Budgeting for a Tummy Tuck: 7 Saving Tips and Financial Planning

Tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is a surgery where excess fat is removed from the abdomen area. This procedure usually costs a lot, so several people seek financial help from organizations that offer assistance in such matters.

People in dire need of this surgery often seek help from the National Health Service or travel abroad, but they forget that they can get it done independently without any external help. With some cost-cutting and budget framing, you can easily save money for the surgery. Some Insurance and government programs allow you to get a tummy tuck for free.

Budgeting for a Tummy Tuck: An Overview

• A tummy tuck surgery is one of the most expensive medically necessary surgeries conducted to extract extra fat from the abdominal region.
• You can plan a budget and save a significant amount to pay for your surgery.
• There are several ways to save an extra buck for this medically necessary surgery. Some of these ways are:
  • Set a saving goal
  • Create a savings account and track your expenses.
  • Try to spend less on discretionary expenses.
  • Keep a check on unused subscriptions.
  • Save up on food and travel.
  • Earn extra with side hustles.
  • Sell unused items and avoid unnecessary debt.

Budget Tips For Tummy Tuck: Save For Your Surgery

Budgeting is easy and challenging at the same time. We often end up going over budget, or something comes up which makes us spend a couple of extra bucks. However, if you wish to pay for your surgery, you need a proper plan to save enough money. Here are a few ways to earn extra or save from what you earn. Additionally, here are some important facts about tummy tucks.

Set a saving goal

A saving goal is a target you must set to save a certain amount of your salary by the end of the month. If you earn $100, you must at least save $10 by the end of the month. Here, you need to save for an expensive surgery, so you need to plan accordingly.

First, you need to determine the cost of the surgery, including all pre and post-surgery medical bills. Once you know the actual cost, you can set a savings goal. It is essential to set a realistic goal, or else you’ll overwhelm yourself. You can set little milestones for yourself on your saving journey.

Create a savings account and track your expenses.

You can also create a savings account, especially for the surgery fund. Every month you can add the saved amount to this account. This will help you keep track of your savings and prevent you from spending the stipulated amount on anything else.

You must also keep track of your expenses to identify where your salary is being spent. We often tend to spend in haste and later forget what we spent our money on. Keeping track of your expenditure helps you spend less and save more.

Try to spend less on discretionary expenses.

Expenses that are not immediately required or essential can be held back for a while till the time you get your surgery done. You can reduce expenses like eating out, spontaneous shopping sprees, entertainment costs, and others that burn a hole in your pocket.

Keep a check on unused subscriptions.

Netflix and Amazon Prime have become essential entertainment sources in our lives, offering a wide range of content. Along with these OTT platforms, we also buy a whole bunch of other subscriptions – be it entertainment, fashion, or anything else, including weight loss reality shows. You can review your subscriptions and unsubscribe from the ones that you no longer consume.

This will help you save up a significant amount of your salary that was knowingly and unknowingly being spent on items you do not use.

Save up on food and travel.

Instead of eating takeout every day, you can prepare meals at home. This way, you’ll eat healthy, and your wallet will stay full too. A significant part of pre-preparation for tummy tuck surgery is to lose weight. Eating healthy home-cooked meals will help you in your weight loss journey.

Commutation is yet another expense that is unavoidable but expensive. You can choose alternate methods to reach your destination. Methods like carpooling, asking your friend/colleague to drop you off, or taking public transport can help you save and maintain your monthly budget.

Earn extra with side hustles.

It is an open secret that depending upon one job can not make ends meet in today’s world. You definitely need 2 jobs just to pay your bills. Usually, people take up side hustles to afford their lifestyle. You can do the same.

Several sites like Upwork and Fiverr offer part-time gigs, depending on your interest. You can begin taking up these jobs. At first, you might not get paid well, but once you’ve gathered enough experience, you can ask for more.

Sell unused items and avoid unnecessary debt.

Garage sales are the best way to earn an extra buck. You can sell out items that you have not used in the past 5 years. You can also sell them online if there’s a time crunch or put an ad in the classifieds section. This is the easiest way to earn a few extra bucks. You must put a fair price on your items to get a good deal from them.

Staying away from high-interest credit cards and loans can help you save significantly for your tummy tuck surgery. It is obvious that paying for the procedure through your credit card or taking a loan will increase the overall cost. Instead, you must save hard cash.

A general savings plan for a citizen with an average American’s salary

An average American’s salary may vary from region to region and the industry he/she has been working for. Let’s assume the salary of an average American is $3,800 per month. Here’s how you can spend it wisely:

1. Monthly Income: $3,800
2. Fixed Expenses:
   • Rent/Mortgage: $1,000
   • Utilities (electricity, water, internet, etc.): $200
   • Car Payment: $300
   • Insurance (auto, health, renters/homeowners): $300
   • Student Loan Payment: $200
   • Other Loans/Debts: $100 Total Fixed Expenses: $2,100
3. Variable Expenses:
   • Groceries: $300
   • Transportation (gas, public transportation): $200
   • Dining Out: $150
   • Entertainment: $100
   • Personal Care: $50
   • Shopping (clothes, household items): $100
   • Gym or Fitness Memberships: $50
   • Miscellaneous Expenses: $150 Total Variable Expenses: $1,100
4. Savings and Debt Repayment:
   • Emergency Fund: $200
   • Tummy Tuck Savings: $600
   • Additional Debt Repayment: $200 Total Savings and Debt Repayment: $1,000
5. Remaining Funds: $600 (for additional savings or discretionary spending)

The Bottom Line

Getting a loan or grant for your tummy tuck surgery is good, but there is no greater feat than paying for it on your own. With these budgeting tips, you can save a significant amount. You should begin with the savings plan months before your surgery is scheduled.

Frequently Asked Questions