Community Chat

[abbycat]

I know it's tough economic time for everyone, but I guess I just am feeling discouraged and need to vent. Please don't attack me .... I'm not up to that today.

I am 67, and like many other seniors, am on a fixed income. When my father died 10 years ago, he left me a substantial inheritance, if invested well could have lasted me for my full lifetime plus some to give to my church and kids. Well, I had a Financial Adviser and until 2008 or thereabouts things were pretty stable. Then the economy fell apart and I lost half of it .... he obviously did not have any mechanisms in place for his clients to protect their assets. OK ... it is what it is. Well, after that, it continued to go down, why? I had no idea. I called him to discuss it and he really went off on me, saying all sorts of insulting things like "I needed to look in the mirror! and get that money back from my son." At that time my son had just started working and was paying me what he could and with every raise he gets, he increases it. OMG, me .... who has always lived well within my means, on a very restrictive budget. Obviously he was projecting HIS screwups onto me. I won't go into all the details, but I changed F.A.'s to one who is highly thought of, who many people have around here and are doing well .... at least keeping up with things.

I was able to refinance my condo 3 months ago, giving me $200 more a month (thank God) but, again like a lot of people, I am so totally under water that I feel like just walking away from everything. I get a monthly S.S. check and a small amt. from my assets, plus my son is paying me back for helping him through Law School. I am just making it by the skin of my teeth .... nothing to spare .... no clothing shopping (I don't even go near the mall), no 2 day trips to the seashore, my meds. cost a bundle, nothing extra except "making it."

Food has gotten so high that I am now cooking with soybeans and often eating Ramen Noodle Soup. I am grateful I have a roof over my head, and just making it anyhow. My present F.A. had the other one examined by his Financial Lawyer, and he said that while the original one didn't do anything "illegal" he was walking a very fine line. So, there is nothing I can do. Since then, he only has 1 person in his office besides himself - his Receptionist.

I'm sorry to go on so much .... I really am grateful for my home and food, but today I'm just very discouraged. Thanks for listening to an old lady vent.

abby