How is everyone out there making it financially?

[LuckyCharms]

I'm feeling like everyone has their hands in my pockets...because they do.

Gas and electric costs have reached a near unsustainable level.

Spectrum bill increases seemingly monthly.

Groceries? (that's a new word I just heard...groceries)...forget about it.

And...I think twice before driving anywhere because I cringe at the pump.

How are you doing? How bad is it getting for you? Or, is it not bad?

I know we are all in the same boat...but I'm interesting in seeing how others are holding up.

Thanks.

[Haggard Celine]

1. I'm doing about the same.

I have a job, but my hours got cut. Right now I'm studying to start a new career. Hopefully it'll bring in more money. Everything seems so uncertain these days.

[lame54]

2. The best gift he can give - his absence

[QED]

3. I'm doing okay.

I feel the pinch of higher costs but my main expenses the past two months have been an unexpectedly large vet bill and a crashed computer.

[TommieMommy]

4. I'm being very conservative. Living on social security.

Cut back on groceries. Making stuff in the crockpot. Buying items on sale or store brand. Eliminated the house insurance and flood insurance. Just got liability insurance only. And I only use my car once a week. 4.50 a gallon for gas last week.

[allegorical oracle]

48. Had to dump homeowner's ins. here in FL. Have tried to find a company that sells

liability ins, but can't find any Fla insurer that does that.

[TommieMommy]

53. I'm in FL too. I found an independent insurance agent that sells liability only policies. Good luck 🤞

[kerry-is-my-prez]

49. My credit cards were both up to the limit. I had to take money out of my now very meager retirement account.

I’m retired and really cannot work. If I could, I would. Thank god for social security - that is how I’m surviving right now.If it weren’t for my bf, I would probably be homeless or living in a very cheap apartment. We live in his condo. My credit got wrecked because someone opened a credit card under my name so I can’t get a loan or a credit card right now from a reputable place. I managed to put a few thousand to pay the credit cards down a little. That is where most of my money goes to. I only buy things if they are on sale. Right now, my car needs to be fixed but I’m putting that off. I need 2 crowns- which I can’t afford, along with cataract surgery. I don’t know when I’m going to be able to spend money on anything but paying off my credit cards for the next few months. Luckily I have a freezer full of fish, etc. And I tend to be a pack rat when it comes to hygiene products. I have enough deodorant and shampoo to last me a couple of years. Funny that a bad habit is saving my ass. When I look at the prices of things now it’s unbelievable. I try not drive anywhere but a few blocks to the grocery store because I have warning lights on my car - at least they’re yellow. I’m just barely making it financially and can’t use my credit cards. In a few months, unless some emergency hits I will be off the thin ice.

[Iggo]

5. Barely.

I have lived in a very comfortable space for the last twenty years, more comfortable than I could have afforded on my own.

That’s ending now by mutual agreement. I don’t have to buy groceries for five people anymore (which was roughly equal to my monthly sweetheart deal of a rent bill), but I will have my own internet bill along with a 25% rent increase (and all that for a way more modest space.)

All that said, I’m all of a sudden real budget conscious…lol.

So I’m making it, but just barely. And cautiously.

[Catlady123]

6. Awful, but holding on barely

It's becoming an insurmountable monster. And it's unsustainable for people on fixed incomes. I got hit hard in my escrow account due to PVA increasing my home value, causing increases to my escrow payment for taxes and home insurance although I've never had a claim for the insurance in 25 years. My house payment went up over $300 a month because of it. Then add in inflation for food, medical insurance, utilities and it's a dismal friggin mess. All I can do is hope the dems win and it gets better.
Sometimes I think they want us dead.

[The Madcap]

9. I believe they do.

The Nazis would have called us "useless eaters."

[dcbuckeye]

7. I guess I'm lucky

I don’t own a car. I live in downtown DC and can walk to the stores and bars. If I need to go a few miles to visit friends I will take the Metro. My rent is $2500 but it includes utilities. I do notice that groceries are more expensive at the Soviet Safeway (long lines empty shelves). I recently retired so I have to keep an eye on expenses but so far I am hanging in there. We’ll see how things play out. I was lucky to have a job for 20 years with a pension.

[Marie Marie]

8. We are fortunate in that we are doing OK and weathering all of this - for now.

We have always lived below our means and I am very thankful for that as things are about to get very expensive for the entire world. Yes, the whole world is going to suffer because of him and I can't believe there isn't more of a global scream about what he has done and is continuing to do. Not hearing much from other countries when we know that his blunder is impacting everyone everywhere. Wonder why that is?

[DFW]

78. Because other countries feel that we have made our bed, and they don't want to sleep in it

Here in EU-land, there is almost no country with harmonious politics. Most have parliamentary forms of government, which means one party rarely governs, and uncomfortable, unwieldy coalitions are the result. They muddle through, but they take a look at how the ham-fisted, proudly ignorant (or else downright cruel) ruling party is doing its level best to make the USA an awful place for those who don’t buy their line. They get that “it could be worse,” and they don’t get that a minority party can seize and maintain so much power against popular will. With a financially weakened Russia flexing the only muscle it has left (i.e. military), they are highly nervous about the idea of Trump and Hegseth being their guarantors of security. Neither of them is very inspiring. The European Defense Force is more and more of a real alternative, even though the post-World-War-II pacifist sentiment is still strong here.

[mr715]

10. I'm an adult grad student funding by a teaching assistantship

I have no money. Credit card debt is high. I'm post-quals so my tuition is lower.

But food is damn expensive and somehow still I gain weight.

[Ocelot II]

11. Getting by. I'm retired and don't have a lot of expenses.

Since I don't have to drive very much, the increase of gas prices is distressing but not crushing. I notice the inflation the most when buying food, and have changed my buying habits and don't eat out very much any more. Heating costs were pretty high this winter, but we had a nasty cold snap for awhile that accounted for some of it. In general I try not to buy stuff I don't really need.

[Lars39]

12. Revolutions are fought by those whose ribs are easily counted.

Posted by DUer BattleRow.
It seems to be staying in my mind a lot.

[littlemissmartypants]

27. Reminds me of the phrase:

A hungry man is an angry man.

[Lars39]

31. Yes, and so true!

[Iggo]

63. We do make decent art, though.

I remember when I was living in the band house back in my twenties. Our saying was any of the various forms of “Nobody writes good music after lunch.”

[DFW]

79. Maybe not a coincidence:

When I had my hour with Obama in 2012, and we briefly discussed the Egyptian economy, I took a slip of paper and wrote on it “full bellies tend not to start fights” and gave it to him. He read it, his eyebrows went up, and he nodded and put it in his pocket.

[littlemissmartypants]

80. ❤️

[Faux pas]

13. Except for the

never-ending RAGE I feel daily, financially I'm doing well. I live on my son and daughter-in-law's 3 acres. They live in the "big" house and I have the mother-in-law house. I pay a quarter of the bills and probably 20% of the mortgage my total is btwn $650 and $680 because we pay for the trash every 2 months. We have free water from a natural granite reservoir up the hill from us. We get free eggs almost every week from my DIL's boss. I buy groceries maybe once a month, so gas lasts me a long time.

I feel badly for everyone whos' really getting EFFED over out there . I send vibes out the Universe daily for the EVIL to END sooner rather that later.

Peace, Love and Joy to all

[DFW]

14. A fictional character in a book I once read had an interesting observation

Most of us have two choices. We can either try to increase our material means to meet our expectations, or else reduce our expectations to the level of our material means.

I was always terrified of having debts in foreign currencies, so I waited until we found a house I could afford to pay off right away. Almost everyone in my outfit either inherited their house or bought their own ten years before I bought mine. I was still a US legal resident, so I wasn’t subject to double taxation yet.

Now, I get whacked for 73% income taxes as well as $9 for gas and a 19% sales tax on everything. However, I have no debts, don’t live beyond my means, and am married to a gourmet chef who knows how to stretch her euros when grocery shopping. Europe does have its downsides, and the Germans want to seize half of my Roth IRA, but for now, we’re making out OK. If I stop working, we may have to reassess our situation, but for now, we’re OK. There are plenty of people who are worse off than we are, so we have no reason to complain.

[littlemissmartypants]

26. Id love to know what character in which book, DFW. ❤️

[DFW]

71. The book was called "Shibumi"

It was by Rodney Whitaker, an American ex-pat writing under the name of Trevanian.

The character’s name was Beñat Le Cagot.

[littlemissmartypants]

81. Looks interesting!

[RPM]

70. 73% seems high...

I'm guessing it's the double whammy of the US taxing you world-wide and the Germans taxing you locally, but since the US foreign tax credit is based on foreign source income and (i'm assuming) your income is US source somehow (passive or otherwise resourced to US)?

Just curious as international tax (corporate, albeit) is my job. But the rules can sure get weird.

Pardon the prying.

[DFW]

73. My income is all US sourced

The Germans apparently have (or assume) the right to tax it as well for the sole reason that I have a legal German residence. US citizens are taxed on their US income. Period. The woefully outdated Double Taxation Treaty does not consider S-Corp income or the Roth IRA. The only specifics that appear to have been agreed on by both countries for people in my situation are that interest income of US origin (100% in my case) is taxed in the USA, and Social Security payments are 100% taxed in Germany (at 47%, and with no 15% exclusion that Americans in the States get).

For my double whammy tax situation, in return, Germany gives me: nothing. No pension, no health insurance (I’m over 65), zip, nada, nichts. The “everything is free in Europe” is just a myth that some in the States like to repeat for reasons they find convenient. Doctors, teachers, and people who build roads and bridges do not work for zero compensation here. That stuff is just financed differently here. The Germans just come to me with their hands outstretched every quarter and say, “gimme, or else.” The “or else” is not an exaggeration. One time, my quarterly payment got misdirected to the wrong account, and the letter containing the government threat of seizure was in the mailbox within ten days. Heil Honecker.

As for the Roth IRA, as a tax professional, you would know that I paid all taxes due at the time of the conversion, and I was still a full-time legal resident of the USA at the time. But no, the Germans want half of any distribution I take out of it, which so far has been zero. I will donate it to Greenpeace, Planned Parenthood, the American Cancer Society and various foodbanks in the States before I see a re-enactment of 1938-style Enteignung. I don’t have an immense fortune in there anyway, but what there is, I will not let it go to finance the chauffeur-driven limousine of some smug, uncaring useless German bureaucrat.

The USA, as you presumably also know, is one of only two countries on earth that does not recognize residence-based taxation. One of my daughters lives in the States, so the Germans don’t bother her. Both my daughters are dual citizens. My other daughter lives in Germany and makes five times what I do. But she works for a top NY-based international law firm, and they have their own army of accountants for their people. Her income is from worldwide sources, and she doesn’t pay over 50% in taxes, whereas 50% would be a significant reduction for me.

[MiHale]

15. About the same as you...

Mindful spending. Switching doctors to ones that are closer, if able. I had one appointment an hour away…cancelled that. Don’t call it grocery shopping anymore…it’s foraging for bargains. We have done this for quite a while so nothing really new.

Our local store is great at having discounted items to choose from. The butcher there is good at putting dated items in a special place for quick discounted sale. Usually items over the date by a day. Last time picked up a couple pounds of ground round at 50% off.


Just had to get a new roof so the emergency fund is diminished. We grow our own food but the cost of doing it has risen a little. Still have some stocks of last year’s harvest so doing very well on that front.

Natural gas prices have escalated but we have a system in place that keeps the cost lower.

Electricity is a bitch We depend on grow lights to get the garden started and even though we use mostly LED lights it still gets up there. A/C this year may be a luxury.

Thankfully we started economizing our lifestyle years ago after retirement so a little less when you’re used to a little less is no big deal.

[Trueblue1968]

16. Living paycheck to paycheck. Social security checks. Maxed out credit cards.

[Ritabert]

17. We aren't driving anywhere and we don't eat out

Gave up soda and junk food long ago. We also try to coordinate trips so we accomplish a couple of chores at a time.

[ForgedCrank]

18. The worst

was the massive spike in everything during the 21-23 covid times and inflation went out of control.
It slowed down after that, but hasn't stopped. Now with gas climbing back up like it is, that cost is again starting to creep into everything else.
It has made everything a lot tighter and we had to start making choices we've never had to make before.

[relogic]

19. Housing

If you one of the unfortunates having to stay in $60 p/n hotels (at an extended stay for 28+ days to get a lower rate), it’s crushing to one’s savings while on the list for low income, senior housing. Fact is-if not for some savings, my modest SS would not cover this monthly, wasted outlay.

Simply-repukes have and are destroying the HUD safety net. The deliberate shorting of funding and available units is getting much worse. Once you’re displaced for whatever reason now-the odds of affordable public and private housing is scarce like tears of mercy falling off Melania’s, green trench coat.

[Skittles]

36. well said

the "pro-life Christian" party sees anyone needing assistance as leeches......which is rich because THEY are the real leeches

[waterwatcher123]

56. We rarely go out to dinner anymore - just too expensive and not all that good.

A long time ago we lived in an apartment and regularly made Dal or Dahl (Indian dish) out of lentils, split peas, carrots, etc. It is served over rice and lasts forever. So, if you need a good three dollar or so dish that is filling, satisfying and tastes good, try it out (https://www.recipetineats.com/dal-indian-lentil-curry).

[biophile]

58. That sounds wonderful! Love curries and Indian vegetarian food

Thank you for that link!

[senseandsensibility]

20. I hesitate to complain

because I know that many have it much worse than I do. I also know what it is like to really suffer financially, having hit a few rough patches as a young adult. I know what's it like to have five dollars for the week for groceries. And it may have been the eighties, but five dollars even then wasn't enough. Thank God for canned refried beans and store brand tortillas! Compared to then, I'm doing okay but home repairs and grocery prices are the biggest drains. We had some new flooring installed recently that we had been putting off for years, and that set us back quite a bit.

[OAITW r.2.0]

21. I'm doing OK. Retired, but SSI covers all of my monthly expenses.

No credit card balances. Mortgage is under $600/mo. No water bill. I invested in solar panels 5 years ago, so my power bill is $35/month. No truck payment. I fill up about once a month. As I age, I seem to eat less, so my grocery bills are manageable.

My kids are doing well financially, so no drain there.

If SSI gets cut in the future, I'll have some financial assets to lean on.

I couldn't imagine what life would be like with the economic mess we are living with if I had a young family to care for today.

[Vinca]

22. We're doing okay. We're people of modest means with modest taste. I'm sure glad my husband is still

only semi-retired, though. It would be hard to make do without the extra cash. I've been working at getting my vegetable garden going and it's already paying off. It's a whole lot nicer having fresh lettuce a few footsteps away than a plastic container of what may or may not be edible lettuce for nearly $5. Still need CPR every time the electric bill turns up, but it is what it is.

[multigraincracker]

23. I've reached my goals.

Never pay any interest. Everything is paid for. I ha
D planned or some bigger vacations. But we’ve to fewer and closer trips. Wife just started collecting SS. I get mine plus a pension check.
Was figuring on spending 5 to 10k a year on travel but have adjusted that down a little. It’s all good for us. I do feel bad for others, but hope they are learning from the guy they elected.

[littlemissmartypants]

24. I'm very upset about property taxes, atm.

[Maninacan]

25. Cutting back

A small tomato was $2.19. Coffee has doubled. We do not go to restaurants often, only if away from home. I can afford the necessities. I have boycotted farm and Fleet in Janesville WI since 2016 because they invited pence to speak. Gas? At 10gl a week costing me an extra 20$.0 I just hate spending while T is president.

[sakabatou]

28. Grocery prices are going up to the point even snacks are too expensive

[edhopper]

29. We are doing fine

but that doesn't stop me from feeling for all my fellow citizens that are suffering because of this menace and the Party he controls.

We have moved a lot of our retirement savings to interest vehicles from stocks to protect ourselves from the coming crash.

[TygrBright]

30. Okay so far, but being mindful about expenses and spending choices. n/t

[hamsterjill]

32. Pet food.

I run a cat sanctuary for old and ill cats, and cat food goes up a dollar every week it seems. So far, we are hanging on but a lot of "fluff" has had to be eliminated.

What gets me are the people who won't admit that things are bad and that Trump's policies are the cause. I live in MAGA country, and those people would starve to death before they admit that he's made a mistake. They are totally disconnected from reality.

Blows my mind.

[bernieb]

33. Wyoming is doing OK

I live in Laramie, Wyoming. Our gas is anywhere from $3.99 to $4.49. I'm waiting to see how the farmers markets go this summer. ( I have a micro bakery and sell cookies and flavored teas. ) I've not raised my prices very much. I have a source for getting free eggs. I drive over to Sam's Club in Cheyenne since I can get cheaper ingredients. Their 72 oz. bag of chocolate chips are half what Walmart wants. I've been stocking up nonperishables since a local supermarket has case sales twice a year. Just have to see how it goes.

[Skittles]

34. what is the deal with Spectrum

HOW does the cost seem to keep creeping up with ZERO NOTIFICATION

[BeneteauBum]

35. I'm Okay

I’ve been living frugally for the past eight years in order to pay off my home…..a Beneteau 321.

Grocery expenditure up about 30%. My fuel expenditure is up about the same amount…..I’m now paying $6 a gallon for non ethanol gas for my outboard……I don’t own a vehicle. Nearly $6 a gallon for my diesel engine.

My home will be paid off June 1…..Yay!……and that will free up over $2k per month so that will offset increasing costs we’ve endured lately. So I expect my financial situation to improve dramatically in the near future. My aging body is my biggest financial concern though my doctor says I’m in great shape for a 75 yo.
Health and dental insurance keep going up up up.

Peace ☮️

[lastlib]

37. It's a little tight, but not unbearably....

If I only had Social Security, I'd be living under a bridge. But I do have some pension income as well, and I haven't tapped my IRA yet. Usually the pension & SSI cover my expenses if I don't splurge on anything. But if I go over on anything much, or have a large unusual expense, I likely have to dip into savings. Worst is end of the year when property taxes come due; those cut into the stash a lot. If groceries and gas keep going up, as I expect, it's going to squeeze me hard. Oh, and forget about health insurance! I have Medicare, but no supplement for part C and D. Fortunately, I don't take any prescription meds, so I'm OK there--but at almost 70, how long will that hold?? I do feel like I'm living on the knife's edge, even though I have a sizeable stash of investments and IRA. But I know that soon I will have to tap the investments for some new housing, and I son't know if the IRA is big enough by itself to last my lifespan. 'Tis a challenge and a worry.

[nilram]

75. Check out the price on Part D now and then, just in case.

In my area, some Part D plans have a $0 premium, and mine is covering a very (very) expensive medication. You can do that at https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare/#/?lang=en&year=2026 (note the 'continue with out logging in' option).

Note that Parts C & D are mutually exclusive. Part C is "Medicare Advantage." I wouldn't choose it unless I had no other option. YMMV.

[twodogsbarking]

38. I retired nearly 9 yrs ago. I did all of the shopping for two then and now and pay all bills.

Utilities, taxes, insurance, medical costs and whatever has increased substantially. More than we are led to believe. We are all getting hosed to make a few rich. Not unlike what Bernie has been saying since he could talk.

[LilElf70]

39. Trump has successfully

lied to and totally screwed over hundreds of millions of people in this country. None of this shit was even on anyone's radar until he got in office. Starting illegal unprovoked wars? Wanting other countries for their oil? What was that all about?

Personally I'm getting sick of pretty much flushing my limited income down the toilet. This man has done NOTHING to make peoples lives better. NOTHING!!!! I still can't believe he is still in power and just keeps on lying and trying to grab other countries for his own personal use. It's clearly a disaster, and he just keeps on keepin on. Yep, still sick here.

[IbogaProject]

40. I'm feeling it

I moved to a new building to get an "affordable" apartment but Heat isn't included. I kept an eye on it all winter but got Huge bills for heating less then 900-1000 sq feet. And AC will be more serious and steep in the summer as I have both North & South exposures in NYC. Yes I am starting to see everyone cutting back I'm shielded some but I'm still seeing slightly less business happen and I know restaurants and bars are starting to feel it. Not sure about tourism as I'm right in the bottom of Midtown Manhattan so there are always tourists. I've noticed that there is a lag for changes inc tourism as trips get booked in advance. That said Manhattan feels empty yesterday and today. Usually Memorial Day weekend is ever so slightly easier parking wise but this year seems real off. It is also cool and rainy like normal for early April.

Yes this economic disaster will pop some times soon. Interest rates are hitting the highs from late 2007 when the economy was starting that real estate bubble collapse.

[Grim Chieftain]

41. We're doing okay

If I could just lower the wine bill, it would help. Don't see that happening any time soon.

[OAITW r.2.0]

59. Yeah, that's a structural economic cost for me, too.

But, it keeps me from paying for therapy.

[Grim Chieftain]

60. Cheers, friend!

Hoping for brighter days soon.

[MustLoveBeagles]

42. We're doing okay so far

Last edited Sat May 23, 2026, 05:36 PM - Edit history (1)

We have state jobs with good insurance but we know others that are struggling. The extra money we spend on high gas and grocery prices could've been put into savings. We can't complain though. We're the lucky ones.

[WarGamer]

43. Expenses are up... but flat

Retirement accounts way up. Taxes down slightly...

Not so worried about myself but young folks are struggling

[slightlv]

44. If it weren't for my few credit cards, we'd be out on the street by now.

I'm used to using the cards, and then paying off the balance the next month. I'm looking at paying one of them off in 3-4 months now, and that scares me. It's so beyond what I'm used to doing... just to live. These purchases aren't for "luxury" and "would be nice to have" things... I'm using them at the grocery store and gas station. I even caught myself borrowing from Peter to pay Paul. I have a hard time going to sleep at night because my anxiety level is so high, and none of the meds I have seem to help cut it to a manageable level. I honestly don't know what we're going to do. At our ages and infirmities, a job is out of the question... and it feels like just "living" is becoming out of the question. Scary doesn't come near to what I'm feeling inside.

[Scully]

45. I'm terrified...

...that a layoff is coming. I'm doing okay right now, but I'm the sole wage earner for my extended family due to a myriad of circumstances, and my company is in a volatile industry that could easily get derailed by any number of this administration's moronic actions, so I spend every day waiting for the other shoe to drop. It feels like I live in a house of cards and a storm is on the horizon- the stress of anticipation might take me out before a layoff ever does. In sum... not holding up well around these parts, but still alive and breathing so there's that to be thankful for I guess.

[perdita9]

46. Every time I do something on-line I feel like a mark

And my phone's primary purpose seems to expose me to scams

[allegorical oracle]

47. Doing without a lot of day-to-day stuff -- have cut back on driving, eating,

running AC. Most worrying is how much more repair folks charge to travel to my home. Am doing without repairs that I had budgeted (plumbing, electric, mowing, and ongoing hurricane Helene clean-up).

[GoodRaisin]

50. I'm retired for about 10 years now, and doing okay, probably because

my retirement strategy was to get everything paid off (i.e. my house) so I didn’t have to carry any debt into retirement. That keeps my IRA withdrawals minimal and therefore my taxes low. So I live off 2 sources of income, SS and IRA dividends. SS doesn’t pay all my expenses alone, I must kick in some IRA money.

With all the rise in costs over the last few years I have seen my total monthly spending increase about $200 a month overall, which so far I’ve been able to cover without a reduction in maintaining my IRA balance. (I used to add to my IRA balance each month; now, with the extra ~ $200 a month, I just maintain the balance.)

The main threat I have to my finances remains SS. It seems we are on track to pretty soon lose about 25% or more of that, if Krasnov just doesn’t decide to take it all away. Any losses in SS will result in starting to burn through my IRA.

But, for now, maintaining.

[buzzycrumbhunger]

51. By the skin of my teeth...

Lost my job 4/16 (fuck you, Walgreens, who were bought out by a hedge fund and are closing stores, cutting staff, and increasing insane duties across the board) and I’m hanging my hat on one of the few jobs I’ve applied to that even bothered to acknowledge my application (at a cat rescue place, which could be my dream job!) Interview Sunday, so fingers crossed.

My son also lost his job months ago because he’d been hired to work in a sign shop but was almost immediately sent out in the field to *install* signs—in the Florida heat--which meant he had to wear his leg (lost thanks to a strep infection at 17), which resulted in a lingering skin infection so they unceremoniously let him go because he couldn’t wear his leg.

So yeah. Unemployment pays a fraction of what we need for the bare necessities and we’re hanging on by a thread.

Sucks to be poor. Feel free to toss something in the cauldron to bolster the odds this interview turns into an offer. *sigh*

[Progressive dog]

52. Retired for 12 years and still doing OK with income

enough to meet expenses.

[usedtobedemgurl]

54. I am very "lucky"

That I was in a car accident. The settlement allowed me to pay off the house. I have a hybrid. If I want to go out to eat, I mystery shop. Last week I was able to take my adult son go a bar/restaurant mystery shop that reimbursed up to $200! I get cc points and I am reimbursed. The high end shops are few and far apart.

Last week I took my car into the shop for an oil change. Again, it was a shop, so free. Two days ago I did a car wash shop. I will be fully reimbursed and paid $20 for doing it. Next week I eat at a lo all IHOP for free. The week after, I will eat at two different burger joints and get reimbursed and paid. I usually do burger joints for the cash and hand the food off to my son, after I taste it for the report. My husband recently passed. I have done postal shops so I can send some items to his mom. Yesterday, I did trailer checks and watched a movie for free. The trailer checks are just going to the theater and reporting on the reaction of the audience to the trailers. Simple. You are supposed to leave after finishing the required checks, but the manager has become familiar with me. He gives me free popcorn and let's me stay for the movie I am doing checks for. Sometimes I need a new shirt or pants. That's when I do Goodwill shops. I get $5 to spend, and I get paid on top of that. If I want energy drinks, I do a gas station shop. I come home with two energy drinks. I get paid to eat at the restaurant on premises - in the restaurant, and I have to do the drive through, so I get breakfast for the next day. I also get paid on top of that. My favorite is a steakhouse. I get a steak and drink reimbursed and get paid. And if I want to get groceries, there are mystery shops for two different chains in my area. It only covers a very small order, but you also get paid on top of that.

You will not get rich mystery shopping, but it can help enrich your life a little and take the edge off of your bills.

I also shop on seniors day at a local grocery store. That gives mean e,tra 5% off, which is no e when added with sales and possibly a mystery shop.

I look for sales on anything and everything.

I also have been selling things. When I moved in, my hubby did not want to get rid of much. After he passed, my adult son moved in. He brought all of his stuff. To say it is crowded is an understatement. My husband had around 4,000 books! With my double vision (refer back to the accident I was "lucky" enough to have), I can not read books. So, I am slowly selling the books and a lot of other things. I do not sell the things for a lot, but every little bit helps, right?

I also bought protein powder on sale. It is a good meal substitute for me. It is convenient because with my accident, it is sometimes hard to make meals through the pain.

So, there are a few of the ways I am getting through these hard times.

[nilram]

76. I've heard of that, even seen online ads

for mystery shoppers. Haven't looked at it, though, because it didn't sound legit. Did you have to search for a legit company? I presume they wanted all your information like an employer would, right?

[doc03]

55. I can't complain, I have been retired for 16 years. I am fortunate to have one

those defined benifit pension plans and investments in an IRA.

[Golden Raisin]

57. I'm retired (10 years) and fortunate to get by on

Social Security and a small corporate pension. That said, I'm very glad and grateful that my parents who lived through the Great Depression passed on their strict frugality and ability/talent to stretch every penny. I live in Manhattan so no car expenses and still ride the subway. Food and almost everything else has noticeably gone up here, where cost of living is already high.

[LogDog75]

61. I'm Okay but I do see prices increasing

I'm single and I've been retired for 23 years. I have my military retirement, Social Security, and RMDs from my IRA so I can meet all my bills and still save some money. I've always lived below my means and while working I was a prolific saver. I still have a mortgage with a very low rate on my condo but even with HOA fees it's about $1,000 cheaper than renting. One thing I still do is knowing the difference between needing and wanting when I buy something so I don't waste money. I buy food from the Navy Commissary so it's a bit cheaper than a civilian supermarket. Overall, I can meet my needs without any problems.

[choie]

62. Look at you using new vocabulary!

[LuckyCharms]

64. Vocabulary?

[AZProgressive]

65. I'm likely doing better financially than most

The biggest thing I notice are the gas prices which makes a dent in what I spend but I have a 100% service connected disability with the VA (DUers can research how much that is) so I'm able to cover all my monthly expenses with a little left over.

Even then the inflation at the grocery store and gas prices definitely makes a dent in my expenses.

[LogDog75]

66. Ihave Spectrum and recently bundled cable, cellphone, and internet

It's saving me about $100 a month for a year then I'll see where it goes after that. My Spectrum bill, before bundling, kept rising until it was over $300 a month. When the year is up I'll see what the bill will be and if it's too much, I'll drop to a lower tier plan and change my cellphone to another carrier. Unfortunately, my city only allows Spectrum as the cable TV provider so there's no competetion. I won't go with Direct TV because I don't want a dish on my condo.

[mvd]

67. Mom and I sold our house, so better than it has been in a long time

Had awful problems for years. Finally relief. But it won’t be this good for that long because it is not steady income. Have to use some of it for moving, and putting some in savings would help.

[Tree Lady]

72. We're doing fine but I save less per month than I use to

For fun stuff like travel. My hubby and I are sharing my Prius now because it gets 58 mpg. Only drive Van rarely.

We just go month by month hoping our pension stays secure and they don't destroy social security and Medicare. I just had a major operation 3 months ago, fractured my hip and was amazed I haven't been billed a penny, all charges covered by Medicare regular one and my supplement.

Going out to eat cost a fortune now so we do it less, I am letting house get warmer before air comes on.

[haele]

74. Trying to shed additional costs.

Not everyone in my household of three generations seems to want to help me do that, though.
Side note, if you know your adult kid has mental issues, don't let them move back in "until they get back on their feet." Because 8 times out of 10, they'll just keep trying to relive the 90's TV version of young adulthood they think they deserved, rather than actually get back on their feet...
On edit, it sounds extremely cruel, but it's been unfair and disruptive to the rest of the family, especially their kids they left you to raise, when the supposedly grown adult tries to explain their expensive self-medicating and shopping therapy away as "none of your business" while their only options is living under your roof or in their car.
One upside, we got an EV last year and disabled spouse has been taking advantage of it doing a couple hours pizza and burrito taxi (deliveries) when he can function. He generally makes about 4 times a week more what he spends to charge, so that's a plus -but his takehome usually averages around $400 a month. I can't imagine what it would cost for someone gig driving an older ICE engine or worse - diesel.
He says he sees a lot of older EVs at the commercial chargers in the mornings after he drops me off at work with UBER and Lyft stickers or light bars.

[DET]

77. We're Doing Fine

As long as Trump doesn’t tank the stock market and housing and eliminate social security. Our son is not financially independent, but you do what you have to for family. We’re retired, the mortgage and other debts are paid off, we don’t drive much, and we live pretty simply. My husband has metastatic cancer, but we are extremely fortunate to have excellent insurance coverage through my husband’s former employer (retirement benefit).

When I was younger, I would have loved to travel, like I did in my twenties, but that wasn’t possible. Now that I have the time and can afford it, I don’t really want to anymore. One of life’s little ironies.

I’ve experienced serious financial hardship in the past, so I know what it’s like to feel desperate, especially when dealing with physical infirmity. I hope to live long enough to see the evil sociopaths of this fascistic regime pay for their indifference to the health and wellbeing their fellow citizens.