Comments on: The Simple Dollar Weekly Roundup: Outside Writing Edition

By: Karen

Karen — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 03:21:33 +0000

Nicole, you are correct. In a macro-economic sense, the widespread use of health insurance raises the cost of health care and creates an upward spiral.

You can watch this live and in slow motion in the pet insurance realm.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 23:48:00 +0000

I think the term I’m struggling to come up with is “vicious cycle.” (I’m a bit slow today, however, I did finish my taxes! Or maybe that’s why my brain is a mass of Jell-O.)

By: Nicole

Nicole — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 22:51:39 +0000

But that’s exactly my point. I am speculating that if we didn’t need health insurance, we wouldn’t need health insurance (I know that sounds stupid, but do you get what I am saying? That it may contribute to the higher cost in and of itself?).

By: valleycat1

valleycat1 — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 22:04:40 +0000

re #5 – Nicole, I wasn’t commenting on whether the US health insurance system is necessary (or a good thing), but rather than within the system as it exists these days, individuals need health insurance.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 21:41:36 +0000

Although, valleycat, consider this: A few weeks ago I went to a walk-in clinic to be treated for a sinus infection. Been there once about a year before. I had my checkbook out, ready to self-pay, when they told me I couldn’t. What? Did I hear that right? Apparently there’s a state law that if you have insurance at all, they are required to bill it. But I have a $500 deductible! I protested — it wouldn’t even come close. Didn’t matter. I’m still waiting for a bill and wondering what the cost of extra red tape amounts to, if not for me, then for the company, the clinic, or the state of Connecticut.

By: Pat S.

Pat S. — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 17:53:33 +0000

I always like these roundups. They definitely get at a lot of different issues, and introduce some new and excellent bloggers that some of us haven’t had a chance to read.

By: Justin

Justin — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 16:52:53 +0000

Loving the post on how to fail. Most people are taught that failing is a bad thing. Instead we should all be taught that failure is just a stepping stone to success.

By: Marilyn

Marilyn — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 16:32:22 +0000

Hi Trent. Thanks for the articles. I found the unclutterer one really thought provoking. So much so I’m inspired to go clean my bathroom right now.

By: valleycat1

valleycat1 — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 14:23:36 +0000

We live happily without most of the items FrugalDad lists – but I completely disagree with his including health insurance on the list (as something we could probably do without). Lack of health insurance is a major cause of bankruptcy and losing one’s home, and these days even a minor surgery can cost more than $10k, and a 2-3 day hospital stay starts at $30K.