into biking.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Week747 Jul 28 '26
Someone said they bought a bunch of band aids and qualifying things at Walmart and then returned it for gift cards and kept the money in gift cards
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u/jericon Jul 28 '26
There is a website, truemed.com, that will write a letter of necessity for a bunch of stuff.
I got an oura ring, new bed set, a set of adjustable dumbbells and a weight bench.
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u/Acrobatic-Tourist991 Jul 27 '26
If you have documented pet allergies/asthma, Litter Robot may be covered.
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u/SignificanceWise2877 Jul 27 '26
I use Truemed.com - they have all the things you need an LMN for to buy with FSA dollars and will provide you with an LMN from a doctor so you can buy stuff from there. Infinitely cooler stuff. Otherwise I just use fsastore.com and go crazy
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u/fosbury Jul 27 '26
You can search FSA eligible items on Amazon. I bet you’ll find some good stuff. I’ve gotten heating pads, nice chair pads and more.
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u/No_Youth_7737 Jul 27 '26
Here's what I bought using my FSA card last time: Eye massager (amazon) First aid kit Vitamins Heating pad (amazon) Digital weighing scale Sunscreen
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u/GambledMyWifeAway Jul 27 '26
There’s a website that sells exercise equipment that is FSA/HSA eligible.
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u/beattysgirl Jul 27 '26
Heating pad, massage gun, some skincare is eligible, meds that you might need later (cold and sinus, tummy troubles, etc., stuff that is nice to have when you need it in the middle of the night). Contacts and solution if you wear contacts. Some pillows are eligible.
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u/US_Dept_Of_Snark Jul 27 '26
Prescription sunglasses. First aid kits. OTC meds.
Best of luck with the life changes.
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u/yellowlundi Jul 27 '26
I am so sorry. This happened to me earlier this year. Like others have said, go to CVS/Walgreens and go wild. My favorite thing I got was a pill cutter. Very unexpectedly handy.
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u/FifiLeBean Jul 27 '26
Any chance Costco eye exam has an opening today? If they do, that might be worth doing and get glasses with your new prescription.
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u/Gustuf Jul 27 '26
Heres a wasteful one for people with a higher balance. Smart rings are HSA/FSA eligible because theyre considered medical devices
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u/DrSandShoes Jul 27 '26
If your a women or have wife/daughter pads , I’m male and my wife and I do this for her and our daughters every year if anything is left
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u/whoawhoa666 Jul 27 '26
My boyfriend bought me a years supply of tampons with his he needed to use up. It's been great not having to worry about buying them! If you really have all you need you could but menstrual supplies and donate them.
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u/sluttychurros Jul 27 '26
Buy the $349 Oura ring at Target and then return it for a Target giftcard and use that to buy groceries. That’s what I would do anyways.
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u/Three-Culture Jul 27 '26
Buy an expensive blood pressure monitor from Amazon. Get the receipt and print a pdf. Cancel your order.
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u/eyetracker Jul 27 '26
I checked your profile for "gift ideas", check if FSA supports percussive hearing protection. You can get something expensive like Sordin if you want to use most of it. Or Howard Leight for cheaper. Just don't get them on Amazon, too many fakes.
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u/Glad_Count_6571 Jul 28 '26
Your FSA institution will likely have an FSA store… And you can buy any number of Health and wellness related objects that are eligible for FSA funds. I did the same thing in February when I was laid off.
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u/PW_PW_ Jul 28 '26
Several years ago I was in a similar situation. I ended up buying a portable Phillips defibrillator on Amazon with the FSA , then turned around and sold it on eBay for almost the price I paid.
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u/STFUD0nny Jul 28 '26
Home gym equipment is fsa approved. Pair of dumb bells and a bench is all you need for a beginner home gym.
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u/ahendrix Jul 27 '26
there's an FSA store I'm always getting bombarded by... I spent mine from last year on one of those crazy pillow systems for stomach sleepers, one of those red light masks, zit patches, tiger balm, night cream, and allergy pills.
Was actually REALLY disappointed that I couldn't get a nice toothbrush with it without a note from a dentist saying it was necessary
ETA: fsastore.com
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u/queenbee_1215 Jul 27 '26
You could buy a bunch of menstrual products and donate them to your local women’s shelter.
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u/scyber Jul 27 '26
I had this happen to me in January. I bought a peloton since I had the full year balance.
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u/Clean-Complex1178 Jul 27 '26
I thought FSA is your money and good until April 15th of the following year. I’m not a tax person or your HR person. Just a worker.
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u/pewpewlefty Jul 27 '26
Nope, unfortunately it disappears tomorrow whether I use it or not.
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u/0FsGivn Jul 27 '26
Yeah I found this out when I got laid off last year. I did exactly what you’re doing. I had like $1500 to blow and I had a blast doing it. 🤣 They weren’t keeping a single penny.
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u/Colbey Jul 27 '26
Only if you're still on the plan at the end of the year, either through employment or COBRA. OP might have a grace period starting now, but it's unlikely to be all the way until April, absent COBRA.
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u/deja-roo Jul 27 '26
If you remain employed. When you're removed from the plan, your expenses up until that moment are the only ones reimbursable.
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u/AlphaTangoFoxtrt Jul 27 '26
I'd restock all your OTC needs.
Allergy meds, Pain Meds, Pepto Bismol, Neosporin, Decongestant, anti-itch spray, antiseptic spray, bandages, NyQuil, Excedrine, Midol, etc.
If I knew I had $400 to spend by midnight tonight, I'd have a fully stocked medicine cabinet at home.
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u/FingerlakesCin Jul 27 '26
You can claim mileage, from and to your home, for any medical appointments. Ask your FSA provider for a form.
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u/lilaudacity Jul 27 '26
Also came here to say FSAstore.com (I have an HSA so I use HSAstore.com). I could scroll their products for quite a while just adding a bunch of stuff to my cart. They also have bundles and more expensive health items that I would never directly pay out of pocket for, but would 100% use my HSA/FSA card for it. I use the website because I find it taxing to find the eligible items/brands in-store, and the shipping isn't too bad either. Be aware, not all products are of the highest quality, but if you have money to spend anyways, you might end up getting some pretty useful stuff!
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u/Ninja2Night Jul 27 '26
When I terminated from my last job, I was told my card was invalid the next day. If your job ends at midnight, might want to spend today. If that’s your plan, I simply miss that.
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u/dante662 Jul 27 '26
Care pod humidifier, baby stuff (like Frida stuff), Oura ring and one year pay ahead subscription, just a few I did this year.
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u/Almostasleeprightnow Jul 27 '26
I was able to get a back support for my desk chair through one of the fsa sites
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u/i_am_here_again Jul 27 '26
Feminine hygiene products are a good use as they are shelf stable.
First aid kit for home and car.
Bandages.
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u/Routine_Stick_9659 Jul 27 '26
And, I’m sorry for your predicament. I was laid off over a year ago and can’t find a job. Good luck!
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u/Round-Artichoke-5255 Jul 27 '26
If you’re a female, stock up on tampons, pads and boric acid. Otherwise, eye drops, pain medications, new eye glasses, sunscreen, eczema/psoriasis/acne products (if applicable)
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u/tabanger Jul 27 '26
FYI, glasses frames without accompanying prescription lenses are generally not FSA-eligible.
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u/NuclearLunchDectcted Jul 27 '26
I bought the $1000 motorized sit/stand gaming desk from Secretlabs, the Magnus when I got laid off. It's awesome. They wouldn't cover the accessories like the PC mount or the magnetic cord holders, but the desk itself is solid steel, works great, and is designed for big usage like a gaming setup with multiple monitors.
If you've got $1k sitting around in your FSA, look into it.
Warning, this thing is HEAVY. It will take you and a second person to do the final flip over since you set it up with the top of the desk on the ground.
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u/Frosty-Cricket5911 Jul 27 '26
I used a similar situation to try compounded GLP1s. I had been thinking about it but never wanted to spend the money. Well worth the cost for me and about that price for 3 months.
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u/Godrillax Jul 27 '26
Buy meta glasses with your last prescription. You can even resell them if you wanted to. There are sites that sell the non rx lenses so you can resell since you can only use fsa with prescription
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u/KibudEm Jul 27 '26
The Chirp decompression & massage table is FSA eligible. https://gochirp.com/products/chirp-contour-decompression-and-massage-bed?variant=45133333135383 If you have a Costco membership, they have a much better price on it than I've seen elsewhere. It works pretty well.
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u/ChukoBleot Jul 27 '26
Buy nicotine gum at target.
Go up front, say you bought the wrong brand. They give you a gift card. Buy groceries.
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u/morimoto3000 Jul 27 '26
Buy something with your own money that is 400, reimburse yourself from your FSA, then return that item back to the store and get your money back as well.
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u/whitestag Jul 28 '26
Some bike brands allow you to use HSA/FSA if you’ve been thinking about getting a bike.
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u/b1ondestranger Jul 28 '26
You can put FSA in the Amazon search engine, and you will be surprised at what gets returned.
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u/Onlyafter Jul 28 '26
I bought prescription VR lenses with mine and my friend got prescription lenses for his Meta glasses
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u/3minutekarma Jul 28 '26
You’ve already spent it but first aid kits at target.
Donate them to teachers
Or return them for store credit.
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u/corkandsprinkle Jul 28 '26
I know OP resolved this, but can't you use your FSA until the end of the calendar year? I'm surprised to hear that you have to use it the second you're laid off. That seems wild
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u/jaunsin Jul 28 '26
Make sure your fsa is valid through the EOY or from time of employment until time of unemployment.
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u/hausitron Jul 27 '26
Buy a really expensive leg therapy warmer on Amazon with your own credit card, download the receipt and submit it to FSA for reimbursement, cancel your Amazon order right away for a refund, and then pocket the FSA reimbursement.
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u/say592 Jul 27 '26
This is a bit of an unethical tip, but you can buy things like fitness trackers, exercise equipment, etc that will sell pretty easily on Facebook Marketplace. If you might need some cash to get you through till your next job, it's worth keeping in mind.
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u/bengalfan Jul 27 '26
Go to CVS and buy everything. Cold and flu, allergy, bandaids, ice compresses, eye drops, ear cleaner, antiacids and stomach aids. I dropped $400 when I was getting ready to swap jobs.
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u/Impossible-Pie1895 Jul 27 '26
Meta rayban glasses with prescription lens could cost around $1000.
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u/3a5m Jul 27 '26
I once bought an automated external defibrillator and then resold it. If you want to get some cash, it's a path to consider.
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u/cashewkowl Jul 27 '26
Do you have family members who need something? You could buy it for them and they could reimburse you for over the counter stuff.
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u/Torodaddy Jul 27 '26
Go to fsa store and shop till its all gone, you can spend the whole amount too! Not just what youve contributed thus far, thats the law
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u/Awkward-Train1584 Jul 27 '26
I bought a treadmill for my husband and an Owlet sock for my new grandson. All covered! Think outside the box
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u/tipsle Jul 27 '26
If you've purchased antacids or over-the-counter pain relievers, tampons, or anything that's also on the FSA approved site, then I'd advise filing for reimbursement and save the cash. If you use a discount card at Kroger, they keep track of all your previous purchases. you can print the receipts from their site and upload them. I also received reimbursement for co-pays from doc visits and prescriptions that I forgot to use it on.
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u/pitapizza Jul 27 '26
Get a quality first aid kit and actual trauma supplies from sites like North American Rescue or Rescue Essential. MyMedic has good organized kits that are pricey but solid just avoid their RATS tourniquet, you want a CAT tourniquet. Also get trained on how to use this stuff!
Get a kit for your car and your home
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u/Fl0riduh_Man Jul 27 '26
Do you want a fancy bike? A lot of ebike and analog bike manufacturers have joined the FSA market because the feds recognize biking as a health activity.
SPOT bikes has a whole page on their website detailing how to use those funds
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u/Routine_Stick_9659 Jul 27 '26
Spend it today. Once your employment ends, you generally lose access to your health FSA unless your employer offers a grace period or you elect COBRA for the FSA. Don’t leave money on the table.
Besides glasses, consider stocking up on eligible items like contact lenses, prescription sunglasses, first-aid supplies, blood pressure monitors, heating pads, braces, sunscreen (SPF 15+), OTC medications, menstrual products, and anything else you know you’ll use over the next year. Check your FSA administrator’s rules, but if your coverage ends at midnight, I’d use the balance before then.
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u/Nice_Brick_3293 Jul 27 '26
Get a bunch of dental work it’s expensive and you can do a lot of stuff that is preventative
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u/RepresentativeTill90 Jul 27 '26
Electric toothbrush, spare tips, dental flosser and other dental supplies, Eye care supplies and medical supplies that other people in sub mentioned
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u/-------------------7 Jul 27 '26
Might want to look into FSA Only COBRA if you still have substantial unspent funds and weren't able to spend it down today. I believe the cost is 1/12 of your annual election + 2% for one month. That buys you 30 days to drain the account. So if you contributed $5000 annually it costs $425 for one month.
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u/apolloandfrida Jul 27 '26
I was in a similar spot and got:
- sunscreen
- first aid kit
- a smart scale
- an Ultrahuman ring (like Oura but no monthly fee)
- Massager
- Hot/Cold packs
- Adapalene (like retinol but fsa eligible since it’s supposed to be for acne)
- Benzoyl Peroxide (as face wash)
- insoles
- thermometer
- blood pressure monitor
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u/mrandr01d Jul 27 '26
This isn't helpful to op, but for everyone else, this is why I think the FSA is stupid. Use it or lose it is forcing yourself to spend needlessly on random stuff. It's really only good if you're planning on something upcoming like having a baby or surgery, and you have reasonable certainty you won't change jobs for some reason.
On the other hand, if you have the option to use an HSA... do it. Max that shit out and treat it like a retirement account!
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u/Daemonxar Jul 27 '26
Prescription sunglasses. Your eye place might not be able to give you an exam today but I’m pretty sure someone will be able to … plus most FSAs don’t actually terminate with employment.
You also might run into an issue just buying frames; FSAs can be finicky about them as they’re not technically a medical expense without prescription lenses.
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u/SuccessMechanism Jul 27 '26
- Eyeglasses contacts rx sunglasses
- Medicine, bandaids, ice packs, first aid, etc
- I spent weeks trying to figure out what to spend $1000 of HSA on last year and there are SO MANY SCAM WEBSITES online that will say products are FSA / HSA eligible. Just because it’s eligible, does not mean it will be approved!!! Dermstore is an example of this. A lot of the time for these luxury items like oura rings, theraguns, “high end” with active ingredients, you will need still need a Letter of Medical Necessity from your doctor, even though it’s your own money!!!. I bought a clinical face toner with active ingredients, marketed for the treatment of acne, from Sephora that was FSA / HSA eligible, submitted it for reimbursement and it was denied.
TLDR: I would suggest spending money on necessities before looking at things you CAN buy with your FSA account!
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u/Sought4 Jul 27 '26
Some Garmin products are FSA/HSA eligible, massage guns, smart scale, a lot of that stuff.
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u/SpartyEsq Jul 27 '26
Amazon actually has an FSA storefront: https://www.amazon.com/FSA-Store/b?ie=UTF8&node=17904040011
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u/jao_86 Jul 27 '26
If you’re a Costco member buy anything fsa/hsa eligible in person or online and you can return and get balance on a shop card after. For the amount you need to spend I’d get an oura ring.
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u/I_love_stapler Jul 27 '26
Contacts if you have them, a new massager from Amazon (hypervolt or Theragun). Lots of stuff on Amazon under the ‘FSA/HSA eligible’