Identify the amount of your deductible. Take out your health insurance policy and read it. Deductibles should be one of the first pieces of information listed. If you can’t find the deductible information, contact your health insurer.
Now divide your deductible by 12. This is the amount of money you will need to save each month.
If you don’t use the money you’ve set aside, you can roll it over to the next year.
Trim discretionary spending. Discretionary spending is what you can live without each month. You’ll want to lower your discretionary spending as much as possible so that you can free up money to contribute to your deductible.
Some discretionary spending is “fixed,” i.e., it costs the same each month. However, the real test is whether you need it. For example, your Netflix bill is fixed, but you can happily do without it.
You can also cut back on vacation trips, meals out, clothes shopping, and entertainment.
Supplement your income, if necessary. Sometimes you can’t cut enough. For example, most of your monthly income might already go toward necessities like rent and health insurance premiums. In that situation, your only choice is to increase your income.
Ask for a raise. Explain to your boss why you warrant a bump up in pay.
Work overtime, if possible. Overtime hours are paid at 1.5 times your normal rate of pay, so that money adds up quickly.
Seek a part-time job. You might work as an Uber driver, start a freelance photography career, or put your time in as a barista at a coffee shop.Contribute your extra earnings toward your health insurance costs.