November 9, 2026

Hello Friends,

Last December I logged into my FSA account four days before the deadline and found $140 just sitting there, money I had already paid for out of every single paycheck all year and nearly let disappear for good.

It happens because FSA money comes out of your check automatically before you ever see it, so it is easy to forget it is even there. This year I was not going to let that happen again. The day after Halloween I set a reminder on my phone with one simple task, log in and check the balance.

Turns out I had $85 left. I put it toward a new pair of reading glasses and restocked the bandages and allergy medicine in my bathroom cabinet, all without spending one extra dollar out of pocket. Ten minutes checking an account I almost forgot I had, and it felt like finding cash in an old coat pocket.

Be Well,

Anisa

Please add anisa@gophercentral.com to your address book or visit here.

Why Checking Your FSA Deadline Matters

Photo: A ten-minute login before December 31st can turn money you already paid for into things you actually need.

Flexible spending accounts are "use it or lose it" by design. The money comes out of your paycheck before taxes, which is a nice break all year, but most plans still run on a calendar year, and whatever you have not spent on eligible expenses by the deadline goes back to your employer, not back to you. Depending on your plan you might get a grace period into mid-March, or a small carryover into next year, but plenty of plans offer neither, and the rules vary enough that most people never bother to check which kind they have.

That one gap in knowledge is exactly why nearly half of FSA holders forfeit money every single year, often a few hundred dollars at a time. It is not because people do not need the money. It is because nobody reminded them to look.

How To Do It

1. Log into your FSA account today.
Most plans show your remaining balance and your exact deadline right on the homepage. This alone takes two minutes.

2. Find out which deadline type you have.
A hard cutoff on December 31st, a grace period into mid-March, or a small carryover (up to $680 for 2026) into next year. Your HR portal or plan document will say which.

3. Make a quick list of eligible purchases.
Glasses, contacts, sunscreen, first aid supplies, allergy and cold medicine, pain relievers, and thermometers usually all qualify, along with copays and dental or vision costs.

4. Use your FSA debit card first.
If your plan issued one, it is the fastest way to spend down a balance without paperwork.

5. Book appointments now, not later.
Eye exams, dental cleanings, and dermatology visits fill up fast in December. Getting on the calendar this week protects your spot and your balance.

6. Save every receipt until the balance hits zero.
If you end up paying out of pocket anywhere, you can usually submit for reimbursement, but only with proof.

It's a Small Login With Big Savings

Ten minutes of checking an account is nothing compared to watching a few hundred dollars quietly vanish on New Year's Eve. Whether your number turns out to be fifteen dollars or four hundred, it is still your money, and it is still worth claiming before the clock runs out.

That is what living thrifty really means to me, not letting money you already worked for slip away just because nobody reminded you it was there.

Got a tip of your own? Reply back to me, I love reading your tips and ideas!