As a self-employed individual, creating your own benefits package is crucial to ensure you have access to necessary coverage, such as health insurance, retirement savings, and paid time off (PTO). Health insurance options include Healthcare Marketplace plans, employer-provided insurance, Medicaid or government-provided insurance, fixed indemnity insurance, short-term coverage, Direct Primary Care (DPC), health shares, international plans, and alternative options like health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and preferred provider organizations (PPOs). When choosing a plan, consider factors such as the number of people to be covered, age, coverage amount, add-ons like vision and dental, chronic or pre-existing conditions, and deductible limits. Retirement savings options include Traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, SEP IRAs, and Solo 401(k)s, each with their own contribution limits and tax advantages. When it comes to PTO, self-employed individuals can create an active or passive fund by setting aside a portion of income for vacation and sick leave, using creative methods like micro-savings, interest income, credit card points, or investments. A separate slow season fund is also recommended to cover unexpected expenses during periods of low income. By picking and choosing the benefits that work best for your life, business, budget, and taxes, you can create a comprehensive benefits package as a self-employed individual.