The best tip I can give about living on one income would probably be this one. When our daughters were small, we decided that it was important for me to be at home taking care of them every day, especially after we took the cost of child care into consideration. Any money I made would have gone to pay for someone to raise my children while I worked. That was quite a thought and we quickly rejected the idea of me working.
This is a page about single senior on a limited budget. When you are on your own, buying just the right amount of food to eat well can be challenging.
This page is for discussing living on a single income. If you are doing this or have done this in the past and have advice for living on one income please share you experiences below.
I'm 66, single and content for 19 years and retired. It's getting more difficult to have any money left over after paying bills. That doesn't include having to buy a tire for the car, etc. What are some ways single people are thrifty?
I know the small ways, like don't use paper napkins, plates, etc. But what are some big ways you have found to help you? My house payment is my biggest debt. I was planning on working after I retired but I got covid-19 in the summer of 2020 that has left me with a horrible hard cough that has caused me to have a nerve out of place or something. I have sciatica and can barely walk. No help for the covid long haulers. Just wondering if you all have and thrifty ways for a single woman. Thank you.
If your mortgage is with a commercial bank, consider moving it to a credit union. They're more likely to work with you, and for lower or no fees.
Here are some other thoughts:
- Cut your cable (check out streaming services)
- Cut your land line (check out a mobile phone discount)
- Inquire about your state's discount prescription program
- Have your property tax frozen or reduced
- Share a car and/or double up on errands to share gas cost
All changes become harder when you're not feeling well. Sending light and love to strengthen you.
You could get a roommate. In some places the town government has a service that matches senior citizens looking for housing and those looking for someone to live in their home. All applicants are carefully screened.
Check with your local senior services center to see if they might have some options to help you. Some churches may provide help, as well. You might also check to see if there are any charity food drives where you live. Another option is to see if there are any sites on Facebook where people are giving away free things.
Several years ago, I worked as a family counselor and I have to say that your question/comments complete about half of the information needed to really help someone make major changes in their living arrangements.
Example:
Your area may have a high cost of living that is not suitable for frugal folks..
1. Do you own or rent?.
2. Do you have a mortgage?
3. Do you need to downsize?
This is only the beginning but without more information, members can only make suggestions that may have no bearing on your lifestyle.
Hope some of the information members have provided will be helpful.
Research. Learn answers to such questions as (for example), cost of landline vs. cell 'phone. Do you really need a cell 'phone when a landline can cost as little as $10 / month (in Western Canada, that is). Simple stretches can help with sciatica pain and mobility ... Google has the answers. If you don't have a computer or online access, check your local library.
Gardening (once you're able to move about with less pain) can help reduce grocery bills. Find a second-hand deep freeze and take advantage of sales on meat and vegetables. Consider more plant-based meals (again, research will help ensure you get adequate nutrition).
I walk whereever possible ... to the grocery store, for instance, and that saves on gas as well as vehicle wear and tear. Again, stretches and simple exercises for that sciatica - as well as walking itself - will enable you to keep walking (speaking from experience).
Canning jars can often be found at garage / yard sales and seasonal produce, canned (by you, now that you're retired), will be welcome treats over the winter months. Find / research recipes that don't call for a lot of sugar when preserving fruit (to keep costs minimal). A water-bath canner will do in most instances (again, research will tell you when you might need a pressure canner).
Does you city have a ride-sharing type of service? bestreferraldriver.com/
How's your arithmatic? Would it be cheaper to get involved with such a service, do all your errands one day / week and not need a car at all?
Do everything you can to stay as healthy as possible: eat your veg, get plenty of exercise, stretch thoroughly every day, drink water galore, learn to relax, make a point of having fun. Healthy mind and healthy body correlate with less illness (save the cost of medicine).
What skills do you have that you might want to turn into a few extra dollars (but only if you really like doing it)? Tutoring or teaching music, clothing alterations or editing papers for university students ...?
Feel free to get in touch (wordswork@telus.net) to chat / exchange ideas?
I save money on TV by having a simple antenna connected to my TV. The cord runs out the corner of the window so the antenna can sit on my porch rail. They are available at places like Best Buy and Walmart or even the 99cent store. That way my TV service is FREE. I only get the channels that are within about 40 miles, but that is plenty for me.
I would like to see information about being frugal and single at the same time. I have a part-time job and live alone. I have to grocery shop at a food bank. I need easy and frugal recipes for 1.
How to make ends meet better and how to stretch the dollar. All the frugal sites address people living on 2 full time salaries.Do you have a printer with your computer?
If so take some time to review this site
There are many many ideas here
If you can cook Never bye meals for one.
Make them for your next days lunch beside your dinner.
Grocery shop at discount food places or surplus food
you own a car ?
If you do consider keeping it in your driveway unless you can justify 3 or 4 errands to use it.
Entertainment just Plain Radio stations,No cable tv,Watch local channels.
Cd's borrow them from your friends Be sure to return them when you say you will.
Electricity Either switch to Flurecent screw in lightbulbs or cut you lights back to 40 and 60 watts
You need to work or read set up a table near a window At night put a lamp right on that table,
Heating ? keep your thermostat back in the winter . No Air conditioning in the summer
Newspaper Magazines ? read on Computer Or go to Library.
By the way allot of libraries also have music and movies to lend out besides books
Water ?
Showrers and Baths? They need not be hot Warm is fine. You can get generic shampoos and soaps at dollar stores
Towels , blankets Sheets Curtains all at places like Salvation army or other places like it.
You can buy good clothes there if you aren't and odd size.
Nature. If you get stir crazy around your place. Go out for a walk take your time and notice everything ,because it is all free.
Smoking ?
Make your cigarettes last
Make them treats only to celebrate something.
I make a pack last 7 days sometimes 8.
Medical
Go to a dollar store buy a bottle of Acetaminophen
A bottle of vapo rub full colds in winter
a small tube of first aid cream, also peroxide a box of regular band aids
Sewing ? Dollar store Spare buttons needles and thread
Games? Tablet, pencil pack of playing cards .
Telephone ? No ideas but get a calling card when you can afford it .Your messages left at neighbors or local family
Mail and postage?
Spend a couple dollars if you plan on staying in the area for a post office box. This way you mail will be there days after if necessary.
Postage The bills you can pay locally do it. Pay them in person.
Banking If you are lucky enough to find a bank that you only pay for to buy your check Go for it as long as there are no must have in the account limits.
I have such a bank Got 17 dollars in mine right now.
Free stuff? It is called Free Cycle Find in on the web and join it There is no charge and you can get most anything as long as you first give something away you don't need.
Extra Money? Consider Flea marketing as soon as it gets warmer.
find auctions to go to bid on box lots that only go for a couple dollars .
A old tablecloth on the ground 15 bucks rent and you could pick up a hundred bucksor more for 6 hours work
More if you merchantdise is not common
Flea Marketing gets you out You meet many people even find and make friends
Plus if you are one of the last people to leave you can buy allot of stuff cheap off other sellers
Yep I did most all these Still do I am married lol
Good Luck
Mike
I cook things like a pot of vegetable soup, pot of stew, a ham, things that make enough servings to last most of the week. It may seem you are spending a lot on that one item to prepare, but in the long run, you do save. As for a ham, then when I have cut off most of the ham, I then cut up what is left, put it in a big pot with the hambone(for flavor), add cabbage, corn, and butterbeans, and you have made another meal that will last a while. I think this is the secret to spending little on meals and still be nourished properly. I don't know your age, but working full time may be an option...or doing like so many, use some of that time when not working to scour yard sales to find things to resell. Don't use your gas and your money renting a table for a day or two. Instead, put your things on ebay and you will make some more income. Another thing is bartering. Do you have something that you do well, something that others might like to have, like sewing, painting, making things that you might barter to a local grocer....You may even find one that will give you a few hours work in exchange for food rather than pay. The less you use your car for doing these things, the more money you have for food.. The very best to you...
Go to http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com They have some of the best ideas and recipes I've ever seen.
I suggest that you go online to EBAY and sell things..I just put some movies,VHS and DVD's on there..Last week I sold all but 3,and made quiet a small fortune,considering how long I had the movies.Alot of them I pd only $5 for at wal mart,put them on EBAY and made double my money on each one..SMART!!! E bay charges,.$.05 per movie,and $.25 yo use thier stock photo of movies.....
I just put some more on there and it cost me $17.00,but 3 movies have been bid on and more than pays for that!!! I have 25 movies left for someone to bid on,and its a 7 day auction!!! So,this is a great idea!!!
Have your own yard sale.....your junk is someone elses' treasure....
Buy powdered milk!! It last SO MUCH LONGER....
Make a huge pot of Spagheti sauce,it freezes well,and last up to 2 months in freezer!!!
Exchange movies or Dvds with a freiend or neighbor.....
you can make ALOT of your cleaners at home.I have a ton of recipes for this..If your interested email me..vickyhunt@bellsouth.net
I had a similar situation when I was living on $800 a month.
I rented a room in a house for $300 including utilities, spent about $50 a week on food, and my old car, plus gas, maintenance, and insurance cost about $160 a month. That left $140 a month for things like the phone bill, a $30 a month gym membership (I had really bad back problems and needed to strengthen my lower back), a post office box, and varies sundries (stamps, etc.)
My best advice is to avoid trying to make very little money pay for lots of things, but to reduce the number of things you need to pay for. I don't know your medical or other personal needs, but there are well-woman clinics that are free (if you're female) for your annual exams.
You could also:
*not have a phone or internet and use a laptop at a wireless internet cafe.
* have a weekly potluck with your friends. Most people will leave behind the leftovers which can provide free food for another day or two.
* rent a room in a house instead of your own place as it's usually less expensive. Or rent out a two-bedroom apartment and rent the master bed/bath for more than half the total rent. That would lower the cost in my area to about $250 a month for you.
* get a low-income bus pass and take public transport to work (where I live that pass costs about $15 a month I think)
* if you have a significant little chunk regularly, pay for something really nice for yourself, like I had the gym membership out of need but I LOVED the steam room and really treated myself with a good steam everytime I went.
* barter where you can. In Alaska, I worked 5 hours a week in the local laundromat in exchange for doing laundry for free and weekly showers for me and my kids. (most of us did not have running water)
* if you have a place for a homemade reflective solar cooker, you can bake cornbread, cook rice, etc. for an intial investment of an old box and some foil, a couple of oven cooking bags and thrift store black pot.
* if you pay for water, don't flush everytime you go...also dishwashers use more water (9-16 gallons) and electricity than washing your dishes in hot soapy water once a day. I often turn off my hot water heater at night and turn it back on in the morning. Unplug TVs and other "instant-on" appliances when not in use. It will save a few pennies. Never turn on lights when daylight will do. Set your computer to sleep when not in use. Better yet, get rid of it and use the one at the library!
* if you have a good sized vehicle, offer to clean garages for a low rate and offer to haul away the stuff they don't want. You can sell some stuff at a yard sale and donate the rest.
