How Using Benefits Is Like Finding Money in Your Pocket

We all know that moment of surprise and anticipation that occurs when we put a hand into a pocket and feel the unmistakable texture of money. Is it a dollar? $20? More? What if you get distracted and forget to check?  Could the same be happening with benefits offered through your employer or your spouse’s/partner’s employer? 

I’ve been writing about employee benefits on and off for over 30 years. What amazes me (and challenges me, if I’m honest) is the same issues that existed at the start of my career – employees don’t know all of the benefits available to them or how to maximize them – still exist today. It just doesn’t make sense considering technology has increased access to information exponentially over that time. What gives?

People are busy. In the list of demands placed on you each day, learning about benefits is probably not a priority. One resource indicates there are literally hundreds of benefits and perks employers may offer. While they may bring you momentary joy when you learn about them during new hire orientation, annual benefits enrollment or via an Intranet article, they have no value unless you actually use them.

Benefits are boring…and complicated! You know what I mean.

So, what’s the solution? I wonder if:

• Instead of just focusing on how benefits work, it would help to focus on how to use them to save time and stretch a budget.  
• There’s a way to motivate folks to take action right away when they learn about a benefit that may be of value; otherwise, it becomes just like money found in a pocket but never pulled out. 

For some reason, addressing this feels like a personal challenge. Hence, this blog. I love a good challenge and want to take one last shot at helping people understand, choose and get the most out of any benefits that may be available to them to save money and live a little easier, happier and healthier. 

Interested in finding out the value of benefits that may be available to you? Sign up for my weekly emails by entering your email below.

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