Plastic surgery is not paid for by health insurance. Here are some ideas for how to pay for yours.
Health insurance usually does not pay for plastic surgery,
which is considered an elective procedure. Medical coverage is designed to pay for life and death situations, diseases and health maladies. Cosmetic procedures are undertaken in order to make a patient look and feel better about their appearances. While insurers may not choose to offer financial support for patients who undergo the elective scalpel, many individuals will want to enhance their own self esteem, quality of life and appearances with these operations.
The price tag on procedures can range from a couple hundred dollars for Botox injections to thousands of dollars for abdominoplasty or facelifts. So how is the average citizen supposed to come up with the cash for these enhancements? With a bit of creativity, stamina, fortitude and the correct attitude, anything can be achieved. Here are some ways to accumulate those plastic surgery dollars:
- Be a one-car family: If a family lives in a locale that has adequate public transportation, they might want to consider becoming a one-car or even no-car family. Carpooling, biking, walking, or taking the bus are all great options. When a car is required, renting an occasional one can be a less costly alternative to paying for insurance, maintenance and the initial outlay of a vehicle. Selling an unnecessary auto can be a quick way of getting cash.
- Trade down in housing: If a person rents a large and luxurious home or apartment, they may want to give notice to their landlord and seek smaller living quarters. How much space does a person really need, after all? This can save big bucks in terms of rent payments as well as heating, cooling and decorating the place.
- Sell stuff: Ebay and Craigslist, along with many other sites, are great ways to get rid of furnishings, art, bicycles, electronics equipment and more. Garage sales or local newspapers are also good sources for advertising unneeded items. A person will be amazed at how fast the cash stacks up with ongoing clearing out of stuff.
- Moonlighting: No need to give up your job. Find a second one to provide extra income. If a person has skills in computer repair, writing, or graphic design, they may advertise their services in order to freelance. Freelancing allows a person to add to their income on their own terms. If an individual lacks talents in specialized areas, more general labor can be sought, like delivering pizzas.
- Take a roommate: If there is an extra bedroom in your abode, taking in a roommate can be a great answer to easy cash. Several hundred dollars a month can be added to the till when a boarder is sharing your living quarters. Rules about kitchen privileges, shared utilities and visitors will need to be decided upon in advance, but an empty guest room can become money in the bank.
- Goodwill, Thrift Shops and Loss Leaders: There are wonderful assortments of clothing and furnishings at your local thrift stores. Never buy retail when saving for elective surgery. Loss leaders are those items a grocery store offers at unbelievably low prices to lure customers into the store. Only buy those cheap goods and be smarter than the grocers.
Plastic surgery procedures will only be weeks, months or a year or two away with some savvy financial saving practices. Where there’s a will, there’s a way to enhance your appearance surgically.
