Can You Have a FSA Without Health Insurance? (w/Examples) + FAQs
Yes, you can have an FSA without health insurance, but the type matters. A dependent-care FSA never needs medical coverage at all. The IRS caps 2026 health-care FSA contributions at $3,400, and that cap applies whether or not you carry your employer's group plan. Employers set the fine print, and it changes who can enroll […]
Is GLP-1 FSA Eligible? (w/Examples) + FAQs
Yes, GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound are FSA and HSA eligible. A licensed provider has to prescribe them for a diagnosed medical condition. IRS Publication 502 counts prescription drugs used to treat or prevent disease as a medical expense, so using a GLP-1 for cosmetic weight loss alone will not qualify. The […]
How Much Should I Put in FSA? (w/Examples) + FAQs
Put in what you spent on care last year, plus any known upcoming cost, up to the IRS cap. For 2026, that cap is $3,300 per employer. Most first-time FSA holders guess too high and forfeit money, or guess too low and miss real tax savings. A third of FSA holders forfeit some balance every […]
How Do I Spend My FSA Money? (w/Examples) + FAQs
Spend FSA money with your FSA debit card at checkout, or pay first and file for a refund. Your card works at most doctors, dentists, and pharmacies for eligible costs. Without a card, you pay out of pocket, then submit the receipt through your plan's portal. Most people leave real money behind because they wait […]
Is a Mattress FSA Eligible? (w/Examples) + FAQs
Yes, a mattress can be FSA eligible. A licensed provider must first sign a Letter of Medical Necessity tying the purchase to a diagnosed condition, such as chronic back pain, sciatica, or sleep apnea. Without that letter, a plan treats a mattress as an ordinary comfort item and denies the claim. That gap between "eligible […]
Can You Use FSA for Therapy? (w/Examples) + FAQs
Yes, a health FSA can pay for therapy that treats a diagnosed mental health condition, as long as your provider is state-licensed. Most plans exclude life coaching and stand-alone couples counseling. The IRS set the 2026 FSA contribution cap at $3,400 per employee, and that money can cover therapy copays, deductibles, and even teletherapy. That […]
Can a Short Sale Be Negotiated? (w/Examples) + FAQs
Yes, a short sale can be negotiated, but it is two rounds, not one. The buyer and seller agree on a price first, and the lender then reviews it, a step that can take up to four months, according to Investopedia's guide to short sales. Most buyers only prepare for the price talk and lose […]
Can Student Loan Debt Be Negotiated? (w/Examples) + FAQs
Yes, student loan debt can be negotiated, though the rules differ by loan type. Private lenders often accept 10 to 70 cents on the dollar once a loan is charged off. The federal government offers only two fixed settlement formulas and rarely moves beyond them. Negotiating only works once a loan is in default or […]
Can Medical Bills Be Negotiated? (w/Examples) + FAQs
Yes, you can negotiate most medical bills, and hospitals often settle for less than the amount on the statement. A padded or error-filled bill can strain a budget for years. A short call to the billing office before you pay is worth the ten minutes it takes. Medical debt touches millions of households, with an […]
Does 401k Come Out of Severance Pay? (w/Examples) + FAQs
No, severance pay usually cannot go into your 401(k) through payroll deferral. The IRS only lets you defer money that counts as pay for work you are still doing. Severance is pay for leaving a job, not for service, so most retirement plans block it once your final paycheck arrives. This gap matters most in […]