Social Security Estimated Benefits

**FrugalKate** · 12-15-2010, 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by frugalfranny

Get busy and serve ONE TERM in congress............then you can retire with them!

And THAT practice needs to END! Personally I think they should have to do what everyone else, i.e., the common working man/woman has to do. In the REAL world lately when someone retires/leaves a job they don't get a hefty pension and all the bennies and also the opportunity to go into the private sector and still make millions from speaches they give etc. The working class are basically left to their own devices. These people in public office are supposed to be representatives of the people. They are supposed to be just like the rest of us, not some "elite" group where the rules don't apply to them. It's about time that certain things like this that are done in every level of Government was stopped once and for all!

Ok, I'll get off my soap box now. Sorry for diverting the topic somewhat but these governmental "elites" just burn my grits!

**FrugalKate** · 12-16-2010, 09:42 AM

Just reported on the news. The new Porkulus Bill some Dems in Congress are trying to ram down our throats on their way out the door will blow a $110 BILLION hole in the Social Security Trust Fund! WTG Congress. Thanks for the $1.1 Trillion Christmas Gift!!

**rebecca** · 12-19-2010, 05:33 AM

Thankfully I'm saving for my own retirement because if I had to rely on ss I would be one poor person.

**Imarachne** · 12-19-2010, 08:39 AM

I live with my daughter and family, otherwise I would be in a lot of trouble. I only get 975.00 from SS and thats all--I couldn't live by myself. I bet those govt people will get a lot more than that !!

**FrugalKate** · 12-19-2010, 08:51 AM

I'm sure they will.

I think I've come to the stark realization that they really don't give one lippin whit about "we the people". It has become painfully obvious that all they care about is that they keep their nice cushy jobs with salaries and bennies for life.

**krbshappy71** · 12-21-2010, 01:03 PM

I'll be eating canned cat food. Anyone want to join me for dinner?

**pollypurebred39** · 12-21-2010, 02:04 PM

We are making an effort now to do early what my Mom did. Aside from her small pension, she stockpiled necessities. I kind of figure that the cost of living is going to continue to rise and lots of things will be out of reach for us on a limited budget. So I'm stockpiling all the non perishables that I can get for free or nearly free right now. I'm 43 so hopefully I'll have a pretty good stock by the time we are ready for retirement.

So far I'll never need to buy another light bulb as long as I live. Planning on stocking things like;

bars of soap
bars of laundry soap
dish washing detergent
dish washer soap
shampoo
conditioner
toilet paper
wax paper
tin foil
plastic wrap
plastic bags

Of course I'll be sure to have lots of blankets, sheets & towels stockpiled.

And I think I'll take a page out of my Uncle Bobby's book. He lived through the depression and learned that buying doubles of everything never hurt anything.

So, things like;

An extra toaster
An extra crockpot
An extra set of pots & pans
An extra can opener
An extra set of knives
An extra set of mixing bowls
ETC.

When I find them dirt cheap somewhere.

Other things on my list are things like;

a few pairs of extra nail clippers
emery boards
a few extra tweezers
a few pairs of scissors
sewing machine needles & bobbins
safety pins
straight pins
other sewing notions
hair brushes and combs
toothbrushes
scrub brushes
canning jars

I think that's the only way we'll be able to withstand just how much the cost of living is going to be when we retire verses our income.

The biggest thing on my DH's agenda is getting the house set up with solar power. He just thinks that it's going to reach a point where we will not be able to afford to heat or light our home without it, and given our electric bills and our oil heating bills now I think he's right.

The only other thing we will be doing before retirement is making sure we've got the house upkeep done. Like a new roof, any appliances that need to be replaced, hot water heater, etc. Making sure any flooring or furniture is replaced/upgraded before retirement. And creating a house fund for emergencies.

**krbshappy71** · 12-21-2010, 02:24 PM

That is an awesome plan!! I would have to get out of debt first, though, or use things like gift cards (tis the season!) because anything I buy right now will "lose value" if I should be paying off credit cards. I admire how on top of things you are, pollypurebred39. I wish I was there.

Great plan, I gotta remember that. In fact I'm going to write some of those items down and watch Freecycle for them. Thanks for the inspiration.

**pollypurebred39** · 12-21-2010, 02:39 PM

Thanks krbshappy, but we are still digging out of debt ourselves. The stuff I'm stockpiling now are things I get for free or just a few cents using coupons and sales/clearances.

But, if I had had the money this year I would have been able to get all the kitchenware. The doorbusters for some stores were crazy. Sets of $100 mixing bowls for $10 then add a 15% off coupon, pots and pan sets that were around $200 for $19.99.*SIGH* No money this year to do it, maybe next year.

I'm going to keep my eye out for all these things as the years go on and just keep checking them off my list. At this moment I'm working super hard on decluttering and getting a proper storage system for our stockpile.

**krbshappy71** · 12-21-2010, 02:46 PM

I asked my mom (and received) for tupperware (off brand) this year for Christmas. I have written down your list and am going to watch Freecycle and use gift cards, etc. for any of it. I'm not near retirement but I am new to stockpiling. No sense putting this off.

**pollypurebred39** · 12-21-2010, 02:59 PM

The biggest thing for stockpiling is your storage of it. Finding a workable floor plan. It's taken me quite sometime to get a workable plan.

At first I thought I was going to use the attic loft for my DH, I was going to make him his own man cave. However, preparing for our retirement just outweighs that by miles. (He will eventually get DS1's room to use as a man cave)

I'm going to need to empty out the attic loft and get some shelves for up there. I figure I'll set them up like library shelves instead of around the perimeter of the room so I'll be able to max the storage space. I'll be able to see everything and will not have to dig to find things.

I've got to thank my Mom for being one smart cookie on this. If I had not seen how well it has worked for her I would have probably gone into retirement without anything but savings and DH's small pension.

**Ali Lee** · 12-21-2010, 11:34 PM

We all should remember people are living longer. Our life expectancy has increased. So, the older folks --what they have paid in is already used up & now they are borrowing from the working people. When Social Security was set up, life expectancy was, I think 62, now it's 78. These numbers probably not accurate, but you get my drift. People are out living what they put in.....