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The Bermuda Triangle of Wealth

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Re: The Bermuda Triangle of Wealth

#51

Post by maccard »

pjc50 wrote: post #33
mothsonasloth wrote: post #14

In the UK people's savings have been shrinking for the last 10 years. Its scary how many people are living hand to mouth, and with banks offering crappy interest rates it is no wonder people are spending rather than saving. cue : rampant consumerism, payday loans, wage stagnation etc.

Yes, and in this case it can't be blamed on healthcare costs and mostly not on student loans - it's mostly housing that's the problem, and relatedly costs of transport (because to some extent you can trade one against the other). For pensioners the top complaint is usually energy bills, but I don't think it's a good idea to make energy too cheap lest people use more of it.

> For pensioners the top complaint is usually energy bills, but I don't think it's a good idea to make energy too cheap lest people use more of it.

I agree with you, but I don't know what the solution was. I've still got my thermostat set to "off" from summer, and am turning it on periodically. Last night it hit 14 degrees before I got home. Telling a pensioner to "use less energy" because their home is 14 degrees seems a little too far.

Re: The Bermuda Triangle of Wealth

#52

Post by lr4444lr »

Medical care has arguably gotten better and continues to improve. Housing is vague and controversial, because land is fixed, and people can live in formats that have significant impact on other people, and they continue to prefer modes that cost more for sundry reasons (not all of them good, but there is choice). Food has gone up, but there are savings to be had if you adjust your habits and expectations. No one need starve.

But education is the big one: no real net improvement from many decades ago (arguably worse), and in greater supply than ever. Why has cost continued to go up?

Re: The Bermuda Triangle of Wealth

#53

Post by NiekvdMaas »

TomMarius wrote: post #29
gambiting wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's absolutely not true. If it is, name an EU country where that is the case. If you are a citizen of an EU country, you are entitled to use the healthcare system in that country(and any other EU state), purely by virtue of being a citizen. The only case that would maybe trigger a payment would be if you were a visitor to EU and had a baby - but most likely no hospital would bill you as hospitals are just not equi…

That is absolutely not true. I am a citizen of the Czech Republic and if I stop being insured, e.g. because of changing my place of permanent residence, I'm not entitled to anything .

Incorrect. For example in The Netherlands it is mandatory to be insured. If you refuse to pay insurance, not only will you have to pay 100% of healthcare costs, you'll also be fined.

Re: The Bermuda Triangle of Wealth

#54

Post by icebraining »

gambiting wrote: post #23
TomMarius wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It costs around the same in Europe if you don't have insurance. I'm pretty sure it's the same in the USA - this is the rate that would be charged to your insurance company. Rates are way lower for uninsured people if you ask them and tell them that you're not insured (I got a bill lowered 10 times when I broke my hand); and of course most people have some kind of insurance. To the people downvoting: please read prope…

That's absolutely not true. If it is, name an EU country where that is the case. If you are a citizen of an EU country, you are entitled to use the healthcare system in that country(and any other EU state), purely by virtue of being a citizen. The only case that would maybe trigger a payment would be if you were a visitor to EU and had a baby - but most likely no hospital would bill you as hospitals are just not equi…

In Portugal we have fees even in the public system, supposedly to reduce frivolous use. That said, they are usually under 10€, and large swaths of the population - including pregnant people - are exempt, so yeah, having a baby is free.

Re: The Bermuda Triangle of Wealth

#55

Post by icebraining »

NiekvdMaas wrote: post #53
TomMarius wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That is absolutely not true. I am a citizen of the Czech Republic and if I stop being insured, e.g. because of changing my place of permanent residence, I'm not entitled to anything .

Incorrect. For example in The Netherlands it is mandatory to be insured. If you refuse to pay insurance, not only will you have to pay 100% of healthcare costs, you'll also be fined.

Are you sure you replied to the correct person?

Re: The Bermuda Triangle of Wealth

#56

Post by afpx »

Here’s a controversial perspective. Maybe most people’s expectations are too lofty, and their abilities much lower than the think they are.

In 2000, less than 25% of the working popultion had a bachelors degree. Today, every young person I talk to expects to finish a Phd, JD, and MBA. And, now everyone wants to live in the trendiest (highest-cost areas). There are plenty of places in the US where a house can be purcahsed for under $100k.

Unless you came from wealth, or you’re definitely in the top 1% of your peers, maybe set your expectations a bit lower. Or, at least be patient as you work your way up. Build wealth the old fashion way (like we did 25 years ago) - get a menial job (i.e. “in the mail room”), genuinely try to help your bosses (not compete with them), slowly build your reputation and circle of influence, take night classes at the community college, live below your means, save, etc.

Re: The Bermuda Triangle of Wealth

#57

Post by chrisco255 »

jstanley wrote: post #20
chrisco255 wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Assuming you don't have healthcare insurance, which 90% of Americans do, it would set you back around $3000, according to: https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/considering-baby/financing...

So is that the normal case? The median birth results in the parents paying $3000? That still seems absurd. Do most people just decide to do it at home and take the risk?

No, normal case is your or your husband's insurance pays for it

Deductibles can vary wildly depending on someone's insurance plan. However, there are a myriad of financing options, charities, etc if for some reason you can't afford that.

Re: The Bermuda Triangle of Wealth

#58

Post by dagw »

pjc50 wrote: post #33
mothsonasloth wrote: post #14

In the UK people's savings have been shrinking for the last 10 years. Its scary how many people are living hand to mouth, and with banks offering crappy interest rates it is no wonder people are spending rather than saving. cue : rampant consumerism, payday loans, wage stagnation etc.

Yes, and in this case it can't be blamed on healthcare costs and mostly not on student loans - it's mostly housing that's the problem, and relatedly costs of transport (because to some extent you can trade one against the other). For pensioners the top complaint is usually energy bills, but I don't think it's a good idea to make energy too cheap lest people use more of it.

I don't think it's a good idea to make energy too cheap lest people use more of it.

Have a tiered pricing system. Make the first N kWh cheap and then gradually increase the price.

Re: The Bermuda Triangle of Wealth

#59

Post by NiekvdMaas »

dirktheman wrote: post #32
TomMarius wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It costs around the same in Europe if you don't have insurance. I'm pretty sure it's the same in the USA - this is the rate that would be charged to your insurance company. Rates are way lower for uninsured people if you ask them and tell them that you're not insured (I got a bill lowered 10 times when I broke my hand); and of course most people have some kind of insurance. To the people downvoting: please read prope…

It's free in The Netherlands. Well, not technically free but it's covered by the universal healthcare so it won't cost you a dime. (FYI the basic healthcare plans all cover the same regardless of insurance company. It covers nearly everything that you could go bankrupt on. There are extra packages that cover additional care like physical therapy or dentist costs. A basic plan is around EUR 90,- per month with a deduc…

Note that medicines count towards your deductible, as well as any more serious investigation by the GP (x-rays, blood tests, etc).

Re: The Bermuda Triangle of Wealth

#60

Post by cronz »

TomMarius wrote: post #34
cronz wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Haha, what? Childbirth costs 0 € in a public hospital

It doesn't. Not everywhere and every time. See my other reply.

Well of course if you are not a EU resident you don't get free childbirth. This is a country not a resort hotel.
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