Watching mrs bambu trying to drink the colonoscopy prep stuff, I decided that was nearly a fate worse than death.
I have no money to pay specialists, we had to basically beg mrs bambu's specialist to "bulk bill" (bill the govt 100%, he accepting less than he would if we had to pay his usual fee.)
Because she has diabetes he was able to operate on her "immediately" in a public hospital, and he accepted the govt Medicare rebate as full payment.
There is about a 12 month waiting list in public hospitals...and you usually can't have the doctor of your choice
We had to give up/stop paying private health insurance, too expensive, unaffordable.
We're not the only ones.
I just spent our last $10 at the supermarket.
No more credit available, no savings, well a total of about $2 of cents in several bank accounts. Credit cards debt. Got credit left at the vet for our lovely dog.
Life insurance policies payments keep increasing as you get closer to 85.
Die after 85 you get nothing.
Ideally I will die before 85 so mrs bambu can collect the insurance money and live happily and comfortably.
Moral of my story is to make sure you go into retirement with no debt and plenty of cash in the bank, and somewhere to live that you own. An apartment, or house/cabin/etc where you own the land.
Reportedly, investors are buying the land, or already own the land that some mobile homes, prefab homes are on and are increasing the rents, causing some owners of the homes financial stress.
One experienced van life older man has just bought some cheap land in *remote* America...but still within close proximity to a town.
I'd call the land 'desert'.
Somehere to park his van permanently, have a fixed/postal etc address.
He has built a largish carport type structure out ot timber and tarps.
Shelter from the sun and rain.
Fixed BBQ to use as a kitchen, sleeps in the van, uses solar panels for power.
The main thing is he owns it.
