I understand your pain, Suzee. I've been helping my daughter navigate the ACA for years. She’s on the low end of the income spectrum, though. She must make at least $15,650 (100% of FPL for a single person), and not $1 under, to qualify for subsidies. We live in a state that not expanded Medicaid so that is not an option. My husband retired early, and used the ACA as a 2 year bridge to Medicare, so I’m familiar with the upper income “cliff” also. We were able to manipulate our income to stay under the cliff. Thank goodness we are both on Medicare now. Trying to explain this to anyone is a struggle, even to people who have ACA plans. Many couples don’t understand why both of their incomes count toward “household” income. Most people in my own state don’t understand why Medicaid expansion is so important. Because, God forbid an “able bodied” person could get “free” health care. Our local paper published an opinion piece in October 2025 by Dean Clancy, a senior health policy fellow at Americans for Prosperity. Here’s a clip from his piece:
“The credits did two primary things. First, they created new “zero-dollar plans” (100 percent free insurance for individuals making less than $60,000 a year or $130,000 for a family of four). Second, they eliminated the income cap, making sliding-scale premium subsidies available to those with higher incomes.”
He was wrong, of course, and I wrote to our paper. A correction was published a few days later. I wrote to Mr. Clancy and he admitted his error. But the damage was done, and anyone who read his article though that a person making $60,000 could get “free” healthcare.
Universal healthcare can’t happen fast enough for me, but it won’t happen in my lifetime.
I’m a casual reader of Humble Dollar and I really have enjoyed getting to “know” the various writers and commenters. Most seem to be enjoying comfortable retirements with occasional luxuries. I can’t quite get used to being retired and “comfortable” because I spent my whole life saving and being extremely frugal. I will become overly anxious about spending money “frivolously” (like a nail salon😊).I don’t question anyone else who spends money in ways that I wouldn’t. I’m overly sensitive to offending less fortunate people (like posting travel photos on social media). Today I’m obsessed with how much to spend on flights vs. ferry on an upcoming vacation. We’re talking a few hundred dollars, and I get seasick. Maybe I should go get a pedicure to calm my nerves.
I am currently working on an “end of life” document, or rather several documents that will be in a binder, along with directions about how to get necessary passwords. Jeff, I'm interested in how you are creating a trust and sub-trust for your daughter. We have an adult daughter with mental illness whom we are supporting. We have a trust, and her portion of inheritance will be put into a special trust managed by a trust company. It’s not a true special needs trust, and she is not disabled. Wondering if you have advice?
Thanks for your story, Mark, and the hope in it. We have an adult daughter with mental illness and have had our own journey. We also provide her with an apartment and much other support, but we worry greatly for her future after we are gone.
Comments
I understand your pain, Suzee. I've been helping my daughter navigate the ACA for years. She’s on the low end of the income spectrum, though. She must make at least $15,650 (100% of FPL for a single person), and not $1 under, to qualify for subsidies. We live in a state that not expanded Medicaid so that is not an option. My husband retired early, and used the ACA as a 2 year bridge to Medicare, so I’m familiar with the upper income “cliff” also. We were able to manipulate our income to stay under the cliff. Thank goodness we are both on Medicare now. Trying to explain this to anyone is a struggle, even to people who have ACA plans. Many couples don’t understand why both of their incomes count toward “household” income. Most people in my own state don’t understand why Medicaid expansion is so important. Because, God forbid an “able bodied” person could get “free” health care. Our local paper published an opinion piece in October 2025 by Dean Clancy, a senior health policy fellow at Americans for Prosperity. Here’s a clip from his piece:
Post: The ACA Financial Cliff … some helpful visuals (and hope for continued dialog)
Link to comment from February 3, 2026
I totally get Suzie's problem! I feel woozy on a boat dock!
Post: How the Other Half Live: The Reality Check
Link to comment from January 12, 2026
I’m a casual reader of Humble Dollar and I really have enjoyed getting to “know” the various writers and commenters. Most seem to be enjoying comfortable retirements with occasional luxuries. I can’t quite get used to being retired and “comfortable” because I spent my whole life saving and being extremely frugal. I will become overly anxious about spending money “frivolously” (like a nail salon😊).I don’t question anyone else who spends money in ways that I wouldn’t. I’m overly sensitive to offending less fortunate people (like posting travel photos on social media). Today I’m obsessed with how much to spend on flights vs. ferry on an upcoming vacation. We’re talking a few hundred dollars, and I get seasick. Maybe I should go get a pedicure to calm my nerves.
Post: How the Other Half Live: The Reality Check
Link to comment from January 12, 2026
I am currently working on an “end of life” document, or rather several documents that will be in a binder, along with directions about how to get necessary passwords. Jeff, I'm interested in how you are creating a trust and sub-trust for your daughter. We have an adult daughter with mental illness whom we are supporting. We have a trust, and her portion of inheritance will be put into a special trust managed by a trust company. It’s not a true special needs trust, and she is not disabled. Wondering if you have advice?
Post: Your two best investing books—and do you also keep an End-of-Life “family binder”?
Link to comment from January 4, 2026
Thanks for your story, Mark, and the hope in it. We have an adult daughter with mental illness and have had our own journey. We also provide her with an apartment and much other support, but we worry greatly for her future after we are gone.
Post: The Kids Are Alright
Link to comment from November 22, 2025