<p>Since there’s currently a wootoff going on, thought I’d post what I received in my second Bag of Crap. The first one was truly crappy and went direct to trash. The second wasn’t so bad - 3 Fact or Crap? daily calendars, a reusable shopping bag, a lighthouse for my Roomba, and an iHome laptop cooler platform. DS is very happy with the Fact or Crap? calendar and the laptop cooler.</p>
<p>MomCat2, where did you hear about the change in the flexible spending items?</p>
<p>Kodak ESP Printer usually sells for $150. Best Buy has it on sale this week for $109. and if you bring in an old printer you can get an additional $50 off. So you get the printer for $60.00. They may try to say you can’t use the coupon but it clearly says in the ad “additional”. We and 3 friends all picked one up. :)</p>
<p>New Laws on Flexible Spending:</p>
<p>[Employee</a> Flexible Spending Accounts To Get New Rules : NPR](<a href=“http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126166733]Employee”>Employee Flexible Spending Accounts To Get New Rules : NPR)</p>
<p>What is this Bag of Crap thing?</p>
<p>Toledo, thanks for the link. Probably some information I should have had sooner. I work for a school district and our benefit year runs from July to July. This change kicks in in the middle.</p>
<p>woot.com usually sells one item a day, but periodically they have “wootoffs” where they sell one item until it’s sold out, then switch to another. They usually sell electronics or geeky type stuff. At least once during the wootoff, they offer a Bag of Crap which is basically a mystery bag of stuff…could be good, could be crap, for like $3.</p>
<p>Bluejay and Toledo –
There were some misstatements by the “financial expert” in that NPR article - sunglasses (except prescription ones) and vitamins have NEVER BEEN eligible uses of FSA or HSA funds. Things that HAVE been eligible the past few years (but no longer will be, after Dec. 31) are contact lens solutions, first aid supplies (band aids, Ace wraps, hot and cold packs, Neosporin, peroxide, alcohol, etc), hand sanitizer, thermometers, reading glasses and over-the-counter meds (Ibuprofen, Naproxen, acetaminophen, wart treatments, acne treatments, hydrocortisone cream, anti-itch cream, allergy meds, eye drops, cold and flu meds, antacids, Tums, etc.) Bought my daughter a heating pad yesterday - used for back pain and menstrual pain – it’s FSA-eligible.</p>
<p>bluejay - if you set aside in your FSA a certain amount each year for over-the-counter stuff, just go ahead and stock up in December - it’ll be a long time until most of that stuff reaches the expiration date. Plus, as I posted earlier, those dates are “fuzzy” anyway!)
Also - those sending kids off to school with first aid supplies and meds (pain, allergy, colds, indigestion etc) can use their FSA/HSA for many or most of those items.</p>
<p>j2j - thanks!</p>
<p>If anyone needs some shoe therapy, DSW’s luxury sale starts today.</p>
<p>Groupon today is offering $50 GC for $25- not good at the Outlet, but still 50% off is good</p>
<p>^^ That groupon is for The Gap (not outlets - see other fine print)!</p>
<p>Only good till sometime in November but still a great deal! I heard that their webpages were jammed and unavailable at some points this morning because they have sold thousands of them!!! (I believe it’s a national offer - every Groupon city in America!)</p>
<p>Thank you, abasket, for adding the most important info, which I inadvertently left out :o</p>
<p>Also, note that the GC is good for a ONE TIME use, you must make all your charges of $50 or more on one trip</p>
<p>It an odd “Good Buy”, but in case anyone needs flatware: I found flatware for 120 people for $118, shipped on eBay (restaurant supply vendor, great feedback). I’m helping with a wedding reception and this is less than the quote from the rental place–the bride’s mother is thrilled, she will resell all or part of it after the event (we run to large family get togethers–so it’s reasonable to keep service for about 50 or so). Various quantities are avaliable, some include serving pieces.</p>
<p>Macy’s sale this AM. Spent $84. Got 4 tops that I can wear to work or with jeans One pair crop pants.</p>
<p>Salomon running clothes and shoes at Ruelala today - 50% off REI prices.</p>
<p>I think this is a pretty good deal–under $500 for a ticket from HNL to SFO. After a few days, continuing on to Vancouver for my meeting & then flying down for a few days in LA before heading back home. S recently purchased a one-way ticket LAX to HNL for nearly $400 and tickets just between HNL & Vancouver are running higher than this quote & I won’t get to see loved ones along the way!</p>
<p>Laptop for college = $369 including tax and one year warranty. :D</p>
<p>Brand new…Armani Access slacks…$8…at Savers. The Savers stores vary by location…some are nicer than others. They are a “goodwill” type of store which donates proceeds to local charities. And they have a “senior discount” on Tuesdays here for folks 55 and over!!</p>
<p>Be very careful if buying used clothing (or even new items if purchased at a used clothing store). Clean them immediately and don’t let them touch any other clothing. My D helped with the church rummage sale and thinks that’s how she picked up bed bugs.</p>
<p>Just got an additional 7% off the price of our tickets, bringing them down to under $460 apiece! I’m amazed!</p>
<p>When we bought a beautiful dress from Salvation Army, I left it in the hot sun & then washed it thoroughly with HOT water & put it in the dryer. She loved it for many many years! Bed bugs & lice & other undesirable things are nasty hitchhikers to have to deal with, needless to say. I am not sure I would now buy 2nd hand things because I wouldn’t want to be concerned about possible hitchhikers, but D loved the items we did get. We also got some 2nd hand things from a thrift shop–we were fortunate then as well & never had any problems.</p>
<p>Have heard horror stories about bedbugs & lice. ICK!</p>