Budgeting my Social Security retirement deposit - the struggle is real!

[@StephanieRebecca-0]

I'm 54 and my wife and I are VERY worried about our future, gas and food prices rising daily. We have had our savings dwindle with the cost of living into the stratosphere, and we are finding it impossible to replace them. We can get by, but can't seem to get ahead. My condolences to anyone retiring in this crisis, 30 years nonstop just for a crooked system to take all you worked for....

[@Elliot-Ivan]

I feel your pain mate, as a fellow retiree, I’d suggest you look into passive index fund investing and learn some more. For me, I had my share of ups and downs when I first started looking for a consistent passive income so I hired an expert advisor for aid, and following her advice, I poured $30k in value stocks and digital assets, Up to 200k so far and pretty sure I'm ready for whatever comes....

[@StephanieRebecca-0]

@@Elliot-Ivan That's actually quite impressive, I could use some Info on your FA, I am looking to make a change on my finances this year as well

[@Elliot-Ivan]

@@StephanieRebecca-0 My advisor is VICTORIA CARMEN SANTAELLA;

[@Elliot-Ivan]

You can look her up online

[@JasonStathamOffical]

@@Elliot-Ivan The crazy part is that those advisors are probably outperforming the market and raising good returns but some are charging fees over fees that drain your portfolio. Is this the case with yours too?

[@theRebelBudgeter]

You're doing an awesome job! The bills are paid and that's what counts!

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Yes! Paying the bills MUST come first. After coffee 😁😁😁🥰🥰🥰

[@theRebelBudgeter]

@@cyndicatbudgets 😁😁😁

[@carlmuoio216]

Lol​@@cyndicatbudgets

[@ktobefit]

Love the video, You can call the bill carriers you have and have the dates moved to coincide with you pay

[@cyndicatbudgets]

I think I will give it a try! thanks so much!! 🥰🥰

[@decoupagenails3567]

The struggle is real and well worth the effort. After a few months the kinks are worked out and you get control of the budgeting techniques that work best for you. Thanks for the video.

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Thank you for the encouragement!! 🥰🥰

[@budgetingwithjenniferm8086]

Some bills you can change the due date just by calling and asking.

[@cyndicatbudgets]

I'll try thanks 🥰🥰

[@wendykasper5400]

Thank you for showing that one can save on a low budget.

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Thank you 🥰🥰

[@BudgetWithKayli]

Great breakdown, it’ll get easier with time, keep going!! ❤❤

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Thank you, I will! I appreciate your encouragement!! 🥰🥰

[@debbiedausch7259]

I’ve been doing dollar challenges. Saving my change . Putting it into challenges .

[@cyndicatbudgets]

That is great!!! 💖💖

[@TheWinningWallet]

It is never too late....! I'm living proof too - thank you so much for sharing! Wow - we are getting to the end of February already! Great breakdown.. tracking is so important. Yes, makes total sense. You're doing great with managing and organizing pay dates and bills. Wishing you a great Friday! 🌹🌹

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Thanks so much for the support and encouragement! Have a great weekend!! 🥰🥰

[@cherish8821]

Omg you are so right, the struggle is definitely real🫣 You are doing so great budgeting and hustling 👏 I love all your Etsy creations (in fact, I’ve purchased some of them which are helping me on my journey towards becoming debt free!). Thank you for sharing 🥰🤙🏼🌺💜💚💛

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Thank you so much!! 🥰🥰🥰

[@budgetingwithjessica]

Great breakdown! You’re doing a great job it’s not easy living on low income❤ everything made perfect sense to me

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Thanks so much Jessica!! We can all make our different incomes work for us!! 🥰🥰

[@Janay-cy3cu]

I definitely need to improve and realistically calculate everything for the month. With my limited income, I have to definitely make it stretch and save a maximum of $10-$15 per month for clothes, electronics, or other necessary things. I love going to dollar and discount stores to get all of my well needed items. I even write out my grocery list so I don't go over my budget.

[@cyndicatbudgets]

I understand completely. I TRY to not go over budget on things. My bills are so much, but l am lucky that I earn enough from my Etsy Shop it helps me to save. Thanks for visiting!! 🤗😽

[@Janay-cy3cu]

​@@cyndicatbudgetsI agree. It can be a struggle. We should be mandated by the government to get at least double of our income in order to survive and live much comfortably. This economy is very tough and daily survival shouldn't be a struggle.

[@mommadw2010]

That was a good explanation. I know when you are done with your vehicle note that would add into your income, That is good.

[@cyndicatbudgets]

I'm actually moving in with my daughter in November so I won't be paying such a hefty rent. I am really looking forward to paying off more of my debt. Thanks for much for watching and commenting! 🩷🩷

[@goode2shuz177]

Hi Cyndi! I’m a new subscriber and I have similar.problem as far as pay dates. I receive my Social Security pay on the fourth Wednesday of every month. I receive my pension pay on the 1st of every month. I have tried different ways and here is what works best for me. I use the SS pay of last month and the pension pay of current month to pay all bills for current month and remainder is divided between cash envelopes and sinking funds. For example, to pay March bills, I used February 22 SS pay and March 1 pension pay to pay all my March bills. I count the month of March as from SS pay date of February 22 to next SS pay date of March 22. That way it is easier to know exactly how much I have leftover. Let me know if you have any questions. This has worked out great for me. Happy budgeting, Carla

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Hi Carla thanks so much for the great advice. I think I'm doing it similar. I will double check!! Thanks for watching 😍🥰🥰

[@stylishbudgeter7951]

I love it! It is never too late to learn❤

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Yes, and it seems like I'm a late bloomer LOL Thanks so much! 🥰🥰

[@TheMotherPlan]

That's right never too late!! Great breakdown!

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Thanks so much 🥰🥰

[@jbs2cents596]

You’re doing a great with what you have ❤

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Thank you so much!💖💖

[@donnajo82763]

Never to late to budget. My hubby is retired and we have to budget to stay on track with our bills. You did awesome Hugs 💚💚💚💚

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Love that! I am so blessed ! I feel like my late husband is still providing for my and my daughter. 🥰🥰

[@teridaly1771]

What about mortgage, utilities, food - Have you paid your house off?

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Hi there! So much has changed since I posted that video. I believe I will have to do an update. I currently rent a one bedroom apt. The only utilities I pay for is electricity and internet. No gas and water is included in my rent. As far as food, I usually spend about $50 - $60 every 2 weeks. I like to "meal prep" one day and just eat that meal throughout the week. Whenever I go out to eat, my daughter pays and I get food that I can take leftovers home to eat again. I hope this explained your questions. Thank you so much ! Cyndi 🩷

[@FiguringOutRetirement]

Great breakdown Cyndi! I’ve moved an insurance bill a week later because of how the bills landed in the month.

[@cyndicatbudgets]

I might try to get my car note and insurance to come out on the first. I figure as long as it is getting paid in the month due it shouldn't matter, in my opinion. But who knows 😁😁 Thanks so much! 🥰🥰

[@ssw2349]

Excellent on budgeting. Thanks for sharing ❤️

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Thanks for watching!🥰🥰

[@LifeUnflintered]

Great breakdown ❤ it’s not easy living off low income let alone ssi. Retirement should be less stress right??? 😢

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Right!! It's how the money comes in and you have to work it around the bills. One day I MAY figure it out 😁😁🥰🥰

[@emtdispatcheronabudget]

Hello my friend. Great breakdown. 💞

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Thank you kindly my friend!! 🥰🥰

[@tracieschrock9519]

i take everything that is a bill ie... rent electric water insurance wifi/phone food fuel total it up and subtract it from my income so it looks like this income : 3, 254.00 out go: 2,456.00 balance: 798.00 _________________ then from my balance i can alot it to future items by envelope stuffing...such as Christmas gifts, birthdays, car repairs, medical expenses....this is the simplest way for myself...i don't do auto pays, everything goes into 1 account and i write my checks. i set all my bills to be due for payment within 1 week of getting my 2 checks. everything is pay at once that way i have cash in hand for the rest...my grocery money is put in a envelope and i make a list for that aloted amount 200.00 is my max for the month including non-edible items. i generally have 500.00 left to put in my future funds envelopes...rest gets put away at home

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Thank you very much 🤗🤗

[@JudySpeaksDinero]

I agree it is for sure never too late!

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Yes!! 😁🥰

[@savingwithapurpose]

Hey Cyn, thanks for sharing.

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Thanks for watching my friend!! 🥰🥰

[@Texaschik01]

Great video. Yes, it made sense!

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Glad you think so! I appreciate you 🥰🥰

[@jacquelinespooner2874]

I was about to say , car note and car insurance alone is a bit much , I was wondering about,how much you pay for grocery?

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Hi! Since it's only me I would say $50 to $60 a week sometimes less. I eat lots of sandwiches 🤗🤗

[@sashamolina2235]

New subscriber here good job and yes it’s never to late for anything Keep up the good work

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Thanks for subbing! I'm so happy you are here joining me on my journey!! 🥰🥰

[@41yearoldnewdriver]

I am 43. I am attempting to budget my income better. I am trying to save most of my money until my next check. My budget is $10,000.

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Wow

[@zblingcreations6445]

God it’s so sad to see how hard it is to budget on low income and with this inflation rate 😢

[@cyndicatbudgets]

It's a struggle but I know that it can work 🥰🥰

[@CynthiaAva]

I am very curious about how you have three pension checks? I am about to retire and I will just receive one pension check per month. I will not be able to take Social Security for a few years. I am going to have to go to very strict budget.

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Hi Cynthia, 2 of the pensions I receive are from my late husbands retirement. He was a police officer and also retired from the Army National Guard. As a surviving spouse, I am receiving those 2 pensions. I also get my social security which I started receiving when I became 62. Good luck on your retirement! Thanks for your comment!

[@bieditso2038]

We only have 28 days in February.

[@cyndicatbudgets]

I realized that after I said 29 LOL thanks!! 🥰🥰

[@nl212ep]

Excellent!!! Smart cookie

[@annettethomas2770]

Are you aware that prime is half priced for seniors? Do you have to pay for housing? How do you budget for food?

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Hi! No, I didn't know Prime was half price for seniors, I will check that out. I do pay rent, it will be $965 starting in April. I usually spend about $80 every couple of weeks for food. I eat lots of sandwiches lol, I'm not big on cooking for one. Thanks so much Annette! 🩷🩷

[@seekingjoynow1722]

I didn't know prime was half price for seniors.

[@GreenTea4Me]

Have you ever done debt consolidation? All of it could come out at the same time or in a timely manner.

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Yes I've done it in the past. It's a thought! Thanks!🤗🥰

[@poly_budgeting_mermaid]

Maybe try and do weekly stuffing? If pension A pays xxx, and you have ccc left. Then stuff the ccc. And then rinse and repeat for pension B, C, 1, ect?

[@cyndicatbudgets]

That sounds like a plan. I use my Etsy checks (they come weekly) for my savings challenges and my sinking funds now too. The one month ahead and 100 env challenge money I budget for that from my pensions. Thanks for the advice! 🥰

[@mrstrinimarine4life714]

Great breakdown 💖

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Thank you 🥰🥰

[@sarahdiamondart]

Awesome video ☀️ 📹

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Thank you 😁🥰

[@PenniesMakeDollars]

Hi great video, new subscriber 🎉

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Welcome!! So happy you are here!!! 🥰🥰

[@jacquelinespooner3311]

what about grocery ,rent ,and utilities?

[@cyndicatbudgets]

I'm going to have to rewatch that one. I'm actually going to do an updated budget for May I'll explain those questions you have 🤗❤️

[@lanette1968]

Watched 👍🏾

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Thanks 🥰🥰

[@Kimmies_Budget2024]

Loved your video

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Glad you enjoyed it! That makes me happy 😁😁🥰🥰

[@Frugalityislife]

❤ great job 😊

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Thanks!! 💖💖

[@Budget2Blessings]

Awesome video🎉

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Thank you 😁

[@budgetwithgigi]

here 💜

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Hi Gigi so happy you are here!! 🥰🥰

[@andreasaves]

💜

[@cyndicatbudgets]

🥰🥰

[@FantasticBudgets]

🤗 ❤

[@cyndicatbudgets]

🥰🥰

[@seekingjoynow1722]

Why is your car insurance so high?

[@cyndicatbudgets]

I think it's due to my age and I have 2 cars and 3 drivers 🤗🤗

[@budgetwithfatima6530]

First ❤️❤️❤️

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Welcome!! 🥰🥰

[@debbiedausch7259]

I know your pain.

[@cyndicatbudgets]

It could be some much worse, I am so blessed! 💖💖

[@free2flybudgeting]

Hello sweet friend ❤❤❤

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Hello my love, hope you are having a wonderful day!! 🤗🤗🥰

[@cherish8821]

🥰🤙🏼🌺💜💚💛

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Thanks so much! 🥰🤗😁💖☕

[@lindsaycooke361]

i live off 550 a month

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Wow!

[@barbararighetti6823]

You have no rent?

[@cyndicatbudgets]

Yes my rent is $630 a month which I split evenly with my roommate. So total rent is $1260