As a 22 year old recently out of the confines of college life, the grown up world comes at you fast. Now I realize the importance of turning off unused lights, utilizing websites to find the proper time and location to fill up my tank, and furthermore, why my parents cooked dinner most nights despite the chants coming from the backseat “Mc-Don-alds!... Mc-Don-alds!…”

To put it simply, I’m learning how to save money. One of the best ways to do this is to utilize all employer benefits. From 401k accounts to public transportation benefits, many U.S. employers offer many different benefits however; most include the option to open a flexible spending account.

A flexible spending account, or FSA, is a financial account commonly set up through employers which allows their employees to reserve a fraction of their wage into a separate account. This account can be used in a number of pre-approved ways. The most common pre-approved method for the spending of an FSA is for medical expenses.

Ok, so why create a second account just for my health expenses? Tax Benefits. You elected a portion of your paycheck to go into your FSA, the money is deducted before state and federal taxes are withheld thus; saving you money.

Sounds good, what’s the catch? To keep people honest with their FSA and payroll taxes paid, individuals can only change the account settings once a year (unless a pre-accepted change takes place such as marriage, new child, etc.). Furthermore, money submitted to an FSA may only be used during the intended year. This means that once the year is up, the money is gone.

For example, an employee makes $40,000 a year and is required to pay 25% of his wages in taxes. Without an FSA he must pay $10,000/yr. However if he decides to put $4,000 into his FSA for the year, his taxable income is lowered to $36,000, allowing his taxes to be lowered to $9,000. He just saved $1,000 on his taxes and paid for health related costs with pretax money.

Big Office Changes

The Injury Clinic of Dallas has made some big office changes this fall. First and foremost, due to the growth of our practice we moved locations. (Fear not locals, we are still in the same shopping center on Arapaho and Custer). With the increased office space, we now have multiple treatment rooms. This allows you, our customers; to come in with a family member or friend and both receive treatment at the same time.

The larger office also allows for us to expand our physical therapy room. This means more minimally invasive to help improve healing time and general health. Our newest product is the “Ironman Inversion Table.” Strap your feet in, flip upside-down, and relieve your back and spine. (If you want the medical terms of what it does, ask one of our Chiropractors). So after an extensive workout at the Richardson YMCA, come on over across the street for treatment, muscle relaxation and pain relief.

The third office addition is me, David Cuddihee. As Account Executive, I am responsible for marketing and advertising and I have big plans for us. So stay on your toes for some new campaigns.

So next time you are by the Public Library, head west just a stone’s throw to your local Richardson Texas Chiropractors. No appointment necessary for a friendly “Hello!