[USER]

I am getting hand surgery next month. I will be on short term disability through my employer while on medical LOA. I’m estimating around $1,400 per month.

With this being said, are there any frugal tips or frugal fun things to do to help me survive for the two months I am out?

The only two things that will remain expensive for me is food (I am on a specialized diet that foodbanks don’t have ($300)) and gas because I have treatment for something else 5 days a week (required by insurance) along with PT 1-2 times a week.

I know I’m supposed to be resting but it’s my hand and I’m still wanting to stay active so returning back to work won’t be so hard for me.

[Sue]

I was out for 12 weeks once for foot surgery. I stocked up a bit before hand on staples, etc & tried to premake some meals & freeze

[Jackie]

Stock your pantry and freezer before you’re off work. Frozen fruits and vegetables are just as nutritious and less expensive.

Batch cook and freeze some meals because cooking may be difficult with hand surgery.

Peaceful healing to you.

[Shirley]

Check your insurance to see if they will pay your gas for getting back and forth to your required PT visits.

Our local libraries have fun things almost every day.

Painting, arts and crafts, food clubs, book clubs, exercise classes, bingo, genealogy classes.

Etc. All free!

[Pauline]

Following, having a hysterectomy next month and will be on short term disability for 6-8 weeks and they will only pay 60% of my wage

[Sally]

As someone who has had shoulder surgery on the right and elbow surgery on the left, I must ask is the surgery being done on your dominant hand?

Inquiring minds want to know

[Maddie]

Play a podcast in the car and while exercising and cooking!

[Julie]

One option is to give up beverages such as soda, juice, coffee, alcohol, flavor packets, enhancers, etc while you’re off. Drink only water.

Another is to focus on making use of any items in your pantry or freezer rather than buy anything new.

Many people would be surprised how many meals they have stored away and it’s good to replenish/refresh items once you have a little more room in your budget.

Have any gift cards lying around unused? Now’s the time to make a plan for them as well

Especially since you’ll be home, eat your leftovers! Food waste is a big expense.

Freeze if you must but have a plan to use up anything you freeze.

[Sarah]

If you like to read, get a membership to your local library. You can also get the app called Libby and check out books that way and download them.

Our library also has a nice selection of movies that you can check out.

You could also download the upside app (could start now) and they give you $ back on your gas purchases at certain gas stations.

It’s not a lot, but every bit helps!

Others may have other suggestions for money saving apps.

[Jamie]

Farmers markets, craft shows, usually in the soring/summer there are lots of free things to do. Libraries often have free activities.

Read books, walk in your neighborhood, meet friends for lunch, discover some blogs that interest you.

[Kathleen]

I was going to say library too but to get a library card if they don’t have one and download lots of free audiobooks. After surgery holding a paper book would be hard.

A tablet might work, depending how they are feeling.

There are books on any topic you can think of so you keep your brain working and can use them in the car or waiting for appointments.

Anonymous member try to put some meals in the freezer and see if any local restaurants have meals you can eat.

It’s not frugal but since portions are often large it might be several meals and not too expensive.

Cooking with one hand is pretty hard. I had a shoulder reconstruction and it took years to heal after it tore in physical therapy.

If you think PT is causing harm, listen to your body! If you don’t have one, get an electric can opener.

If friends offer to help, let them. If someone wants to help with laundry or putting on clean sheets, that is a big help. Help with pets is also good to arrange.

You won’t be able to clean a kitty litter box or clean up dog.

Practice putting on a leash and harness on dogs with one hand so you know if you can do it.

Have pull on easy clothes to wear while recovering. A larger shirt is easier to get on. Good luck with your surgery and recovery.

I helped a neighbor who had hand surgery. She was in a cast for 8 weeks.

So, I fed her cat, litterbox, grocery shopping, helped cook, drove her a few times to appointments, and laundry and whatever needed to be done.

Oh, also opened her medicine bottles. She couldn’t do that and wanted caps left off bottles.

[John]

6 shoulder surgeries and bath thumb joints replaced. Worked from home the next day or in some cases day of. Apparently you can’t do that.

I would walk as much as possible, do your PT.

Do you have a gym membership? Often you can do resistance exercises for the legs and the other arm.

Good luck.

[Francess]

is it possible for you to have a physical therapist come to you? that was once an option for me.

[Anna]

Audio books from the library
Kanopy movies from the library
Electric can opener

You can do cheap
Puzzles with your other hand

[Sara]

Check out whether your public library has free streaming services. And, I think it would be fun to tour all the local scenic parks.

[Kelly]

Go to the library and check out books. Pick something new to learn – you could learn a new language from YouTube or learn about plants or meditation or anything that doesn’t require two hands.

Find some interesting places to visit that are free in your area- libraries, parks, museums, etc.

[Holly]

We’re saving about $50 a month by canceling multiple streaming services.

I thought it would be hard but with free ones like Tubi, Pluto and Kanopy (that one through our library card) plus YouTube we’ve got plenty to watch!

You can also check out lots of things from libraries beyond just books and audiobooks.

Find out what your library has.

[Author]

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