This was me this morning--- pouring over the bank statement on the computer.--- It used to all fit --I mean the amount coming in was ok---- It covered the amount that had to go out-- NOT ANYMORE! ---- You see, I paid what we owed Revenue Canada--- for both Himself and myself---but, it seems with the high cost of driving a car, and what we pay at the grocery store--plus hydro (the electric bill)-the amount left---well, is not what it used to be--Even the savings is not looking good--!--Something might have to change!--I need to become more creative with "life" I guess!
We survived quite well , until now, on a fixed income----with a little help from what we put away years ago---Are we alone with this problem??--It is something that no-one usually talks about-----It is embarrassing to say the least!---
I did spend a bit of time at the nursery this spring-- I love flowers !-- I did note however that even their stock is not what it used to be----Same as our local clothing store--- They don't seem to be as full of outfits as other years--Are people "making do"-- with what is in their closet this year?-
So, how are you all doing , handling this problem?---or---is there a problem at your house? Lord love a duck! I shuda been a Queen!--I bet she is not trying to balance the books!
Yep, juggling finances tricky especially when your home taxes now equal the home mortgage paid off in anticipation of a transition to a manageable retirement, sigh. The steadily increasing inflation of consumer goods needed to sustain us also a big challenge, sigh. Spouse went back to work several years ago after six months of retirement. Long-time residents of our city are being priced out (we are 73) as the influx of high-tech companies and new residents that have grown us from a town of 135,000 or so in the late 1960's to 1 million and rising. Progress and growth are not alway positive for many.
ReplyDeleteAll things considered we are grateful that we are more blessed than many other countries.
Keep on keeping on!
I shop the sales at the grocery and stock up. Try to consolidate trips in the car so I don't have to drive as much. Have not bought many clothes since the pandemic started. Have not bought much of anything, actually, because I really don't need anything. Call your tv provider and see if they will give you a better price. Shop around for internet, and the same with your cell phones. All of these things can help with your expenses. And yes, I make a pot of soup once a week! :) Sometimes you just need to look at the outgo and try to find the places where you can cut back.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your blog, and you frequently talk about things that we of a certain age can relate to, including the concern of making our money last. Good luck with reviewing the budget!
No new clothes for sure! ---- And I will call the TV provider too-- Yu do have good ideas- Lynda
DeleteYes, we are struggling. We have been able to put some money away during the 2 years of pandemic but now life is starting up again and everything is happening. We both had to get new glasses this year and my little Daisy has a problem with one of her eyes so I had to take her to a doggie ophthalmologist which cost a pretty penny! Groceries are almost twice what they used to be and gas is ridiculously high. Right now we are taking several round trips to Bloomington (almost 80 miles) because of my back problem - that's where the specialist is. I'm concerned that one day we'll have to choose between gas and groceries! I pray our economies get better sooner than later!
ReplyDeleteOh man!--WE are all in the same boat-- and here I thought it was just me-- --New glasses right now would break our bank account and yu hate to "charge" stuff that eventually has to be paid!- Thank yu for writing-- Lynda
DeleteI stopped doing certain things during the pandemic, so that saved SOME money, but now I want to do some of those things, and the cost of them has risen.
ReplyDeleteI was lucky with my retirement nest egg the first year and a half of the pandemic, but since then, that nest egg has shrunk considerably. Still there are things that must be done around the house... and I'm dipping into savings for that. In fact I think a lot of us are kind of closing our eyes and declaring certain things a priority, thus the shrinking savings.
Letting go of subscriptions, buying only on "special", delaying purchases until absolutely necessary (i.e. if it's not broke, don't replace it)... all of these things we do, as our parents did before us. It's not easy on that proverbial "fixed income"!
I too am not renewing subscriptions ----I buy specials--try to not buy so much groceries at one time--(I used to throw out a lot)_but--- I do pray that nothing too vital in this house goes right now-- LOL-- I am happy that I posted this topic as it helps to hear that I am not alone--Thanks Barb for writing Lynda
DeleteYou are not alone. Post Covid, we have half of what we used to have in income to live with. I'm also the manager of that money. So I'm there with you. Have a lovely Tuesday.
ReplyDeletePatricia-I am the manager of the money also-- I am so happy that I posted this--I almost didn't-- it is such a situation that I never thought we would be living in--and it seems we all are-- Lynda
DeleteAs for me, I had to go back to work (part-time). I also moved from a condo in Columbus Ohio that I could no longer afford, 45 min away where I know no one, where I could buy my condo outright and have fewer bills. It's considerably cheaper here, but kinda backward compared to Columbus, and all my friends are in Columbus and my boyfriend too. I was retired previously, so I'm also on a fixed income.
ReplyDeleteWow! YU really have made life changes--I admire you for that-- we will be selling this house in the next year hopefully the next place will not be as expensive and smaller-- It seems we all have had to make big changes--YU went back to work too--I admire yu-Lynda
DeleteNo Lynda, you are not alone with the problems you are facing. I am also on a fixed income. Everything is so expensive now a days. I just try to do the best I can and hope for the best. During the pandemic I stopped doing a lot of things and I really have not started doing them again which is a good thing because I could not afford it now!!!
ReplyDeleteSince I am low income I am able to get a great price on my Internet otherwise I would not have it. I also when to pay as you go cell phone since I don't use it that much. I am not fond of cell phones they are hard to hear on them but my friends insist that I have one in case of an emergency when I am out and about... which mind you I don't do much of I know when I was doing a lot of hiking it was smart to have one but I can't do that now a days.
Check and see if there are any low income services in your area that you might be able to use.
I wondered if I should even talk about this subject but now am happy I did! It helps to share-- I too do the best that I can--- and really hope all will work out--which it usually does, but I sure live differently now than before-- Hugs--Lynda
DeleteAnd I don't drive back roads or freeways, so if my friends want to see me, they have to come here. I'm pretty alone, other than my doggie.
ReplyDeleteIt is hated--- I bet even your dog food has gone up in price too-- Thanks for sharing. We are not alone-Lynda
DeleteI'm with you Lynda. Trying to juggle expenses on a fixed income with this inflation is tough. I looked for things to cut but didn't find a lot. I did get a cheaper price for internet which helps s little. Other than hubs Dr. apts I don't drive much. No vacation but thats ok
ReplyDeleteI hate grocery shopping.. its difficult but hopefully we'll all be ok.. grateful for what we do have.
Blessings
Hugs dear Lynda
--It sounds like we are all in the same boat-- which isn't a bad boat--but--- not like it used to be-Lynda
DeleteBut independent living, assisted living are even more expensive!! Sorry for those with a large family to feed!! On the other hand, we all survived COVID!
ReplyDeleteYes we survived Covid--but--now this== *S*---- We are better than most I guess , but it sure isn't like it used to be--Thank yu for sharing! Lynda
DeleteI am retired and on a very fixed income living in subsidized housing.
ReplyDeletewith the price of gas, groceries and pet food (and litter) increasing, not to mention the phone and electric bills, I have very, very little disposable income.
We are eating more than a lot of people, though and have a roof over our heads, a comfortable place to sleep...and each other. I try to focus on the positives. It sure can be hard sometimes. Sigh.
You asked, I told you. {{{HUGS}}}
Well, I am so glad that yu told me--- because it is just about the same here! --the fixed income--not as much disposable income---Thank yu for sharong-Lynda
DeleteI think a lot of folks are having the same issues Lynda. Downsizing the house maybe? I know that would be hard on Himself though..change is not easy for those who are in dementia.
ReplyDeleteI juggle every month.
juggling---- That is what I have to do too--- and yes, this house will sell-- in the next year-- if I can survive that long-Thanks for writing-Lynda
DeleteThose of us on fixed incomes are dealing with the same stuff. When I quit work to help my husband as he is having more difficulty with his daily things, our income went from managing to struggling. We are making things last longer and not driving as much.
ReplyDeleteBeth M,
Oh Beth---- We are all in the same boat-- I thought it was just me-- but --it's everyone on fixed incomes-- Lynda
DeleteOh Yes! Yesterday I had to start making retirement home calls for mom and not one of them is within her budget. We are sure going to have to get creative in keeping her in the one we want. Most residence are minimum of $2,400 a month plus extras. We just are going to keep on going and do what needs doing.
ReplyDeleteIt seems we all need to be creative! --HugsLynda
DeleteSame situation here; I'm not (yet) on fixed income (that will start in January) but planning to BE on one, well, right now it's scary. I've been switching to a plant-based diet because dried beans / lentils are a lot less co$tly than meat. Some things I've been buying organic for years, that's now a luxury. Haven't bought clothes in a real store for a while now--Goodwill, and local consignment shops do me. It's been so easy for so long; now, well, now it's a different reality.
ReplyDelete