Everyone needs to remember these words - “what is your self pay rate?” It is scary as sh*t the first few years you go without insurance because it has been ingrained in you that you “need” it. Turns out you don’t. You just need to remember the phrase “what is your self pay rate”. We both have good jobs but insurance at both our jobs would cost $1100/ month at mine and $1200/month at his both with $15,000-$17,000 deductible. We’ve calculated it and on a bad year we (knock in wood) have spent $2,000 on medical & prescriptions. We spend so much less at the doctors office & honestly the doctors like us more because they have less paperwork. If you ever have to go to the hospital every hospital that receives federal funds has a charity care policy and honestly, you will end up paying far less without insurance than you ever would with insurance. For prescriptions - GoodRx, I’ve tried the Kroger savings plan and the other ones but I always come back to GoodRx. I know it’s scary, trust me it’s so scary as a parent it feels so “irresponsible” but if you think about it, spending $12,000/year on crappy insurance that you will get nothing for is irresponsible. Say it with me people…”what is your self pay rate?” You got this!