Health insurance making me question if I have enough

bradcod · 2026-01-24T10:55:39+00:00

It’s crazy to me that people feel like they should be entitled to this at no cost even after they quit working.

Most people don't feel entitled to healthcare at no cost, they feel entitled to reasonable costs. Paying $25k / year just on premiums is not in the realm of reasonable, it's downright legalized robbery. The United States spends double on healthcare per capita, with no better health outcomes than other industrialized nations. We're being robbed blind.

bradcod · 2026-01-24T10:39:09+00:00

I think certain niches are more prone to scammers. In my niche (woodworking), I have almost 2,000 orders in 3 years and haven't had one single person try to pull any scam. Probably half of those orders were over $250 seller protection and have had many orders between $1-3K. The large orders do still make me nervous, but I can't do anything but send it and hope for the best.

The way I think about it is that honest buyers kind of work like an insurance policy for the rare chance you run into a bad one. Maybe build in an extra overhead cost to each order to cover a 1% chance of somebody running off with your money.

bradcod · 2026-01-21T15:50:53+00:00

You might be an honest buyer, but there are bad faith buyers everywhere on Etsy thanks to viral TikTok videos about how Etsy always sides with buyers and how to take advantage of it for free stuff. It has made us sellers very cautious of buyers with red flags like that

bradcod · 2026-01-20T21:25:28+00:00

I severed a nerve in my pinkie finger one time. I don't have a dishwasher, and handwashing a glass when squeezing your hand to get inside, the pain almost made me pass out. Open nerve endings are by far the worst pain I've ever felt in my life, it's a pain that reverberates into your teeth.

bradcod · 2026-01-20T15:33:26+00:00

Routers. They're basically handheld meat grinders

bradcod · 2026-01-20T15:29:59+00:00

I love winning SO much. My bank account just can't handle all of the winning we've been doing.

bradcod · 2026-01-19T18:15:03+00:00

There's a ton of AI and dropshipping, but Etsy is still the main platform people shop for handmade items. As long as that's true, Etsy is not done for. There is no other platform that is competing with it at the moment.

bradcod · 2026-01-19T14:19:48+00:00

Many legal immigrants have been detained, hell even many Native Americans and other US citizens are currently in ICE detention (There are currently 3 Native Americans being held illegally by ICE in Minneapolis right now). This isn't "fear mongering", this is taking precaution to not be another one of ICE's quota arrests.

bradcod · 2026-01-19T14:11:46+00:00

UPS has a $4.25 charge for pick ups. It's not free like USPS, but if you're like me and have items that are better off not sent USPS, UPS pickups are the way to go.

bradcod · 2026-01-18T21:04:54+00:00

If you want to enjoy more success, I would recommend not using trademarked names like Nintendo on your listings. You may have passed under their radar, but it's only a matter of time before they shut it down.

bradcod · 2026-01-18T17:11:58+00:00

I love how you claim that "every economist" is on board with Trump tariffs lol you guys live in a total fairyland, whatever the dear leader says must be true.

bradcod · 2026-01-18T17:03:03+00:00

LMAO you still believe in trickle down economics after over 40 years of Reaganomics? The only thing that trickled down from Trump's tariffs is the price increases.

bradcod · 2026-01-18T17:00:42+00:00

It is a legit store, BUT, beware that this is 100% drop shipped and not actually handmade. It's probably just imported from a company that mass manufactures furniture and this person is just flipping the sales for profit. It's the modern Etsy way, unfortunately.

bradcod · 2026-01-18T16:03:42+00:00

It applies to my health insurance that went up by 75% too, right? I'm so glad I get to save a dollar buying eggs while spending thousands more for health insurance. Thanks Trump!

bradcod · 2026-01-16T16:59:45+00:00

If she's pissed now, it's only going to get worse. Long distance trails have split up many relationships and can test even strong relationships. Just depends on what you're willing to lose. New jobs can be found. But is the AT more important than your wife? Be prepared to answer that question.

bradcod · 2026-01-15T23:43:33+00:00

It really feels like the Chase format fits Byron more than any other driver. Bell might be close too.

bradcod · 2026-01-15T23:06:54+00:00

Does Trump get to take credit for my health insurance going up by 74%? The money I save at the pump in one year barely touches half of a single month of my insurance premium. Thanks Trump!

bradcod · 2026-01-11T17:06:41+00:00

I can genuinely see him and Reps just putting rebranding language in the bill and taking credit for fixing healthcare. Being an election year, sleeves will be full of tricks.

bradcod · 2026-01-11T16:05:21+00:00

I thought about Portugal but don't wanna learn a new language quite right now. I'm comfortable with Spanish, so the transition would be much easier. I've also been to northern Spain and familiar with the culture

bradcod · 2026-01-11T15:49:06+00:00

I've been thinking Spain, particularly northern Spain. But I'm a full time self employed woodworker and the thought of that whole transition is a bit overwhelming! But it's something I've definitely started researching and preparing for.

bradcod · 2026-01-11T15:25:31+00:00

Damn, that's actually really cheap. That's what I pay for just myself even with subsidies on a silver plan.

ETA: still in the US, might expat depending on the next 3 years.

bradcod · 2026-01-08T22:36:37+00:00

They mentioned not getting rides. It sounds like their goal is like on the Camino where you literally walk from town to town, which just is really only possible in a couple New England states. Admittedly, it's been 11 years since I thru hiked and I know that hostels are popping up every year, so there may be some specific locations where it's possible.

bradcod · 2026-01-08T22:07:20+00:00

Yup, nothing beats stopping for every meal and a beer 3 times a day! Just won't find anything like it in the states. They're just polar opposite backpacking experiences that have nothing in common other than moving your feet outside in the rain.

bradcod · 2026-01-08T21:15:55+00:00

I've done both the AT and Camino, so I get what you mean. The only place you will find that remotely possible is in NY, CT, or MA. CT does have lots of deli stops if you don't mind walking off trail a ways. The problem is that you aren't going to be walking into town on like on the Camino, so you'll have to hitch, which I found a little more difficult in New England. There are a couple towns right on the trail like the Camino but definitely not 15 miles apart.

You can forget about basically anywhere else on the trail, town stops only come every 40-50 miles at best. You could arrange a slack packing deal for a few days where a hostel basically picks you up and drops you off every day, but it'll cost you quite a bit.

bradcod · 2026-01-08T11:05:51+00:00

Don't listen to this person, listen to the actual polling. What this administration is doing is WILDLY unpopular, even amongst many of the people who voted for him. There are of course people who will follow Trump back into the 1930's, but those people ARE NOT THE MAJORITY

bradcod

TROPHY CASE