Insurance & Health
Mom's Medicare choice, one year later
Twelve months of premiums, a few specialist visits and one surprise prescription. Would we make the same choice for her again?
Taking the kids off our car insurance
Josh moved to Indianapolis and got his own policy. What came off our bill, the paperwork and the timing I'd get right next time.
The hail storm, the roof claim and the adjuster's visit
Golf-ball hail on a Tuesday night, a dented gutter and a roof that was already 22 years old. How the claim went and what we got paid.
Do we still need life insurance with grown kids?
The term policy we bought in 2004 runs out in 2029. What it was for, what's changed and how we thought about letting it go or keeping it.
Picking a health plan when we barely see the doctor
Open enrollment for two people in their late fifties. Deductibles, a health savings account and what we expect to actually use.
Dropping collision on a 2014 truck
Greg's F-150 is worth about $13,000. The simple math we used to decide whether collision coverage was still worth $38 a month.
Helping my mom choose between Medigap and Medicare Advantage
Mom is 79 and wanted it settled before December. The worksheet we made, the questions for her doctors and what she decided.
Three home and auto bundle quotes in one week
An independent agent shopped our house, Greg's truck and my SUV. What changed between the quotes and how we chose without just picking the cheapest.
Our homeowners insurance went up 22 percent
The renewal came in at $1,812, up from $1,486, with no claims in 15 years. Why it happened in Ohio this year and what I asked our agent.
Paying the spousal surcharge or buying my own plan
Greg's employer charges $100 a month to add a spouse with other options. How I compared that to a marketplace plan for a 55-year-old.
What happens to my health insurance when I leave my job
My school-district plan ends June 30. The options I had, from Greg's plan to the marketplace, and the questions I wrote down first.