Your flexible spending account (FSA) funds expire soon, and if you don’t use them, you lose them. In fact, roughly half of FSA holders in recent years have ended up forfeiting funds to their employers, according to the nonprofit Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI).
First, make sure to double-check with your employer about your FSA’s Dec. 31 deadline, along with any potential rollover or grace period. After that, it’s time to scan your medicine cabinet, make a list of anything you need to stock up on, and click “add to cart.”
The FSA store is an obvious choice for making the most of your remaining funds , but you can also turn to your go-to retail giants. Amazon, Target, Walgreens, and more all offer a dedicated FSA/HSA Shop to help you find eligible items quickly.
How to shop FSA-eligible items on Amazon
Here’s how you can take advantage of Amazon’s FSA-eligible items before the end of the year.
1. Visit Amazon’s FSA Store at amazon.com/fsa
2. Look for the “FSA/HSA Eligible” label on product listings
3. Use the FSA/HSA filter in search results
4. Pay with your FSA debit card at checkout
Similarly, Target has an FSA filter in their healthcare section, and pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens have dedicated online FSA shops.
What to buy with your remaining FSA funds
Many over-the-counter medications and health items are FSA-eligible, including pain relievers, cold medicine, bandages, dental care products, menstrual products, and more. But did you realize you can also snag these kinds of goodies:
Again, most FSA plans require you to spend funds by Dec. 31, though some offer grace periods. Check with your plan administrator for specific deadlines. Just make sure to save receipts for all FSA purchases in case you need to verify eligibility with your plan administrator after paying.
However you choose to spend your FSA funds, don’t let that money go to waste. After all, this money already came out of your paycheck.
