Personal Finance Story
How a Summer Cold
Cost Me Nearly $300
The Hidden Cost of
Getting Sick
A scratchy throat turned into a week of groceries, medicine, doctor visits, and nearly $300 in unexpected expenses.
How a Summer Cold Cost Me Nearly $300
If you had asked me a few weeks ago what my biggest concern this summer would be, I probably would have said surviving the heat with an energetic toddler.
Instead of spending our afternoons at scorching-hot playgrounds, I had found what I thought was the perfect solution: indoor playgrounds and jungle gyms. They were air-conditioned, fun, and gave my almost three-year-old the chance to burn off all the energy that only a toddler seems capable of having.
At the same time, I had started making healthier choices for myself. I signed up for a running event this October and was determined to build better habits. I was eating healthier, exercising more consistently, and genuinely feeling motivated.
Then, just like that, everything changed.
Saturday: "It's Probably Just the Air Conditioning"
Saturday morning started with a scratchy throat.
I didn't think much of it.
I blamed the dry air. Maybe the air conditioner had been running too long overnight. I drank some water, shrugged it off, and continued with my weekend.
By Sunday morning, my voice started sounding raspy.
As the day went on, it became harder and harder to talk.
By Sunday night, I had completely lost my voice.
That's when I knew this wasn't just dry air anymore.
Sunday: Preparing for the Worst
As soon as I realized I might actually be getting sick, I made a decision that many parents will understand.
I wasn't thinking about saving money.
I was thinking about surviving the week.
With a toddler at home, the last thing I wanted was to drag him through a grocery store while barely being able to speak. If I was getting sick, I wanted to prepare before I felt even worse.
So, I opened Instacart.
I ordered everything I thought we'd need if I ended up spending the next several days at home.
My grocery order included:
- Chicken drums for homemade soup
- Kale
- Sweet potatoes
- Fresh parsley
- Cilantro
- Bananas
- Oranges
- Green apples
- A 24-count carton of eggs
- Frozen dinosaur nuggets for my son
- Two frozen pizzas for quick meals
- Ice cream sandwiches
- A pint of ice cream (because sometimes comfort food is medicine for the soul)
After adding the service fee, delivery fee, and tip, my total came to:
Instacart Total: $123.65
Could I have driven to the grocery store and saved some money?
But when you're sick - or about to be sick - convenience suddenly becomes priceless.
Monday: The Medicine Shopping Begins
Monday rolled around.
Instead of feeling better, I felt significantly worse.
Thankfully, my mom stopped by with tea and medicine that helped me get through the first day.
Unfortunately, it wasn't enough.
So I made another shopping trip.
This time it was Target.
Walking down the medicine aisle while feeling miserable is an experience I don't recommend to anyone.
You suddenly become willing to buy almost anything if there's even a chance it'll help you feel better.
Here's what ended up in my cart:
- Claritin Non-Drowsy – $19.99
- Vicks Personal Steam Inhaler – $60.00
- Halls Cough Drops – $9.99
- Cepacol Cough Drops – $4.99
- Two Vicks VapoShower Tablets – $9.99 each
- Vicks VapoPads – $10.99
- Theraflu Daytime & Nighttime – $13.99
- Distilled water for the steam inhaler – $1.50
Thankfully, I already had a few essentials at home:
- Honey
- Lemons
- Vicks VapoRub
- Electrolyte drinks
- My inhaler
- Apple cider vinegar
After just two days of being sick, my unexpected expenses had already climbed to:
Running Total: $265.08
And honestly...
The week had barely started.
When You're Sick, Saving Money Isn't Your First Thought
As I looked at the receipts piling up, I realized something.
Normally, I'd compare prices.
I'd look for coupons.
I'd probably visit multiple stores.
I'd wait for a sale.
But when you're sick?
None of that matters.
You're exhausted.
Your head feels foggy.
You're coughing every few minutes.
You're sneezing constantly.
And if you're a parent, you're still responsible for taking care of someone else.
You aren't shopping strategically.
You're shopping for relief.
Every purchase becomes a decision based on one simple question:
"Will this help me feel better faster?"
Because the sooner you recover, the sooner life can return to normal.
Parenting Doesn't Pause Because You're Sick
One thing nobody really prepares you for is how difficult it is to parent while you're sick.
Rest?
That's almost impossible with a toddler.
By Thursday, my voice had finally started coming back.
But I still wasn't fully rested.
My son continued waking up somewhere between five and eight times every night, wanting the comfort that only Mommy could provide.
He didn't understand why Mommy couldn't talk.
He didn't understand why I wasn't reading books with my normal voice or singing our favorite songs.
He simply wanted cuddles.
Trying to communicate with a toddler while barely having a voice was surprisingly frustrating.
At one point, I couldn't help but laugh.
I had spent the last two weeks taking him to indoor playgrounds to escape California's summer heat.
If that's where I picked up this virus...
Well...
That certainly wasn't on my summer Bingo card.
Thursday: Time to See the Doctor
By Thursday, my cough had changed.
The good news?
It sounded like I was finally coughing everything out.
The bad news?
The longer it lingered, the more I started wondering if it could be something more serious.
Could it be pneumonia?
I decided not to take any chances and scheduled a doctor's appointment.
Thankfully, everything checked out.
My visit resulted in:
- Doctor copay: $10
- Three prescribed medications: $15
The relief of hearing it wasn't pneumonia was worth every penny.
The Hidden Costs Nobody Talks About
Looking back now that I'm finally feeling better, I probably could have made cheaper choices.
Maybe I didn't need every medicine I bought.
Maybe I could have skipped delivery fees.
Maybe there were less expensive alternatives.
But here's the reality.
When you're in the middle of being sick, you're not operating at 100%.
You're simply trying to make it through the day.
Sometimes convenience wins.
Sometimes peace of mind wins.
Sometimes paying a little extra to avoid another trip to the store feels completely worth it.
Those aren't always financial decisions.
They're survival decisions.
The Final Cost of My "Summer Cold"
By Friday, I finally sat down and added everything together.
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Instacart groceries | $123.65 |
| Medicine & supplies | $141.43 |
| Doctor copay | $10.00 |
| Prescriptions | $15.00 |
| Total Unexpected Expense | $290.08 |
Nearly $300. For getting sick.
When people talk about emergency expenses, they often think about car repairs, home repairs, or unexpected bills. I know I usually do. But getting sick can quietly become one of the biggest unexpected expenses of all. Especially if you're a parent.
Borrow Responsibly
Unexpected expenses happen to almost everyone at some point. While a payday loan may provide short-term financial relief for some borrowers, it's important to borrow only what you need and to fully understand the loan terms, repayment schedule, eligibility requirements, and associated fees before accepting a loan.
A payday loan is intended as a short-term financial solution - not a long-term financial strategy. Before borrowing, consider your budget and whether other financial resources may be available. If you decide that a payday loan is the right choice for your situation, make sure you have a plan to repay it on time.
As for me, I'm just grateful to be feeling better.
I'm grateful my son stayed healthy throughout the week.
And I'm hopeful that my next unexpected expense is a new pair of running shoes for my October race - not another week spent coughing my way through summer.
Because if there's one thing this week taught me, it's that sometimes the most expensive emergencies aren't the dramatic ones.
Sometimes, they start with nothing more than a scratchy throat.
♡