Once my mother passes, I will be left with half an income which will not be enough to live in this high rent apartment. I am so worried that I may be evicted as I am unemployed due to caring for my mother on a long term basis. I know when my mother passes, I'll be an emotional wreck although I receive emotional support from a support group I attend. Wait lists for senior housing usually almost always have a 2 year wait period. Any suggestions how to survive between the time of my mother's death and what do I do now that she's gone? I only receive a small SS benefit and am healthy enough to work part time. But your first pay check usually takes 3 weeks to arrive. Thanks for your wisdom.
A paycheck is the least timely concern, it is finding the job that can be time consuming.
I would start looking at your budget and looking for a new address. Your rent should not be more than 30% of your net income, 25% is a better goal. I believe that I have read that senior assisted housing is 30% of your income. Ask them what happens when you lose your mom. Make sure that you can either downsize, get a roommate or get a rent adjustment.
I would do a monthly list of all fixed expenses and look at the last 12 months to figure out an average on variable utilities. You can get most necessary utilities set up on annual plans that guarantee that you pay the exact same amount monthly. I would do this if your utilities vary widely from one season to the next.
I would also make sure that you are getting the best prices available on items like phone and internet. I think that the price increases sneak up and we don't realize that a phone call to update services can save us money.
Putting a budget in writing will show you exactly how every penny is allocated and it will help you know what you should be looking at for a rental amount.
I don't know where you live, but would a small trailer in a mobile home park be more economical? Maybe you could purchase something that is parked in a park that you will be able to afford for yourself.
There are lots of options, just getting out of our own box helps.
I think you need to downsize now. Is there any way you can make other arrangements for your moms care? You are sacrificing your own livelihood here.
Put your name on a list for low income apartments that are based on your income. There is usually a wait list so do it now. My cousin did that after her divorce. Also, apply for food stamps. Don’t get expensive things like cable tv.
Someone jump in and help me out here please. Can she get some other service like Hulu or Netflix on their own or amazon?
Grocery shop, don’t eat in restaurants. If you don’t mind me asking your age, can you get a part time job at least?
There might be a discounted rent if you ask, or they might have a smaller apartment you could move into when the time comes.
It never hurts to ask questions.
Let us know when you find things out, because as you see below, there is information on this thread that any ONE of us may need in the future, and we can start our lists now.
Maybe look into a less expensive rental, for your future needs, too.
Good luck!
Clearly you will need to move to a lower cost housing. Keep in mind the month your Mother dies is the month the checks stop. You should start planning now about what your going to do. This should include finding some sort of part time work NOW, so you are getting a check when she goes. The economy is very strong now, finding a job now is at its easiest it has been in our lifetime. It may not be that way when she dies. I know it will be difficult on your Mother, I suggest you start living today assuming your Mothers income is gone. That way when it hits you will not be dealing with your Mothers death and the loss of income.
Getting evicted from where you are? Unless the landlord is a family member that has ALREADY AGREED IN WRITING to let you stay you can be assured they will be pushing you out when the rent payments stop. You should be having a conversation NOW with your landlord to find out if they would have any flexibility. My guess is if they give you one month of flexibility you will be lucky.
It is NEVER TOO LATE to start planning for the future and either getting some financial habits or change bad financial habits. I always remember my Father in Law bought his first stock in the stock market when he was 70 years old. He bought 50 shares of Microsoft in 1989. That $2700 invested changed his retirement. If your not, start living on a budget. Spend LESS than you earn.
And one more thing., Make sure you teach your children so they learn from your mistakes.
There are companies where, for example, a woman your age has a big home she lives in by herself. She is lonely and decides to find someone to share the house with. She signs up with a company and fills out her hobbies, lifestyle, her info to find someone with similar likes. Then you would fill out a form with the same. The company matches potential "roomates". If it seems like a match, you meet somewhere to see if you both would enjoy living together. I believe the homeowner pays the fee for the service, and you can have furnished or bring some of your own items. Some are pet friendly and it's for older people. Like age 40+. I would think about that. Just an option.
Another thought is asking the landlord if you can do work for him. Not a great thought, but you never know.
Best wishes to you.
Look at the first pioneers. They traveled long distances in order to succeed.
Check all of your local resources for help. Best of luck to you.
But our UNITY program designed to house the homeless is working. If a family is living out of a car or in a shelter they have succeeded in housing them in 45 days or less. We are first in the nation for housing people that quickly.
How is that possible? We hired incredible grant writers who get HUD money. Many have taken advantage of this program. People with mental illness who are unable to work. People with physical disabilities. Single moms. Entire families. Single people. People with substance abuse issues. They have to stay clean or they get kicked out of the program but virtually anyone is eligible.
They do lots of community outreach. They have a UNITY warehouse that stores items for the homeless to take into their rental apartments.
Everyone in the city is asked to clean out closets, cabinets, etc. to donate items to them because it is all offered to the homeless. Items are dropped off to the warehouse. They will even pick up larger items like furniture from someone’s home.
They participate in community outreach with radio and television appearances to educate the public how they can help and make people aware of how devastating it is to be homeless. They explain how devastating it is to be on the streets, living out of a car or that even in shelters people are faced with anxiety and stress.
Arguments in shelters occasionally occur and the outcome is people end up dealing with low self esteem, depression, anxiety, lower grades for children in school and so forth.
We still have a homeless population but the numbers are going down. Less homeless people are on our streets now. Some of the people in the streets aren’t truly homeless. That happens. Panhandling is a side gig for them.
Also there is an opioid crisis and some are still struggling and not ready to seek help so they are out in the streets.
Anyway, please seek help from any charity that you can find. Our UNITY program started from United Way years ago. It has grown and continues to grow.
Sure, I can complain about issues in my city like anyone else who has legitimate complaints or concerns for their city but I truly am proud of the work that UNITY does and I do donate. Everyone can donate something.
Every house has things that are no longer used. These people need everything in a new apartment. Let them have it.
Some people need help for a lifetime because of a disability and UNITY is paying for it. Others just need help to get over a hump. I am glad we are making strides in this area. There is help. Keep looking.
One problem that UNITY does speak about and it’s common all over is that there is a shortage of low income rental property so they are constantly seeking out landlords to negotiate with in order to be able to continue to subsidize rent money. Of course they are always seeking more and more grant money.