She Strengthens

The Hidden Costs of Staying Healthy

When it comes to budgeting for our well-being, we often focus on the big-ticket items: insurance premiums, hospital stays, and unexpected medical bills. While these expenses are crucial to plan for, they’re not the only ones that can impact our finances.

The Overlooked Expenses

Many of us assume that if we’re healthy, we won’t need to spend much on healthcare. However, this mindset can lead to a false sense of security. We often fail to account for the cost of missed work, which can result in lost pay. This oversight can be devastating to our finances.

The Surprising Culprits

Ordinary health issues, such as seasonal allergies, can significantly impact our monthly expenses. In the United States, over 19 million people suffer from pollen allergies, and cities like Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga are among the worst places to live if you have spring allergies.

A Personal Story

As a nurse living in Nashville, I recently experienced the financial burden of seasonal allergies firsthand. My expenses added up quickly:

• Over-the-counter medications: $37.12
• Antibiotic prescription: $12
• Doctor’s appointment co-pay: $20
• Eucalyptus oil: $10.93
• Cold Care tea: $8.74
• Missed work: ~$360 after taxes

Total cost: $448.79

To put this in perspective, my rent is only $400 per month. My allergies ended up costing me nearly $50 more than my rent!

The Takeaway

When it comes to our health, it’s not just the big expenses that matter. Seemingly minor issues like allergies can have a significant impact on our finances. As a nurse, I’ve learned that it’s essential to factor in these hidden costs when creating a budget. By doing so, we can better prepare for the unexpected and avoid financial stress.

Sources

[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). FastStats: Allergies. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/allergies.htm

[2] Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. (2016). Spring Allergy Capitals 2016 Rankings. Retrieved from http://www.aafa.org/media/Spring-Allergy-Capitals-2016-Rankings.pdf

[3] The Tennessean. (2015, August 14). Population gains key to Nashville job growth. Retrieved from http://www.tennessean.com/story/money/real-estate/2015/08/14/population-gains-key-nashville-job-growth/31509555/