The cost of IVF is a big concern for many couples. I thought I'd share some ways, some kind of creative, we are coming up with $14,000 for our IVF.
1.) We are refinancing our house to take advantage of the historic low interest rates (our rate is dropping over 2%). We are not taking out any home equity, but we are rolling the closing costs into the loan.
So, refinance means 1 month with no mortgage payment, refund of remaining escrow, and a nice drop in monthly mortgage payment. Total = $4,500
2.) My dear husband has agreed, with a little push back, to “sell” 40 hours of his vacation. This means he gets an extra check for 40 hours instead of taking the vacation. Total = $1,000.
3.) Craigslist. Seriously, look in your closets and basement! People will buy ANYTHING! Total = $250
4.) Cutting back on monthly expenses. Like groceries, lunches, dining, and entertainment. Total = $600 ($50/week Oct-Dec)
5.) We cancelled unnecessary services, like the bug spray people. We can live with a few crickets and spiders. Total = $150
6.) We signed up for my company’s 8-week health initiative. Basically saying we’ll try to walk 10,000 steps a day. We receive $50.
7.) Here’s a funny one. Check your states “unclaimed property” listing. Jonathan did and lo and behold he had $150 out there!
8.) Flex Spending account – We have $1,000 left in it.
9.) Tax break. Woohoo, we finally get to claim some medical expenses on our Schedule A. We won’t actually receive it until March/April 2011. But, we will get it. $3,000
10.) This might be a little controversial, but we can’t help take advantage of the system. We charge almost everything each month and pay it off the next. By doing so, we redeem 1%-5% cash back. Estimated $200 for Oct-Dec.
11.) My company usually gives us a small gift at Christmas time - $100
12.) Family generosity = $3,000
Hopefully some of these will work for you!
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Great post. It's all about priorities, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteWe are looking to refinance our house too! You came up with some great ideas, glad that will take some stress off of things for you.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas!
ReplyDeleteWhen something is important to you...you find a way! These are awesome ideas. We also knew we would be doing our FET during open enrollment so we had $3k available from our FSA...it really was great...got the tax break AND the money just came right out of my check so I never missed it. It is sad that so many people either can't afford it or have to go into debt just to start a family. I sure hope the process gets easier in the future.
ReplyDeletekd
great ideas! Hope the Metformin is going well...
ReplyDeleteWow that is so creative! We did some similar things, we refinanced the house, we cut back on monthly expenses by gettiong bundle prices on our cable/internet/phone $150 per month. I stopped using the tollways $80 per month. Well i could go on & on, but the bottom line is there's lots of way to shave monthly expenses but you guys did awesome, very creative, very exciting! xoxoxox
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas! I'm sure you'll really enjoy that drop in your mortgage payment!
ReplyDeleteI might have to steal some of your ideas!!! :) I wish we could refinance. Oh well. I do have plenty of things I could sell on CraigsList, though! Thanks for the list!
ReplyDeleteOh, Craigs List... D has definitely discovered that one! I'll even let you in on a little secret- he finds things for free, fixes them up a little, and then re-sells them. He's made almost $3,000 since April! Granted, it takes time, but he really enjoys doing it.
ReplyDeleteGosh, that's terrific! I don't understand how your DH found the $159 thru the state's unclaimed property, however. Can you explain...if you wouldn't mind?
ReplyDeleteI love it that you're doing the Health Initiative; I mean, you'd want to be in as good a shape as possible before IVF anyways, right?
Good Luck!
Great post! We would be refinancing our mortgage too if it comes to that. I figure what's an extra $25k on a mortgage in the scheme of things. Ok, it is quite a bit but I would rather be paying my mortgage off longer than living childless!
ReplyDeleteI love this post! It really shows how the money adds up... I recently refi'ed also and I saved the money aside to help fund my infertility web based application to help other women like us ;-) I am lucky enough to have insurance coverage and I am trying to help others in a different way!
ReplyDeletethat is wonderful! Do you clip coupons at all? If you don't check out www.couponsavingsgame.com or the coupon diva for hints. The Coupon Mom also has a lot of hints on ways to save. I have gone into publix before and bought 150$ on groceries, after a savings of 110$. I couple BOGOs with coupons on each item. They take Manufacturers coupons and Publix coupon on each item.
ReplyDelete:)
Stopping by from ICLW and wanted to say that this post is awesome. It's full of great ideas and really shows an incredible commitment to make something happen you both want so dearly!
ReplyDeleteHappy ICLW!
~Keiko, Hannah Wept, Sarah Laughed (ICLW #142)