These gremlins, I mean blessings, are exPAINsive!

Whether you have an easy going, or fastidious child like mine, they COST! Everything from schooling, food, all the clothes that they grow out of in two week increments - not to mention the doctor appointments - whew, may your FSA accounts be abundant. Here are some things I learned along the way:

1. Keep Children’s Tylenol, Mucinex, Hyland Cold & Cough, Claritin, Benadryl STOCKED. Travel with it, sleep with it, hug it periodically lol. I have a set in the bathroom and kitchen and travel ready. It really can be that serious.

2. If you have a job that provides dependent care pre-tax, contribute the full amount when possible. This helps with childcare costs for school, baby sitting, etc. Last I checked, federally you can contribute up to $5,000 per household per year. Read through the rules of your benefit plan for details.

3. If you have a job that provides FSA or HSA pre-tax, contribute as much as you can. Flexible Spending Account or Health Savings Account federally you can contribute up to $7,300 for families. I usually estimate any planned medical expenses I may incur ie: bunion surgery, chiropractic care, and then a general amount for my kid based on how sick she has gotten the year before and the environments I put her in. For example, if I know we go to New York in the Summer we will need more allergy medicine and possible doctor visits for a sinus infection. If I know I am going to fly or workout more and may need chiropractic care, I estimate how much it will cost. This takes someone like me quite a bit of research and phone calls because I do not like surprise expenditures, so I see it to be worth it.

4. I set up an IRA account for my child(ren)with any extra funds I had that way I could invest it into what I deemed successful accounts to yield more than a bank account could.

5. As I shared in my first post, www.patpat.com Even with their amazing prices, I still started at clearance! I played NO games. Shout out to my Bestie, Jamillia, for that first mother-daughter outfit.

If you have any other questions or topics of interest you may want a sound board for, holla at me! https://www.newparentbestie.com/experience

PS: I consulted with my team of medical professionals before doing anything - and thankfully because I chose a GREAT team they never got tired of me asking what seemed to be the same questions in a million different ways…at least not out loud :-) I encourage you to do the same. Also the FSA / HSA maximum amounts are federally regulated, so definitely google for the most up to date amounts.