We leave an entire shelf in our refrigerator for insulin. I have two children with diabetes, along with a foster child with diabetes. Some of the insulin is outdated, but we keep it in the event of an emergency. We spend $31,800 on insurance premiums and deductibles before we receive any coverage because my husband and I are self-employed. ($1700 x 12 in premiums; $5700 out-of-network deductible and $5700 in network deductible.) This is more than 4 times what we pay for our mortgage and a huge portion of our earnings. I tried to apply for a lower priced insurance plan under the new healthcare laws but was told that I am not eligible because I have insurance. The plan is for uninsured. We would be forced to go without insurance to benefit from the new laws. I am embarrassed about the half & half. It is not good to have all that fat in our diets, but fat free half & half is too expensive. For my husband and daughter who can't drink milk due to allergies, there is soy milk.

We just moved to Manhattan from Brooklyn. Our apartment is much smaller, as is our refrigerator. We try to eat simply, a lot of vegetables, rice and tofu. We also make sure we don't waste food, almost everything gets used. I guess we feel fortunate to have healthy food when so many people today don't.