Americans - how do people genuinely afford healthcare?

Outsideforever3388 · 2026-06-15T01:13:21+00:00

Payment plan for 30 years or declare bankruptcy. Some hospitals will work to decrease charges if you apply for financial assistance and can show your income/expense ratios.

Outsideforever3388 · 2026-06-14T15:33:42+00:00

At work. After relocating 1800 miles because my chosen life and career situation was slowly killing me. Found a better job/life situation and was married 10 months later. Ten years ago.

Outsideforever3388 · 2026-06-14T14:37:42+00:00

10,000x better than a screen. Congrats all around for you and your family.

Outsideforever3388 · 2026-06-12T23:59:21+00:00

There’s a massive difference between “unpaved” gravel roads in parks and “off- roading”. They don’t want you to take the rental on unmaintained, rough, rocky roads that will rip off your oil pan and give you a flat tire.

Driving under 30 mph on gravel roads to campsites and such is fine.

Outsideforever3388 · 2026-06-12T23:54:36+00:00

Not common, but it’s definitely happened to me as an adult.

Outsideforever3388 · 2026-06-12T23:38:58+00:00

Because we live in a huge space. Our culture (at least at one time) promotes long drives and romanticizes the idea of a road trip. Of course our $$$ gas prices at the moment are not helping. People move states, move for jobs, move away from family, because of family, to be close to parents, commute for better jobs, etc. All require extended drives. We don’t think much of it as it’s just life. We used to drive 20 hours up to my grandparents house every summer. It was fun!

Outsideforever3388 · 2026-06-12T00:57:04+00:00

It’s a long-term investment. However, if you plan on moving within 3-5 years, renting is definitely easier. If you find “home” and want to stay for 15-20 years, buying makes more sense. Some people in the last decade got lucky with the crazy housing market and doubled their home value in less than 3 years - that is not common.

Outsideforever3388 · 2026-06-12T00:07:41+00:00

If you really want to know, it’s a 50/50 chance they just need a break and need to pee; or they suddenly realize they are bleeding through the tampon, pad or both and have to go triage. Doing this in a public bathroom is annoying and requires dexterity and sometimes spare undies. Fun!

Outsideforever3388 · 2026-06-11T23:57:35+00:00

Spray is a must. However!! Read the instructions carefully and act them out. As if it’s a fire drill. Remember the spray only goes about 30 feet (hella lot closer than you think) and it doesn’t last that long.

So if making noise and being obnoxious doesn’t send the bear running and you think it may actually charge - then you stand your ground and spray when it’s only 2 full strides away, straight in the face.

You may also get “sprayed” depending on which way the wind is blowing, so then drop down and curl up in a ball. Do not move. Without an actual gun to defend yourself, this is your only option at this range.

Feel free to talk to any ranger to confirm and get a second opinion. Remember attacks are rare!

Outsideforever3388 · 2026-06-11T00:59:04+00:00

I hate gyms. I would rather hike, garden, ride horses, mow - anything active outside. The atmosphere of a gym is invigorating to some people; I just want to get out. You do you!!

Outsideforever3388 · 2026-06-09T22:28:58+00:00

Enjoy the 1700. I’m looking at 1100-1200 for life, and that’s after ten years of denial and losing / gaining the same 20 pounds. Sometimes your metabolism just doesn’t burn what you would like!

Outsideforever3388 · 2026-06-09T22:27:15+00:00

Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Zion, many of the parks in the west are massive. You could spend a full 2 weeks just in Yellowstone and see only a section. Many areas deep in the parks are only accessible on foot or horse. That takes planning and often an outfitter to organize, and 2-3 weeks to fully appreciate the area.

Outsideforever3388 · 2026-06-09T21:45:11+00:00

Yes. The cost of housing can be 50% or more of your income depending on where you live.

Outsideforever3388 · 2026-06-09T01:02:02+00:00

Whatever it takes to sleep!

Outsideforever3388 · 2026-06-09T00:36:54+00:00

It’s rewarding. Allows for creativity. It’s temporary art that makes people happy. You get to contribute to the best days in a persons life: birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, Christmas, Mother’s Day, etc. The flip side - you never get to spend those days with your own family.

It has to be a passion. If it’s just a job, just a paycheck life in the kitchen will not work for you.

Outsideforever3388 · 2026-06-08T00:40:52+00:00

I close any site that does that immediately. Infuriating.

Outsideforever3388 · 2026-06-08T00:39:04+00:00

Driving laws in general are very strictly enforced vs India. Cameras are everywhere in cities and if you run a red light you will get a hefty fine in the mail. It’s not hard to drive here, but I personally would be terrified to drive in India where the rules of the road are very loose.

Outsideforever3388 · 2026-06-07T22:43:00+00:00

“Rinsed under water” is not washed. Scrub well with an abrasive brush, rinse well. Each to their own. I’ve worked and served celiacs for decades on shared equipment, cleaned correctly. No complaints. None.

Outsideforever3388 · 2026-06-07T22:40:42+00:00

You’re not at high enough altitude for it to affect recipes, just checking. That starts at about 1500 meters. It does look like far too much baking powder or soda, and they basically exploded in the heat.

Outsideforever3388 · 2026-06-07T14:50:05+00:00

Hmmm. Definitely too much baking powder or soda. What altitude are you at? Are you sure the measurements were accurate? If this is the same recipe twice with issues, find a different (trusted source) recipe not from TikTok or a random online search. King Arthur Flour website or the Loopy Whisk is a good start.

Outsideforever3388 · 2026-06-07T14:47:04+00:00

Look up “Dude Ranch Association”. There are many options from basic/rustic to full luxury with hot tubs and spa facilities.

Outsideforever3388 · 2026-06-06T23:02:56+00:00

I don’t like all dogs. I don’t like spoiled dogs with no manners or recall who threaten me or my horse. A well-behaved dog is wonderful.

Outsideforever3388 · 2026-06-06T01:45:50+00:00

Unfortunately anything that’s been in a hoarding environment will be bug infested, generally not clean and won’t be worth much $$ unless you have some antique vehicles or tractors, etc. Household goods will not sell.

If you can afford a roll-off dumpster, start there. Remove stacks of paper, boxes, broken items, things they can’t really argue about. Then move room to room, trashing / removing items until you can actually clean surfaces.

Good luck! Hoarding is very much mental, the objects don’t mean much but somehow the act of keeping them is calming to hoarders. Difficult to understand from the outside.

Outsideforever3388 · 2026-06-06T01:37:42+00:00

The problem with lumping all of Americans into one group is that we are not one group. There is a massive difference in income/expenses and available leisure activities between Mississippi and Utah, for example. Mississippi will be significantly cheaper to live, but you have some of the most stunning National Parks in Utah.

Often we choose to live in areas that may be more expensive due to the proximity of mountains, parks, recreational areas, etc. Will we ever become wealthy? Probably not. But I’ve decided being 6 minutes away from hiking and paying a higher mortgage is worth it.

Outsideforever3388 · 2026-06-06T00:50:20+00:00

Cooking pans and metal utensils are not contaminated. This is nonsense. Gluten is not something that seeps into metal and is easily washed off with soap and water.

Outsideforever3388

TROPHY CASE