:::: MENU ::::

Aug 2, 2021    |       17 comments

Do I take out a loan or dip into my EF?

by

As I’ve previously mentioned, I am been dealing with some significant health issues over the last few months. And we are starting to get some answers. One of the first ones is my hearing…I’ve got about a 50% hearing loss and definitively need hearing aids to maintain quality of life.

I wasn’t super shocked when they gave me the results of all the testing, neither were my kids. However, there was some sticker shock when it came to the price of hearing aids.

This is kind of like the ones I am getting but mine will be dark colored to blend with my hair.

Granted there are cheaper models with less “bells and whistles” but I believe the doctor is right in that with my work, phone requirements and age, getting the technology to make this adjustment as easy as possible is important.

Evidently, having this significant of hearing loss in your 40s is not normal. They normally don’t see hearing loss like this until people are in their 60s unless there is some sort of traumatic event. And since I’ve worked from home for the last 20 years, it’s not like I’m around loud noises, etc.

The Cost

The sticker price on my new hearing aids is $7,900. Ouch!

Now my health insurance does pay part of that, just not sure how much. And I have $2,200 available on my HSA.

So my question is do I take advantage of the no interest, 12 months financing the doctor’s office and then pay it off over the year.  I contribute $600 per month to my HSA so won’t have trouble paying it off from that tax free money. Or do I dip into my EF to pay it up front.

I just hate the thought of using my EF at all. This doesn’t seem like an emergency.

I have to make a decision this week as my new hearing aids should be here this week and I have to go in with an answer for paying for them.

Jul 31, 2021    |      0 comments

August Challenge – Summer is over

by

How did your DIY project go for July? We have so many house projects going on that it’s not funny. Gymnast painted the front door with paint we had on hand, we cut some wood we had left over from the bathroom remodel to make some floating shelves for the laundry room and refinished ie painted some of the antiques we have inherited from family. We have been busy.

But our summer freedom is coming to an end this week…

Back on Schedule

Gymnast returns to high school, entering his junior year. And Princess and Beauty move off to their respective dorms in the next 2 weeks. I will mostly be carless since Gymnast and I are sharing my car and it’s important to him to be able to drive to school. Of course, I will keep the car when I need it, but for the most part, I do not go anywhere.

This month the challenge is to establish your new school year or non-summer (for those without kids in school) schedule and budget. Because lets face it, our money situation changes as our schedule changes. Tell me, how is your life going to change now that school is going to be back in session?

Think about your day to day schedule, your grocery needs, your gas going up or down? Do you adjust your budget when summer is over? I definitely will this year since we are going from a house of 4 to a house of 2.

This coming month I will post my revised budget and financial update. Any other posts you’d like to see?

 

1 … 264 265 266 267 268 … 1,936