14 Comments

Economic insecurity can be a nightmare. Everyone needs to prepare.

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Eye-watering facts, figures and implications. Thanks for sharing, Janice.

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Thank you, Janice! Great resources as always!

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A huge topic and been a huge hurdle in my last decade. Terrifying, especially with the Bmboomer surge ever growing. I thought I planned well, heart breaks for many. I'll dig into this, and will have my dig on it on day since just back here. Thanks for your voice here! ox

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🤗🤗🤗

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Such a difficult subject. We don't know what will happen or for how long or to what extent. My mom was in an Alzheimers facility for a number of years at nearly $300k per year. I feel that it's important to consider what might happen and the associated costs...before anything actually happens. Maybe best case and worst case scenarios. Try to be prepared.

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Hi Heather, That's the point - being prepared for such eventualities.

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I don’t know how anyone can afford the exorbitant cost of these facilities. Most people can barely save each month.

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You're right. The costs of the facilities are incredible, as is the cost for at home care.

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Yes. Money. Thank goodness my little house is paid for. I spent all last year selling off one piece of furniture at a time, keeping only the pieces I needed. Then I went through every closet and cupboard and sold every "extra" thing on eBay and Craigslist. It is so cleaned out and spare around here, I am loving it! So many empty drawers and cupboards! Now there is nothing left to go out. I even sold my car and switched to public transportation which is working out very well financially. This major "displenishing" has been so good - both for my soul and for my finances. I encourage others to follow suit. I WILL have to consider renting out the spare bedroom/bathroom at some time. It would be a source of substantial income... but would end my privacy. I hesitate until it is absolutely necessary. Thanks for opening this conversation, Janice.

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Hi Sharron, It sounds as if. you have planned well. Bravo to you!

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I think financial security is one of the biggest stressors women go through. I can't speak for men, and can't even begin to share how many of us fear being homeless bag ladies or Walmart greeters who have to sleep in the dressing room after a shift. It's real. And it's scary. I think these fears for many start around mid 40s, and build as we age. I remember plenty of high level executive women making 6 figures talking about these fears, and most times what drove them to overworking and being consumed with money, letting the rest of life hover in the background. Many woke up at 60 and found they had plenty of money but the rest was never to come, it was too late. It's a slippery slope either way.

My mother had no idea what she had left before she died. I was paying for her assisted living, she had less than $2,000 to her name at the end. I refused to ever let her worry about finances, it was a gift I was able to give her (thank goodness).

Thank you for sharing the resources for those who are struggling and afraid.

I had no one to turn to, until I discovered aid and attendance from the military. Sadly my mother was approved 2 days after she was gone.

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Hi Patti, Aid from the military - that's a new option for readers that I didn't know about. Your mother was lucky to have you.

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It's called 'aid and attendance' - something to investigate. My mother was in the Navy, and not for long, either. I reached out to the VA in desperation when things were getting close to out of hand, and they came through, but like I mentioned it was too late. (I was the lucky one to have such a wonderful mother, but thank you.)

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