[Nucky]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

I remember when minimum wage was $6.55/hour, and gas prices were $4.11/gallon. I was working in an office earning $13.72/hour, which was decent, for an entry-level generic non-management office job. What was even better, was they paid 100% of our health care premiums on a VERY good health care plan with low co-pays, no deductible, and Rx, dental, and eyeglass coverage, we got 3 weeks paid vacation every year, plus 20 sick days per year, plus 3 personal days per year, and we could take our birthday off with pay. If we didn't take all 20 sick days, the balance would carry over for another year, allowing us up to 40 sick days in any given year if needed.



You don't see any of that anymore. They boast about $10 minimum wage here but good luck finding a job that gives you a break during the day, let alone sick time, vacation pay, or paid premiums on health care plans.

Meanwhile on our fixed income, we're managing. We're not thriving, but we weren't thriving before either. In another year I'll start getting social security checks, and that's when I trade in my old 2010 tin can for a newer used car. Maybe I'll get my old car tricked out, heh - it doesn't even have 100k miles on it so maybe I'll go that route instead. Fix the rust marks, give it a nice spray job, add a new stereo system with 6-CD changer, and maybe some soundproofing panels and some way to reduce the road noise.

OBB, add your anticipated Social Security Income to your husband's income then go to Healtcare.Gov (Obamacare) and check out your exact coverage today against what it will be with your new S.S. income. Get prepared to trick out what you've got. Sorry to be the bad news guy but this just happened to my best friend in Jorsey. Sad.

Inflation, whatever, we are alive and kicking. I'm good with whatever comes at us. I may be shocked sometimes but what are you gonna do? NOTHING! I did some shopping the other day at Publix and was shocked beyond shocked at some of the prices.