Since many of us are writing checks to the government today for our taxes, I thought it wise to share with you some tips on how to save money living natural. This may even influence your tax bill for next year.
Natural health is growing in popularity but as you transition to using natural options you may for a while be paying for both regular medicines and cleaners alongside some natural products. That can seem like a hit to your budget but even through this transition process you can save money and make savvy decisions to keep from getting a bunch of products you end up not using.
The good news is you can “go natural” and not change what you spend drastically. Well, I will restate this as saying you can do it without spending more than you do now. The reason is that you are replacing what you use now with these new natural options. I have seen a family budget credit from this change so it has actually saved us a nice little chunk of money. I recommend when you start transitioning things you keep track of what is working as well as the cost to you can see your own savings and budget changes.
I also advocate using up what you have and switching things gradually to not only respect your budget but also ensure the changes you make fully work for you and your family. This approach buys you time to make sure the new option is a good fit for your family and that it works in your budget.
How You Pay For Natural Products
The good thing about the recent popularity with natural products is that most HSA (Health Savings Account) and FSA (Future Savings Account) accounts now allow for natural product purchases to be covered through these accounts. They are qualifying “medical expenses” and can be reimbursed. Be sure to check the rules for your specific account or check with your benefit administrator if you can’t find it.
Additionally, many employers contribute to your HSA or FSA when you meet certain health conditions such as completing your annual physical or confirming you are a non-smoker. This contribution to your HSA or FSA helps further offset the costs of natural health products you purchase.
My HSA for instance allows for reimbursement of natural health products including essential oils and other products. This makes it nice to use this account to pay for my doTERRA orders. I also receive an amount contributed to my HSA each pay period from my employer in addition to what I have deducted from my paycheck to go into this account. That more than covers my doTERRA items as well as visits to the doctor or pharmacy.
With an HSA you are using pre-tax dollars for your contribution which also helps save you money because more of your money is available for contribution and use in that account. Many HSA’s also have an investment option to split the account into a income producing investment that will cover any account management fees. The HSA account rolls over year after year so you don’t lose your balance at the start of a new benefit period. It also follows you when you change employers so you can continue contributions and have access to the account. Again, be sure to check the rules when you change employers as management fees may change but you can keep the account or roll it over from an prior employer to a new one if they also offer a HSA option in their benefits.
The FSA uses post-tax dollars for your contribution and funds must be used completely by an annual deadline. You have to be very careful about what you budget for your contribution into these accounts so you don’t lose the money with it being leftover at the end of the year. As long as you estimate appropriately for your anticipated expenses this can also be a great way to economically purchase natural health products. Traditionally, I have found the FSA more restrictive when it comes to covering expenses I have but I know it works well for a lot of families with small children in day care and after school programs.
Loyalty Rewards Program
The other significant way to save on your natural health products is to participate in the doTERRA Loyalty Rewards Program (LRP). This is a flexible monthly program that gives you access to free products of the month specials, exclusive or limited edition items and most importantly rebates to use for future purchases.
Product of the Month Savings – $140+
In 2018, I participated in this program and received these oils and products free each month from the doTERRA Product of the Month specials. This is over $100 in free items.
On Sale Items – $150+
There is also a product each month that is another 10% off. This is a great way to save on things you use regularly as well as try new things. In 2018, this saved me another $150.
BOGOs – $350+
A couple times a year doTERRA will run a week of buy one-get one sales. There is a different buy one-get item each day and you can get up to 5 per day of the deal. This is a great way to try new items as well as stock up on favorites at a favorable savings.
The orders placed during these promotional weeks can qualify for the LRP points earnings increasing the savings you can realize.
There were 3 BOGO weeks in 2018. I saved approximately $350 from what I purchased.
Points Rebates – $550+
Now the real nugget of savings comes from the LRP reimbursement. Each order you place on a LRP gets you points that reimburse your entire shipping, making shipping free and you get a percentage of your order back in points. Those points accumulate and you use them to purchase items you want for free. I save up my points and use them for the more expensive oils like Melissa and Frankincense as well as when I need to buy gifts or want something extra. You earn between 10-30% on each order plus your full shipping points.
I earned $48 worth of points from shipping and another $500+ from LRP orders!
Total $1200!
My savings were almost $1200 from 2018 plus the savings I realized from making my purchases through the HSA account.
My home is almost fully transitioned to a natural based product system so my savings are quite significant at this point. My initial year of transition when my home and personal care was about 50% complete showed savings of $750. Still that is quite significant if you’re using all the available discounts and means to maximize your savings.
Interested in more?
Saving money to live natural is very achievable. Not only are you cutting nasty toxins and chemicals out of your life but you’re really realizing tangible savings in your family budget.
If you have questions about the information or products in this post, please reach out! I’m happy to help.
amyk@dragonspitapothecary.com
You can get an account with doTERRA and save like I do! It is easy and flexible. Click here!
