I know this isn't a Home Economics essay but I am very curious how a family with 2 freelancers (and 2 kids!) does health insurance, if they're willing to share. I'm currently in a job I love with a ton of flexibility but no health insurance, and my husband (who is currently holding down a job he doesn't love, partly to provide our health insurance) is thinking about a career change, but the reliance on insurance is so limiting. Curious how other people do it.
Hey Rachel! I'll ask! (Abbey's been traveling, so we might be slow to reply). But this also is a good idea for a future story! I'll look into it more! Thanks!
As a PT insurance employee married to a self-employed person, the answer is Obamacare (health insurance dot gov) or individual health insurance. The premium is based on age and ZIP code. You may qualify for Obamacare depending on your annual household income, which will provide a premium subsidy. We do not qualify for subsidies so it's easier to purchase an individual policy directly from a health insurance company (we go through an agency). As an example, for 2 adults in their early 40s and two elementary-school-aged kids in the 14th largest MSA, we pay around $1500/month. But I know a similar family that receives subsidies on their Obamacare and pays $250/month.
The big difference between individual and group plans is the deductible and out-of-pocket limits; with individual plans they are much, much higher.
Hi! This is Abbey. For us next year, hybrid homeschooling will mean that our daughter goes to kindergarten some afternoons for recess/art/gym/music etc, and then will be home with us in the mornings. I'm not sure about other states, but as I understand it, VT is pretty open to having students who are registered homeschoolers with the state come in for a good chunk of classes.
I appreciate the 'rhythm' of this sample day and the way the family seems to adapt, move, sit, listen, talk, read, watch with each other. And the one author's statement that "this is the moment, this is the goal, this is our only time." Yes. This IS our only time. Thank you!
I was moved by how intentional and mindful this family is in creating their life together. It can feel so easy to be driven by norms and external expectations without really stopping to reflect on if they fit you, your family, and your values. It seems like they are really prioritizing a pace of life (with margin for the things that matter to them) above climbing a ladder. Mad respect!
I also wondered, how do we enter the subscriber giveaways if we are reading in the substack app and not getting posts as emails? I’d love to start throwing my name in the hat!
I too would love to know what hybrid home school is! I loved the way you balance your careers and such warm and engaged family time. I am trying to do something similar but it’s a challenge to get the rhythm. I love how much time the kids spent with their grandparents!
Hi! Thank you so much. I answered above about hybrid homeschooling, but pasting here, too: For us next year, hybrid homeschooling will mean that our daughter goes to kindergarten some afternoons for recess/art/gym/music etc, and then will be home with us in the mornings. I'm not sure about other states, but as I understand it, VT is pretty open to having students who are registered homeschoolers with the state come in for a good chunk of classes.
Lindsey, I am dying for your take on the PTA. I haven’t yet cracked it. In grad school everyone was trying to publish and get a prestigious post doc or professorship. Although I wasn’t on the same path, I understood and respected the goals. I am baffled by the PTA.
Hello Lindsey, reaching out via the comment section because I'm not sure how else to contact you. I write about all aspects of DIY, from cleaning the sludge from behind the sink faucet, to designing your own career. I would love to do a podcast interview with you. My Substack is https://www.kateledogar.com/ Thanks for your great work!
I know this isn't a Home Economics essay but I am very curious how a family with 2 freelancers (and 2 kids!) does health insurance, if they're willing to share. I'm currently in a job I love with a ton of flexibility but no health insurance, and my husband (who is currently holding down a job he doesn't love, partly to provide our health insurance) is thinking about a career change, but the reliance on insurance is so limiting. Curious how other people do it.
Hey Rachel! I'll ask! (Abbey's been traveling, so we might be slow to reply). But this also is a good idea for a future story! I'll look into it more! Thanks!
As a PT insurance employee married to a self-employed person, the answer is Obamacare (health insurance dot gov) or individual health insurance. The premium is based on age and ZIP code. You may qualify for Obamacare depending on your annual household income, which will provide a premium subsidy. We do not qualify for subsidies so it's easier to purchase an individual policy directly from a health insurance company (we go through an agency). As an example, for 2 adults in their early 40s and two elementary-school-aged kids in the 14th largest MSA, we pay around $1500/month. But I know a similar family that receives subsidies on their Obamacare and pays $250/month.
The big difference between individual and group plans is the deductible and out-of-pocket limits; with individual plans they are much, much higher.
Yup! We qualify for subsidies so that's how it works for us.
This is a great one! Can you share more what it means to “hybrid home school”? I’m curious!
Hi! This is Abbey. For us next year, hybrid homeschooling will mean that our daughter goes to kindergarten some afternoons for recess/art/gym/music etc, and then will be home with us in the mornings. I'm not sure about other states, but as I understand it, VT is pretty open to having students who are registered homeschoolers with the state come in for a good chunk of classes.
I was wondering that too!
I appreciate the 'rhythm' of this sample day and the way the family seems to adapt, move, sit, listen, talk, read, watch with each other. And the one author's statement that "this is the moment, this is the goal, this is our only time." Yes. This IS our only time. Thank you!
That's a great line you pulled out, Tortoise!!
Amazing what can be accomplished in a day. Very glad to be retired, could not match your energy.
Hi Greg!!! Miss ya
I was moved by how intentional and mindful this family is in creating their life together. It can feel so easy to be driven by norms and external expectations without really stopping to reflect on if they fit you, your family, and your values. It seems like they are really prioritizing a pace of life (with margin for the things that matter to them) above climbing a ladder. Mad respect!
I also wondered, how do we enter the subscriber giveaways if we are reading in the substack app and not getting posts as emails? I’d love to start throwing my name in the hat!
I too would love to know what hybrid home school is! I loved the way you balance your careers and such warm and engaged family time. I am trying to do something similar but it’s a challenge to get the rhythm. I love how much time the kids spent with their grandparents!
Hi! Thank you so much. I answered above about hybrid homeschooling, but pasting here, too: For us next year, hybrid homeschooling will mean that our daughter goes to kindergarten some afternoons for recess/art/gym/music etc, and then will be home with us in the mornings. I'm not sure about other states, but as I understand it, VT is pretty open to having students who are registered homeschoolers with the state come in for a good chunk of classes.
Really enjoyed this one! It felt so warm to read, and very much enjoyed the '“enough” is a powerful goal' thought.
Thank you so much Sara!
Lindsey, I am dying for your take on the PTA. I haven’t yet cracked it. In grad school everyone was trying to publish and get a prestigious post doc or professorship. Although I wasn’t on the same path, I understood and respected the goals. I am baffled by the PTA.
This is spam?
Hello Lindsey, reaching out via the comment section because I'm not sure how else to contact you. I write about all aspects of DIY, from cleaning the sludge from behind the sink faucet, to designing your own career. I would love to do a podcast interview with you. My Substack is https://www.kateledogar.com/ Thanks for your great work!