Magical disappearing annuity
 

Since I retired two years ago, I've got no COLA and two insurances have each gone up twice. I'm now making $1200 LESS per year than when I retired. $1200!!!!! Hello? And paying what percent more for expenses? I wonder how many years it will take me to end up on state assistance. Or should I say "months"? *sigh*

I say the same thing all the time. If they keep upping the cost of proceedures, pills, and appointments, and then increase federal with holding, and now my SSDI is taxable, when it wasnt last year, and then add on the increase in insurance premiums, cost of gas to get to and fro...its all spiraling down the drain, meanwhile I hear excuses about why there is no COLA for me.

Pinching pennies harder and harder to make them go only half the way they used to go.

The cascading interest rates on savings accts and no cola on SSR, is what's killing my quality of living. Dang Gov't..grrrrrrr.:mad:

Everyone I know seems to assume that because I'm a widow I must be well off. Nothing could be further from the truth. Lots of extenuating circumstances......but let's just say I can squeeze more out of a dollar than my Grandmother could! It's a necessity since the government seems to think that the cost of living doesn't fluctuate for disabled folks or the elderly. :rolleyes:

Different country, same scenario! :(

I retired 3 years ago because of diasbility and use my nest egg to supplement my govt. allowance. Already I've seen it plummet as we replace essential things around the home with newer models that we hope will last as long as we need them.

Our electricity charges have gone up by about 20% this year, and expected to go up an additional 30% before the end of the year making our electricity the most expensive in the world. :eek:

Most services here offer discounts for those collecting benefits, but more and more places are only giving discounts to the elderly and refusing the disabled.

I'd like to know how it is that a disabled person can be expected to live more cheaply than an elderly person, when they both receive the same amount of money in their govt. benefit.

And depending when you were disabled you may/may not own a home or have mtg paid off and some savings.

Don't even want to discuss aging without any 401K or pension if disabled ad not working for years.

I try not to think about it. It stresses me out but there's really nothing I can do about it. Short of marrying a millionaire.....and that's not looking too promising right now. :rolleyes:

I really, really, really don't want to have to live with either of my children years down the road. I love them dearly but I also love my independence and I'm pretty set in my ways. I even irritate myself sometimes so I can only imagine what others would think of living with me! :o

I know money isn't everything but it sure would help make life easier. :(

Kitty,
I vote for a sugar daddy. Get a really rich one and post how to do it. I'm not a widow but it's something to think about. (DH is going to get cranky about this). Who says I don't plan financially?

LOL! Kicker, there is a website I've heard of (no....I haven't checked it out....yet) where you can look for a millionaire. I wish I could remember the name of it. I highly doubt they'd want gimpy ole' me but it's fun to think about.

I think I'd title my profile "Must Love Cats"!! :D :cool:

DH and I have always lived simply, paid our mortgages off early, driven our cars until they fell apart and mostly only spend money on our critters and animal charity work which has been a good plan however...

since diagnosis and the increased likelihood that I will become disabled my level of anxiety about money has gone through the ceiling and so in the meantime I'm basically working myself to death to ensure that I have "enough" savings whatever that means.
:(

Silly me, I always thought that COLA's were kinda automatic for Social Security and annuities...you know, if the cost of living goes up, your retirement check goes up also, to keep up. HAHAHAHA.

I hate reading articles that tell me how much I'd save if I give up Lattes, stop smoking, drinking and going out to eat and movies. I don't do any of that, so I don't see how I can save. Eating dinner, paying the mortgage and getting two kids through college and building a 1st floor bedroom since I can't go upstairs is eating all our money.

Silly girl................:p

True, Kicker. Most of those "how to save" articles are so old school as far as we're concerned. Could we LIVE without satellite TV and the internet, giving Christmas gifts, having pets? Of course. But I'd prefer not to.

Those "how to save" articles are written for people who work. I cannot tell you the last time I had coffee anywhere but in my own home. I can't tell you the last time I ate anywhere but my own home! But that is by my choice so no complaining from me here.

But pets, the Internet? Those two are a must have for me. No question about it. Everything else is negotiable but those two are not. :cool: