15 Sephora Products You Can Buy with Your FSA or HSA Before the Year Ends
Have you ever gotten to the end of the year, only to realize all the money you put away in your FSA or HSA is going to expire — and you can’t think of a single doctor’s appointment you need to squeeze in?
You thought you were doing the right thing by putting those pre-tax dollars away in an account that you can use towards certain medical expenses, but they’re only good if you actually use them.
“The catch is, while some employers allow you to carry over up to $500 per year, FSAs tend to be ‘use it or lose it’ accounts, so any unused contributions are lost at the end of each year,” explains Courtney Alev, consumer financial advocate at CreditKarma. She notes that it’s critical to keep an eye on your account and plan carefully so you don’t put too much money in your FSA or get to the end of the year without a plan in place to spend every dollar.
However, if you do find yourself counting down until the end of the year with extra money sitting in your account, don’t worry. There are everyday healthcare items that you might not realize can be purchased with FSA dollars, and you can use this opportunity to go on a “use it or lose it” shopping spree. And one of those places is Sephora. From sunscreen to acne care, you can tally up some bougie items on your pre-tax dollars, and we have a list of 15 of the best items to pick up at Sephora to burn down your FSA balance.
But, despite the fun of spending your leftover dollars at Sephora, you might not want to find yourself in the same situation next year. Alev suggests, “Take a look at your budget and at any expected healthcare costs in the coming year. How much you save really comes down to your unique financial situation, including how much you can afford to put into an account, what you qualify for, and how you plan to use your funds throughout the year.” Only put in what you need because one person can only use so much sunscreen in one year.
Note that Sephora does not accept an FSA or HSA card as payment. You’ll pay with your regular form of payment, then submit your receipt for reimbursement with your benefits provider.
