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I applaud folks like StealthRabbit, who can offer services to those in need. Frankly, after working in a state hospital, and working with the public for a number of years, and being reclusive IRL, I burned out long ago. Thank you, StealthRabbit, for doing what you do.
I've had financial reversals throughout life, and have lived successfully very frugally for a number of years.
Working at a State hospital, I can certainly understand why you are burned out. Thank you for your service.
Last edited by Pip-Squeak; 08-03-2023 at 10:23 PM..
I cannot say enough good about the ones I've used for our qualifed friends and family (including spouse of veterans). Often they are small villages / communities in nice semi-rural settings (Small town staff is excellent at providing support and care). They range from independent living to full care (Skilled nursing). You usually need to be broke, they take your pension and SS and give you a small monthly stipend, which is plenty, considering you get Healthcare, meals, and lodging for free! Often transportation / bus passes are included. My dad also got a Ferry pass, so he could travel all over the region (Puget Sound) on beautiful ferry and bus and train routes. Gardening, workshops, PX, lounge, movie theater, church, and a great open water view!!!
Married: Single
Both on Social Security, if ok, how much? Yes, not posting numbers.
Pension: Two; military and state.
401k/savings: A small 457(b)
State? Rural or City: West Central Florida, Unincorporated
Own/rent: Own, paid off.
Still working? How many hrs per week: Full time bum.
Retirement account/savings: Excess to needs goes into index funds or high interest savings account
How do you cover Medical: Medicare and Tricare for Life.
Do you like your location: Yes. Born and raised, returned to retire from military.
Friends/Family nearby: Adult daughter, grandson.
Attend Church/Clubs/Groups? Any friends/family: Two long time friends, all others have passed or lost touch.
Comfortably meeting basic needs: Yes.
My monthly bills are $550 (water, electric, cell, internet and P&C insurance).
Expenses $1000 (food, gas, personal).
Set asides are $600 (home maintenance/repair, medical copays, property taxes).
2019 vehicle, paid cash prior to retirement.
No HOA or CDD,
Married? No
Both on Social Security, if ok, how much? Start SS at age 69 in Feb 2024 @ $4500 / month
Pension? Yes, $2900 / month
401k/savings? Rolled 401K into IRA at retirement.
State? Rural or City? Germany, in a city of 250K residents
Own/rent? Rent a beautiful furnished apartment
Still working? How many hrs per week? No.
Retirement account/savings? IRA - yes, more than I will ever spend or need. Plus after tax investments.
How do you cover Medical? Medicare USA + Private insurance in Germany @ $1000 / month
Do you like your location? Yes, but likely returning to USA at end of September to avoid having to pay 42 percent income tax in Germany.
Friends/Family nearby? No family, but great neighbors and many friends.
Attend Church/Clubs/Groups? Any friends/family? Not much
Comfortably meeting basic needs? No problem.
Married? No
Both on Social Security, if ok, how much? Start SS at age 69 in Feb 2024 @ $4500 / month
Pension? Yes, $2900 / month
401k/savings? Rolled 401K into IRA at retirement.
State? Rural or City? Germany, in a city of 250K residents
Own/rent? Rent a beautiful furnished apartment
Still working? How many hrs per week? No.
Retirement account/savings? IRA - yes, more than I will ever spend or need. Plus after tax investments.
How do you cover Medical? Medicare USA + Private insurance in Germany @ $1000 / month
Do you like your location? Yes, but likely returning to USA at end of September to avoid having to pay 42 percent income tax in Germany.
Friends/Family nearby? No family, but great neighbors and many friends.
Attend Church/Clubs/Groups? Any friends/family? Not much
Comfortably meeting basic needs? No problem.
I don't see as how $7900/m in income is "living frugal on LITTLE MONEY".
TO YOU it may be "little money's but most SS recipients are living on what just your pension is, or less.
Sounds more like a humble brag than qualifying for this thread.
Married? Widowed for 8 years
Both on Social Security, if ok, how much? Survivors SS under $1300/month
Pension? Small under $150/month
401k/savings? NO
State? Rural or City? SC, Rural
Own/rent? Own owing less than $20k with a payment under $300/month; get jealous!
Still working? How many hrs per week? part-time about 5 hours/week
Retirement account/savings? NO
How do you cover Medical? ACA coverage
Do you like your location? yes
Friends/Family nearby? yes
Attend Church/Clubs/Groups? Any friends/family? yes
Comfortably meeting basic needs? Scraping by with only my subsidy for my ACA plan. Bought vehicle outright when I had more money coming in. I am eligible for early retirement now but the difference isn't great enough to claim yet.
I don't see as how $7900/m in income is "living frugal on LITTLE MONEY".
TO YOU it may be "little money's but most SS recipients are living on what just your pension is, or less.
Sounds more like a humble brag than qualifying for this thread.
I will be of Full Retirement Age in 4 years. Like many, I’ve worked my whole life. I’m not a doctor, engineer or high-paid athlete. I’m just a person who just keeps working. My house will be paid off before I’m 67. $4900 is more than I take home NOW let alone when I retire.
I think the OP should make clear what is meant by "little money". Of course, that depends on where one lives, but the poverty level is 2023 is defined as $14,580 for an individual and $19,720 for two people. https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/...rty-level-fpl/ Of course, what "poverty level" actually is depends on where one lives!
As my husband and I will make about two-and-a-half times that when the 401k runs out and we will be living just on Social Security, savings, and a $101/mo. pension, I will refrain from participating in this thread except to say that we can live very well on just Social Security plus the teeny pension because we do live frugally and because our house will be paid off by then.*
*Of course, that is dependent on neither of us having to live in a nursing home! That is my greatest worry at this point because although we are both fortunate enough to be in good health at ages 70 and 67, we know that could change at any time! (Just as it could for anyone, but the chances are greater for those over 75.)
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