SSDI and budgeting vai the month need advice

[DanCa]

Hey everyone I am having trouble learning how to budget by the month. . Is there any advice you can give me let me know thanks. Please pm with the information if you dont want to post. I could really use any and all advice as its only been about six months for me.

[punpirate]

1. If you expect this to go on for while...

... supplemental status, rather than permanent disability, one of the suggestions I would make, first off, is that you contact your utilities to see if they are able to average your bills.

For some people, that's kind of annoying, and lets the utility work on your money through the months that your bills are normally lower than the averaged payment, but for small incomes that don't tolerate sudden shocks, it's a good idea, I think. If you're short on savings, that's one of the things I would do. It will make it easier for you to budget--you know every month what your utility bills will be.

Next, make a list of the things you have to pay every month so you don't get thrown out on the street or find yourself walking everywhere--rent/mortgage, utilities, car insurance, prescriptions--all the stuff that has to be paid every month or you find yourself in trouble with someone and/or your life gets more complicated.

Subtract that total from what your check is each month.

Some of those things you can pare down (ask your HMO/health provider if they will write you prescriptions for double doses and offer you a pill cutter--that can cut your prescription expenses by 30-40%).

Internet access. If you're on, say, cable broadband, and it's costing you $40/mo, drop back down to dial-up. Lots of ISPs are now down into the $10-12/mo range.

Car insurance. Have a talk with your insurance agent and explain your situation and see if he or she has some common-sense ways to reduce your payments.

Then, your secondary expenses that you have some control over--food, gasoline, etc. If money's getting tight, find ways to get what you need and spend less. If you live in a larger town, look around for the independent bulk-buy store where you can buy generics and large quantities of non-perishibles (pasta, etc.) at discount prices. Plan meals where you can make a large quantity and freeze for later--more economical than making single meals each time.

If gasoline is eating into your budget, start being more careful about combining trips. Do shopping and errand-running once a week rather than every other day--make lists of what you will have to do and where you will have to go. If your disability allows to do so, walk to where you would normally make short trips in the car.

Last, if you have a little money left over, even if it's just $20 month, put some of it in the bank for emergencies.

Cheers, and good luck with it.

[caledesi]

2. Great advice. I am disabled and taking heed to what you are saying. nt

[DanCa]

3. Thank you very much

All sugestions are excellent. Allthough I can no longer drive due to hand tremors it never occured of me to change my net service. Thank you and kudos for your reply. It was most useful.

[NMMNG]

4. My thoughts

Some utility companies will let you work out a plan where you can spread your payments out evenly throughout the year. What they will do is estimate your use for the year, break it down into monthly payments, and you pay that amount each month. That way you don't have to worry about fluctuating bills as the weather changes.

They can also be a good resource for advice on how to insulate your windows, hot water heater, etc. to lower your electric/gas bills. This can be a great help, particularly in times of extreme temperatures. Also ask if they have different rates for various "use periods" of the day/week and year. For example, if you are using power during the day on a weekday, it is more expensive than in the middle of the night, or on a weekend because that is a "peak use" period. By limiting power hungry tasks (like laundry, vacuuming) to "off peak" hours whenever possible, you can reduce your bills.

For discount dial-up ISP's you can try places like Surf-Best, People PC, CompuServe or NetZero. (I'm sure there are more, but those are the only ones I can think of off the top of my head).

When grocery shopping, coupons can be helpful but they can also be a bit of a trap. They are usually for expensive brand-name items, and even with the coupon you'll often end up paying more for the item than you would for the "store brand" of a similar product. However if you play it right, you can buy the item when it is on sale at the store, and use the coupon to get even more off. Also look for stores that offer to double your coupons.

Store brands are usually the best bet for most items, although in a few cases only the brand-name will do. You'll usually have to use your own judgement/taste to determine when this will be. (For me, store-brand "Lucky Charms" stink!) Also, try to get the largest size of the product that you can be sure you'll use before it expires/spoils. This is the most economical way--unless it blows your budget for the week/month.

You may also be eligible for food/assistance from a food bank: Food Bank Information

If you use public transportation, some bus lines offer special discounted fares/passes for individuals with disabilities. Taxi services sometimes do the same thing also. In my area this service is called "Handi-cab".

I hope these ideas help!