[Quahog]

I'm not sure if I can post this link or not but I thought it was important and should be viewed.

It seems that those of use who depend upon Social Security and it's Cost of Living Adjustment every year may be in for a surprise this year.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090823/...smaller_checks

[Kitty]

I read about this today. It's very disheartening. Why is it always the ones who can least afford it the ones who take the biggest hit?

All the unnecessary spending needs to stop. We don't need professionally made signs telling us that stimulus money is at work in our communities. We can figure that out for ourselves!

[Hoosier_Daddy]

Originally Posted by Kitty

I read about this today. It's very disheartening. Why is it always the ones who can least afford it the ones who take the biggest hit?

All the unnecessary spending needs to stop. We don't need professionally made signs telling us that stimulus money is at work in our communities. We can figure that out for ourselves!

I doubt if there will be a raise in payments for a few years to come.

[SandyC]

I heard this and yes it sucks. But other programs are also being hit hard like college grants, childcare, back to work programs, etc. even though it was said that wouldn't happen. We're just trying to remember the gov saying all of us will have to sacrifice until this is over and I guess this is one of those. I wonder if we'll get back pay for how long we have to go without a COLA? I say we sign a petition that we'll do it but we want the money back when things are better. Yeah, I know, I am dreaming again.

[MelodyL]

Originally Posted by SandyC

I heard this and yes it sucks. But other programs are also being hit hard like college grants, childcare, back to work programs, etc. even though it was said that wouldn't happen. We're just trying to remember the gov saying all of us will have to sacrifice until this is over and I guess this is one of those. I wonder if we'll get back pay for how long we have to go without a COLA? I say we sign a petition that we'll do it but we want the money back when things are better. Yeah, I know, I am dreaming again.

Last night I was listening to the newsman on tv and he said "there will not be a COLA for two years, and while it's against the law to reduce the benfits in a person's social security check, the money we lay out for Medicare Part D will be increased."

Does this mean that the money they take out of my social security check each month, well, are they going to INCREASE this amount.

For example, they take $98 each month out of my check, so, if this is true, and they increase this amount, well, how much do you think they will be taking out of our social security (beginning next year)?

Anyone hazard a guess?
Melody

[SandyC]

I don't know Melody but it is true. They will raise medicare costs while freezing COLA for all of you on SS. Jim pays the same amount you do so I imagine it will go up a certain % and we have to minus that off our checks from what they are now. My mom relies on COLA for her increases in rent and Medicare so not sure what she'll do when she finds out. I wonder how many other government checks will be frozen for COLA? We also get a VA pension because of Jim's military service and there is a COLA every year. Guess we'll have to wait and see. Jim's SS check is so little now that increasing Medicare and no COLA will more than likely put him under $700 a month because he didn't work long. Hang on, the ride is going to get bumpy everyone.

It's kind of ironic isn't it? No tax increase for those under 200g's but those making "jack be knimble" on SS will not get their COLA? I know they say the economy hasn't improved since the economy fell. I don't know about you guys, everything is expensive out there so that is an increase in the economy!

[Pamster]

I heard about this today too on the local news and am really disappointed. It means when they raise the power bills in my state and the rent in my apartment complex my family will get to go without eating for as long as it takes to cover the increased bills. And that's inhuman. I am really just fed up with it all. Did we really need cash for clunkers?? I don't think we did.

[MelodyL]

Originally Posted by Pamster

I heard about this today too on the local news and am really disappointed. It means when they raise the power bills in my state and the rent in my apartment complex my family will get to go without eating for as long as it takes to cover the increased bills. And that's inhuman. I am really just fed up with it all. Did we really need cash for clunkers?? I don't think we did.

This is exactly why I am so happy that I started sprouting my own food over one year ago. I get organic seeds online. I have about 20 mason jars in my kitchen, on a neat rack (takes up a small amount of room in my kitchen). I soak my seeds overnight, I rinse them twice a day (3 times in the summer). In 4 to 5 days, I have a mason jar FILLED WITH broccoli, fenugreek and radish sprouts, and sometimes I do lentil and clover sprouts.

what this means is that I GROW MY OWN FOOD. I use the sprouts as a basis for my salads, to which I add whatever a person adds to a salad. It's the BEST TASTING salad you would ever make for yourselve.

Then, in th evening, I make NO CARB sprout patties. I take some sprouts, I chop an onion, I add some egg beaters, or egg whites (or eggs if you wish), I spray the frying pan with PAM, I do add a bit of oil, but I drain COMPLETELY after they are done to a crisp. I fry the patties and flip over when each side is done.

What you get when you don't use breadcrumbs is a CRISPY SPROUT ONION PATTY that is to die for when you add some yogurt dressing.

The reason I am putting this on THIS forum is that we are all going to be pinching more pennies that we would ordinarily have to.

Growing sprouts is FREE, it's CHEAP, it FEEDS YOU, IT'S PORTABLE, you can sprout in a sprout bag and bring it with you if you are staying over night somewhere.

This has to be the best thing I ever discovered.

I am on youtube with my sprouting results. I use to go there and take sprouting tutorials and then I learned how to sprout for myself.

I give them to my doctor, my neighbors, and some of my friends.

You get more bang for your buck, you get to eat healthy, and the results are absolutely delicious.

Right now, in my kitchen, I am harvesting 5 jars of sprouts in my salad spinner.

I will green them up on my window sill as the clorophyl from the light goes into the sprouts and greens them up.

You have no idea, that when you make a sprout salad and you see ALL the colors, well, you know EXACTLY what is going into your body.

BECAUSE YOU GREW IT YOURSELF.

Best thing I ever did (aside from taking Methyl B-12 every morning).

So if you want to save some money (and get prepared for next year), go to youtube and watch some sprout videos.

You'll have a laugh, and you'll enjoy yourself.

Melody