Community Chat

[Cakers3]

I don't know why persons in the poverty level are not supposed to have cell phones.  Many of those phones are donated or sold under special programs.

I would not like to think of a person in an emergency not being able to call for help because they were denied a phone.

[Cakers3]

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@JaneMarple wrote:

Another subject brought up annually that doesn't end well. The ones who have vs the ones who don't. 

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@JaneMarpleNext up-the abuse of food stamps. 

Wait for it.

[ALRATIBA]

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@CrazyDaisy wrote:

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@ALRATIBA wrote:

Social Security was never intended to be the sole source of income ... it's part of the "three legged stool" ..... pension / savings / social security.  

We learned that back in high school (1950s) - and from our families who grew up during The Depression.

Among my friends  -  no one is hurting financially.   None of us are wealthy but we are all comfortable in our retirement.  We planned ahead.  

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You realize in the "real world" pensions basically no longer exist and a medical crisis can and will destroy any and all savings that you may have been lucky to accumulate.  So rather than patting yourself on the back perhaps you should be grateful for what you have.

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@CrazyDaisy 

In "my real world" .... pensions do exist.  All of us worked for a living for many, many years .... and do collect pensions. 

Saving isn't that difficult if you live within your means.  I worked until I was over 68 to save enough to be "financially comfortable."

Medicare and supplemental insurance covers most expenses.  I recently had a medical issue that required hospitalization and now physical therapy.  Almost entirely covered by insurance.  

My sister is in an assisted living facilty (dementia).  The proceeds from the sale of her house more than covers the cost of care.   My aunt was also in assisted living .... her savings covered her care. 

As I said above .... if you live within your means - saving money isn't that difficult.

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ETA:  When my father died my mother continued to receive his pension.  Most pensions have a survivor option.

[VegasBusinessWoman]

@CrazyDaisy and @BlueFinch have pointed out a reality that those who "saved" and "did what their parents taught them" are overlooking--a chronic and ultimately fatal illness can wipe out years of careful financial planning.  I certainly saw this among some of our patients and their families. It is callous to pat ourselves on the back while chastising those who "didn't save."

Having worked in healthcare, I can tell you that no one has enough money to withstand the costs of a long, slow death from cancer, dementia or even diabetes.  Those of us who are congratulating ourselves for having "been frugal" should instead be thanking God that their health has held up and that any illnesses are all relatively inexpensive to treat.  

Don't judge those in want, and don't congratulate yourself too much.  That shoe could easily be on the other foot.

[CrazyDaisy]

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@VegasBusinessWoman wrote:

@CrazyDaisy and @BlueFinch have pointed out a reality that those who "saved" and "did what their parents taught them" are overlooking--a chronic and ultimately fatal illness can wipe out years of careful financial planning.  I certainly saw this among some of our patients and their families. It is callous to pat ourselves on the back while chastising those who "didn't save."

Having worked in healthcare, I can tell you that no one has enough money to withstand the costs of a long, slow death from cancer, dementia or even diabetes.  Those of us who are congratulating ourselves for having "been frugal" should instead be thanking God that their health has held up and that any illnesses are all relatively inexpensive to treat.  

Don't judge those in want, and don't congratulate yourself too much.  That shoe could easily be on the other foot.

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So many people just cannot grasp how lucky they are.  People mortgage the mountain to save their children from horrible illnesses.  Then to be criticized for not living within their means. 

[Travone]

Sadly, the majority of people in this country are just one emergency away from financial ruin. 

[reiki604]

Although SS was never meant to be the sole income for retirement, pensions are practically non exisistant these days. And despite claims of low unemployment, many are working 2-3 low wage, no benefit jobs simply to make ends meet. Medicare and Medicaid are also on the chopping block, and SNAP has been severely cut. Leaving the elderly to die lis one way to cut expenses.

[Kitty Galore]

Neither political party has addressed seniors and sociial security really ever !   Instead of worrying about those that need not be here worry about our elderly as they do in other countries where they are treated royally .    It's a shame that some cannot even afford healthy food or to have a pet to love if they have lost there mate because they can't afford pet food either  !  I find it very sad ,  come on pass some new legislation to increase SS checks for our seniors who are never mentioned in any campaign that I've ever seen. They also vote ya no ,besides  it's the right thing to do and it's about time .  

[Kitty Galore]

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@VegasBusinessWoman wrote:

@CrazyDaisy and @BlueFinch have pointed out a reality that those who "saved" and "did what their parents taught them" are overlooking--a chronic and ultimately fatal illness can wipe out years of careful financial planning.  I certainly saw this among some of our patients and their families. It is callous to pat ourselves on the back while chastising those who "didn't save."

Having worked in healthcare, I can tell you that no one has enough money to withstand the costs of a long, slow death from cancer, dementia or even diabetes.  Those of us who are congratulating ourselves for having "been frugal" should instead be thanking God that their health has held up and that any illnesses are all relatively inexpensive to treat.  

Don't judge those in want, and don't congratulate yourself too much.  That shoe could easily be on the other foot

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@VegasBusinessWoman wrote:

@CrazyDaisy and @BlueFinch have pointed out a reality that those who "saved" and "did what their parents taught them" are overlooking--a chronic and ultimately fatal illness can wipe out years of careful financial planning.  I certainly saw this among some of our patients and their families. It is callous to pat ourselves on the back while chastising those who "didn't save."

Having worked in healthcare, I can tell you that no one has enough money to withstand the costs of a long, slow death from cancer, dementia or even diabetes.  Those of us who are congratulating ourselves for having "been frugal" should instead be thanking God that their health has held up and that any illnesses are all relatively inexpensive to treat.  

Don't judge those in want, and don't congratulate yourself too much.  That shoe could easily be on the other foot.

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@VegasBusinessWoman wrote:

@CrazyDaisy and @BlueFinch have pointed out a reality that those who "saved" and "did what their parents taught them" are overlooking--a chronic and ultimately fatal illness can wipe out years of careful financial planning.  I certainly saw this among some of our patients and their families. It is callous to pat ourselves on the back while chastising those who "didn't save."

Having worked in healthcare, I can tell you that no one has enough money to withstand the costs of a long, slow death from cancer, dementia or even diabetes.  Those of us who are congratulating ourselves for having "been frugal" should instead be thanking God that their health has held up and that any illnesses are all relatively inexpensive to treat.  

Don't judge those in want, and don't congratulate yourself too much.  That shoe could easily be on the other foot.

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Very well put !  And true. 

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[RetRN]

Plan ahead, start saving early, don't buy what you don't need or can't afford. If people would just use a little common sense, social security is not meant for you to  live on in retirement. Too many victims out here with "poor me" syndrome. Credit cards played into some of this, if you are stupid enough to pay 18% interest I don't feel bad for you.