Compiled by Karen R. Sanderson
I worked for close to 50 years – often at minimum wage, sometimes below minimum wage (waitress, bartender). A lot of people I know did the same.
Now, when we are 65, some must depend on SS only to survive. I’m fortunate – I get SS, a small stipend from a previous job, and I have a few “on the side” things going on. But I still struggle.
I reached out to numerous old timers like me last fall/winter and asked them, confidentially, what did they do to make ends meet while on Social Security. What follows is a list of what we are dealing with.
By the way, if I didn’t contact you, it’s because I know you had other income streams.
And yes, some of these comments/concerns are mine, and, no, I won’t tell you which ones.
I would also like to mention that some Republicans have said – out loud – that they want to sunset SS. That means do away with it.
Electric bills have doubled this winter. Most nights, while watching TV, I have no other lights on. I have one nightlight in the bathroom. I unplug all small appliances when not using them, like coffee pot, microwave, lamps.
Home gas prices have doubled. I used to bathe every day. To save on hot water, I went to every two days, then every three or four days. Now, I’m at about every ten days.
Heat is kept around 62. I wear two long sleeved shirts, long underwear and sweatpants, two pairs of socks, and keep a blanket over me when reading or watching t.v. I sometimes wear knitted gloves, too.
Health insurance – best I could find is about $162 a month. I still skip a few of my meds, and I turn down tests from my doctor because I know I’ll have to pay a portion, which I can’t afford.
I have had the same glasses for about six or seven years and have not seen my optometrist because of the cost of that visit.
Dentist visits are more spaced out now because at $90-200 a visit, and I must put those visits on my credit card and then it takes months to pay off.
I went from cheap cuts of red meat and cheap cuts of pork and frozen chicken parts to hot dogs. I restrict grocery shopping to Seniors’ Day (5% off), buying cheap store brands, and only purchase items marked down or on sale. I save and utilize their savings stamp program (similar to the old green stamps).
Going out even for cheap fast food means I have to give up any other type of entertainment for several months. I took take-out Subway to my boy the other day, so I’ll be staying home for the next three months.
I went back to school late in life to get a degree, and when I was ready to get back into the work force, covid had struck. So, I’ve been living in fear of running out of savings vs. getting back into the work force and putting my life at risk.
Applying for any type of additional benefits is so overwhelming, I’ve started and given up at least a handful of times.
I have no voice in my state – all my reps and senators and the governor are all republican and care nothing about their at-risk seniors. We have no voice whatsoever.
People work “under the table” and sell their personal items just to stay afloat.
I’ve gone from several cups of coffee to just 3-4 ounces of coffee each morning to save a few pennies. I’ve gone from fancy coffee to store brand. I can’t even enjoy the coffee anymore (and forget Starbuck’s).
I have a substitute teacher’s license but have not been contacted even though I know remote learning is – in some places – being utilized. That little bit of money would be nice.
My Social Security went up a bit January 1, 2022, but that was quickly eaten up by home heating costs and electric bills.
TV is the only entertainment I have – other than internet – and my combined cable/internet bill is $175 a month.
Travel or a vacation is out of the question (both because of the cost and covid). I haven’t seen my out-of-state brother for about seven years. He offered to buy me a plane ticket, but the extra costs (tips, baggage, rental car) are prohibitive.
Travel from one city to the next is off my menu. I cannot afford the extra fuel for my vehicle.
I haven’t had a professional hair cut in over two years because of the cost.
I buy no beauty products whatsoever other than soap and toothpaste. I rely on Mother’s Day, my birthday, and Christmas gifts from my daughter-in-law for any extras like hand soap and hand and body cream.
I rinse paper plates, re-use plastic storage bags, and wipe off aluminum foil (much like my parents did during The Depression).
I haven’t bought any clothing – none – in more than four years. That includes new undergarments and socks.
“Treats” at the grocery are purchased only every few months. I treat myself to a pint of ice cream or a bag of chips only occasionally.
I drink tap water and homemade tea. Even off-brand soda is a treat and is purchased only sparingly.
I would love to grow fresh veggies at home, but I don’t have the space (I live in an apartment) nor the local temperatures to support that. You may suggest in-apartment growing – that requires pots and dirt and added nutrients to maintain. During the summer, I depend on the kindness of a local couple who grow extra veggies in their yard and pick up a few tomatoes and cucumbers and squash every couple of weeks.
I have no pets – though I would love the companionship, as I live alone – but I cannot afford that either.
Though I have wide and varied interests and would love to take classes at the local university, I can’t afford it. I join free groups on FB to learn more American Sign Language.
I don’t buy books, not even cheap used books. Our local library has restrictions, and it takes gas to get there. I re-read the books on my shelves and in my Kindle (which was a gift about ten years ago).
I’m 64 years old, and I’m on my son’s family’s cell phone plan, so that cost is minimal. They had to convince me to get a new phone several years ago. It took me two years to pay that off.
I work out at home with weights I got at a yard sale and utilize free YouTube videos. I dance in place for aerobics. I can’t afford a gym membership.
I have one set of sheets. New sheets or pillows are out of the question.
I am considering selling my personal artwork, and I mean the stuff I painted myself.
I cannot contribute to any campaign, charity, or special go-fund-me (even for people I know and trust). It breaks my heart.
Concerts? No way. State Fair? Fuhgeddaboudit. Movie theatre? Nope. Bowling? Nix. Even if I had the extra income, my state is run without mask mandates so nothing fun is safe.
I have no online pay-for news sources. I rely on free news sources via my paid-for cable and internet.
Karen R. Sanderson 