Coverage that fits a real budget.

If your household income might drop under the Medicaid line during the year, apply through Healthcare.gov — the system routes you to Medicaid if you qualify, and to a subsidized Marketplace plan if you don't. You don't have to guess which one you fit.

For Marketplace plans, silver-tier plans often carry cost-sharing reductions that lower deductibles and copays for households under 250% of the poverty line — usually a better deal than a slightly cheaper bronze plan.

California's Low Cost Auto Insurance Program (CLCA) offers liability coverage for eligible good drivers with premiums as low as $250–$500/year in most counties. Eligibility runs to 250% of the federal poverty line.

New Jersey's Special Automobile Insurance Policy (SAIP) is a $360/year policy for Medicaid recipients that provides basic emergency medical coverage — enough to satisfy state law at minimum cost.

Even without a state program, look at usage-based auto insurance if you drive under 8,000 miles/year — Metromile, Mile Auto, and telematics from mainstream insurers can cut premiums 30–60% for low-mileage drivers.

Term life insurance is straightforward: you pay a fixed premium for a set term (10, 20, or 30 years), and if you die during the term, your beneficiary receives a tax-free death benefit. A healthy 35-year-old can often get $500,000 of 20-year term for under $30/month.

Skip whole-life and universal-life sales pitches unless you have a very specific estate-planning reason. For most families, term life plus separate retirement savings is dramatically more efficient.