health is wealth... until the bill arrives

I came across a stat this week that stopped me mid-scroll: a third of Americans are making real financial sacrifices just to cover healthcare costs. And we're not talking about people who are struggling. A lot of them are earning six figures.

They've thought about retirement. They've thought about debt. They've thought about investing. Almost none of them have thought about healthcare as a wealth-building issue. This week we’re getting into it.

(Actual answer at the end of the newsletter 👇)

You can do everything right by saving consistently, investing early, building an emergency fund… and still have healthcare costs quietly undo all of it.

That's not a worst-case scenario. That's what's already happening to a third of Americans.

That's how many people are making direct financial trade-offs like skipping vacations, delaying retirement, stretching prescriptions, and borrowing money (among other things) just to specifically manage healthcare costs.

And this isn't just a low-income issue. Even adults in households earning $180,000 to $240,000 report delaying life events because of healthcare costs, as do one in four adults earning at least $240,000 per year.

This is a personal finance problem that almost no one plans for, and it's costing people in ways that go far beyond the medical bill itself.

The good news is, it's one you can actually get ahead of:

👉 Open (or max out) an HSA if you're on a high-deductible plan.

A Health Savings Account is the only triple-tax-advantaged account that exists. Contributions are pre-tax, growth is tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are tax-free. If you're eligible and not using it, you're leaving money on the table.

👉 Build a dedicated medical emergency fund separate from your main one.

Your regular emergency fund is for car repairs and job loss. Medical expenses are a different category entirely, and blending them means one big bill can drain the whole safety net.

👉 Review your insurance plan annually.

The cheapest monthly premium is almost never the cheapest plan when you actually use it. Run the math: premium + estimated out-of-pocket. Many people overpay for the illusion of low monthly costs and get crushed when something happens.

👉 Start planning for long-term care before you think you need to.

Nearly one in ten Americans (an estimated 24 million) say they have postponed retirement specifically due to healthcare costs. Long-term care is one of the biggest and most underplanned expenses in retirement. Look into HSA contributions specifically earmarked for retirement healthcare, and consider whether a long-term care policy makes sense in your situation.

Trying to factor healthcare into your budget? We can help you make a plan for that.

The asset limit most Americans must hit to qualify for Medicaid long-term care

If a spouse suddenly needs nursing home care, a little-known legal tool (a Medicaid-compliant annuity) lets you convert excess savings into income, qualifying your spouse for Medicaid while protecting your own financial stability.

Percentage of parents who say their adult Gen Z kids still rely on them financially

And more than half of those parents say that support is straining their own finances. Financial independence is getting harder to reach, and the ripple effects are hitting two generations at once.

New jobless claims filed in early April

Weekly filings ticked up slightly and it’s worth keeping an eye on as the Iran conflict and broader economic uncertainty continue to play out.

Need to talk numbers? We can help you sort out your money.

Research shows people tend to spend more when using a credit or debit card versus cash. The friction of handing over physical money makes you feel the purchase. Tapping a card or phone? Not so much.