Is it getting harder to make end meet?

Question

The price of food gas utility keep going up

Mr. Ed thanks we need more good input from people like you.Every little bit helps

Answer 1

As a true died in the wool senior, or couple of seniors, to be
more appropo, we are having a devil of a time trying to stay
above water. Groceries are going higher, and our small
allotment of food stamp credits do not. There should be some
adjustments made for those of us who need food stamps and
have to live on special diets due to health problems.
We qualify for food boxes, but the amounts of contributed items has been reduced significantly. And what we cannot use due to diet restrictions, we pass along to neighbors who are needy too, but are much younger.
Our rent has gone up by $50.00, but our manager has
given us a temporary reprieve, due to a kind heart. And our
electricity is on a special seniors plan, so that we pay the
same amount each month now. But even that is hard to come
up with. It's our water and sewer charge that is the more
outrageous and there's no senior or budget plan for that.
And now our van has decided it needs a new muffler. And
we don't know where we'll get the money to cover that cost.
Or where to find someone who's willing to install it free or
really cheap. Hubby is too decrepit to crawl under vehicles
now, even if we had the new muffler. So what is one to do?
This is the first time in our lives that we haven't had the means
to have a part replaced. So we are putting up with the pop -
popping of the darned thing. And keeping our fingers crossed
that a passing cop won't stop us and give us a fine. Ho Ho Ho, it's Murphys' Law hitting us during the Christmas Season!

Answer 2

Yes, and it is getting more painful by the day! Am in total agreement with Goldwing and appreciate Mr. Ed's advice - wish I could work - I do a few things on the www. but it just brings in a few pennies! "The Voice of . . . " hit it on the head. You know that the so called Govt. is not going to do a thing about making up the difference.

Answer 3

for your seniors these are a few things that i know some senior do in my area to make a little extra money!!!

one raises nothing but tomatoes and clears enough to pay car insurance!!!

lady works in nursing home helping to serve meals the hours are few and she has to go back and forward twice a day but she does not live that far away!!!

several go to garage sales and flee markets and resale the junk (priceless collector items) on eBay

few of the physical fit help farmers in the summer time

some are seasonal drivers for the local green house delivery plants

for those who are not retire now is the time not next week to think about how much you will have in "unearned " income when you retire -- like if said before you will need 75% of what you need now to maintain the same standard of living!!!

edit i would like to add one other thing poster "the voice of.... " made a good point and i think every senior should take the time and email his congressman and remind him/hert of this fact - i waited till i got the notice in the mail and shot it it off!!!

Answer 4

I can make ends meet so far but it is getting harder. This year my cable is going up "again," my computer bill is going up, and health insurance also. Car needs to go in the shop (never get out of there under $800.00). The most costly, need a new roof this spring. Glad I have a savings for that. Still I am hanging in there.

Answer 5

Yes. Our rent has increased by $115 in 3 years, out water has sky rocketed, I gave up cable a year ago , gas is high, I just had my car repaired on Friday, but they had to tow it back because it still will not start. I am single and i am my only income, I wll look for part time work...not working for a friend this time...it is the only solution.

Answer 6

The Social Security COLA raise was just 2.3%. Actual inflation was 4.5%. The government doesn't figure in the rise in food, energy or medical costs saying those costs are too volitile. Do they think we're too dumb to know that the three things they don't count are the things that are making it hardest for seniors to make ends meet. What they save by not giving us a fair cost of living adjustment is what they're spending on a useless war in Iraq. Nuff sed.

Answer 7

Yes, it is getting harder. You are right, costs keep going up. I have to travel if I want to go see my family and it is so expensive with these gas prices. We live out in the country, so I try to coordinate all the stops I need to make into one trip.---Luvs

Answer 8

I suspect the trouble is just starting...we will be seeing double digit inflation again, thanks to the "tax cut" this administration gave out so freely...funny, I saved 138.00 on my BIG tax cut, but today, it is costing my about 100.00 more per week to live...now that was a nice trade off, wasn't it? IT is going to get a lot worse before it gets better...the present government thinks ( I use the term loosely) that they can just print and print money without consequence...well, it is true for them...but not for us..the Euro is not at about 1.50 US dollars! When Bush took office, it was worth 87¢ !!! What a difference an idiot can make. Goldwing

Answer 9

Yes,things are getting harder and I'm trying to make ends meat,I asked Santa for a steak.I remember them,it was meat all in one piece,WOW!So when my ends become meat,then I'll be happy.Merry,Merry from the Christmas Fairy

Answer 10

I have a hard time wanting to pay these crazy prices for gas.
and food!!!! I stay home more because of the gas price.....Even if I was rich I just can not see spending that amont for gas!!!!!