I am very sympathetic to the first woman’s situation. I have seen it a couple of times in my life. Women who have lost their husbands, running out of money. No kids to help them out, didn’t save, left with very little. There’s obviously much smarter monetary moves she could have done throughout her life, and if you don’t have to spend your money and time on kids, you sure have a better chance at saving. However, she didn’t, and looking back now doesn’t really help her. I can’t begrudge someone simple pleasures like a prime rib dinner that will also serve as lunch for a couple of days. I just think it’s sad. I wonder if there is some sort of national network that elderly people can go to get help, that is well publicized. I know there’s often local places, but for someone who is moving around all the time, it could be hard to find that help. I think there would be many people willing to help seniors in need.
I am sympathetic to all of the stories, plus those I read about folks having rough times in our state, but that doesn’t really help them have a happier or more comfortable future.
It sounds like the RV the lady in the 1st story bought is breaking down and she can’t afford to maintain it and has more expenses to come with it, plus no financial cushion and finding working long days exhausting when she can get work, plus she’s still making monthly payments on the RV.
In terms of giving to those less fortunate, there seems to be some compassion fatigue when one keeps being asked to give by every charity and hard luck person every time one turns around, or so it sometimes seems.
If her doublewide is still in the same location, doesn’t she still owe rent every month?
It didn’t say she moved it before she took off.
Some of us may live a very long time–I have relatives who have lived over 100 years. I definitely don’t want to rely on social programs or the kindness of strangers or strength of my body working long hours on my feet, even to chase a cherished dream.
I read her story as she’s living the life she wants. She wants it to be nicer, to not have to pay for the dentist and not have things break on her trailer, but she wanted to travel the country in an RV and that’s what she’s doing. If she went back to California, she could get all kinds of services like food stamps and medicaid. She doesn’t want that. She said she misses her sister but can’t afford to drive back to California to see her. Another choice.
Is that what I want? No, but I can see other people wanting it. Could I make her budget work, put her on a strict grocery store and eating out schedule and budget for that $1500 or so a month? Sure, but then she wouldn’t be happy.
“If her doublewide is still in the same location, doesn’t she still owe rent every month?
It didn’t say she moved it before she took off.”
Good question. I just assumed that she let it go to foreclosure.
“In terms of giving to those less fortunate, there seems to be some compassion fatigue when one keeps being asked to give by every charity and hard luck person every time one turns around, or so it sometimes seems.”
Yes, it seems like everyone is asking for something. You can’t even go to the grocery store without being asked for money outside the door, and by the cashier. However, it is far more personal when you see someone suffering (who isn’t looking for a handout for drug money), and seniors probably aren’t faking it. For me, it’s totally different when it’s just another organization looking for money (and probably half of it going to solicitation), and seeing someone you know is on hard times.
@HImom re: your post #93, according to my reading, prescription drugs are considered essential health care needs and, thus, would fall under the out-of-pocket max under ACA.
http://obamacarefacts.com/health-insurance/out-of-pocket-maximum/
Thanks @doschicos – I guess that was a change I didn’t notice on our policy. Fortunately, we haven’t hit the maximum more than a few very lean, tough years and hope to avoid doing so in the future until we start having significant health issues. Even my folks have very few medical expenses.
We are fortunate that our copay for most MD visits are $15. Our copay for most Rx is $70 or less.
I can’t imagine not seeing family members for many years. We see most of my family at least monthly and for a while weekly or more frequently. We see H’s relatives at least every other year.
It does come down to choices. When we have fewer resources available, the universe of choices shrinks dramatically and trade offs are sometimes quite tough.
I doubt if I can ever retire. My mortgage won’t be paid off til I’m 75. We bought the place as a fixer upper when my husband still had a professional salary but since he lost his credentials and now makes little more than minimum wage (and is 62 so undesirable in the job market) it now needs so many repairs we’d only break even if we sell it as is.
So far we’ve paid $1570 in medical expenses for the year out of pocket. Our cars are 12 and 10 years old and the older one with 252,000 miles is badly in need of replacement. Neither is anything close to a high priced model.
Worrying about what I’ll eat when I retire? I only eat one meal a day now.
Wow–tough when spouse loses credentials and can only get minimum wage jobs, especially at 62. Life throws curveballs for sure. My dad was working about 30 hours a week until recently. Now, at 91, he has scaled back, but still goes downtown M-F. He’s happier working than home, staring at the TV.
Our cars are 16 and 18 years old plus one that is only 7 years old, which was a surprise gift.
@MaterS post or pre ACA?
If post-ACA that is illegal. HPV is covered for both children AND adult females.
http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/facts-and-features/fact-sheets/aca-and-immunization/index.html
Here’s a website with info to help get more financially secure as we age.
https://www.ncoa.org/news/resources-for-reporters/get-the-facts/economic-security-facts/
Sorry, $6850 per year plus 300-400 per month for the premium is basically bankrupting a lot of folks. For most on here, that’s manageable , but I would say the median income on this forum is on the high side.
@KKmama - I wish there was an “sympathize” button here instead of just a “like.” I lost a job (unexpectedly) at the age of 50 and it was brutal finding my next one; I can only imagine what that job hunt would be like at 62.
This happened to my sort of sig other. A journalist, post two divorces where assets are split in half, plus young kids still to raise in his 50s and 60s, he has had a series of marginal jobs. Journalism has tanked as a career, and his niche has tanked even more. He has driven a school bus, but now fortunately works for our school system as an aid so has good health insurance. He is in his late '60s. One bill for $6000+ would eat up every spare cent in a year.
Fortunately though, medical bills have negotiable payments, unlike many other bills.
I don’t watch television normally, but had occasion to sit in a hospital room with someone with the TV on. The constant barrage of ads sells a version of reality that is far from the norm for anyone of limited resources. The values hammered in during a day of TV watching are not what leads to thrift and hard work. I feel like granny in the rocking chair posting this, but when you don’t watch TV it is rather shocking to see what goes on.
“The maximum out-of-pocket limit for any individual Marketplace plan for 2016 is $6,850 for an individual plan and $13,700 for a family plan.” https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/out-of-pocket-maximum-limit/
Sorry, $6850 per year plus 300-400 per month for the premium is basically bankrupting a lot of folks. For most on here, that’s manageable , but I would say the median income on this forum is on the high side."
Being uncovered and having a car accident or needing other treatment and having to pay the full cost would bankrupt you even more.
@Pizzagirl no one is advocating that folks shouldnt be covered. However, premiums, deductibles, and the costs of services are too high. Its not like the deductible and monthly premiums are lifetime, paying 11k per year if you or family members have an illness is too much, not to mention, in many cases after you meet the deductible you still have to pay 20-30% of the bill.
I have a relative who is experiencing something similar right now. She’s 58 years old, has an associate’s degree, and has worked for KMart for 35 years, starting out as a cashier and working her way up to some kind of floor manager. KMart is closing her store in March, and she’s really scrambling – no one in her area is hiring, especially not 58-year-old employees. She did get an offer from another big box store, but it would be part-time (no more than 25 hours a week).
No one works harder (or makes a dollar work more) than this SIL. She has no credit card debt but not much savings either; her car is at least 20 years old and she eats twice a day to save on food. I don’t think she’s ever been on a vacation, flown in an air plane, or had a manicure. Her pension disappeared several restructurings ago.
On the plus side, she’s healthy and has a fantastic outlook on life. On the other hand, no amount of budget tricks or Dave Ramsey (whom I like, by the way) lectures are going to “rescue” her. My H and I will help her as much as we can, but I still worry.