Proactive Planning Maximizes "Use It or Lose It" Benefits
TL;DR
- Proactive planning for "use it or lose it" benefits, such as vacation days or health checkups, prevents frantic end-of-year rushes and allows for year-round enjoyment and utilization.
- Scheduling appointments like dental or eye exams in advance, even for the following year, avoids the common December rush and secures desired appointment times.
- Strategic charitable giving outside of the holiday season can provide crucial financial support to smaller nonprofits during their potential cash crunches, maximizing impact.
- Booking PTO days proactively, even without immediate plans, increases the likelihood of taking necessary decompression time and offers flexibility for unexpected needs.
Deep Dive
The core insight is that proactively planning for "use it or lose it" resources, such as health benefits, vacation days, and charitable giving, can prevent last-minute rushes and enhance their value throughout the year. By anticipating the year-end deadline, individuals can spread out the utilization of these benefits, avoiding the stress and inconvenience associated with end-of-year bottlenecks.
This approach has several second-order implications. Specifically for health benefits like dental and eye care, scheduling appointments in advance, even for the following year, ensures access and avoids the overwhelmed appointment books common in late December. This proactive scheduling allows for more convenient appointment times and reduces the likelihood of needing to settle for less desirable options or walk-in slots. Similarly, for charitable giving, donating earlier in the year, such as in July, can provide more timely support to smaller nonprofits facing mid-year cash flow challenges, rather than contributing during the holiday season when many organizations receive a surge of donations. For vacation days, booking time off even without a specific plan allows for flexibility; these days can be used for spontaneous breaks, recovery from illness, or simply decompression, rather than being lost or crammed into a busy December. Ultimately, by making a plan for these finite resources now, individuals can gain more consistent enjoyment and utility from them, rather than experiencing them as a year-end scramble.
Action Items
- Create annual plan: Identify 3-5 use-it-or-lose-it resources (e.g., PTO, health benefits, charitable giving) and schedule their utilization across the year.
- Schedule health checkups: Book 2-3 routine appointments (dentist, eye doctor) for the upcoming year to avoid end-of-year rushes.
- Draft charitable giving strategy: Plan 1-2 mid-year donations to smaller nonprofits to provide them with consistent support.
Key Quotes
"You don't want to be doing things frantically next December when, with a little thought, you could have spread those things out and enjoyed using your benefits all year long."
Laura argues that proactive planning for "use it or lose it" benefits prevents last-minute rushes. She suggests that by thinking ahead, individuals can enjoy their benefits more consistently throughout the year rather than cramming them into the final month. This approach allows for a more relaxed and enjoyable utilization of resources.
"The end of the year is not exactly a surprise. It happens December 31st every year. But still, people don't think about it. And there they are, trying to get an appointment or waiting a long time as a walk-in, which might not have happened in, say, October."
Laura points out the predictable nature of the year-end deadline for many benefits. She highlights that despite this predictability, many people fail to plan, leading to difficulties in accessing services like eye doctor appointments. Laura suggests that earlier scheduling, such as in October, would likely result in a smoother experience.
"If you support some smaller nonprofits, there might be a real benefit to giving a donation in, say, July, when they might be facing more of a cash crunch, versus December, when they may be a bit more flush, thanks to other people's last minute donations."
Laura suggests that charitable giving can be strategically timed for greater impact. She argues that donating to smaller nonprofits in months like July, when they may have fewer donations, can be more beneficial than donating in December. This timing, according to Laura, can help organizations during periods of greater financial need.
"Make a plan for any use it or lose it benefits, and you will be way ahead of the game."
Laura concludes by emphasizing the advantage of planning for benefits that expire. She asserts that by creating a plan for these resources, individuals position themselves favorably. This proactive approach, according to Laura, leads to better management and utilization of benefits.
Resources
External Resources
People
- Shaquille O'Neal (Shaq) - Mentioned as an example of someone who struggles with obstructive sleep apnea.
Organizations & Institutions
- iHeart Media - Producer of the "Before Breakfast" podcast.
- Lilly - Medicine company providing information about obstructive sleep apnea.
Websites & Online Resources
- dontsleeponosa.com - Website for learning more about obstructive sleep apnea.
Other Resources
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) - Mentioned as a condition that affects adults with obesity, characterized by breathing interruptions during sleep.