I’d find all that spending very boring. I’m willing to spend for nice trips— right now. I’m trying to work up the courage to pull the trigger on business class seats to Greece in the spring. We have a vacation home and a rental apartment near our granddaughter’s family. We do what seems interesting— and also the unglamorous stuff like ongoing home maintenance. I expect our pensions and long term care insurance will cover time in The Home. But I’d be VERY uncomfortable running through our investments and other savings. Nobody knows what the future will bring, and while our kids protest the idea of inheritance, I feel more comfortable knowing they’ll have one.
For a 2000 sq ft house on a 45OO sq ft lot, I’ll be lucky if my taxes are $20,000 this year. I won’t know until just before Christmas! Ho! Ho! While this is still affordable for us, I do have great sympathy for many of the folks for whom I do taxes at Goodwill. I do see older people, with very modest means, who are being taxed out of very modest homes. These people could never have imagined paying outrageous taxes on little 800 sq ft homes— and couldn’t have planned for the tax. I also do Homestead Credit when prepping their tax— at most it’s about $2400 — and usually less. The city is the state capital and home to the UW flagship campus, but there is also substantial business, most notably in insurance, biotech, and AI. Epic Sysrems, the developer of My Chart and other health care software, is also present.
Two things: 1) when I Google breast cancer survival rates US v UK, AI indicates the US average is 90.2% v 86 in the UK so that’s 4.2%. My guess is the numbers are averages across demographics and stages in both counties. 2) is this because if taxation or health care system? I’d argue the two are interconnected. Screening doesn’t start until age 50 in the UK —probably
because the finances of the UK national health can’t support 40 as in the US.
Taxes also pay for some screening in the US — think Medicaid. Early screening is associated with higher survival rates. As a person who was diagnosed very early and did survive, I am more than willing to pay taxes to assure others have the same benefit. Incidentally, early detection also accounts for disparities in other common cancerd such as colon, lung, etc. As for advanced treatment, I think where care is obtained definitely matters. That’s why I continue to live in a city with property taxes that are considerably higher than those even in NJ.
check out breast cancer survival rates in the US vs UK— they’re higher in the US. That’s because screening starts earlier and there is easier access to new pricey treatments here. Given your family situation, you should be concerned about that. Me too — I was diagnosed at age 47 — three years earlier than the first screening would have occurred in the UK. I’ve since lived cancer free for over 30 years. I’ll pay for that!!
I think the US medical payment system is deeply flawed, but it’s not as totally abysmal as you suggest, Every time I
i sign into MyChart — the only way I can schedule an appointment or access any medical services — I am served a page outlining no interest payment plans and charity care options. I have to actively deny the options to continue. Most hospitals in the US are not for profit, and they do help finance and write off millions of dollars of care each year.
Good call! We pay everything through one account, so we wouldn’t have a problem like yours. But it’s important to recognize that the cost can be more than the benefit.
I agree about tipping the breakfast room staff. If the housekeeping people are tipped, the food providers should be too. I don’t see many people doing it. We travel quite a bit — try to stay at the same chain that provides breakfast and accepts dogs.
Comments
I’d find all that spending very boring. I’m willing to spend for nice trips— right now. I’m trying to work up the courage to pull the trigger on business class seats to Greece in the spring. We have a vacation home and a rental apartment near our granddaughter’s family. We do what seems interesting— and also the unglamorous stuff like ongoing home maintenance. I expect our pensions and long term care insurance will cover time in The Home. But I’d be VERY uncomfortable running through our investments and other savings. Nobody knows what the future will bring, and while our kids protest the idea of inheritance, I feel more comfortable knowing they’ll have one.
Post: Anyone For S.K.I.ing?
Link to comment from September 22, 2026
For a 2000 sq ft house on a 45OO sq ft lot, I’ll be lucky if my taxes are $20,000 this year. I won’t know until just before Christmas! Ho! Ho! While this is still affordable for us, I do have great sympathy for many of the folks for whom I do taxes at Goodwill. I do see older people, with very modest means, who are being taxed out of very modest homes. These people could never have imagined paying outrageous taxes on little 800 sq ft homes— and couldn’t have planned for the tax. I also do Homestead Credit when prepping their tax— at most it’s about $2400 — and usually less. The city is the state capital and home to the UW flagship campus, but there is also substantial business, most notably in insurance, biotech, and AI. Epic Sysrems, the developer of My Chart and other health care software, is also present.
Post: What I think about taxes- all kinds of taxes
Link to comment from September 21, 2026
Two things: 1) when I Google breast cancer survival rates US v UK, AI indicates the US average is 90.2% v 86 in the UK so that’s 4.2%. My guess is the numbers are averages across demographics and stages in both counties. 2) is this because if taxation or health care system? I’d argue the two are interconnected. Screening doesn’t start until age 50 in the UK —probably because the finances of the UK national health can’t support 40 as in the US. Taxes also pay for some screening in the US — think Medicaid. Early screening is associated with higher survival rates. As a person who was diagnosed very early and did survive, I am more than willing to pay taxes to assure others have the same benefit. Incidentally, early detection also accounts for disparities in other common cancerd such as colon, lung, etc. As for advanced treatment, I think where care is obtained definitely matters. That’s why I continue to live in a city with property taxes that are considerably higher than those even in NJ.
Post: What I think about taxes- all kinds of taxes
Link to comment from September 21, 2026
check out breast cancer survival rates in the US vs UK— they’re higher in the US. That’s because screening starts earlier and there is easier access to new pricey treatments here. Given your family situation, you should be concerned about that. Me too — I was diagnosed at age 47 — three years earlier than the first screening would have occurred in the UK. I’ve since lived cancer free for over 30 years. I’ll pay for that!!
Post: What I think about taxes- all kinds of taxes
Link to comment from September 21, 2026
Interesting—the kitchen hasn’t gotten any mentions.
Post: My Favorite Room
Link to comment from September 17, 2026
I think the US medical payment system is deeply flawed, but it’s not as totally abysmal as you suggest, Every time I i sign into MyChart — the only way I can schedule an appointment or access any medical services — I am served a page outlining no interest payment plans and charity care options. I have to actively deny the options to continue. Most hospitals in the US are not for profit, and they do help finance and write off millions of dollars of care each year.
Post: What would you do if you received this text from your child as I did this morning?
Link to comment from September 16, 2026
Good call! We pay everything through one account, so we wouldn’t have a problem like yours. But it’s important to recognize that the cost can be more than the benefit.
Post: When $2000 Isn’t Worth the Hassle
Link to comment from September 16, 2026
Just finished my free hotel breakfast. For the first time, there was a tip jar next to the buffet. No need to seek out the worker.
Post: Free Breakfast
Link to comment from September 16, 2026
The staff (Usually an older woman) is usually around replenishing or cleaning up. I just approach and hand over the cash. They are very grateful,
Post: Free Breakfast
Link to comment from September 10, 2026
I agree about tipping the breakfast room staff. If the housekeeping people are tipped, the food providers should be too. I don’t see many people doing it. We travel quite a bit — try to stay at the same chain that provides breakfast and accepts dogs.
Post: Free Breakfast
Link to comment from September 10, 2026