Living the full-time blogger’s life sounds like a luxurious dream to most aspiring bloggers, but that dream can quickly turn into a nightmare if you aren’t fully prepared and haven’t secured everything you’ll need ahead of time.
I learned the hard way, that every blogger needs affordable health and/or business insurance. It honestly was the last thing I had on my mind. I had been so used to whipping out my old insurance card whenever I needed to go to the doctor or pick up a prescription that it caught me off guard when I no longer had that privilege.
Don’t get me wrong, I had prepared for a gap in service by stocking up on scripts, but when my daughter hurt her wrist and had to go in for X-rays, that was the horrifying wake up call.
I wish someone could explain to me why it costs almost $500 for someone to push a button a couple of times and print out a blurry picture – because I’m clueless. On top of that, the doctor spent a record-breaking 8 minutes in the room telling us that nothing was broken before writing a prescription for over the counter pain relievers and an adjustable wrist brace.
I was glad that it was just a sprain and not a broken wrist, but I really wish I had known ahead of time before I racked up a huge bill in less than 30 minutes.
The truth is, at some point, you or someone in your family is going to get sick or hurt, and unfortunately there’s no blogger’s union offering health benefits. So, you’re going to have to get some yourself. Otherwise, out of pocket medical expenses will wipe out everything you’ve earned in no time flat.
I know, just the thought of having to secure your own insurance might be the detail that causes you to rethink full-time blogging altogether, but it doesn’t have to be. Start by simply getting some quotes and then plan your finances accordingly. Do some comparison shopping and select a plan with premiums and co-pays that you can afford, but also meets your needs.
In addition to health insurance, you might also want to get a business insurance quote if you’re running a business alongside your blog to protect yourself in the event someone wants to take you to court. Do a little research to find out more about business insurance.
Other accommodations you’re going to need if you’re planning on blogging full-time:
- Fully equipped home office with a fairly recent computer or laptop and reliable internet service.
- A daily schedule and on-going To-Do list to keep you organized. It’s super easy to get caught up in social media time-wasting activities. So give yourself some structure to go by and stick with it.
- A few months’ worth of expenses saved up and set aside in an account for emergencies. If an unforeseen incident occurs or your income dips, you want to be able to support yourself and your family.
What other items or arrangements might you need if you’re thinking about blogging full time? Have you thought about how you’ll handle other unexpected expenses?
About Kiesha Easley
Twitter: c50something
says:
Yes, Insurances are a big deal! My concerns at midlife is whether to blog fulltime & lose health,life,insurances,or continue in present state of apathy and discontent?
Good points here.
Clara recently posted..5 Super Easy Ways to Position Your Small Business for Success by Sylvia Browder
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Clara,
I totally understand your dilemma, I’ve been there, too many times. I’ve learned, though, that sometimes you’ve just got to go with your gut feeling and do what makes you happy – you’re less likely to be sick if you’re happy anyway :D
But also, you still have options. Most states have some type of health care program for low income families that can tide you over until things pick up and you can afford to get your own health insurance. Then there are health departments all over with free clinics and things like that.
Don’t be afraid to utilize those resources that your hard earned tax dollars have been paying for.
I wish you the best and hope that things improve soon :D
this is a serious issue and needs attention. i im saving up my blog money for that rainy day …
Sourish
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Ugh! Insurance. It’s been on my mind lately as I’ve been getting by short term insurance for my son. It is quite a big deal, isn’t it? Especially when they are young.
Thanks for this post because even though it’s a week later that I’m reading it, I needed it to remind me to get on the ball!
Tia Peterson recently posted..The Objectivity Checklist: Is Your Blog Worth Reading
The hardest thing when working from home is to keep a daily schedule and to stick to it, and of course to ignore all the noise that’s going in the house.
When I work from home I always close the door to my study, so that everyone knows that I’m working.
ouch! This blog serves as a wake up call to me. I never though I’d need a health insurance for blogging. Nice post! Thanks for the info!
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ouch! This blogs serves as a wake up call to me. I never though I’d need a health insurance for blogging. Nice post! Thanks for the info!
Florida Speeding Ticket Lawyer recently posted..Florida Traffic Tickets – Traffic Citations Cost More Than Ever In Florida Despite Ability To Pay High Fines
Sorry to hear about your daughter I hope she is doing better now!
I don’t have an insurance yet, because I was too lazy. But I will get one soon :)
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I have wondered about this as well. I have thought about just getting Major medical in case something big happens because I have found doctors to be be quite fair when pricing when you don’t have insurance. I am not one who gets sick a lot so full coverage can’t be justified.
Kiesha,
Hope your daughter will be 100% well soon. I know how it feels, i am a mom of two too.
What you wrote is a just great point to remind other bloggers.
As to me, i don’t plan to get a full time or expecting income for my blog, just let it naturally.
I live in Germany, i guess here, insurance is taken care of the company, where you or in my case, my husband works.
Only the problem to me is, blogging, commenting there and here needs lots of time, so it seems that half of my time for the kids are gone =(
I tried to concentrate on blogging at night, when they are a sleep, family is indeed number one.
Thanks for this share, something to wake me up!
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Hi Kiesha,
Wow! $500 for an x-ray. It’s times like this that I’m really glad I live in a country where you can get free medical care when you need it.
It always pays to have insurance though. You just never know when you’re going to need it.
I hope your daughter is feeling better, Kiesha.
As i said before , the most important thing is to get a plan for evry sing part of it , just a peaceful place , a schedule , timing , ..
Business is business but “life” is important too , getting that health insurance will fit everyone i guess !!! :)
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Hi Keisha,
Sorry to hear about your daughter getting hurt. Good thing it wasn’t serious. Hope she’s feeling better now.
I guess I’m lucky to only be a part time blogger in that sense. I still have company health coverage. But yeah, health costs can be outrageous. This is why I’m in favor of gov regulation.
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While we have all been conditioned to believe insurance is a necessity that conditioning is being done by companies that make money selling it and backed up by governments making insurance mandatory which when done by non-governments is aptly called extortion.
Here are some points to ponder:
1) Even if you have insurance you will almost always still have to pay and how much you have to pay has grown outrageously over the past decade or so.
2) Insurance often has caps so it is no guarantee that you will be covered if something really expensive happens.
3) Hospitals usually have to treat you even if you don’t have insurance and can not pay and then you will owe some amount for a very long time that is often less than insurance would have cost.
Small local and online communities have it right. When something happens they do fundraisers and solicit donations and provide what is needed.
I rarely post about it but I believe in surrendering control to God our Creator and have Faith that He will provide and He always has. Just remember that His timing is not our timing and we do not always understand why patience is a virtue we must have when we Trust in Him.
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Full time blogging is a business as any other business so yes having insurance is a smart thing. You don’t pick when you get sick or something unexpected happens. As they say better be safe then sorry, you work very hard on your blogging business don’t let anything happen.
Marios
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Super reminders Kiesha. Life intervenes on occasion and we need to be ready.
Thanks for sharing and have a fun weekend!
Ryan
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Hi Kiesha
It is something that is easy to overlook when starting out. We have to have business insurance but not health insurance unless you want private health care here in Australia.
Patricia Perth Australia
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You also have to take into account how much the premium is. In my country the health insurance works in a different way, so I cannot give it as an example. anyway.. if you need to pay 700 bucks or something like this in insurance, then the total fees you had to cover are better paid this way than to keep on paying the premium. On the other hand, if god forbid there would be something more serious, then you might even face bankruptcy.
So, I think it’s a good idea to get some sort of an insurance.