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Pfffft. There is a way to manage without health insurance. He can buy a cheap catastrophic policy if he really feels vulnerable, visit emergency clinics and pay cash for small things. Many, many people do, per reports on this board. He can worry about his taxes in April 2014. By then he may have a job. File his return next April (or later). If he owes anything, pay on installments. $$ owed won't amount to much anyway. Better than prepaying now when he needs to the money to keep a roof over his head and continue to look for work.
Pfffft. There is a way to manage without health insurance. He can buy a cheap catastrophic policy if he really feels vulnerable, visit emergency clinics and pay cash for small things. Many, many people do, per reports on this board. He can worry about his taxes in April 2014. By then he may have a job. File his return next April (or later). If he owes anything, pay on installments. $$ owed won't amount to much anyway. Better than prepaying now when he needs to the money to keep a roof over his head and continue to look for work.
Cheap insur plus 50 = $200 gap.
No one suggested the roof go, but rather the wants. Needs are just food, clothing, shelter.
No one suggested the roof go, but rather the wants. Needs are just food, clothing, shelter.
Quote:
Originally Posted by moved
There are low income clinics that go on an income sliding scale. I just paid $35 for an office visit to have wax cleaned out of my ear.
That's right. Many healthy young people opt to take the risk of no insurance for a while. I have twice in my life gone without health insurance for very short periods. My biggest problem was always dental expense. That's what I needed employer health insurance for - more so than medical. Although, when I was 67 I did have eye surgery under employer insurance. I'm assuming OP is still pretty young. Plenty of people on this board - much older than OP - with no health insurance, anymore. They can't afford it.
I've almost been laid off quite a few times, so here are some tips that I live by in order to save extra costs:
-Use a prepaid phone. I have a decent smartphone from Virgin Mobile that has unlimited data. This is $35.00 a month and worth it.
-With the prepaid phone, I no longer need internet since I can use it to check e-mails. If necessary, I can use the internet on my laptop by tethering the phone.
-I don't use cable or netflix.
-This is a little crazy, but I sold my car to save more money. I am never holed up at home, although sometimes I do get lazy. I understand that this is difficult for people who don't live in areas with good public transportation. However, if you're falling on hard times... it's a necessary evil. And actually for me, it ended up being the best decision of my life.
-SELL STUFF. You'd be surprised what you can sell on eBay or even Craigslist for a good deal of money.
-Home cooking... cook whole chickens, use the drippings for gravy, and the bones for a stock. Have a grocery list on hand for essentials. You can still eat healthy on a strict budget
-Make your own cleaning supplies, including laundry detergent, use baking soda and vinegar for household cleaning
-If you live in an apartment without your own laundry, start washing your laundry by hand. You don't save much, but it actually makes a difference... and it's kind of fun.
I went from spending roughly $2000.00 a month on all of my expenses to $1200.00 a month. I live on my own, and I'm able to put the rest away in savings. Most of this is due to not owning a car, but there are so many ways to save money when you're on a very strict budget.
I've almost been laid off quite a few times, so here are some tips that I live by in order to save extra costs:
-Use a prepaid phone. I have a decent smartphone from Virgin Mobile that has unlimited data. This is $35.00 a month and worth it.
-With the prepaid phone, I no longer need internet since I can use it to check e-mails. If necessary, I can use the internet on my laptop by tethering the phone.
-I don't use cable or netflix.
-This is a little crazy, but I sold my car to save more money. I am never holed up at home, although sometimes I do get lazy. I understand that this is difficult for people who don't live in areas with good public transportation. However, if you're falling on hard times... it's a necessary evil. And actually for me, it ended up being the best decision of my life.
-SELL STUFF. You'd be surprised what you can sell on eBay or even Craigslist for a good deal of money.
-Home cooking... cook whole chickens, use the drippings for gravy, and the bones for a stock. Have a grocery list on hand for essentials. You can still eat healthy on a strict budget
-Make your own cleaning supplies, including laundry detergent, use baking soda and vinegar for household cleaning
-If you live in an apartment without your own laundry, start washing your laundry by hand. You don't save much, but it actually makes a difference... and it's kind of fun.
I went from spending roughly $2000.00 a month on all of my expenses to $1200.00 a month. I live on my own, and I'm able to put the rest away in savings. Most of this is due to not owning a car, but there are so many ways to save money when you're on a very strict budget.
Companies want their money. Some will work with you although don't expect them to show too much concern over your financial situation.
Agreed.
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