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Comment by nine_k | Hacker News Reader

Isn't it the classics of downshifting? Move to a cheap place, do some remote work, maybe time to time. Plan not to need much health care %)

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Maybe, but they never say!

It's strange to me how often I'll read a post like this that conveniently leaves out the crucial detail. Leaves a suspicious feeling in me that they have some nest egg or something they're not telling us about.

In most of the world basic health care is provided to all residents at low or no cost

Edit: to the user, paid for via taxes/etc.

Basic, yes! But try to avoid breaking a leg, or getting a bad case of COVID, because you definitely can do a lot to lower such risks.

How do you plan to not need healthcare. "Just don't get sick?"

???

Do not embark on such a project if you have some chronic conditions. Start in a good shape. Generally keep a healthy lifestyle: no heavy drinking, no junk food dinners, enough motion, etc. Stay away from high-risk pastimes like snowboarding, motorcycle racing, etc. Wash your hands and do other trivial things to keep infections reasonably away, especially when far from thickets of civilization.

Things like that. Do what you can not to get badly sick or injured, because medical bills can quickly burn through your savings.

No doubt, but beyond the practical advice you've offered, a lot of health in the long term comes down to luck. Some people eat perfectly and still develop cancer at age 34, others never develop it despite "living a hard life".

On average, health insurance doesn't seem optional.

:-/

I think insurance policies cap maximum out of pocket costs. I'm on a cheap policy ($300/month) that caps annual out of pocket costs at $12K. I have that $12K on standby if something really bad happens but it's been years and no issues yet.

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