Community Chat

[Travone]

@smoochy   lower the thermostat a few degrees in the cooler months and raise it in the warmer months.  Turn off lights and unplug small appliances when not in use.  Stop buying from the Q.

[Deb213]

Hi Smoochy,

I hope you will take this as a helpful suggestion and not be offended. I remember discussing GLP-1's with you and you were so kind to provide all of the info that I asked about. I also remember you telling me that it was costing you $500 per month out of pocket. I do not know anything about your health issues, (and it's none of my business), but that is an enormous expense.

Have you researched "The Bridge" program to access GLP-1's now? It started in July 2026 for Medicare patients. If you qualify, it will bring your cost down to $50 per month which would be a huge savings. I did not qualify unfortunately and so have had to forgo using these medications. My budget simply won't allow for $500 per month. It might be worth asking your doctor about the reduction in price. Hope this helps and is not taken the wrong way! 

[Puzzle Piece]

@smoochy  Try living in CA.  Things don't look good here.  

[River Song]

I'm retired on a small fixed income, husband died seven years ago (live by myself), no mortgage, old car (no lease or car payments), have Comcast cable/internet/home phone but no additional streaming services, no life insurance, no pets, no kids, have a Tracfone cell phone (no fancy iPhone with monthly cell bill), I don't eat out at restaurants or fast food joints, no vacations to exotic locales, I do my own yard work (no lawn service), I clean my own house (no cleaning lady), my cremation is prepaid. I think I've pared down as much as I reasonably can.  My biggest fear is being a homeless old lady living out of my car when I'm in my 80's and 90's. 

Regarding groceries, I've drastically changed my diet by eliminating all, and I mean all, junk food which has reduced my grocery bill.  And that includes alcohol and soda pop.  I basically eat meat and fresh vegetables.  No desserts, no chips, no cookies and cakes, no bakery goods, no ice cream, no prepared entrees from the freezer section, you get the idea.  I shop the perimeter of the grocery store and rarely buy anything from the interior aisles.  Frankly, I feel so much better removing all that addictive junk food from my diet and I'm saving money by buying real, nutrient-dense food.  Sure, I eat ground beef instead of steak but it's still better for me than eating a Stouffer's frozen lasagna or frozen pizza.  Good thing I like to cook!

[SilleeMee]

I've been in the same boat with having to make cuts. I'm also on a fixed income and my state pension 'COLA' raises for the past several years have only been ONE PERCENT. I don't receive SS. State pension is my only income. As you can imagine I've had to make some serious changes.

- Learned how to cut my own hair.

- Learned how to do yearly maintenance on my furnace although I still have it inspected for safety reasons. 

- Made some adjustments to my homeowners and car insurance coverages.

- Changed my TV provider package.

- Cancelled a bunch of subscriptions here and there. 

Some of those things might seem minor but for me I have to cut as much as I can considering what my income is now and what it will be heading in to the coming years. Not looking very promising. I'm actually glad that I'm old and not going to have go through this stress of not having enough money for very long. 

[Sooner]

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@SilleeMee wrote:

I've been in the same boat with having to make cuts. I'm also on a fixed income and my state pension 'COLA' raises for the past several years have only been ONE PERCENT. As you can imagine I've had to make some serious changes.

- Learned how to cut my own hair.

- Learned how to do yearly maintenance on my furnace although I still have it inspected for safety reasons. 

- Made some adjustments to my homeowners and car insurance coverages.

- Changed my TV provider package.

Some of those things might seem minor but for me I have to cut as much as I can considering what my income is now and what it will be heading in to the coming years. Not looking very promising. I'm actually glad that I'm old and not going to have go through this stress of not having enough money for very long. 

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@SilleeMee For sure no meaningful COLA for those on state pension here!  Of all the money they throw around too.  And I am not paying for a haircut when I'm just getting a plain cut.  And I am quite happy with that.  I tip myself!  

[CelticCrafter]

When we were young and stupid and didn't know any better we bought whole life insurance not really knowing that it meant paying for it for basically your whole life.

I got tired of paying for it and was ready to cash it in when our Medicare broker mentioned a single premium policy.

If that's what you have, you can find out what the cash value of it is, cash it in, a single premium policy with that money which will end up being more than what the current cash value of your policy is.

I don't know if it's the same for a term policy, probably not, but it can't hurt to ask.

[Mom2Dogs]

@smoochy    You did not mention your cell phone bill.  My bill is very inexpensive.  I did have to purchase outright -a new Iphone. to me it was  quite expensive but I will use it until it is to old to be updated. My first IPhone was from Consumer Cellular years ago and it was refurbished and lasted for years until it could no longer be udated.

My plan is called unlimited (thru SPECTRUM) but it is not unlimited...I can only use, I think 1 gig of data per month and then after that I am charged $5.00 per gig.  I rarely go over because I try not to use any data when I am out and about..if I am somewhere and need to go online I use the free wifi at the restaurant, store, etc.  I just do not use my phone like a lot of people do.

My husband has a trac phone which came from QVC, it is a nice smart phone...he is like me and does not use it much when he is away from home, except to answer the phone.  His plan is only $11.00 ish per month.

I know my friends cell bills are pretty big, I think a couple of them have bought the latest phone before their other phone is paid off and just bundle the charges and are paying thru the nose every month.

[smoochy]

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@Deb213 wrote:

Hi Smoochy,

I hope you will take this as a helpful suggestion and not be offended. I remember discussing GLP-1's with you and you were so kind to provide all of the info that I asked about. I also remember you telling me that it was costing you $500 per month out of pocket. I do not know anything about your health issues, (and it's none of my business), but that is an enormous expense.

Have you researched "The Bridge" program to access GLP-1's now? It started in July 2026 for Medicare patients. If you qualify, it will bring your cost down to $50 per month which would be a huge savings. I did not qualify unfortunately and so have had to forgo using these medications. My budget simply won't allow for $500 per month. It might be worth asking your doctor about the reduction in price. Hope this helps and is not taken the wrong way! 

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you were very diplomatic and have a good memory, lol. In light of the topic I brought up this is a legit question. Ok so. The drug pricing depends on the dose. I was on the $500/mo dose until I achieved my wt goal. Now I'm on a lower, maintenance level. It costs about $370 every six weeks. It is keeping the 36 pounds off. I brought this up today w DH. He sees that I am a much happier no longer depressed person since being slim. Also I have reaped physical health benefits. We agree to make room for this expense.i would give up just about anything to stay on the med. 

Unfortunately I dont qualify for the Medicare discount, as it is only available to those w Part D. I dont have Part D, I have Tricare which will not pay for this. I am not diabetic, simply overweight to where my doctor expressed concern about my bmi in light of my other diagnoses- as well as my mental health.

[I am still oxox]

I feel very lucky we are both retired and my husband planned very well before his retirement. .We live comfortably with enough left over for savings. we are now bringing in more money then when we were working. This is not to gloat but it is reality and I am very ahppy with his planning