35 upvotes, 3 direct replies (showing 3)
View submission: Living with no Retirement money
I never saved any money because I had three siblings who died young. Didn't see the point. Plus I never liked working a wage-slave job. I became self-employed instead, doing writing, having a shop where I sold things I made, teaching onliine, selling my art. But even that I never worked my ass off, because why? I worked enough to get what I wanted. And you know what? I'm fine.
I live in senior municipal housing. My rent is $346 including utilities for a studio (would be the same for a 1BR). When I was still paying my Medicare premiums myself, my rent was $280 (they decrease your rent for medical expenses). Now it's more because the state is paying my Medicare premiums and I get Medicaid, so I have no medical expenses at all anymore (very grateful for that since I'm on an expensive medication). Max rent to anyone here is 30% of income, and they do have deductions, but not like IRS. My neighbor across the hall was getting like $275/mo for SSI (I guess he never worked a regular job) and his rent+utilities was $50. I get SNAP and go to the kosher food pantry twice a month; I have more food than I need and give away much of it to friends. Bus pass is free, and the transit system is state-wide. My place is safe, clean, and well-maintained, conveniently located, and I have a number of friends here. In spring I will have a raised bed for gardening, and I have pots to grow stuff on my balcony. At 71, no evil eye, my life is good. I can write and paint all day or just lay around and watch movies.
There are plenty of ways to get by. There always has been. And if one of you puppies taunts me about them abolishing Social Security, I will whomp you upside the head.
Comment by trashysnorlax5794 at 06/02/2025 at 04:16 UTC
11 upvotes, 3 direct replies
This gives me hope because I'm in basically the same mindset at 41. I've seen far too many people die before they ever got to retire and 'finally enjoy life', so we're consciously front loading our life experiences. I spent lots of time with the kids, we travel, live in NYC where we've always wanted to be, etc. i often times have no idea how we're pulling it off until I remember we have no retirement other than an old house we own outright. But I still think we're doing it right
Comment by nice_whitelady at 06/02/2025 at 11:15 UTC
1 upvotes, 1 direct replies
What state are you in?
Comment by Loisgrand6 at 06/02/2025 at 13:44 UTC
1 upvotes, 1 direct replies
That’s nice. Affordable senior housing here in my part of Virginia is a long waiting game