Author Topic: How to spend free $300 on 'wellness'?  (Read 3643 times)

fell-like-rain

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 187
  • Location: Massachusetts
How to spend free $300 on 'wellness'?
« on: November 28, 2018, 11:23:40 AM »
So, my new company offers a $300 quarterly 'wellness benefit'. This can be spent only on services, not goods, but they stretch the definition of wellness pretty far. Gym memberships and such are covered, obviously, but it also lists such things as ski lift tickets, national parks passes, acupuncture, massages, manicures, spas... It seems like there's a lot that could be justified under this policy. Any suggestions about best ways to spend this other than the listed ones?

FIRE@50

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 553
  • Age: 46
  • Location: Maryland
Re: How to spend free $300 on 'wellness'?
« Reply #1 on: November 28, 2018, 11:26:41 AM »
Can you use it for groceries?

yodella

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 68
  • Location: US
Re: How to spend free $300 on 'wellness'?
« Reply #2 on: November 28, 2018, 11:27:45 AM »
Sports league dues/fees and yoga retreats come to mind.

fell-like-rain

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 187
  • Location: Massachusetts
Re: How to spend free $300 on 'wellness'?
« Reply #3 on: November 28, 2018, 11:31:46 AM »
Can you use it for groceries?

No goods or products, unfortunately. Otherwise I'd definitely be spending it on bike parts/gear.

Altons Bobs

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 339
Re: How to spend free $300 on 'wellness'?
« Reply #4 on: November 28, 2018, 11:49:55 AM »
Massages for me!

FLBiker

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1786
  • Age: 47
  • Location: Canada
    • Chop Wood Carry FIRE
Re: How to spend free $300 on 'wellness'?
« Reply #5 on: November 28, 2018, 12:15:59 PM »
Personally, I'd do a meditation / yoga retreat.

the_fixer

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1252
  • Location: Colorado
  • mind on my money money on my mind
Re: How to spend free $300 on 'wellness'?
« Reply #6 on: November 28, 2018, 12:31:35 PM »
For me it would be camping, park pass for hiking or towards some type of hobby

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

OtherJen

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 5267
  • Location: Metro Detroit
Re: How to spend free $300 on 'wellness'?
« Reply #7 on: November 28, 2018, 01:52:48 PM »
For me it would be camping, park pass for hiking

This is a good idea! Otherwise, I don't think I'd have much trouble spending $100/month on a yoga studio membership or therapeutic massage. That's a very cool benefit.

ketchup

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4323
  • Age: 33
Re: How to spend free $300 on 'wellness'?
« Reply #8 on: November 28, 2018, 02:34:01 PM »
Apart from what others have mentioned, sauna?

I'm a red panda

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8186
  • Location: United States
Re: How to spend free $300 on 'wellness'?
« Reply #9 on: November 28, 2018, 02:45:32 PM »
OMG, massages for sure.

Gym membership wouldn't be a bad one.

Hell, I might get the manicures too.

Though 1 massage will eat $100 a month.

Zikoris

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4536
  • Age: 37
  • Location: Vancouver, BC
  • Vancouverstachian
Re: How to spend free $300 on 'wellness'?
« Reply #10 on: November 28, 2018, 05:44:55 PM »
At my company the wellness benefit extends beyond physical, and some things I've heard of it being used for are violin lessons and French classes. I used to use mine for ballet lessons, and now use it for other types of exercise classes.

JLee

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7512
Re: How to spend free $300 on 'wellness'?
« Reply #11 on: November 28, 2018, 06:20:49 PM »
I would probably go the massage route.

AccidentialMustache

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 927
Re: How to spend free $300 on 'wellness'?
« Reply #12 on: November 28, 2018, 06:35:20 PM »
Do you have any sort of fancy bike club membership? Think gym membership but instead they provide you with a very nice bike to use whenever you please. I'm in a college town and there's a "rent a bike for a semester" thing. The bikes are basic, but I don't see why that couldn't be applied to something higher end.

limeandpepper

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4569
  • Location: Australasia
Re: How to spend free $300 on 'wellness'?
« Reply #13 on: November 28, 2018, 07:56:03 PM »
I'd definitely have massages. An organic/spa retreat would also be nice. Or something like yoga classes, or martial arts classes if that's something you're into? I'm not sure how far you can go with the "wellness" thing, but maybe classes or events to do with music/dancing/baking/cooking/gardening/foraging? After all those things can have therapeutic value.

mountain mustache

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 557
  • Age: 33
  • Location: Colorado
Re: How to spend free $300 on 'wellness'?
« Reply #14 on: November 28, 2018, 08:25:08 PM »
I would use it for my Ski pass, a nordic center pass, a Yoga studio membership, or massages! So many things! What a great benefit

kpd905

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2029
Re: How to spend free $300 on 'wellness'?
« Reply #15 on: November 29, 2018, 09:22:13 AM »
What about a professional bike fitting or VO2 max test?

lexde

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 2791
  • Age: 34
Re: How to spend free $300 on 'wellness'?
« Reply #16 on: November 29, 2018, 12:59:29 PM »

lexde

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 2791
  • Age: 34
Re: How to spend free $300 on 'wellness'?
« Reply #17 on: November 29, 2018, 01:00:10 PM »
DEXA scan too.

Davnasty

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 2793
Re: How to spend free $300 on 'wellness'?
« Reply #18 on: November 29, 2018, 01:16:46 PM »
If I had this benefit I would definitely try out a sensory deprivation tank. I can't vouch for it's benefits as I haven't used one yet but I do find them fascinating.

Are hospital bills eligible?

Megma

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 744
Re: How to spend free $300 on 'wellness'?
« Reply #19 on: November 29, 2018, 01:19:45 PM »
I don't think you need ideas for this...massages done. Any leftover, maybe a manicure.

Kind of a shame you can't use it for products you could outfit a baller home gym after a few quarters which could last indefinitely.

rubybeth

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1390
  • Location: Midwest
Re: How to spend free $300 on 'wellness'?
« Reply #20 on: November 29, 2018, 01:29:35 PM »
I'd see if other types of classes/lessons could qualify. I take voice lessons to sing opera, for example. Maybe a fitness class NOT at your gym, like dance lessons or rock climbing? I also like getting massages. Could probably easily get a $100 massage per month, if my employer was paying for it.

MrThatsDifferent

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2317
Re: How to spend free $300 on 'wellness'?
« Reply #21 on: November 30, 2018, 06:21:54 AM »
Massages all the way. Most people don’t stretch and carry so much tension in their bodies. Men particularly in their lower body and lower back and women in their upper back. Get massages and let yourself bliss out.

elliha

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 453
Re: How to spend free $300 on 'wellness'?
« Reply #22 on: November 30, 2018, 07:18:38 AM »
Massages are always nice and I have used my company's benefits for this and for partial payment for a gym card (the ones I like cost more than the roughly 200 dollars a year that we get).

GuitarStv

  • Senior Mustachian
  • ********
  • Posts: 23128
  • Age: 42
  • Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Re: How to spend free $300 on 'wellness'?
« Reply #23 on: November 30, 2018, 07:25:22 AM »
Do you compete in any events?  This would be great to pay race or tournament fees.

Rosy

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 2742
  • Location: Florida
Re: How to spend free $300 on 'wellness'?
« Reply #24 on: November 30, 2018, 09:36:01 AM »
Massage - manicure - acupuncture - spas - yes, please:)!
Spas that offer aromatherapy and detox sessions - herbal cleansing etc...

pdxmonkey

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 364
Re: How to spend free $300 on 'wellness'?
« Reply #25 on: December 03, 2018, 02:12:46 PM »
Fancy haircuts? I'm sure you could make an argument for how much better your haircut makes you feel....

I had a former employer who would also allow goods purchases, like running shoes, home gym equipment, etc.

On the services side they allowed hotel and airline expenses for vacations under wellness. I was only $300 a year though, not per quarter like yours. Maybe they'll pay for your next vacation? Can you save it up for $1200/yr or must it be spent quarterly?
« Last Edit: December 03, 2018, 02:14:34 PM by pdxmonkey »

socaso

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 698
Re: How to spend free $300 on 'wellness'?
« Reply #26 on: December 06, 2018, 03:55:00 PM »
So jealous of this benefit but I do love to play the imagination game. I would do pilates classes, acupuncture, facials, probably a state park annual pass. I like the idea of doing some kind of music lesson if allowed, voice or guitar would be amazing. Also doing a long spa day a couple of times a year would be great.