What Does Economic Struggle Look Like?
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Things were looking up, we found a new tax credit apartment and actually would save $200 a month that could be used to do some things we had been putting off (upholstering furniture and purchasing some new tables; car repairs). I am sad to say that I lost mom and she will be missed dearly. But I now am faced with paying all of the rent, the food bill, car repairs... everything. On my modest pension check, I am really worried. Seems like no one wants to say to an 'old face', "you're hired". What to do? Three-four part-time days' work a week would turn things around.
Sandra
Wauwatosa, IL
Divorced older females face particular struggles. In the work force it is to easy to opt for hiring younger prettier females with less experience for lower wages than someone with experience that they have to pay more for. Women already earn at least 25% less than there male counter parts. Not to mention the fact that there careers are broken up by maternity and taking time out for rearing children which prevents them from advancing as their male counterparts do. Add this to the fact that child support only covers half of the ordinary cost of living or less and the women are required to come up with the difference to pay for all their childrens emergencies, school functions, computers and if possible help out with their college expenses leaving no funds for retirement investing. I was dealing with all of this and an abusive husband who broke my skull among many more heinous acts that left me with PTSD. I was declared disabled at the time of my divorce. I did not go on disability but chose to continue and try to work but had to give up my career due to mental complications and went for a meager paying job in retail which I did for a while till I found a job that I could build a career out of. However because I was earning so little I had to take on two jobs and finally collapsed out of sheer exhaustion with a relapse of the PTSD symptoms that were twice as bad. Needless to say I paid into social security and medicare on both jobs all those years. I do get food stamps now if you call $16 a month in food stamps real help. My medicare and drug plan reduced my income to about 900 a month half of which goes to all the medical care that has resulted from the PTSD such as colon problems, arthritis, asthma, migrains, hypothyroidism and more not to mention the panic attacks and fears of leaving my home now or the night terrors surfacing from all the years of abuse I suffered back when there was no help to escape for domestic violence victims. The other half is stretched thinly over utilities, transportation, and home costs. If I had not been frugal and invested my money wisely in a house I would likely have fewer expenses now. When they calculate housing expenses for benefits a home owner is only allowed to deduct their house insurance if the mortgage is paid off. But there are all sorts of other bills such as yard maintanence, roof replacements, plumbing issues, foundation issues, appliances etc that we still have to maintain especially if it is an older home in a poor area of town like mine is. Yet someone who was not as frugal and still lives in an apartment gets to deduct their entire rent which includes working appliances which are replaced free of charge if they break, yard maintenance, structural maintenance is also all inclusive, as are the property taxes included in their rent and therefore allowed as viable expenses qualifying them for benefits that I can't qualify for because mine aren't allowed. At 940 a month with 400 going on medical bills and medicine, and 430 for taxes insurance & utilities, 70 for car insurance (thank goodness my car was paid off when I became fully disabled) I'm left with 40 for a tank of gas and my measly $16 worth of food stamps to live on a month. Needless to say I either do without health care to eat more, or eat filler foods like bread rice and potatoes (I asked for meat for my Christmas gift from my family this year and now am lucky enough to have some) After paying in to medicare for all those youthful years of my life it puzzles me as to why my medicare has to cost me so much now. I didn't even have to pay this much for insurance when I was employed. I also don't understand how it was that Clinton said there was an excess of Social Security funds when he was in office and now it's apparently going broke? We deposited our money designated for our retirement, was it just suddenly embezzled and moved to pay off government debt and used like extra taxation instead of leaving it ear marked as our retirement funds? We are a wealthy nation. I worked the better part of 50 years and often either working two jobs thus paying in double to the system or working one job that required 20 hours or more of overtime which likewise caused me to pay in extra to the system. I could go on but I will stop with this as I think it becomes very obvious that not nearly enough is being done for the elderly and disabled. The picture is of me back in the day when I was an operating room nurse.
Naomi Springdale, ARMaking ends meet has been a struggle almost all of my life, but since 2007, it has been really tough. Although I am very thankful for help with food, a full-time job is needed to take care of responsibilities at home, transportation, college loans, and problems children left behind. Too old for today's work not old enough for Social Security!
Betty Chesapeake, VA
My part-time job would have been a joy had my finances been in order to cover retirement years. Wondering where I am going to live from one day to the next or trying to reach people to help is nothing like I imagined when I was working full-time. Thank you so much!I was laid off over 5 years ago and am struggling without much hope to survive. I have severe cases of stress and anxiety all because of money issues. Food, clothing, automobile all are questionable. I have a very old 1994 car with over 218.000 miles on it and should it decide to give out, I will not have any transportation. I live alone. I at this time am supposed to have a follow up mammogram. It was supposed to have been done in January. I cannot get to the place where I could get the follow-up mammogram or whatever they need to do to determine whether or not I have breast cancer. I also need other areas checked too to ensure that I do not have cancer. What am I supposed to do? Medicare part D does so little to help with medical expenses for the elderly--including me. We need more help. What is wrong with you people always wanting to take away from the elderly and give to the extremely rich???? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU???
Kay Eden Prairie, MNMy mother had $1,000,000 stolen by her caregiver using a signature stamp within weeks. SB 586 was a bill that was authored by Senator Fran Pavley after I brought this story to her attention. I testified at every committe and made it through all of them only to have Governor Brown of California veto it due to pressure from the banking industry. I have tried to get banks to offer special savings to help protect seniors so that they can place a cap on their account but the banks don't want any type of regulations imposed so Helen Wofford who will be released from prison next month will go right back out and do this again. I have am writing a book on my story and hope to get it published to help others. NBC and CBS News did segments on this story and people don't realize how easy it is to steal a fortune with a $19.99 stamp.
Liz Woodland hills, CAI am 63 years old. Since November 2010 I don't have job. Actually I am collecting unemployment beneficts, but it isn't enough for pay rent, energy, gas and all my bills. I live alone. I could find this web site and I hope that I will can help and orientation to my life.
juan Tampa, FLThe Elderly is suffering beyond understanding. We need to support our Elderly more effectively.I know our State of PA does not have any Grandparents rights, keeping many Grandparents them from being able to see their Grandchildren,for reasons beyond their control. Elder Abuse and Elder Financial Abuse is a big business, as this issue has touched our father an honorable man who served in the US AirForce defending this country for 25 years. When he was in his Elder years our country has turned their backs on him, while the Judicial System watch as a Bogus Exeuctor disapated everything he worked for in his life time. His estate sold at an Auction, including Christmas &, Birthday Presents devastating the family of the Elderly Parent. Dishonesty, lies and forgery of his Will disapted my honorable father, the rights for his family to maintain his legacy,and the heirlooms of his U S AirForce serving this country. Elder Abuse Laws did not help our father, at any level. His neglect was reported, his family asking for help, was unsucessful, to get him the help needed to Stop the Elderly Financial Abuse and physical neglect Please Stop Elderly Financial Abuse or Neglect loopholes in the laws to stop this crime from being a Big Business any longer..
Nancy Sinking Spring, PAI am a lung cancer survior.Elderly and on fixed income.No money for dentures,glasses and need a toilet fridge and air conditioner.I carry water to flush toilet Judith Sarasota Fla.
judith Sarasota, FL
I'll be 67 next month. That is just one step closer to being in a Nursing Home. I dread that and figure I will just go ahead and pass rather then be in a nursing home. I live with a friend and when she is mad she tells me that is where I am headed and she don't mean a nicer place. I gave up my house but with medical costs I just can't make it. Every year I have to pay several thousand dollars in co-pay, and that dang "donut hole" (isn't something sweet) it eats my purse dry. Oh, and some drugs my insurace won't cover. Medicine or food? I remember hearing about that when I was a youngin but now its me.
Sandra
Reno, NV
I am 60 years old and living on social security disability. The amount I receive per month is not enough to pay all the bills I have and then have enough for groceries and medicine. I live with family and doen't even pay rent, which I also couldn't afford. I found this web site with the hope that I can learn - is there any foudation or funds that are for seniors who need that amount extra to get through the month and pay rent. I need about $1,000 per month extra and have no idea how to find it. My disability does not allow me to work at any regular job. Thanks if anyone has a comment or information on what to do. I'm despairing of any answer.
Theresa Henderson, NV