Fixed Income Lifestyle

Living on a Fixed Income and unable to work. When I first moved to this quiet complex in 2003, my rent was $500 for a two-bedroom, two-bath unit. I lived next door to my mother. It was at her insisting that I moved here even though I was not old enough Per the complex rules. But they made an exception. Now those rules have changed, my beloved mother died in 2012, and I am still living here, albeit paying a much higher rate - nearly $800.

I was put on Social Security disability in 2011 after spending nearly four weeks in the hospital battling esophageal varices, another heart attack, and weakened kidneys and liver. My cardiologist blamed it on stress. 

I am 73 now and still receiving Social Security as well as a very meager teaching pension (i taught for 11 years at a Catholic High School) but afterwards taught at several university campuses as an adjunct professor. Although they paid well, there were no benefits. It was the stress, I am told, of teaching 7-8 classes per semester and driving to and from three different campuses that did me in. Don't misunderstand: I loved teaching and still do. 

But now I am on Social Security and blog. My costs go up every year. Utilities follow higher rent. I no longer have a car. That dear little Cavalier broke down - a broken timing chain. The service shop wanted more money than I could afford, even with a Car Shield policy offering to pay $5000 for a new engine. All those months paying them $140 in vain. Advice: read the fine print and trust no promises.

So I have to order groceries and have them delivered. I tried several stores but Walmart seems to be the cheapest and most consistent. I also order certain things in Bulk: things I would normally have picked up on a weekly shopping trip.

Medications also have spiraled upwards, especially my inhalers. I've tried mail order pharmacies but even with no deductibles, the time from processing to date delivered can be long. And mail order pharmacies will not handle medications you must sign for such as Zolpidem. 

I've told family and friends I am no longer sending greeting or holiday cards. I like my cousin's idea: she sends animated e-cards and they are lovely. 

But even though I have tried to shed some monthly recurring costs, I still have credit card debt that used to be manageable. It will take me years to eliminate this debt and I've considered selling some assets such as art works I've inherited that I've priced on-line. I sold my substantial book collection in 2012, the same year my mother passed, for a pittance. My sister-in-law said "don't do it" but I didn't listen.

I have dozens and dozens of VHS tapes but no machine to play them on. Both my TV's crashed. I used my laptop and stream. I remember when I still had a car and had the freedom to go places. Now I am confined and depend upon "the kindness of strangers..."

But I hope this is not the final act of a long running show. I hope there is an epilogue That will be a bit more of a rainbow experience.