Living On Disability Income/Low Income

newtus · Jan 25, 2018, 12:01 PM

A thread to talk about how to make money stretch, finding work, or support, etc.

newtus · Jan 25, 2018, 12:13 PM

I just wanted to tell a bit about my situation.

Im allotted about 1k a month. Bills that are top priority take half my check every month. Groceries, gas, meds, and miscellaneous needs (like vape juice) take the rest. Leaving MAYBE 100 dollars left if im lucky, to have fun with.

I havent bought clothes for myself since august or july of 2017 out of my own check. Ive had to cancel things like netflix/hulu or subscriptions that aren’t necessary. As well as, limit amazon spending or just otherwise frivolous spending.

When Christmas came i got a bunch of giftcards and money for Christmas. I lived off all that for a month and a half.

Erti · Jan 25, 2018, 02:42 PM

$770.00 is the total I get in a month...
-050.00 for the phone Bill
---------
$720.00
-111.00 for student loans
---------
$609.00 in total to work on for a low income place.
-300.00 For rent living with my mom
---------
$309.00 to save up for money for place for now.

newtus · Jan 25, 2018, 03:27 PM

1,067 is what i get each month
-165 for phone bil
-200 for credit card bill
-139 for car insurance

Those are my biggest bills that dont change. Gas, grocery, meds, change month to month. Especially this year now that its a new year.

Sometimes psychotic · Jan 25, 2018, 10:24 PM

You can still eat healthy if you go mostly vegetarian and buy from a fruit market/Italian market but you will have to cook things like soups and stir fries or sheet pan suppers.

Sometimes psychotic · Jan 25, 2018, 10:27 PM

Also don’t overlook food pantries...

newtus · Jan 25, 2018, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sometimes psychotic

You can still eat healthy if you go mostly vegetarian and buy from a fruit market/Italian market but you will have to cook things like soups and stir fries or sheet pan suppers.

I need to learn. I want to get an electric wok because im scared to cook on an actual stove.

newtus · Jan 25, 2018, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sometimes psychotic

Also don’t overlook food pantries...

Yes we talked about that in group today. As of right now my dad buys food. Its junk food...but its food...

nonfree · Jan 26, 2018, 02:21 AM

I get 177 USD a month, 3/4 of it I give to my mum as I live with parents, and 1/4 I spend myself.

junkDNA · Jan 26, 2018, 05:22 AM

I get $685/month in survivors benefits [ssdi]

I also work part time, making $10.45/hr....averaging $475/2 weeks.

I am in ticket to work. However I worked for 3 years part time and was not in ticket to work, or using my trial work period. I managed this by working low hours and a low pay rate. Back then, for me, the goal was to get out of the house and feel responsible and productive. My goal was NOT to get off disability

As time has passed I've made it my goal to support myself financially on my own, without disability.

I can answer any questions about my process, and how SSDI works while working, both working and keeping disability intact, and also working in the ticket to work program

newtus · Jan 26, 2018, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by junkDNA

I get $685/month in survivors benefits [ssdi]

I also work part time, making $10.45/hr....averaging $475/2 weeks.

I am in ticket to work. However I worked for 3 years part time and was not in ticket to work, or using my trial work period. I managed this by working low hours and a low pay rate. Back then, for me, the goal was to get out of the house and feel responsible and productive. My goal was NOT to get off disability

As time has passed I've made it my goal to support myself financially on my own, without disability.

I can answer any questions about my process, and how SSDI works while working, both working and keeping disability intact, and also working in the ticket to work program

I know you dont want to hear from me, but can you expand on that? Did you inform ss? I mean i think thats how it’s supposed to go. How does is work while working?

Angelique67 · Jan 26, 2018, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erti

$770.00 is the total I get in a month...
-050.00 for the phone Bill
---------
$720.00
-111.00 for student loans
---------
$609.00 in total to work on for a low income place.
-300.00 For rent living with my mom
---------
$309.00 to save up for money for place for now.

If you switched to Cricket for your mobile phone you could save $15/month. Or is your phone expense for a landline?

newtus · Jan 26, 2018, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angelique67

If you switched to Cricket for your mobile phone you could save $15/month. Or is your phone expense for a landline?

The thing about cricket is if you have a brand new phone like a iphone x for example, like me, i dont believe that they can be used on a phone that new.

I was just adding my two cents because i need a cheaper phone plan or company...

Angelique67 · Jan 26, 2018, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newtus

The thing about cricket is if you have a brand new phone like a iphone x for example, like me, i dont believe that they can be used on a phone that new.

I was just adding my two cents because i need a cheaper phone plan or company...

Yes, you can definitely use a new iPhone on Cricket, you just would have to buy it outright and byod.

newtus · Jan 26, 2018, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angelique67

Yes, you can definitely use a new iPhone on Cricket, you just would have to buy it outright and byod.

Oh i see.

My phone is on a monthly payment plan with ATT

Erti · Jan 26, 2018, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angelique67

If you switched to Cricket for your mobile phone you could save $15/month. Or is your phone expense for a landline?

Never heard of Cricket. Does that include smartphones and data? I got boost mobile right now. Technically I only pay 45 bucks on mine. I use the internet on it a lot when I'm over at my dads to see my siblings and nieces because most of the time their cable and internet is off because they dont pay the bill. Plus if I do get a place I'd probably use my phone and not get cable or internet because I don't watch much tv and I can use my phone for facebook and on here which is the only places I go on the internet.

Angelique67 · Jan 26, 2018, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newtus

Oh i see.

My phone is on a monthly payment plan with ATT

Yes, that's how they keep customers from switching. The phone payment plan is like a contract.

junkDNA · Jan 26, 2018, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newtus

I know you dont want to hear from me, but can you expand on that? Did you inform ss? I mean i think thats how it’s supposed to go. How does is work while working?

Let me get back to you when I have more time when I get off work

Angelique67 · Jan 26, 2018, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erti

Never heard of Cricket. Does that include smartphones and data? I got boost mobile right now. Technically I only pay 45 bucks on mine. I use the internet on it a lot when I'm over at my dads to see my siblings and nieces because most of the time their cable and internet is off because they dont pay the bill. Plus if I do get a place I'd probably use my phone and not get cable or internet because I don't watch much tv and I can use my phone for facebook and on here which is the only places I go on the internet.

Yes. For $35/month you can get 5 GB high speed data. And unlimited talk and text. It is on the ATT network.

newtus · Jan 26, 2018, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angelique67

Yes, that's how they keep customers from switching. The phone payment plan is like a contract.

Yea i know. This is the first phone ive bought on installment since like 2011 or 2013. Before this phone i was buying all my iphones outright. I didnt have the money this year to do that.

newtus · Jan 26, 2018, 11:03 AM

Cricket is actually pretty good i think. Main reason i use ATT is because its the only mobile company that gets service out in the rural where i live. But cricket uses ATT towers.

Angelique67 · Jan 26, 2018, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newtus

Cricket is actually pretty good i think. Main reason i use ATT is because its the only mobile company that gets service out in the rural where i live. But cricket uses ATT towers.

If you get set up on Cricket (family plan) with three or four other people, the bill for each person is $25/month.

Blue_Bird · Jan 26, 2018, 11:08 AM

I get $735 a month. My rent is $585, my electric bill ranges around $100. Whatever is left I have to survive on for the entire month. which is usually like $40. I get $192 for foodstamps and have to use only that for the entire month. It's very hard. I don't ever get to buy things I want, never get to go to the movies, buy a coffee or anything fun like that. I don't have cable or internet at my house and I don't have a phone bill either.

it completely sucks. I'm not trying to complain but it's very very hard when you have to live like I do. It could be worse though.

This is why I'm moving into municipal housing. It's nice apartments that are for people on low incomes/SSI. My rent there would be $230 with everything included. Plus I would have free internet and cable.

I'm hoping to move in May, I really can't wait!

newtus · Jan 26, 2018, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angelique67

If you get set up on Cricket (family plan) with three or four other people, the bill for each person is $25/month.

I couldnt do that. Its just my dad and i here and he likes att.

newtus · Jan 26, 2018, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue_Bird

I get $735 a month. My rent is $585, my electric bill ranges around $100. Whatever is left I have to survive on for the entire month. which is usually like $40. I get $192 for foodstamps and have to use only that for the entire month. It's very hard. I don't ever get to buy things I want, never get to go to the movies, buy a coffee or anything fun like that. I don't have cable or internet at my house and I don't have a phone bill either.

it completely sucks. I'm not trying to complain but it's very very hard when you have to live like I do. It could be worse though.

This is why I'm moving into municipal housing. It's nice apartments that are for people on low incomes/SSI. My rent there would be $230 with everything included. Plus I would have free internet and cable.

I'm hoping to move in May, I really can't wait!

I hope you get to, too!

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