LA Times: Middle class gets Obamacare sticker shock

[BKLawyer]

101. I never said ...

That she shouldn't get the insurance. My point was to point out that a modest budget for 3 people can easily get to $80,000 in a hurry.

So cut out the cable and internet. Big woop. On the other hand, I only had 1 car budgeted. And $350/month IS NOT a lot for a car - it's the cost of the 2008 Ford Focus I was driving. The second car, that old car they were driving now has 250,000 miles and broke down for the last time. Are you going to tell them that they should not get a new car? What if the husband has to drive a long distance and needs a reliable car? And where's the 401k in my budget, the life insurance, and a lot of other things in there.

Yeah, its possible to cut my budget up here and there, to move some money around. But all my expenses are what most people consider middle class. And note, I don't have health insurance factored in. So as soon as you take that $350/month car payment out, put back in that $350/month health insurance bill.

So don't get all "disappointed" about my advice. I've been doing this for years and get plenty of referrals precisely because I get people to straighten out their finances.

She was happy with a $98/month payment - she was just forced to pay more if she wants health insurance. How did that help HER finances? Oh, that's right, it didn't.