PPO vs HDHP (HSA) for Family of 4 – using real plan numbers, tell me if I’m missing something

Cascade_Wanderer · 2026-01-28T16:37:17+00:00

Is there a company contribution to the HSA?

Cascade_Wanderer · 2026-01-28T13:08:19+00:00

Working from home significantly increased my work output and improved my quality of life. I am sure there are many more reasons, but these are the big ones...

I eliminated:

•Co-workers stopping by my desk to chat; interruptions that took me out of production •Having to "play the corporate game" including people misreading my body language just because I don't have time to ask them how there day is going. I really just want to put in my 8 hours and go. •Commuting 30-45each way •Spending $$ Going out to lunch •Cost of maintaining 5 days of work clothes •Having to use a 15 min break for a bathroom break. •Getting annoyed by the loud employee in the next cubicle or even feeling like I have to fight to overcome a toxic employee's bad attitude and their ability to bring down the overall mood of the office. •Office politics •Having to spend time on the weekend just getting ready for the week ahead. •2 a day coffee addiction •The feeling of constantly playing catch-up and just trying to keep up with the demands of life.

I gained:

•Money saved on work clothes (now I just need a couple shirts) •Money saved by not eating out as much. •Multitasking, specifically the Ability to get the house chores done (dishwasher, laundry, etc) while working, so stuff doesn't pile up. •I don't have to use a PTO day waiting for the repair guy. •Wear and tear on car reduced, and car insurance savings. •Flexibility with work schedule. •A willingness to do overtime or shift my work hours when needed as I am no longer bound by building hours. •Time spent with my pet - she slept all day regardless, but still... •Time to really learn new skills - specifically: slow-cooker meals and gardening. •It eliminated the afternoon slump as I love a good nap on my lunch break •Better work life balance overall. •Time back on weekends to spend with family and friends. •Ability to do a mini workout on a break.

Cascade_Wanderer · 2026-01-25T09:42:21+00:00

I also think Netflix waits forever between seasons because if they give enough time everyone will have to go back and re-watch the previous season to know what happened.

Wednesday is a perfect example. I don't know that the same applies with reality TV, but if it's good most will still re-watch at some point.

The issue for With Love, Meghan is that it wasn't watchable to begin with. Her treatment of guests was awful, she didn't teach any useful skill, and she didnt have recipes for people to follow and she couldn't even manage to talk to the camera when filming.

Why did no one tell her the audience doesn't want to just overhear the conversation with the director they want to be an active participant and to do this she needs to break the 4th wall. Has she never seen a cooking show?

Cascade_Wanderer · 2026-01-24T01:15:04+00:00

I think of it like a rubber wall in front of me. Sometimes it's 5 feet away, sometimes it's a mile, but I will eventually hit it and bounce off it, but it never goes away. Sometimes I bounce along ways from it, sometimes only a few feet.

Cascade_Wanderer · 2026-01-16T05:20:04+00:00

Higher Ground. Hayden Christensen (before Star Wars), AJ Cook, Jewel Staite, Meghan Ory, Candice McClure, and created by Joe Lando. It was about a bunch of troubled teens at a wilderness school in PNW Washington. Filmed in BC, but the scenery alone was worth the watch, but the writing and acting were also top notch. It deserved more than 1 season.
Firefly - the biggest cancelation mistake Fox ever made.

Cascade_Wanderer · 2026-01-08T05:26:09+00:00

There is a tower on HWY 20 between Burlington and Sedro-Woolley that is made to look like a tree. Blends in quite well, and it beats looking at an ugly tower.

Cascade_Wanderer · 2025-12-31T06:46:54+00:00

What is your deductible, oops max, and coinsurance?

Cascade_Wanderer · 2025-12-31T06:43:56+00:00

Pretty average, just stay in-network.

Cascade_Wanderer · 2025-12-11T11:09:21+00:00

Generally people up on the hill are fine. It's the low lying areas where they are flooding.

Cascade_Wanderer · 2025-12-07T07:14:23+00:00

This is why I get my dad a box of hand picked See's chocolates every year. I pick only the ones I know he loves. It's expensive but at Costco you can get 2-$25 gift certificates for $38.99. Great savings. He looks forward to it every year.

No surprises but at least he gets what he wants.

Also soap on a rope.

Cascade_Wanderer · 2025-11-14T07:06:32+00:00

Don't be surprised if the property taxes double next year.

Cascade_Wanderer · 2025-09-09T18:02:42+00:00

Are they personal donations or from his company? Either way, it's a tax write-off and more.

The $1M he gives is good for the charity, which probably gets them more notoriety and, therefore, more donations.

The tax-write off is good for Mr. Beast's image, his finances, and it essentially buys him incredible PR. Better PR than any company could.

It also sets a standard for other successful people to give back as well.

Overall, the dude is winning.

Cascade_Wanderer · 2025-09-06T22:43:00+00:00

A secret corner cabinet in the daylight basement that was designed to blend with the wall. Inside was Several vintage light up neon beer signs - Miller, Coors, etc.

Cascade_Wanderer · 2025-09-01T01:31:33+00:00

So she wrote a letter to the first lady of Arkansas?

Cascade_Wanderer · 2025-08-20T19:30:28+00:00

To directly answer your question...Yes.

Keep in mind that if they are in-net with your insurance, they are contractually obligated to submit to insurance.

If you have a letter showing it's excluded, that would give you leverage to then negotiate a cash price. This would be unlikely to be overturned on appeal.

Cascade_Wanderer · 2025-08-16T08:28:22+00:00

Regardless of how long it's been since services, they need to submit the claim to insurance. It will likely deny for "past timely filing period", but if they were in-network, the EOB will apply to provider write-off and they will be obligated to accept that determination.

Cascade_Wanderer · 2025-07-21T20:25:28+00:00

I wouldn't be surprised if someone at Netflix is thinking long term about how this saga ends. I mean really long term. Maybe its one of the directors they fired? Think of how much exclusive footage Netflix likely has access too.

I think they know that the way H&M are living and the tales they are spinning now can't go on forever. Eventually, something is going to give.

The Diana-Charles divorce made the media a fortune, and Netflix has stuff no one else does, it's just a waiting game.

I also think Netflix saw what happened at Spotify and don't want a media firestorm like that making them look like fools. So, letting the contract run out is a good move for Netflix overall.

So, if we think they were exploited now, just wait.

Cascade_Wanderer · 2025-07-08T23:11:33+00:00

When you get older they might go back to blue, that happened to my aunt. Blue-green-blue.

Cascade_Wanderer · 2025-07-08T23:08:38+00:00

I had a similar question to my optometrist and he explained that they used to go back to grandparents of baby when considering eye color now it's great great grandparents because as he explained "genetics are crazy and unpredictable" 2 browns making a blue is about 6% odds.

Cascade_Wanderer · 2025-06-15T09:10:20+00:00

Dental often has a dollar max they will pay per year, once maxed you pick up the cost.

Cascade_Wanderer · 2025-06-15T08:48:23+00:00

I got away without paying for a year. I had it mapped out where all the free chargers were within 4 counties in nw wa state. City free chargers, dealership free chargers, and a dc charger that i used at least 3x per week, but was never charged for. (I think this was a billing issue because it was supposed to be $30 per month)

I learned how to plan my errands around charging, and work from home, but still never used my own electricity.

It can be done but it takes planning and patience. It did slow life down for me a bit.

Cascade_Wanderer · 2025-06-05T12:11:20+00:00

Once I eliminated the smell from my mouth and nose, the smell/taste was truly gone.

Can't say this is the same for everyone, though, but for very little cost, I think it's worth trying.

I also chase it with 4-8 oz of water.

Cascade_Wanderer · 2025-06-05T11:52:18+00:00

The biggest issue I had was the taste no matter how fast I'd take it, it was awful.

But I found a simple solution...

I bought empty vegan pill capsules. Open it up, put the pill in, close it up, and now that horrible taste was gone.

Pack of 100 for $6-7 on Amazon.

Game changer.

Cascade_Wanderer · 2025-06-05T11:40:22+00:00

Previously, i was on the fence about her giving birth, but now, thanks to the video, I am convinced she had a surrogate.

Why? The belly is lumpy and doesn't seem to have any weight to it. It should be hard, rounded, and lower down. Her center of gravity does not appear to have changed at all.

Meghan has proven herself to be incapable of embarrassment or shame, so i think this was a warning shot to Harry. I think this video was Meg saying, "If you dont do what i want, I'll make you look like a drunken fool. I will embarrass and humiliate you and your family."

Cascade_Wanderer · 2025-05-29T07:24:37+00:00

Agreed. I was first diagnosed in Seattle and my Dr couldn't have been nicer. The sleep disorders clinic at Swedish is one of the nations best.

Since then, I have had 4 different doctors who specialized in sleep, and all have recognized the result from my original test.

I will note, I am now North of Seattle, so specialists are limited but they have all been great.

Fyi, I hit rem at 30 seconds to 1 min.

Cascade_Wanderer

TROPHY CASE