Looks like my husband and I will be facing two new financial challenges in 2022. First one will be hubby’s increased medical insurance costs. He’ll be starting Medicare when he shortly turns 65 which means no more affordable ACA. Right off the bat he will have $170 deducted off his Social Security check to cover Part B. Then he will have to pay an additional Part D (drugs) policy as well as a Medigap policy. In other words, we estimate his net income will probably drop by $250 every month.
The second challenge is now that hubby will be 100% on Social Security, our gross income margin will have increased to a level that will disqualify us from the Over 65 Property Tax Reduction on our home. I estimate we will see our property taxes rise by $500 annually which means our net income will be reduced by the same. For arguments sake, let’s just calculate that going forward into 2022, right off the bat, we will see an increase in expenses by approximately $3,500 for the year.
OUCH!
To compensate for the shortfall I’ll be directing one of our investments to fund our expense account at $271 monthly and hubby will pick up the slack by taking on a part time job. He’ll just work a few days per week and that should solve our financial shortfall. For now. I have no idea what our future will hold. The only other rabbit we might be able to pull out of our financial hat is to eliminate one of our vehicles. We’ve been thinking of downsizing our RV (since we will be taking shorter trips much closer to home) and going down to one vehicle (which will also be able to tow). Those two moves will cut down our monthly/annual expenses immensely. It’s comforting to know we still have some viable maneuvers left in our basket of tricks.
No amount of preparedness could have been viable enough to help us conquer the current rate of inflation. The higher prices we are paying for gas, energy and food have put a damper on our finances through no fault of our own. Thankfully, for now, we can live with it and somehow manage. The Omicron variant isn’t helping our travel plans much either. It’s as if we got hit with a double whammy.
One beam of light, however, shown to me was yesterday when we went food shopping. Thank goodness for Aldi. They have actually lowered their food prices on many necessary items such as eggs, milk and regular bread. They had beef roasts on sale at 50% off (I didn’t buy any since I don’t like red beef anymore) and they had $3 off coupons on chopped turkey and chicken parts. Those I did buy and store in the freezer since those two items make up the majority of our meals. I found my shopping venture yesterday to be enlightening and hopeful. Gas was ‘down’ for us at $3.39 a gallon. Truthfully, if the price per gallon can stay below $4.00, I’d say that would be a win-win solution for us and our RV traveling.
On the food front, I thought I would address lunch ideas this week. We’ve been eating the same old-same old for lunch plus an occasional leftover and realistically, we’re bored. I decided to spruce things up and make black bean tacos for a few days (with all the fixings’). Next came our usual chicken soup but I used tortellini’s in place of rice and it seemed to work out much better. I also pulled out my old panini maker, bought some panini bread and made grilled sandwiches filled with ham, Swiss cheese and honey mustard. I also warmed up some frozen manicotti and marinara sauce (which is a sure dinner dish) and I served it for lunch. Delish!
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Ciphers From Cindi 
May I just say that you make food look amazing? I can only imagine how it tastes! YUM!
It’s interesting to hear how Medicare works. I’m not a fan. I’m so sorry that you will be dealing with the increases. That sucks about the property tax. 😦
I’m not the least bit concerned about Omicron. I’m sure it’s been here for a while, as are many other variants. I was vaccinated and got Covid, which I believe was the Delta variant. It wasn’t fun, but it wasn’t nearly as bad as the flu I had several years ago. AND even though you can still get ‘covid’ while being vaxed, we are more prepared to handle it than when it first came out. There are therapeutics now. I believe it has only been mentioned because there is nothing else going on in the news. The stock market took a bit of a tumble with the Omicron news, so instead of getting upset, I took advantage and bought 100 shares of Royal Caribbean Group stock at lower prices. We have a cruise on Celebrity planned in February and we now will get $100 of onboard credit each time we sail just for having stock. Win-Win.
It’s a shame the “news” does more harm than good these days. Take the recent food ‘shortages’. I don’t believe there were real food shortages. Container issues? Yes. We saw that in Seattle. However, call me crazy, but I have yet to stumble on empty shelves. And if certain items were not available, they were available in a week or so. Seems the ‘preppers’ had their 5 minutes of fame with that one. I did notice limits on paper products, but I believe that was more of a proactive move, because of all the hoarding that went on at the beginning of the pandemic.
The times are a-changing, and the only thing I know for sure is to adapt, slow down and practice gratitude. I have the words below on repeat every.single.day. 😉
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.”
Melody Beattie
Happy belated birthday Cindi! May you have MANY, MANY more!!
xoxo Sharon
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Sharon, thank you for the birthday wishes. I’d like to believe the news isn’t as bad as they say BUT I can’t. My brother, a doctor, really did die of the virus and it was a brutal death. fast and horrible. Granted they didn’t have the proper medication for him at that time plus they intubated him much too quickly so he really didn’t have a chance. They don’t do that so quickly anymore. It’s because of my brother’s death that I take things very seriously. My whole family is very vigilant about everything. We won’t take any chances. As to food shortages, they are very, very real. Since we mostly shop at Aldi, they were short in ALL their chocolates for over 8 weeks. You can laugh at chocolate but Nick needs to take 85% cocoa for his health. Aldi’s chocolates all come from Belgium and are only $1.99 a bar. Anywhere else it’s very, very expensive. So, he waited and waited. Shopping there this past week had them out of paper napkins, paper towels, tissues, no cleaning products such as Dawn, no freezer bags, no sandwich bags and just a few pacs of toilet paper. Nick is friendly with the store manager and he says they are having a rough time getting the product, plus trouble with delivery drivers. he said it’s a nightmare. I believe the stores, such as Aldi, Walmart and Target are doing their darnedest to get the product to us. Thankfully Nick’s chocolate is in BUT he could only buy 2 bars. Eggs are on limit as are a few other products.
As to the cruise, my sister won’t take no for an answer nor will she postpone till the spring. She says she can cancel up to 48 hours beforehand and wants to wait till then. I don’t think it’s worth the risk but then again, we’ll wait and see.
These are unprecedented times for sure. Every day my life and goals change. It’s impossible to plan anymore. We are just going to take one day at a time from here on in.
Thanks for your comment. I miss you!!!!
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I guess the shortages are in certain areas. My parents in upstate NY are not seeing any shortages either. Here in Virginia, I haven’t seen any. Email me and let me know what chocolate Nick needs, I’m sure I can find the chocolate at Trader Joes and I’ll send them to you!
I understand your fear, you are not alone. Your brother was unfortunately one of the first to contract Covid. His health was already compromised, having had cancer. Things are different now. They know so.much.more. Your brother may have not survived a severe flu either. One may never know. Either way, it’s a huge loss for you, and I certainly understand your hesitation. I’ve lost two friends this year to ovarian cancer, and one to pancreatic cancer. They were all in their late 50’s, early 60’s. One acquaintance was just killed in a car crash. You just don’t know when your time is up. But I know for me, I don’t want to live in so much fear of dying that I stop living. Take your time, Cindi.
Your feelings are valid and only you will know what feels right.
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Hi Sharon. Aldi got in the chocolates the other day. They were limited to 2 bars per person. Nick and I know the staff, so we kept on buying 2 bars, leaving the store and then coming back and buying 2 more. We got a total of 8 bars. Nick should be fine for a while. Thank you so much for your kind offer.
I don’t know what it is, Sharon. But something is telling me to just stay home. I like being here. I don’t want to leave. Unless it’s with Nick. As you said, we can die at any time. For some reason, I just want to spend all my time with Nick. And my kids. they’re all coming up the end of December and for the very first time in 20 years, we’re going skiing and snow tubing! An old ski lodge up here just got a $15million dollar renovation and teamed up with the Berkshires and the ski lodge looks fantastic. I’m looking forward to that. I’ve already seen the Bahamas and again, for some strange reason, I’m over Florida. There’s so much more I want to see. Nick took on a part time job just to earn money so we can start RVing again.
I haven’t given up on life. I just want my life to be different now than from what it was before.
Thanks for your comment. LOVE YOU!!!
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I am glad you are going to keep your RV Cindi. I know you will not regret it. You will get the SS raise and your budget will ease. There is so much to still enjoy! We are still traveling every other month to see family. Hawaii in April. You could not pay me to get on a cruise ship after a friend was stuck on one off Japan for two full months! To each their own….I see the appeal in not having to do anything once you arrive.
I am seeing much higher prices here. ( We left Delaware for Idaho in June). I attribute it to the very quick rise in gas (ours was well over $3.80 all summer). There were more actual grocery shortages in the summer, but they are easing. Now our Independent grocery are now buying in the East (where the ships are getting in) and shipping (train) West. What a dynamic! “Fly over rural” is tired of California! Now, if our pipelines could get going again- possibly our natural gas would go back to normal (currently double in price because it has to be imported by ship through—you got it—California).
Meat is unbelievable- enough that a local billionaire has decided to open a meat packing plant for local non-foreign contract ranchers! It seems that the people who are growing for the US cannot get in to get their cows and pigs processed. That should ease things quite a bit in six months.
Bill Gates tried to squeeze the corn people out in Kansas this last year as well- insisting they buy GMO grain to plant from him. Fortunately some old times had silos of heirloom seed corn…. So Kansas grew corn like crazy. Very interesting…..
I am glad that the beltway seems untouched by this all. Both of my kids live and work back there and they are doing great. They saved loads of money by staying at home- few hair cuts, no school clothes or even good shoes for 18 months. They are done with Amazon and now ready to run lean and mean for the next ten years. AND – bonus- they can now go to Church again….for now.
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Hi Janette. Moving from Delaware to Idaho must have been interesting and so different. What’s the weather been like?
With the 5.9% rise in SS, it’s being erased by the 14.9% increase in the Medicare monthly cost. It was upped from $148 to $170…it practically negates whatever increase we were promised. So, it’s a moot point.
We’re fortunate here in the valley that we are surrounded by farms. My neighbors on our road all raise chickens, sell or give away both chicken and duck eggs, as well as sell chickens and rabbits as food. Some of our other neighbors raise cattle and pigs, so we can always get beef and pork also. The government hasn’t killed the farms or farmers here off yet. Thankfully they’re being funded by the tourists from NYC who will pay anything for anything real. People have undermined upstate NY for years. Everyone thinks the world rises and sets in Manhattan. Well, it doesn’t. One thing I will give Andrew Cuomo our ex-govenor, before he went insane, was he rebuilt upstate NY and brought in tourism. The tourists are what is keeping this place alive and vital.
I remember the horrific inflationary times of the 1970s. I think our children and grandchildren are going to learn a very valuable lesson in our current times. Already my two daughters are feeling the tight pull of less and less money. They’re having trouble paying for Xmas presents. Those days of Sex and The City extravagance is soon to be long gone. Nothing Michael Kors can do for them now. Tell your children to hold on to their money (even as its value declines). No shoes for 18 months? Try for years next time around.
My oldest started going to church. Even registered her daughter for Sunday school. My youngest calls me when she needs prayers said. Funny how that all happens, right?
I’m done with Amazon too. Quit them a few months ago. Now if I need something, I go to a store and buy it. For a lot cheaper I might add.
Thanks for your comment. It was great hearing from you and catching up. I remember when you were having your home in Idaho built. Do you still have your blog? Care to share the link? It would be interesting to hear all about your new home and your new life!
Thank you so much for your comment!!!
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Hi Cindi, Happy belated Birthday and Happy Holidays to you. Ah, January 2022 will start my 24th year in retirement no longer an early retiree at 68. Two years ago in January I got Covid19 and barely survived and changed my life priorities forever. In 2022 my fixed monthly budget increase will be $800-$1000 before discretionary spending. Everything is going up up and three more major home maintenance projects need to be done early in 2022. Besides the DIY kitchen remodel with new flooring I needed to replace three appliances- oven, refrigerator, and washer with updated $500 in extra electrical work and two new toilets! Appliances being delivered Thursday.
For 2022, I chose a different prescription drug plan that reduced my cost by $20 instead of increasing by $40.,This balance the Medicare increase for me.
Thank God I have the extra dividend income stream.Sincerely, Lara
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Hi Lara. Come this spring, our kitchen door and frame have to be replaced. $600. ugh. Plus, after 21 years, hubby needs a new lawn mower for these 3+ acres. Last time we priced what we wanted we were looking at $1800. IT’ll have to go on a zero interest loan….which BTW, because of inflation, these zero loans are killing us. Hubby just got yet another new job (the last one only lasted 3 days). He’s hopeful this one will last as we’ll get a discount on home improvement supplies. Fingers crossed. In 10 years we’ll need a new roof at $30,000. Hopefully by then we will have sold and moved out to our final retirement location. We’ll see. or maybe we’ll just stay put and not do the roof. LOL!
When I signed Nick up for his own Medicare package, his Part D was only $7.20 a month! So, I switched myself too to the same medical company. My monthly went from $25 down to $7. Hey! It’s something, right?
I also got notice from SS, with the new 5.9% increase and the new Medicare monthly Part B of $170, my net increase every month will be a measly $38. What am I supposed to do with that? Ridiculous.
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Maybe it will cover the monthly increase in gas ! I just got my natural gas bill and it’s $150 more then they increased my budget! Amount! With only a 4%increase usage from last year!Lara
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It’s going to be a tough winter. I can feel it. Hang in there. Stay warm as best you can.
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Not sure if I will be traveling next year beyond Cape Cod and Rhode Island. Looking at 2023 for my dream trips internationally.
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Lara, I have hubby passport on my desk because it needs to be renewed. But where will we go? I really think we’re never getting our lives back to where they were or could be. I don’t want to give up our tour of the Greek Islands but hey! Who knows? We’re just doing the vacay before Memorial Day and the vacay after Labor Day (must be Maine!) and a shorter winter vacay in Florida. Maybe just month instead of three. At least it’s something. That’s about all I see in our travel futures. Just RVing.
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$119 to $269!
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UGH! I feel your pain. Thankfully, we haven’t used one drop of propane for weeks now! The needle hasn’t budged. We’re loving our pellet stove. It took a while to get it settled in to a routine, but it’s all good now.
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So did you cancel your propane fill?
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No. It took them 3 weeks to get here just to deliver 150 gallons and top off my tank. We wanted to start the winter with a full tank of propane. So far, it’s still full.
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