How to Save on Monthly Period Supplies
Key takeaways:
Period supplies are a recurring cost for half the population for nearly half their lives.
A movement to promote menstrual equity has brought new charitable organizations dedicated to providing free products to people in need.
Adjusting your buying habits and using pretax savings accounts can help you save on period products.
About half the world’s population relies on period supplies for nearly half their lives, from roughly age 12 to 52. But buying pads, tampons, and related products for monthly use doesn’t come cheap.
Efforts to raise awareness about period poverty and menstrual equity — the financial burden and unequal access for low-income people who menstruate — have resulted in pressure to place more free products in schools and jails. There has also been a push to make period products exempt from sales tax. Scotland recently became the first country in the world to provide free period supplies in public facilities.
The movement is slowly catching on in the United States. Today, 30 states charge a “tampon tax,” down from 40 states in 2016, according to Period Equity, a law and policy organization. The following states no longer charge sales tax on period products:
Connecticut
Florida
Illinois
Ohio
Nevada
New York
Rhode Island
Utah
Washington
California (until 2022)
How can I save on period supplies like tampons and pads?
Even if you’re lucky enough to live in a state that has ended its sales tax on period products, these items are a recurring expense and costs still add up. Here are a few ways to save on period supplies such as tampons, pads, and new products like period underwear.
If you buy brand-name products from the major manufacturers, switch to generic. Generic products, like store-brand tampons and pads, are typically less expensive. Changing your buying habits can add up to big savings over time.
Buy in bulk if you have the money and the space to store bigger packages. Buying in larger quantities costs more upfront, but it pays off in a lower cost per unit.
Call or visit a charitable organization. There are groups dedicated to providing free period supplies to low-income menstruators. See below for more details.
Use your job-based flexible spending account (FSA) or your health savings account (HSA). See below for more details.
Try period underwear. If you’re curious about reusable period underwear, you might want to try less expensive models before springing for pricier ones. This is a relatively new product category, so look for researched reviews like this one from New York Times Wirecutter to compare your options. Otherwise, you could easily pay $50 to $100 or more for a supply that doesn’t end up suiting your needs. For example, underwear from the Period Company starts at $12 before shipping, while Dear Kate runs around $38 for a single pair.
Can I use my HSA or FSA for period supplies?
You can use your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) to purchase period supplies with pre-tax dollars. A federal law, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, made period products eligible for reimbursement as qualified medical expenses. Use your account-linked debit card, if you have one, or submit your receipts to your plan administrator for:
Tampons
Pads
Liners
Menstrual cups
Similar products like period underwear
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Read about the differences between FSAs and HSAs here.
Are there any organizations that provide free or low-cost period supplies to people experiencing financial hardship?
Several charitable organizations have sprung up to help menstruators experiencing financial hardship get the monthly supplies they need for free. Some nonprofit groups serve their local communities. Others have a national or international focus. Among them:
Can switching to an IUD or taking birth control pills continuously save me money on period supplies?
Some types of birth control methods may reduce the number of periods you get, but talk to your doctor about risks, benefits, and costs. Many healthcare providers are seeing patients for consultations via video visits during the pandemic. And telehealth providers such as GoodRx Care can review your birth control options for as little as $19, with or without insurance. If you have insurance, there’s a good chance the visit would be considered preventive care and covered at no out-of-pocket cost because of the Affordable Care Act.
The bottom line
Period supplies are costly, recurring expenses for people who menstruate, from their early teens through menopause around age 50. A movement to promote menstrual equity has brought new charitable organizations dedicated to delivering free period products to people in need. Adjusting your buying habits and using pre-tax accounts can save you money on menstrual supplies.
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