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Posts tagged with: progress check

What Can You Use the CareCredit Card For?

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Managing medical expenses can be overwhelming, especially when insurance doesn’t cover everything. That’s where the CareCredit card can help. It’s a health and wellness credit card designed to help you pay for out-of-pocket healthcare costs not typically covered by insurance. From cosmetic procedures to dental cleanings and mobility equipment, CareCredit offers a wide range of coverage options. Whether you’re paying for a treatment upfront or need help financing an ongoing wellness plan, this card provides flexible payment terms that fit many budgets and helps you manage your money wisely.

Cosmetic and Elective Procedures

The CareCredit card is commonly used for elective cosmetic treatments that aren’t covered by traditional insurance. This includes services such as Botox, facials, laser treatments, and plastic surgery procedures. Some individuals also use the card for hair restoration services. A typical FUE procedure takes around eight hours, which can come with a significant price tag. With CareCredit, patients can break that cost into manageable monthly payments, allowing them to preserve their money for other priorities while still receiving the treatment they want.

Wellness and Dermatology

Consumers are also using CareCredit for general wellness services, including chiropractic care, acupuncture, and holistic treatments. Skincare and dermatology treatments fall under this umbrella, especially as more people shift toward products and services that align with their health values. One recent survey found that 42% of women aged 18 and over said they preferred natural beauty products over a more synthetic version. Instead of dipping into savings, many patients use CareCredit to stretch their money further while investing in high-quality wellness solutions.

Mobility and Medical Equipment

CareCredit is not limited to treatments—it also supports the purchase of necessary medical equipment. This includes wheelchairs, lift chairs, hearing aids, and mobility scooters. According to Research Gate, over 6.8 million Americans use mobility devices to help manage everyday life. For these individuals, CareCredit offers a way to access what they need without draining their money all at once. It provides a financial buffer when insurance falls short or delays reimbursement.

Dental and Vision Care

One of the most popular uses of the CareCredit card is for dental work. Routine checkups, orthodontics, and restorative procedures such as crowns or implants are often financed this way. Many optometrists and ophthalmologists also accept CareCredit for vision services like LASIK, prescription eyewear, and cataract surgery. Instead of paying large amounts up front, CareCredit lets users split payments and reserve money for other essential needs, from monthly bills to medical emergencies.

Veterinary Services

Pet owners can also benefit from CareCredit. Veterinary services, including annual checkups, emergency surgeries, and medications, can be financed with the card. Since many pet insurance plans do not cover everything—or require reimbursement after payment—CareCredit offers an upfront payment option that helps avoid delays in care. It’s a smart way to protect your pet’s health while keeping your money available for future veterinary or household expenses.

Mental Health and Therapy

Mental health support is increasingly viewed as a vital part of overall well-being, and CareCredit can be used to pay for therapy, counseling, and psychiatry appointments. Many therapists and clinics that do not accept insurance are still able to accept CareCredit as a form of payment. This enables patients to start or continue treatment without being restricted by network limitations or waiting periods, while also keeping their money in reserve for other necessary services.

The CareCredit card opens the door to essential and elective healthcare services across a broad range of specialties. Whether you’re paying for cosmetic treatments, mobility aids, dental care, or your pet’s medical needs, CareCredit helps make these costs more manageable. With healthcare expenses on the rise, it provides a practical option for those who want access to quality services without the stress of large, upfront payments. It gives you more control over your money, so you can focus on your health—not your budget.

Ashley’s 2025 Goals – Pulse Check

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We’re officially halfway through 2025, so I thought it was a good time to check in on my goals for the year. This is a great opportunity to reflect on what’s going well – and where I still have some work to do.

Goal #1: Travel Less. 

Grade: C+

I traveled so much in 2024 that I’d hoped to scale back this year. I’ve pre-written and scheduled this post, but as this is published I will just be wrapping up a week long trip in Hawaii! While I originally thought this would be my only trip of the year, that has not turned out to be the case. 

So far, 2025 has included quite a few mini-trips:

  • January – Trip to Austin with the kids after my Dad was put on hospice
  • February –  Weekend road-trip with the kids to visit family in El Paso (so glad we went because…)
  • April – Family trip back to El Paso for my husband’s grandfather’s funeral (we were able to see grandpa before his health suddenly declined!)
  • May – Trip with my sister to spread my Dad’s ashes in Utah
  • June – Work trip to DC
  • June – Family vacation in Hawaii

Honestly, I would’ve given myself a lower rating (traveling every single month feels like an “F” when the goal was to travel less). But I will never regret traveling to see family when their health is ailing (like our January and February trips), or traveling for family funeral and memorial-related visits (like our April and May trips). These trips were rooted in love and family, and I’d make them again in a heartbeat.

That said, I’m hoping things calm down a bit and we can stick closer to home for the remainder of the year. Fingers crossed!

Goal #2: Investments. 

Grade: A+

We’re going strong with our investments! We have a diverse mix of accounts – from high-yield savings and CDs to mutual funds, retirement, and single stocks. We’ve started tracking our net worth with the intention of working toward our goal of purchasing a rental property in the next 12 months. I feel really good about our progress here.

Goal #3: Open an LLC.

Grade: A+

Just last month, I officially opened an LLC! I’m so excited to use it as a foundation to expand our business portfolio. We plan to use the LLC when we purchase our rental property. And although I haven’t mentioned this here before, I’ve been working behind-the-scenes on a book proposal with a goal to finish it by the end of summer. If (when!) it sells, I’ll do that through the LLC, too.

Another benefit? I hope to eventually employ the girls as they grow – helping with clerical tasks, social media content, and more. I’m eager to get them started with Roth IRAs once they’re able to contribute to the business.

Goal #4: Interview (& hire?) a financial planner/wealth manager. 

Grade: A+

At the beginning of the year, we started the process of interviewing several financial planners. I likened the experience to dating. We had “first dates” with 5 different companies, and went on  “second dates” (where we provided all our financial details and received sample plans) with 2 different companies.

In the end, we didn’t hire anyone. One company we liked more in terms of personality fit, but their returns averaged only 5% – which I can get from a high-yield savings account! The other seemed stronger on the financial side, but I didn’t love the advisor’s personality and there were some glaring holes in the plan (no allowance for new-to-us cars, college savings, etc.). Sure, these things can easily be updated and changed, but it just felt like he was maybe a little bit flustered and over his head – not a great fit.

Even though we didn’t end up hiring anyone, I still give myself an A+ for having gone through the full process and making an informed decision (even though the decision was not to enter into an agreement with anyone at this time).

Goal #5: Invest in what matters. 

Grade: B

I’d already started buying more high-quality meats and produce, but I have not made a huge amount of progress on switching to other “clean” products like sunscreen, makeup/moisturizer, etc. I’m a little embarrassed to admit this now, given that we’ve been on a beach vacation slathered in chemical sunscreen. Probably should’ve thought that through.

Still, it’s not a failing grade. I have switched to aluminum-free deodorant, and replaced our old toxic (i.e., non-stick with scratches) bakeware for higher quality ceramic-based products. This will continue to be a work in progress

Overall Thoughts

I’m happy with where we’re at overall. For the remainder of 2025, I hope to travel less (for real, this time!), continue our saving and investing, and make more thoughtful purchases when it comes to what we put in and on our bodies.

How are you doing with your 2025 goals? Are there any changes you want to make in the second half of the year? 

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