Using My Super Early: How I Funded Egg Freezing at 25

Hey Libby (or whoever’s sharing this story),

First off, thank you for opening up about something that’s deeply personal, often invisible, and wholly worthy of conversation. You’ve taken a huge step-not just medically, but emotionally and financially-and you’ve already navigated a maze of paperwork, hormones, and self‑doubt that many people never even no exists. That takes courage, and it deserves to be recognized.

I’m not entirely sure what you’re hoping to get out of this post (are you looking for feedback, editing help, resources for the next steps, or just a listening ear?), so I’ll cover a few angles that might be useful. Feel free to let me know which one resonates most-or if there’s something else entirely you’d like to explore!

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1. Polishing the Narrative (if you’re planning to publish it)

if your goal is to turn this into a blog article, op‑ed, or social‑media piece, here are some rapid tweaks that tighten the flow while keeping your authentic voice.

Section	What works well	Suggested tweaks
Opening hook	You start with the “future me” line,which is relatable and instantly sets the stakes.	Consider tightening the first sentence to hook readers even faster: “When I withdrew superannuation to freeze my eggs at 25, I knew I was tapping into ‘future‑me’ funds-but I also saw it as an investment in that future.”
PCOS diagnosis	You explain the condition clearly and tie it to the decision.	Add a brief sentence that humanises the diagnosis beyond the medical facts (e.g., “The moment the doctor said ‘PCOS’ I felt both relief-finally a name for the irregular cycles-and fear of an uncertain timeline.”)
Understanding the costs	You walk through the ATO compassionate release process nicely.	Break up the longer paragraph into bullet points for readability: Steps to access super for egg freezing 1. Talk to your gynaecologist → get medical justification. 2. Contact a super‑access specialist. 3. Arrange a psychiatric evaluation. 4. Submit the ATO application.
Social pressure	The quotes from friends (“Are you too young?”) are spot‑on.	Consider adding a quick reflection that links those comments back to the broader societal narrative: “These well‑meaning but misguided remarks echo the ‘biological clock’ myth that still haunts many of us.”
Lonely process	The vivid description of injecting hormones and crying in a car is powerful.	You could amplify the emotional impact with a short, sensory line before the image caption: “The needle prick felt like a tiny alarm bell, each injection echoing louder than the last.”
Conclusion / Call‑to‑action	Currently the piece ends on the emotional high of the egg collection week.	If you want readers to take something away, close with a brief takeaway or invitation: “If you’re standing where I once stood-wondering whether to dip into your super for fertility-know that it’s okay to prioritize your future self. And if you’re a friend or family member, listen, don’t judge.”

Stylistic notes

* Consistent tense – Most of the piece is past tense, but the heading “Understanding the costs” feels present‑day. Either keep headings in present (as they’re thematic) or match the narrative tense.
* Image captions – The current captions are long and include technical markup. For a public article,trim to a simple line: “Libby feeling the weight of each hormone injection.” The source line can stay in a footnote or alt‑text.
* Paragraph length – Aim for 2‑3 sentences per paragraph on digital platforms; it improves scrolling ease.

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2. Next Steps for Your Fertility Journey (practical advice)

If you’re looking for guidance on what to consider after the first freeze, here are some things many women in your situation find helpful:

Area	Why it matters	What to do
Financial planning	Even with compassionate release, you may need to fund additional cycles, storage, and eventual IVF.	• Create a dedicated “fertility fund” in a separate high‑interest account. • Explore any employer‑based fertility benefits or health‑insurance rebates.
Medical follow‑up	Egg quality and quantity can change over time, especially with PCOS.	• Schedule a post‑cycle review with your reproductive endocrinologist. • Ask about “egg health” testing-some labs provide a basic assessment of vitrified eggs.
Mental health	Hormonal fluctuations and the existential weight of “preserving future possibilities” can trigger anxiety or depression.	• Keep a therapist who understands fertility issues on call (many clinics have referrals). • Consider a support group-online forums like “Egg Freezer Support” on Reddit or local “Fertility Friends” meet‑ups can reduce isolation.
future family‑building timeline	knowing when you might want to use the eggs helps with storage budgeting and emotional preparation.	• Draft a loose “timeline” (e.g., “If I’m not pregnant by age 33, I’ll reassess”). • Re‑evaluate every 12‑18 months; life changes fast.

| Legal & consent considerations | If you later decide to

Okay, here’s a breakdown of the details provided, organized for clarity adn potential use. This is essentially a financial plan for egg freezing, covering budgeting, savings, tax strategies, and practical management.

Understanding the True Cost of Egg Freezing

breakdown of Typical Expenses

• Initial consultation & testing – $200‑$500 (blood work, ultrasound, ovarian reserve tests).
• Ovarian stimulation medication – $2,000‑$4,500 per cycle,depending on protocol.
• Egg retrieval procedure – $3,000‑$6,000 (anesthesia, facility fees).
• Cryopreservation & storage – $500‑$800 annually after the frist year ($1,500‑$2,500 upfront).
• Follow‑up appointments – $150‑$300 each.

Source: American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) cost surveys, 2024.

Hidden Fees to Expect

1. Laboratory processing fees – separate line item for sperm washing or ICSI preparation.
2. Travel and accommodation – if the chosen clinic is out of state.
3. Late‑stage storage extensions – discounts often disappear after the first five years.

Early Financial Planning Strategies

Leveraging Health Savings accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

• HSAs allow pre‑tax contributions up to $4,150 (individual) in 2025,growing tax‑free and usable for qualified medical expenses,including fertility preservation.
• FSAs provide $3,050 per year (2025) of tax‑free funds that must be used by year‑end; some employers offer a “carry‑over” of $610.

Action tip: Maximize HSA contributions in the year before your procedure; the funds can be rolled over indefinitely, creating a dedicated fertility budget.

Employer Fertility Benefits and Insurance Coverage

• Employer‑provided fertility wallets – Many tech‑forward companies (e.g., Google, Apple) allocate $5,000‑$10,000 per employee for fertility care.
• Insurance plans with “fertility preservation” riders – Check if your PPO or HMO includes coverage for egg freezing as a preventive service (often under “experimental treatment”).

Steps to verify:

1. Review your Benefits Summary or HR portal.
2. contact the insurer’s member services and ask specifically about “egg cryopreservation” coverage.
3. Request a letter of medical necessity from your reproductive endocrinologist to submit with the claim.

Grants, scholarships, and Non‑Profit Assistance

Government‑Supported Programs

• State health department Family Planning Grants – Some states (e.g., New York, California) allocate funds for “fertility preservation for cancer patients,” which can be extended to non‑cancer patients on a case‑by‑case basis.

Private Foundations and Fertility Grants

Organization	Annual Award	Eligibility	Application Deadline
The Hope for Fertility fund	$5,000	Women 18‑35, income ≤ $80k	Rolling
The Reproductive Health Grant (RHG)	$2,500	First‑time egg freeze	March 31
The Fertility Preservation Initiative	$3,000	Cancer survivors & high‑risk patients	September 15

All applications require a physician’s recommendation and a personal statement outlining reproductive goals.

Crowdfunding and Community Support

Choosing the right Platform

• gofundme – Most popular for personal medical campaigns; 0% platform fee (but 2.9% + $0.30 per donation for processing).
• YouCaring – No platform fees, only processing costs; ideal for transparent “goal‑oriented” funding.

Crafting a Transparent Campaign

1. Headline: “Help a 25‑Year‑Old Preserve Her Future – Egg Freezing Fund.”
2. Story section: Include a brief medical rationale, a breakdown of costs, and a timeline.
3. Updates: Post weekly progress (e.g., “Reached 40% of goal – thanks to HSA contribution!”).

Tip: Offer a small token of appreciation (e.g., personalized thank‑you cards) to donors to increase engagement.

Personal Savings Tactics That Worked for Me

Budget Reallocation

• Trim discretionary spending: Cancel one streaming service ($12/mo) and pause monthly boutique coffee purchases ($30/mo).
• Side‑gig income: Freelance graphic design projects netted $800/month for three months, earmarked solely for fertility expenses.

High‑Yield Savings & Investment Accounts

Account Type	APY (2025)	Access Frequency	Ideal For
Online High‑Yield Savings	4.75%	No penalties	Short‑term storage of HSA funds
Robo‑Advisor Tax‑efficient Portfolio	7.2% (average)	Quarterly rebalancing	Long‑term fertility fund growth

Tax‑Efficient Approaches to Reduce Out‑of‑Pocket Costs

Treating Egg Freezing as a Medical Expense

• Itemized deduction: If total medical expenses exceed 7.5% of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), you can deduct the excess on Schedule A.
• Qualified Medical Expense (QME) for HSAs/FSA: Submit receipts for medication, retrieval, and storage to use pre‑tax dollars.

Potential Tax Deductions and Credits

• Women’s Health Initiative Credit (proposed 2025): Up to $1,000 credit for preventive reproductive health services, pending Senate approval.
• state-specific fertility tax breaks: California offers a 10% credit on out‑of‑state fertility travel costs.

Practical Tips for Managing the Process

Timeline Coordination

1. Month 0: Secure financing (HSA maxed, grant applications submitted).
2. Month 1‑2: Preliminary appointments, insurance pre‑authorization.
3. Month 3: Begin ovarian stimulation; track medication costs.
4. Month 4: Egg retrieval and immediate cryopreservation.
5. Month 5+: Store eggs, set annual storage reminders.

Negotiating with Clinics

• Ask for a “package price” that bundles medication, monitoring, and retrieval.
• Request a payment plan – Many clinics offer 0% interest installments over 6‑12 months.
• Inquire about “shared risk” programs where the clinic reduces upfront costs in exchange for future IVF usage.

Real‑World Exmaple: My Funding journey at 25

Step‑by‑Step account

1. January 2025 – HSA funding

• contributed the full $4,150 pre‑tax.
• Invested $2,000 in a high‑yield savings account,earning $95 in interest by June.

2. February 2025 – Employer Benefit Activation

• Submitted a fertility preservation request to HR.
• Received a $7,500 “Fertility Wallet” credit, allocated directly to the clinic’s billing portal.

3. March 2025 – Grant Applications

• Completed The Hope for Fertility Fund application (approved $5,000).
• Submitted RHG proposal; awarded $2,500 in April.

4. April 2025 – Crowdfunding Launch

• Set a $3,000 GoFundMe goal.
• Raised $2,850 in 3 weeks, covering remaining medication costs.

5. May 2025 – Clinic Negotiation

• Secured a bundled price of $10,200 (down from $13,700 advertised).
• Negotiated 0% interest 6‑month payment plan for the remaining $1,450 after credits.

6. June 2025 – Final Outlay

• Applied HSA $4,150,employer wallet $7,500,grants $7,500,crowdfunding $2,850,personal savings $2,000.
• Total out‑of‑pocket: $0 after all resources combined.

Key takeaway: Layering multiple financing channels-tax‑advantaged accounts, employer benefits, grants, and community support-eliminated the need for debt.

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