My SSI check
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frater secessus
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I am still in a house but I have been living on very little for several years in order to pay off debt. Now I snowball that same debt payment amount into pre-tax accounts so I am still living on the same pittance.
As I wrote this up I realized it might seem a bit like a hair shirt; it's really not. Now I see frugality as a game and a challenge. Here is how I live on little:
As I wrote this up I realized it might seem a bit like a hair shirt; it's really not. Now I see frugality as a game and a challenge. Here is how I live on little:
- live in a rural area in a rundown house with very low rent while I plan for 'dwelling retirement
- aggressive use of digital thermostat to control house temp. I cool only my bedroom at night with a window unit in summer and warm with heated mattress pad and dogs in winter).
- truck is paid for
- durable items and clothes bought at thrift stores. Yesterday everything but my socks and underwear was 2nd-hand
- cook for myself instead of eating out
- pour a nightcap for myself (Bulleit Rye, omg omg omg) if I want one instead of buying a drink somewhere. I only buy on sale.
- a few years ago I started cutting down on eating meat (other than that I take myself, a la Ted Nugent)
- make my own coffee. I use a thrift store french press ($2-$3) which makes tremendous coffee. Recommended ratio: 1 ounce of coffee for 16 fluid ounces of water (30g/500ml for our frozen Canadian friends)
- keep my pantry stocked so I can buy stuff only when it is for sale at my predetermined price point
- drive at a reasonable speed to maximize MPG; currently getting 28.1 MPG in a 4cyl Ford Ranger with 299K miles on it. Motorcycle gets 65mpg.
- stopped buying any durables that do not fit into my boondocking plan <-- amazingly effective life change
- My cell plan from Airvoice (AT&T mvno) is $10/mo. I am frugal with my mobile data.
- medical from VA, optics from Zenni
- incredibly cheap hobbies:
- I have never owned a new PC. My current machines are vintage 2007 (workstation) and 2005 (laptop) and run great. It's cheap to max out memory on them and run a lightweight (and free) OS on them: Debian linux on the box and Antergos-Arch on the laptop. When I retire an old machine every few years the sweet spot for replacement is about $120 shipped on eBay.
Woltz
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That is a lot more than me. I get roughly $733.00 a month SSI. Because the van build is going to be a back up home, I don't need to worry much. I pay $158.00 for rent at this apartment and that's a pretty damn good deal. Because of that with all bills paid I have roughly $300.00 spending money. $200.00 is being saved for 5 months till I can afford the van. After the van is bought, the first bit of money goes towards improvements. Be this light bulbs, tools to clean the van, etc. But in regards to making the van, I guess plan a set amount you put into it each month. One month can be based on insulating it, the next on plumbing and electrical, and so on. Craigslist is your friend. I found a guy selling 208 Watt Solar Panels for $120.00 each. Because the van I'm making is pretty much a back up home in case something happens to this apartment complex, I'm sinking a lot of my spare SSI into it so that it lasts.
I'm stuck right now..I bought a double wide mobile home owe $4000 yet..lot rent and loan payment is $545 a month and with utilities and cell,internet comes to $800 a month. It don't leave much to save or eat.
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Woltz
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cap1961 said:
A couple tips from someone else in a similar situation with less money. Food stamps and based on income rent. If you can find a apartment complex which is based on income then your rent will go down majorly. If you can get things included like water, it'll save a lot of money too. Food stamps is what I use so I can actually save money and use food money for only food. I get like $150.00 or something about that for food money each month. That combined with going to places that give away free food in the area, I'm not to concerned about going hungry. Another small tip, but I know working means you loose money with SSI based on how much you make. You can however get "Line of Credit" loans from some banks which is extra money and the SSI people don't take that into effect when you go to them. It doesn't count as anything that matters to them. And the minimum payment is like $5.00 a month. Depending on the bank.
Yea I am aloud to gross $1,070 a month if I find a part time job. I just got involved with ..Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities. Each states had this program, They help you find jobs that fit to your disabilities. But that's a big IF trust me. They also may help with car repairs if your car is worth more than the repair so you can get to work. And buy you cloths to wear to a interview. I just started last week in the program,so not sure if they can find me a part time job.
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DannyB1954
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cap1961 said:
This forum is about giving up the burdens of living "like everyone else". I don't think it would cost $800 a month to live in an RV. I don't know what the parking situation is there, but does an individual person really need a double wide?
Welcome to the forum. I am sure that all here wish you the very best.
Crow
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Since it sounds like its just you with a lot of room, Craigslist has a rooms for rent/roommates wanted section. Have you thought about looking for someone to share the expenses with? Charge 'em $300/mo and half the utilities, would be all gravy for you. Put in the ad exactly what kind of roommate you'll accept as far as age/gender and whatever rules you want, and do a background check.
WalkaboutTed
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Cap,
Just something to think about:
Maybe you can readjust your viewpoint. Now, some of you readers will think this is wrong, but here goes.
How much is your home worth? Does it or your stuff give you enough warm fuzzies to forgo a future, that as Bob says,"can make your heart sing"? Is your house worth more than you owe? If so, could you sell it? If not, why are you dumping money into a bad investment? Walk away like Wall Street does. You are your most important investment. If walking away and following your dreams, into a lifestyle you can afford, is something that YOU can see, grab it. These days will never come again. Every day that you are unhappy with your situation is one day less of a potential blossoming of your soul into a fulfilling place that you previously could have only dreamt of.
If you are bemoaning circumstances that are beyond your control, then take control by voting with your feet.
If you do decide on a strategic default, of course, check with an attorney, usually you can live in your home several months, rent free during the foreclosure process. That way you could save up some money to buy a vehicle. Look at how much your current lifestyle is costing you. You can't afford it. Sell your sh*t, cut out everything you can, and watch Craigslist.
The common reason of many detractors of this viewpoint is "But I'll destroy my credit!". What good is your credit doing for you now? Another frequent argument is "You're being irresponsible!" What about your responsibility to yourself to live your best life? Another one is: "what you're doing is mostly wrong or unethical". Is it right to mortgage your future to an artificial principle that only holds you prisoner? Why should you be held to a higher standard than the rich (and powerful) serial bankruptees who only think you're a chump?
The system depends on all of us prisoners to continue our self-enforced enslavement, while wringing every last penny from us. And the powers that be do everything they can to prevent you from seeing the light of freedom. It's your life, no one else's.
I believe in serendipity. Be open to possibilities and they will be reachable.
Ted
Just something to think about:
Maybe you can readjust your viewpoint. Now, some of you readers will think this is wrong, but here goes.
How much is your home worth? Does it or your stuff give you enough warm fuzzies to forgo a future, that as Bob says,"can make your heart sing"? Is your house worth more than you owe? If so, could you sell it? If not, why are you dumping money into a bad investment? Walk away like Wall Street does. You are your most important investment. If walking away and following your dreams, into a lifestyle you can afford, is something that YOU can see, grab it. These days will never come again. Every day that you are unhappy with your situation is one day less of a potential blossoming of your soul into a fulfilling place that you previously could have only dreamt of.
If you are bemoaning circumstances that are beyond your control, then take control by voting with your feet.
If you do decide on a strategic default, of course, check with an attorney, usually you can live in your home several months, rent free during the foreclosure process. That way you could save up some money to buy a vehicle. Look at how much your current lifestyle is costing you. You can't afford it. Sell your sh*t, cut out everything you can, and watch Craigslist.
The common reason of many detractors of this viewpoint is "But I'll destroy my credit!". What good is your credit doing for you now? Another frequent argument is "You're being irresponsible!" What about your responsibility to yourself to live your best life? Another one is: "what you're doing is mostly wrong or unethical". Is it right to mortgage your future to an artificial principle that only holds you prisoner? Why should you be held to a higher standard than the rich (and powerful) serial bankruptees who only think you're a chump?
The system depends on all of us prisoners to continue our self-enforced enslavement, while wringing every last penny from us. And the powers that be do everything they can to prevent you from seeing the light of freedom. It's your life, no one else's.
I believe in serendipity. Be open to possibilities and they will be reachable.
Ted
sephiro499
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As you are getting 1200/month, I assume this is SSDI? When were you granted disability? Did you have an attorney? Are you sure working is not going to impact your health? Working while receiving SSDI is a very gray area. I know SSA 'says' you can earn X amount, but the reality is they can interpret their own rules as they must. Lisa Gonzalez-Goetz, P.A (search youtube) says any work activity 'raises a redflag' and if you work 'you are now inviting Social Security back into your life'. She practices nationwide for over a decade. Reeves Law Firm, P.A. (on youtube) says 'man, so you asking how much money can I make, to supplement the money I get.. for not working?'. Think about it.
And SSA is totally indifferent to whether you starve or freeze to death.. They will enforce their rules, and I don't see this new administration as a bellwether of things getting better.
A local attorney here, during a seminar, said she use to do product liability cases. And she had no idea how complicated SSA law is, and still doesn't fully understand it (she does disability exclusively). SSA makes their own rules, interprets their own rules, and their processes are not transparent. Sorry if this comes across as paranoid, but I believe it to be accurate.
Nolo Press Guide to Disability is also a good resource, though the book changed significantly when a former SSA MD stopped writing them (IE different opinions).
As far as affording everything, if you haven't availed yourself of whatever social services are in your area (either seeing a case worker or doing it online, if possible). You would probably qualify for LHEAP (utility assistance).
Since you are disabled you also qualify for special deductions to boost your FoodStamp allotment. My caseworker here didn't even know these rules. I had to take it to a supervisor to have my benefit calculated properly.
https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/snap-special-rules-elderly-or-disabled
All medical out of pocket is deductible, dollar for dollar, along with transportation to and from those appointments, accommodations (if required), etc. Also if you take any medications, and don't have RX coverage, you can use GoodRx.com or check the manufacturer of the drug. Some drug manufactures have patient assistance programs that go directly through the company.
Hope that helps.
And SSA is totally indifferent to whether you starve or freeze to death.. They will enforce their rules, and I don't see this new administration as a bellwether of things getting better.
A local attorney here, during a seminar, said she use to do product liability cases. And she had no idea how complicated SSA law is, and still doesn't fully understand it (she does disability exclusively). SSA makes their own rules, interprets their own rules, and their processes are not transparent. Sorry if this comes across as paranoid, but I believe it to be accurate.
Nolo Press Guide to Disability is also a good resource, though the book changed significantly when a former SSA MD stopped writing them (IE different opinions).
As far as affording everything, if you haven't availed yourself of whatever social services are in your area (either seeing a case worker or doing it online, if possible). You would probably qualify for LHEAP (utility assistance).
Since you are disabled you also qualify for special deductions to boost your FoodStamp allotment. My caseworker here didn't even know these rules. I had to take it to a supervisor to have my benefit calculated properly.
https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/snap-special-rules-elderly-or-disabled
All medical out of pocket is deductible, dollar for dollar, along with transportation to and from those appointments, accommodations (if required), etc. Also if you take any medications, and don't have RX coverage, you can use GoodRx.com or check the manufacturer of the drug. Some drug manufactures have patient assistance programs that go directly through the company.
Hope that helps.
Here in lower AL we can call 211, it's a United Way help line. I have been told that other area's and some states also have this 211 service.
In Dothan AL there is an agency called SARCOA they have a lot of various services that are free of charge. Included is helping people get name brand medication sent from the pharmaceutical co. to your DR. and you can pick them up from your DR.. They also have lists of where/how to get just about any type of help a person may need in the area they live in. Some counties have agency's called Human Resource Development or something similar.
Jewellann
In Dothan AL there is an agency called SARCOA they have a lot of various services that are free of charge. Included is helping people get name brand medication sent from the pharmaceutical co. to your DR. and you can pick them up from your DR.. They also have lists of where/how to get just about any type of help a person may need in the area they live in. Some counties have agency's called Human Resource Development or something similar.
Jewellann
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