---
title: "The Best Thing You Can Spend Your Expiring FSA Funds On Is a First Aid Kit"
description: "Most FSA funds expire on December 31, so spend the last of yours on an eligible household essential: the first aid kit."
date: "2025-12-29"
modified: "2025-12-29"
authors:
  - name: "Kathleen Corlett"
    job_title: "Editor in Chief"
    link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/kathleen-corlett/"
url: "https://www.bobvila.com/interior/emergency-essentials-fsa-eligible/"
categories:
  - "Everyday Essentials"
  - "Home Safety"
  - "Interior"
  - "Reviews"
  - "Safety & Security"
---

# The Best Thing You Can Spend Your Expiring FSA Funds On Is a First Aid Kit

![First Aid Kit on a Bathroom Counter](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/First-Aid-Kit-on-a-Bathroom-Counter.jpg>)
*Photo: serezniy via Depositphotos*

If you've been setting aside FSA (Flexible Spending Account) funds from your paycheck all year to cover doctor co-pays and medical expenses, you probably don't want to leave *unused* dollars on the table. Fortunately, there are plenty of options for how to do this. FSA eligible items cover a wide range of health needs, from over-the-counter drugs to seasonal allergy essentials (including [humidifiers](<https://www.bobvila.com/reviews/best-room-humidifiers-2025/>), with a [Letter of Medical Necessity](<https://fsastore.com/fsa-eligibility-list/h/humidifier>) from a doctor). **But the countdown is on: These pre-tax dollars often expire on December 31.**

One of my favorite ways to spend leftover FSA funds is on first aid kits and first aid materials. Considered a [home safety essential](<https://www.bobvila.com/category/home-safety/>), there are many times and places where you'll want a well-stocked kit on hand:

1. A main kit for the house kept in the linen closet or primary bathroom,
2. a smaller version in the car,
3. another in the workshop in case of cuts,
4. and maybe even a multi-day kit [in a bug-out bag](<https://www.bobvila.com/articles/bug-out-bag-list/>) for evacuations during a natural disaster or other emergency.

Ahead, we've rounded up a few of our favorite kits.

If you already have a kit at home, use this time to check the contents for expiration dates—you might only need to replace individual items. According to the [U.S. Food and Drug Administration](<https://www.fda.gov/drugs/special-features/dont-be-tempted-use-expired-medicines>), "certain expired medications are at risk of bacterial growth and sub-potent antibiotics can fail to treat infections," and the [American Red Cross](<https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/resources/articles/do-first-aid-kits-expire>) notes that even bandages will lose their adhesive quality over time. Fortunately, [Amazon's FSA and HSA-eligible store](<https://www.amazon.com/FSA-Store/b?ie=UTF8&node=17904040011>) makes it easier to find what counts. And, right now, you can stretch the dollar even further with [**Amazon's current FSA promotion**](<https://www.amazon.com/FSA-Store/b?ie=UTF8&node=17904040011>): Spend $50 and take $10 off select FSA or HSA eligible items.

## Author
As the editor-in-chief at BobVila.com, Kathleen Corlett is as passionate about crafting quality how-to guides for household projects as she is cleaning, organizing, and building DIY solutions for her own home in New York. She has worked on the BobVila.com team for 10 years; before that, Kathleen previously contributed to Woman's Day, Good Housekeeping, Family Circle, and Cleveland magazines.

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleencorlett>)  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/katcorlett>)