[fwdude]

I wasn’t even thinking of these common-sense money savers.

Although some of these apply mostly to certain ethnic groups, which are the ones who complain the most about lack of funds, I was thinking more about the $800 hair weaves, $2000 rims for your ghettomobile, $1000’s in tattooing projects, $350/month smoking habits, etc. Add to those the $200/month cell phone/data plans, $150/month cable bills, and food waste and you probably located about $800/month that could be “found” to fund savings and (what do you know) health insurance.

[grania]

I called Senator Portman's office with my suggestion today. (I'm sure it will be take as seriously as they all are) Why not pay people say, 50% of average expenses for every year they don't charge anything to their health insurance or government health programs? If people just get the most basic care, they'd probably benefit from just paying for it themselves. Would some people die because of it? Well, yeah. Survival of the fittest and all that. Would it empower others to scrutinize their expenses, look for healthy alternatives, and not pay for anything they don't really need? Yes.

Either way, it would help keep costs in line. We all know people who are undecided about some medication or treatment, but get it because "it's covered", then complain about the copayment.