[homegarlic]

Depends on where you live. I can live on about $900 usd per month feeding 5 people earning more than twice that amount (excluding the income of my significant other).

The quality of life is great and I earn more than I will ever spend - my paycheck is about 3 times above the national average.

Since health care and education is "free" in Croatia, I don't have any debt and feel very secure when it comes to needs of my children.

[matt_wulfeck]

It's not food that breaks the bank though, it's medical costs. How is your insurance?

[allannienhuis]

> Since health care and education is "free" in Croatia

most places with free health care at least cap the cost of prescriptions and other related health costs to some pretty reasonable amount in most cases. Most people living in western countries outside of the USA really don't lose any sleep thinking about health care costs. There are always some exceptions (some chronic or unusual conditions not covered), but it really isn't on the list of things most people worry about much.

I've always found it astounding that people in the USA seem to think living with the looming spectre of financial collapse from medical debt as an acceptable (or only realistic) option for their society.

[homegarlic]

Yep, insurance (which is universal and funded through taxes mostly) covers a vast array of stuff, from severe surgeries to small checkups.

Even cancer chemotherapy wouldn't cost me a penny. I do pay around 30 usd monthly to cover me, my significant other, and my children - when it comes to those small medical costs (medical checkups, vaccines etc.).

Everything more complicated is covered by the tax system :D

I do not think there could be a situation where they would decline to operate, or that they would bankrupt me with the bill.