SSI Increase for 2023

[Dingfelder]

Easy way to check. An ounce of Gold used to be called a $20. Gold piece. from the 1800's to early 1900's (I think) What is it now at $1640. per ounce? The ounce of Gold had the same buying power then as it does now but the dollar value of it has gone way up. Our dollar is being devalued before our eyes. Games being played.

Yup, and while it used to be just the poor whose potential was hollowed out, that has worked its way up into the middle class. The truth is that with automation, an ever-increasing number of us have been becoming, are becoming, or will be becoming disposable. Treatment, including the legislation and enforcement of law itself, can be expected accordingly.

 

[Solarcoast]

Go to a site like Truflation and according to the metrics the govt.. used to use to evaluate inflation, we are well into the double digits in inflation. So the real rate of your money's devaluation is vastly greater than we are being led to believe..

Yep, true inflation is much worse than the official numbers. I wonder how long it takes for society to come crashing down when the majority of people can no longer afford to feed or house themselves.

 

[Ballenxj]

Yep, true inflation is much worse than the official numbers. I wonder how long it takes for society to come crashing down when the majority of people can no longer afford to feed or house themselves.

According to a news piece I read maybe a year ago, folks in southern California have been renting out vans and motorhome like they were apartments on wheels. Mind you I would never fall for that one.

 

[Morgana]

According to a news piece I read maybe a year ago, folks in southern California have been renting out vans and motorhome like they were apartments on wheels. Mind you I would never fall for that one.

I see that on Craigslist a lot. Also Air BnB. Do you think it's a bad idea? If so, what pitfalls especially to look out for?

Inquiring minds which are about to move cross-country (well, across Texas) wish to know.

 

[Ballenxj]

I see that on Craigslist a lot. Also Air BnB. Do you think it's a bad idea? If so, what pitfalls especially to look out for?

Inquiring minds which are about to move cross-country (well, across Texas) wish to know.

I guarantee they are making money on you or they wouldn't be doing it.
IMO they are buying up any good deals on RV's and vans, then preying on down on their luck people to fatten their own wallet.

 

[wayne49]

Wouldn't people with discretionary income be a better group for making steady money?

Glamping is where one can find rip offs.

 

[Morgana]

I guarantee they are making money

Well sure, it's not supposed to be a charity ... sticks and bricks landlords make money too ...
?

 

[SLB_SA]

We need to keep in mind that some would eliminate SS if they had their say...... not to get too political, but those of us that depend on SS need to keep an eye on things...


100 x 1.059 = 105.90
105.90 x 1.087 = 115.11

So over the two year period it is a 15.11% raise

The value of compounding!!

 

[SLB_SA]

Just take a look at costs overall in other countries for the same items, especially medicines. We no longer are protected from monopolies as the large corporations and the few people with large sums of money have gotten them removed, changed or rendered impossible to enforce. Take a look at cell phone service for example, many countries have many more less expensive options for the same services due to competition and better regulations. I heard yesterday that 3 people in the USA have more wealth than 1/2 of the people living in this country (165 million?) something ain’t right! Problem is it is beginning to happen globally!

Move to Ecuador, Costa Rica, Panama, Vietnam, etc. where dollarization exists and costs are usually low.

 

[Dingfelder]

Well sure, it's not supposed to be a charity ... sticks and bricks landlords make money too ...
?

Gotta agree there. As far as rent-seeking, the least way you could do it is on a depreciating asset. And I bet most individual people doing so are taking quite a risk indeed. I have a trailer but I would sooner sell it than take the risk of renting it out unless to the very most trustworthy of family or friend E*V*E*R*!!!!!! There's just too little durability or long-term chance of any sort of increased or even stable value on them. It's a crazy race against depreciation on the one hand, normal wear and tear on the other(on a usually terribly poorly built item), and if you've got room for a third hand, tenant abuse or neglect, unwitting or(here comes the fourth hand!) witting. It's just too much.

P.S.: *****!!!!!!

 

[Ballenxj]

Well sure, it's not supposed to be a charity ... sticks and bricks landlords make money too ...
?

The idea of this forum is to show folk how to live inexpensively. Renting is what we're trying to avoid, whether it be sticks and bricks or a vehicle.

 

[Morgana]

To the best of my knowledge, this is not an anti-renting forum, or an anti-profit-making forum.
Learning to live inexpensively is one part of it. But you can live as cheaply as you want, unless you're sleeping under a tree and eating berries, somebody somewhere is "making money on" you somehow. And you are "making money on" someone else in order to pay for what you need.

Still not seeing what's unusual or bad about renting out RVs.

 

[maki2]

Renting is what we're trying to avoid,

I have been a homeowner and a renter. I felt more trapped as a home owner than as a renter.

I am certainly relieved to know I am getting a SSI increase in 2023 and a slight decrease in my Medicare fees. My travel budget for fuel and food took a real hit this year. I am just glad I stayed healthy.

 

[VanGrrl57]

It was announced yesterday that Social Security will increase 8.7% for 2023!

Thank goodness! I can sure use it.

 

[NctryBen]

All this talk about inflation has me feeling a bit deflated! While we welcome the increase, we watch the dollar decrease.
Why is it that the people working for us and our behalf are getting so wealthy? Far exceeding our inflation rate.

 

[maki2]

All this talk about inflation has me feeling a bit deflated!

Downright depressing disaster.

 

[WanderingRose]

I am shocked at what has happened to prices, every single time I go to the grocery store.

The increase in social security in January will be welcome, but it is insufficient to deal with inflation.

 

[bullfrog]

Can you imagine what it is like in countries where the wage is so much lower that we get most of our manufactured goods from? Living simply has been good for me and there are lots of opportunities and advantages that I’m thankful for. I let’s hope the lower costs of medicine starting this next year helps many as well.

 

[Morgana]

Yeah, I'm really grateful that I haven't had to make any catastrophic choices (yet! knock wood!). Living simply is definitely a big help. But even a grocery or Walmart visit is scary these days! I can't imagine being a parent of small kids on a tight budget. Def. looking forward to the Social Security and Medicare changes.

 

[BelgianPup]

Still not seeing what's unusual or bad about renting out RVs.

I've seen a few online articles and videos about RV owners renting theirs out, and having it come back with severe damage.