Life on Social Security & Retirement - I Live Like a Queen Now But... 

My husband and I live on social security and two small pensions. Our house is mortgage free, however the taxes, insurance and utilities continue to go up in price. It costs us $850.00 per month to live in a paid for house and that does not cover any repairs or maintenance. We are fine now, however someday the surviving spouse will need to bear this burden alone. Take care.

My rent is continually going up, increased $200 this year. Live nearDallas. It’s getting way too expensive and landlords do not like older renters. I’ve been getting the impression he wants me to move. So I am. I will send him a letter that I’m gone after I’ve moved because I can’t stand him harassing me any more. Luckily I can afford a nice little house in another state where the economy is more reasonable. Thank God I won’t have a landlord harassing me anymore.

I am a 68 yr. Old full time traveler whom chose to sell my house and live in a minivan . I travel with a 9 yr. Old golden retriever. I sold all my belongings. My family is all deceased. I feel so much better about not worrying about all the up keep of a house. I am healthier and for the past 2 years have not regretted my decision. I follow the good weather and spend most my time outside. I have a bed ,refrigerator/freezer, toilet and a generator. Will travel as long as I'm healthy.

Hi Carol. I wish our government would help seniors and veterans. It’s so sad to me. Thanks for sharing.

My mom used to manage apartment complex that was for low income over 55 y.o. The rent was subsidized by HUD and cost 25% of income. That included utilities. Was a great place to live.

Hi Carol! I can really relate to wanting to live somewhere else, I've been in the Midwest most of my life; at 67 I yearn for a different climate, view, and way of life. I live with my daughter and struggle with it - one day I'm happy and content in my (small) cozy bedroom and grateful for her having me here and the next day I'm plotting how I can get out of here and spend the last part of my life on my own. It's very hard to relinquish the role of head of your house when you live with an adult child, it's kind of a constant power issue. I dream of getting in the car and hitting the road!

Lindy is a good example of how the government forces seniors onto their medical plans, limits the amount of money we can make, then doesn’t allow us to get affordable housing, or food. I have been diagnosed with an illness that I need Dupixent for. My insurance leaves me with a copay of $2,900 for a 28 day supply. Dupixent says if you can’t afford it they will pay the copay unless you are on government ins. So that excludes every single senior that needs this med. I never though America was like this until I became a senior.

Seniors are now the largest group in the homeless population. And seniors are the fastest growing population group in the homeless. Living in your car and being homeless, while it may seem attractive to some, is very hard on you both physically and psychologically. I hope you don’t end up doing that. Blessings to you

I going to move into villas at pine grove. Lufkin tx. Brand new. 1 and 2 bedrooms. 55+ independent seniors. They go by your income. Gated community. Covered parking. All appliances. Washer and dryer hook ups. Pool, doggie park, 3 stories with elevators. Patio, community room. Work out room, library room with computer. Extra washer and dryer facility room.

Thank you Carol. This is the truth of seniors situations and people don't understand why we won't move in with our children .

Great share, Carol. 2 bedroom apartments here start at around $1800. I can’t imagine what someone on Social Security would do here. I’m glad that you have a place and I pray that you never have to make a decision like that. ❤❤❤

I don't know how any of us make it on Social Security with the rent and utilities etc. It's very sad

Thank you. Just what I needed to watch. My wife and I are directors of our farm business and own property, plus small pensions. I am nearly 55, my wife is 52. We have started to save to retire from the farm, and possibly live on rental income, I'd really appreciate you go LIVE and talk about how to earn passive income online and retire comfortably, let’s say $1M.

I just now watched this video today. It is an excellent video. I hope I never have to live in a car or RV. I have car insecurities, so I'd be afraid the car would break down. And I don't know how to fix cars, and people take advantage of it, I've been ripped off by car mechanics so many times. Plus, I hate driving with a passion. I always have a fear of having a wreck. But I don't know how people afford rent. I just moved out of my one-bedroom apartment, it was $750 which was dirt cheap, but the lease ran out, and I think someone said the new lease was about 200 more. My daughter's lease also expired, so we moved in together in a 4-bedroom. This town has so many homeless people. There are signs up for jobs all over, but they probably don't pay enough to pay rent. I'm happy I'm living with my daughter, and I have my own bedroom, and it's convenient because I babysit her kids. At the old apartment, I shopped at Kroger & Publix. In this apartment, I shop at Food Lion because it is convenient. Walmart is also convenient, but there is no way I'm shopping at Walmart, it triggers my anxiety so badly. My ideal set-up would be an apartment, a grocery store, a post office, a library, a park, a gym, a church, a restaurant, an optical shop, & a smoothie shop all in the same shopping center - no driving required!

Hello! I just found your channel and enjoyed your video! I also am a senior living alone. No way will I ever have a room mate, and I wouldn't want to be a nomad either. I live in a town of 6,500 in north western Illinois, and my 2 bedroom/1 bath apt. is $595 per month, and I love it! I just sold my 3 bedroom/2 bath mobile home two years ago as my health was/is failing, so I'm glad I don't have to worry about repairs and upkeep any more. I subscribed and will look forward to seeing more of your videos! Take care!

Hi Carol…rents are outrageous in Massachusetts. Senior apartments where I live all have waiting lists and usually a third of your income. Regular apartments are closer to 2000 a month. My grandchildren share a 3 bedroom for 2600. Plus they pay utilities. It’s crazy

I know I'm very blessed to live where I do and I love living here. I wish they would create a doggy park with grass for our dogs.... maybe someday. I have suggested it would be a lot less trouble than the pool.😁

great insight..i lost my husband of 40 years to brain cancer in October of last year. I am 60 and he was 67... I vacillate between so many scenarios. I live in the house we bought together about 25 years ago the mortgage is $845 for a 1600 square foot house. We put time and money into it 4 upgrades. A small mortgage balance is the only debt I have at this time however the thought of maintaining the size of a house and the age of it is a worry. However if I were to sell... I would have Equity but what would I buy in Xchange...theres more to it but like i said your video is eye opening. You are fortunate to have a 2 bed 2 bath lower income apartment for 1 person. Where I live they would only allow a 1 bedroom. Enjoying your videos 😊

It just blows my mind how much rent is. How will we survive?⬆️😄😃↕️

So sad that there isn't any more help out there for seniors, I'm in Texas as well and it's just getting so expensive, love how honest you are,😊

Did you ask if they accept your Housing Choice voucher (Section8)? Did you know your voucher is portable? You can use it at any property that accepts section 8. Most all of senior housing accepts it. My mother lived in a brand new apartment with her voucher. That was in Austin. She had a very spacious 2 bedroom apartment. Check it out.

Thank you Carol for shedding light on the struggle of living on social security. I remember Carol Burnett in a movie called Stone Pillows as a woman who ended up homeless.... Our struggle is real 🙏🙏💞

Please look into the book "Nomadland" by Jessica Bruder. It's an amazing account of real people living in vehicles. It was made into a film but I recommend the book! The book also touches on how many of these people spend January in Quartzsite AZ, and the situations that got them there. Fascinating read!

I just watched this vlog and found you...BLESS YOU BLESS YOU BLESS YOU...for sharing your social security /retirement story...if someone does not understand how a single retired lady has to struggle to have a place to live and provide for their needs..God help them..they need a reality check..I am 61 disabled from being electrocuted on my job in 1993..it took me until 2013 to get my disability approved..and my disability check with this new last raise is now 314..a month..up from 279..that's right ladies out there..not everyone draws that's of dollars a month on disability nor social security..if you are one that does draw thousands from either a month feel blessed...Ms Vanilla Grammaw...you rock sweety...love your happy joy that shines through you..and your precious furbabies are angels on earth...❤from a Indiana girl living on the Virginia Tennessee line

Hi Carol ~ I’m so glad to run across your video! Our country needs to be of more assistance to retirees who have worked all their lives. I’ll keep you in my prayers. I hope it doesn’t come to the point where you have to live in a car. Sending love and blessings from Ohio. 💕🙏💕

I also live in Amarillo. I am on social security and will start receiving pension from my old employer in sept of this year. I made a mistake of pulling my entire 401k out year one of my retirement. I used it to pay off debt, bought furniture and a used higher end car. I had them take the taxes out of the 401k, but they did not take out near enough. I have a class b rv camper van which I now make payments on. I did this so I could live in the van after watching the same you tube channels. It is not as easy as you think and many communities are passing laws to prevent people from living in their vans or vehicles. Right now I am in a national park doing seasonal work , living in their rv park. But it is still very hard to make ends meet and keep up with rv related expenses. Now I found that the insurance I bought thru . Gov. Has caused me some sort of tax issue, so I had to cancel that and a week after that ended up in the hospital , emergency surgery, with almost a quarter of a million dollar bill for a three day hospital bill and surgery. I have never in my life been without health insurance until now. And I cannot hardly even believe this. On top of that as mentioned the taxes taken out for the 401k were not correct, and the irs bill is huge. There will be a 225 dollar a month irs bill to pay and they kept my income tax return this year. Then my Medicare starts this year, so I get something in the mail that says that in 2021 I earned too much money so they are going to charge me a total of 564 dollars a month for the privilege of getting Medicare. I only had that income for one year of my life and that was due to the 401k I mentioned above. I certainly do not have that now. I truly cannot believe this is happening. The 401k was not even that much. At the time of my divorce just a few years before I was married living in California with my husband. I had to give him so much money at the time of divorce because since he would not work I was the primary breadwinner as a nurse. The courts gave him large sums of money that took me some years to pay. So I had only put into the 401k for a few years. So, now am being forced to sell my van, and give up my travel dreams. My brother is building me a tiny one bedroom studio apartment in their blue metal barn type building on their property just outside Amarillo. I have agreed to pay them 400 dollars a month to cover expenses and will move in there December when it is expected to be finished. It is one room. Only bathroom will be walled off and very tiny. But I am grateful to have it. I have worked very very hard my entire life, always paid all my bills and did the right thing. 14:37 I am very shocked to find myself in this position. I had a health issue and had to retire at age 62 instead of waiting until full retirement. I wish I had gone through the hassle of going onto disability first, but that is only one of multiple mistakes I made at retirement. But, one thing I can tell you is be careful about the van life thing. It is not as easy as it sounds in the videos and more and more communities are making any type of vehicle living more and more difficult. And the government is even starting to make camping for free on public lands more difficult. If you do decide to do it I highly advise you find a way to try it out before giving up your apartment.

I'm 74 years old, work full time pet-sitting and am on social security. My heart goes out to you, because I'm in the same situation. Any increase in social security is taken away by insurance, food, etc. I also live in a low income senior housing or I would be on the streets. I was a single mom, worked two jobs most of my liife, and now my dignity is gone, and it's a very sad America that so many of us will become homeless or even worse.

I also live in low income/subsidized senior housing in NY state. We have more benefits available here. I have a studio apartment that is really nice but small. It is in the downtown area so I did not need a car. Including my cellphone and internet, my monthly living expense is less than $300. If I was you, I would not want to give up the washer and dryer in your apartment. I have to use a laundry room downstairs and it is not ideal. Right now our elevator has been broke since Christmas Day so I have not been able to go downstairs since then. The local news is coming here tomorrow to check it out. So I have had to do my laundry in my bathroom. Not fun at all!

Have you checked out your local Community Resource Center. They provide senior services one of which is transportation to and from grocery stores as well as shopping. In my town this service is free.

I watch many on RU-vid that live in their vans etc. I appreciate you sharing the rent in your area. Bless you.

I just found your channel. I will be 66 in a few months and will work until I am 70 to collect my full benefit. This is not what I expected my life would be at my age. I live in So. CA and work 60 hrs a week. I am blessed that my mortgage will be paid of at the end of this year but I have a $800 HOA fee. I live in a 18,000 resident, 55+ community. The cost of living in CA is astronomical. One bedroom apt. average around $2300. You can not rent a room in someone’s home for less than $1000 and most times that does not include kitchen privileges. Here most landlords require that you make 3 times the rent to qualify unless you have a co-signer and than they need to make even more times the rent.

Housing costs are crazy. My wife and I are fortunate because we managed to pay our house off a couple of years after we retired. However we still pay around $500 a month to live in our own house (property tax, utilities, heat, maintenance, etc.). We are fortunate to have affordable housing because we live in a summer resort area right next to a popular national park. Because of the national park there is almost no rental housing that doesn't rent by the week. On our road there are eight houses and five of them are weekly rentals during the tourist season and empty the rest of the year. Those houses rent for around $2,000 per week and they are not fancy. There are currently two new houses being built on our road that will be used as weekly rentals. Census data shows that half of the houses in our town are in the weekly rental market. There is a small low income housing complex here, but it has only 22 units and the wait list is years long. I have seen videos about elderly people living in vehicles. To me, the biggest financial barrier to that lifestyle is buying the vehicle. If you are just getting by, it is very hard to save the money to buy a reliable vehicle to live in. Also, the lifestyle looks hard to me although if you find a community of people to travel with it could be easier. My parents lived in an RV after they retired until my mother died and enjoyed the lifestyle largely because of the community they found. It would be much harder now than it was for them back in the late 70s because of the large number of people living in vehicles now. That s because of the crowding in popular areas like Arizona in winter.

My rent goes up each time SS raises the payment. Again, cancels out the raise!

I know what you mean. I enjoy living alone as well. I love my grown children very much however I want them to have their own space and I want mine.

It's the latest thing to be a nomad in an RV or a car or a van I think it's cool if you can do it do it

Hi Carol. I'be been watching Lindy for the last month or so....i'm drawn to tiny house living and her channel popped up in my feed. Shes awesome.

I live in Killen Texas my apartment is550. Ot goes up 50 bucks every year..no improvements no upgrades. I dont get subsidy. I get 1200 a month none of my kids live here. I pay electric so its avg about 68. Water 35 to 45 a month 20 for phone I get free internet. My phome is 20. Ots a duplex not in the best area..but i have a yard a little fence for the cat and bunny. I have a portable washer I put in the tub and hang out( i have a dryer but its silly when theres free sun) i get extra help which is like medicaid...its tight. I have a 20 uear old car...minimal. i guess I will die here because I cant afford to move. Getting old sucks ...especially when you have cancer...so...yeah its crazy.

Renting, owing - the prices of both have sky-rocketed! I currently own a townhome with my mom. But as it has stairs and is quite expensive (we bought when the prices spiked) I don't know if we will have to move at some point as she ages and health concerns increase. But man oh man - to afford anything is pretty impossible and it doesn't look like prices will drop substantially any time soon. I think even in the suburbs where I live, a 3 bedroom rents for about $2500/month and that's without a washer/dryer in your unit! If it's an older building, the units may not even have AC. And I think utilities are on top of the $2500+. How are regular people supposed to afford a place to live??!!!

I’m also in low income senior housing and I’m so grateful for it. Thankfully with this housing, I have enough income to cover my basic expenses and a little left over. But I have to budget very intentionally. When I first retired, I got a small trailer with the intention of living and traveling full time (I did a video of my build out). Trust me, it’s not a good life. It’s very difficult, especially the older you get. If I lost my housing, no way I would try that again.

I love the name! My parents always picked plain vanilla when we’d go for ice cream and I never knew why lol with all the flavors out there lol but now as a grown up I prefer creamy vanilla lol

Family matters!

You can come and live with me , after working 40 yrs. , I own a 5 bedroom home.

Hi Lovie, boy costs are outrageous everywhere! We just have to keep on keeping on! Great video :)

I Live in Amarillo too & it Would Get far too HOT & COLD to Live in a Vehicle!

I know this is an older video but I just watched it for the first time, discovered your channel, and subscribed of course. I used to live in a senior independent living apartment in North Idaho and I bought a van and lived in it for a while but I didn't adjust well to that lifestyle. I didn't like having to worry about where I was going to park to sleep every night. I spent too much money on gas. I know I should have parked and stayed in a place two weeks at a time but it just didn't work out that way for me. The hardest part was that I couldn't afford a good build-out and the van never met my real needs. I'm an artist and I needed a place to create art. Well, I bought an old mobile home on a small property. Then... well, long story. I'm going to make a video about it. I am sometimes sorry I left the senior apartment. I identify with your need and desire to live in a beautiful place. God bless you and may you receive everything you need most. God bless you and come visit my channel too - let's be friends. All the best to you.

Wow, in TX heat and cold it would be tough to live in a van, maybe something like a toyota sienna hybrid that has auto AC 24/7 where it'll automatically charge the hybrid battery while you are parked using either AC or heat by starting the engine so you can try to be comfortable. And maybe one day HEB will drop a store in the Area...like Lubbock got.

Thanks

Yes I watch all of those videos and wonder the same way you do and greatly admire those women.

I wish rents were that low where I am. Need to keep working to cover my rent etc.

Hello Carol, GLOW sent me. Everything you mentioned in your video is so right on. Very sad. It's not easy being a single woman struggling to keep a roof over your head. There are a lot of women who do live in their viechels. Where there's a will, theres a way. I'm looking forward to watching more of your videos.

Carol , it just crazy everywhere right now we are having the same in Vancouver. Grocery housing is scary … I totally get not wanting to live with your kids I’m with you on that one … a cool little mini Van in court-side could be fun not sure for how long as long as we have our health:) xx

My friend Carol. Good that you have a nice affordable apartment. You are close to your grandchildren and children. You can come to Canada and live close to Mrs. Betty and I…lol. Thanks for sharing your living expenses with us. I retire soon and our family income will be cut by 1/3.

You are such a good grandma.Your kids would not let you live in a car

Have a great night. I love your videos! Such a sweet lady❤

I watch lots of tiny house videos, and some van life and rv living. We live in a single wide trailer (mobile home) with about the same sq. footage as your apartment. One of our sons had built a cabin on our property a few years ago, but there was a fire about a year ago, and it's not habitable. He has a tiny shell cabin now that he is finishing out. I could comfortably live in one that size. My biggest issue is that I couldn't climb stairs or a ladder. Very rarely there's a video with a single level. I understand about not wanting to live with adult children.

I hope you are able to stay in your apartment as long as you want. I hope when you choose to move, or when your health determines you must move, I hope you are able to live with family in some kind of in-law unit or something. I hope I can add an ADU to my yard for my mom when she's unable to live alone.

Blessings for you

Hello from North Carolina. Just discovered you. Thanks for sharing.❤

You seem so sweet! I always assume that I would live in Mexico or Italy where it is cheaper when I retire but maybe I would miss my family more than I think I will.

I'm a single female on pension from Canada. Market rent in the city I live in is very expensive. It costs anywhere from $1,300.00 to $5,000.00/month. The lowest pension for someone who never worked but lived at least 10 years in Canada is &1,790.00. We also have government sponsored housing where people pay approx. 30% of their gross monthly income. Greetings from Canada.

Thanks for explaining why you wouldn't get a roommate. I always wondered that with so many elderly people living alone and didn't understand why.

I stuck with you to the end. 💕NonnaGrace 🐓

You're very blessed with your current housing! and for not a ton of money and you're allowed to have pets. Love it!

I pay less for my home with maintenance and tax than I would in some run-down spot.

I know this was a year ago. I live in Pensacola florida Its hard to find a one bedroom unless you are in a complex and they run 1500 plus utilities. and you have to have three times the rent in provable income. I bought a used rv trailer for $8000 and pay $700 lot rent includes utilities. I have mint mobile for $15 a month;

Hello Carol, my son pays a lot for his apartment like that that your talking about. He doesn’t have a garage to sore his car or motorcycle. I hope that day never comes. 💕NonnaGrace

Hello Carol, Thank you for your wonderful informative video. Great information and so appreciated. Maybe next time we can see a quick peek at your sweet pup.God Bless you. Sincerely from Grandma Debbie 🙋🧑‍🦽 and Dexter-Dog 🐕🐾 my sweet tiny rescued Chihuahua companion 🐕 living a quiet crafty life 🏠 in southern California.❤️🙋🧑‍🦽🐾🐕🏠🙏✝️🌴🏖️

There is a “ hue and cry” for “ affordable “ housing !” Actually we need MORE affordable as well AS LOW Income for veterans and Seniors. There is a definite difference. I volunteer in GRAND RAPIDS, Mi. Low income housing is Scarce. Enjoyed your insight. ❤

Very aware of the channel you speak of and listen to Carol often. She is such a caring person. Also aware of senior woman living in their cars and who knows when that day might come and not far off in the future. It is a sad day this has to happen When so many have poor health as well. Very scary but people do what they have to do.

Hi, I just found your channel, very interesting. Best of luck.

Ive stuck with you till end of video! ❤

Ty carol for telling us your situation ..im Soon to retire myself and im scared as not sure if i can make it on ssi alone but i will find out…i work far from where i live and i just cant do the 82 miles one way anymore… Its too much…. But soon we will find out if i can make it or not…ty for being you❤️

Commenting for the algorithm.

This makes me sad. High rent is a growing problem that the government seems oblivious to. I'm glad you are looking forward and trying your best to prepare for what may come.

I wish I could work a job. I will sell my car soon. I am staying in my condo, but the prices keep going up for everything. God Bless.

Great video Carol! Thanks for sharing.

You need to come here to Indiana. The apartments here are $480.00 to 800.00/month for apartments. Elderly apartments are as low as $400.00 per month.

im blessed because i live with a family member we share the expenses ,i get food stamps as well live in a m/h pay 450 a month only pay electric n propane i do have a car but if i was by myself i wouldn't make it 😢 im single... every one has different ways ideas to live by then self i cant because of my health.

Hey Carol! That apartment that has been built sounds so incredibly expensive. Like you would need to pay for your dogs rent. That is so expensive wow. So interesting to hear all this though! Also did you do something to your hair? It has so much volume and looks so good!

Wish, I could, get a reduced rent apartment. Putting myself, on their waiting list. Until then, I rent a room. Apartment prices are crazy, here in Seattle area.

Amazing buddy hopefully the days Will be more successful always

you have a great attitude

" Nomandland" is a movie you might enjoy. Its about a woman that lives in her vechicle.

Good morning Carol. Apartments there sound pretty reasonable. My kids are in CO and a 1 bed 1 bath there runs over $1000 a month.. usually around $1200. It's crazy

Just came across your channel- love this video 👍🏼

Lovely lady!

That’s a nice large plot of land to walk the dogs. I bet they love it! That looks like a nice complex. You’re blessed to have a good deal like that. The Quartzsite, AZ. can be dangerous. My husband has drive by in his travels and he said it was not good! He actually said it was awful. The grass is not greener. Be grateful. The people in Quartzsite are people that are not as blessed as you are.

I dont have a vechile either... Im 26. It cost me at some stage $800 just to mainly get to work and back home with many jobs. Its so difficult to even get a license because even middle class folks dont have as many cars.

Your hair is so cute!

Thanks for sharing

I love Carol at Glorious Life on Wheels, she is very informative and factual.

Goodmorning

Low income is such a relative thing. In the US a 2 bedroom apartment for one person is low income subsidized housing. Not sure if the subsidy is for the dogs or human. When I go to many other countries like the Philippines Low income housing, not subsidized, is a 10x10 bamboo hut with a family of 12. All floor space becomes sleeping space.

I watch some of them

Hi Carol my rent is 30 percent of my income. It goes up with social security raises but I'm still better off than renting at full price rent... I have a car it's paid off, I also get a discount on my electric bill... I like my apt. Because it's a flat ranch style I have a front and back door and 2 bedrooms.. they just re did my kitchen and bath last year.. I've been here 14 yrs. So it was nice for new updates... Blessings

Just a thought. Could your kids build you a “ granny space”. I know Texas has no basements. If your kids could move to The Midwest, you could have a lower level @ granny cabin@. ❤

I am Pennsylvania. We have a program called "Pennsylvania Medicaid Waiver". Its for folks that make too much for standard medcaid. Receive meal delivery, otc card, etc. Something to look into. Not sure if all states have this program. Btw retired early due too medical reasons.

It is easy to solve the rsing housing and rental rate issue. All the government has to do is make sure that the corporates and big investors are not allowed to buy residential properties in their investment portfolios. And those that currently do, need to sell them within X number of years. This will increase the housing supply and drop prices really fast. Take it a step further by putting a limit, so non US citizens can't purchase homes listed below say $3 Million. This keeps the rich foreign citizens out of the middle class housing market. We hear that so many foreigners paid cash for 750K home and thus US citizens lose out. Our government does not care and all they doing now is raising interest rates...not helping much.

A 2 bdrm 2 bath starts at $2400 here!

with 4 kids you could rotate thru each ones home... ideal or not. I had a roommate for a bit of time and it was really horrible... So I get what you are saying... Living in your vehicle isn't all bad if you end up there. My current mortgage, Taxes and Insurance will be more than my SS so if I have to retire, I will most likely sell and figure it out even though I love my house.