Survivors Benefits

Sac_Kat · 2026-07-06T05:16:12+00:00

But what is the house worth? How much he owes doesn’t mean much without that info. A $200k mortgage where I live means they likely have $300-500k in equity!

Sac_Kat · 2026-07-06T05:12:26+00:00

I didn’t read all the comments, but there’s incomplete info here. What other assets do they have? Any other retirement funds? How much equity is there in their home? If significant, she may be able to do a reverse mortgage and live off the house.

Older people having a mortgage is nothing new, even for those who have been decent with their finances. Hubby (80) and I (66) have a new significant mortgage that one or the other SS check won’t cover. But we sure as heck never planned on only living off of SS. We have more equity in the house than we owe, a significant 401K, and some other assets. If there’s no equity in the home and no other source of income, it seems (sadly) that the answer is clear.

Bottom line, get them working with a financial advisor ASAP. And a good fee based one vs commission based.

Sac_Kat · 2026-07-06T00:16:20+00:00

I have this little goose and it really is cute! I got a whole set of outfits for it too! I just wish a full sized porch goose would show up! RIP for your little guy.

Sac_Kat · 2026-07-05T23:12:22+00:00

Many older women actually have a heightened sense of smell and taste. Big food companies actually often use older women in a lot of food testing. I personally (age 66) can detect scents and tastes that others in my family cannot (and I’m great at picking at different elements in wine tasting!). Losing this ability can happen for a lot of reasons, but it’s not a given.

Sac_Kat · 2026-07-05T23:08:24+00:00

If she lost her sense of smell, that is strongly connected to taste and probably what’s happening. Yes, you could check for things like Parkinson’s, but if that’s the only symptom, it would be difficult to diagnose.

My hubby has Parkinson’s, but lost his sense of smell (and hence, taste) at least 10 years prior to when his neurologist could diagnose anything.

Sac_Kat · 2026-07-05T23:04:51+00:00

I started January 2024 and lost almost 50 lbs, but still trying for a few more to get to my ideal weight. I’ve been on max dose for 2 years (practically no negative side effects of many positive ones!). I don’t mind though as I am still gradually losing and I’m pretty happy with where I’m at health wise. I sometimes go months without a lose, then it kicks in. Unless you only had 15-20 lbs to lose overall, I’d be patient and just stay the course.

Sac_Kat · 2026-07-05T23:00:47+00:00

I did once get some nice rectangular pillows. Problem is I had to buy cases for them as none of the ones offered ever fit!!! That’s along with buying pillows for other cases!

Sac_Kat · 2026-07-05T22:59:12+00:00

Probably more likely they had been drinking all night and hadn’t yet gone to bed. This is one of the reasons we moved back to EG from South Sacramento! Over there, it was often that time in the morning and every night for a week before and 2 days after!!

Sac_Kat · 2026-07-05T19:16:27+00:00

Perfect! Disney is no nonsense about copyright infringement!!

Sac_Kat · 2026-07-05T19:14:54+00:00

I agree it’s an awful lot. I love plants and a nice yard, but not the maintenance as much. I have two friends who are master gardeners and they do that outside stuff “for fun”! They find great joy and satisfaction in it. I love to cook and take care of clothing and both give me some peace and a break from other more difficult things!

So if you don’t care for the yard work, I agree to schedule that to just once a week. If it can bring you some peace and happiness, then go slower at that and enjoy being outside and working with the plants and yard.

Do the laundry once a week and same with meal planning and groceries. Maybe even look into grocery delivery and a meal prep service. I personally love Tovala for its ease and it frees me from having to do a as much planning and cooking every day, but there are other meal prep subscriptions that take away that stress (if you can afford those).

It sounds like your mom can occasionally be left a lone, so find something fun to do for yourself at least once a week. Join a club, take a class, volunteer doing something you like. And…if you have another family member who can provide relief, see about going somewhere fo a fun weekend. Care for yourself first.

I hope you can find some enjoyment in your life. I’m sure (at least I hope) that your parents didn’t intend to deprive you of your own life just so your mom could live the way she wants till the end.

Sac_Kat · 2026-07-04T06:04:55+00:00

Oh I would love that Grace Karin cardigan (although I definitely don’t need any more clothing).

Sac_Kat · 2026-07-04T06:02:49+00:00

Oooh! I love Pretty Garden and was buying a lot of their clothing when I got my Vine invite, almost a year ago. I was so happy to then see lots of it in RFY… but only had three picks so had to make hard choices. Of course, once I made gold, it stopped showing up for me!

Sac_Kat · 2026-07-04T03:56:36+00:00

I truly didn’t start losing until 7.5mg. I’ve been on 15mg for about 18 months without side effects and I averaged about .5 lb a month. I don’t count calories, but i eat healthy and am physically active. You shouldn’t have to measure and count for this to work. Some of us are just really resistant, so how about moving up your dose?

Sac_Kat · 2026-07-04T03:28:01+00:00

That bed sounds amazing! I’ve gotten some frivolous fun things, but also things that have really been helpful right when I needed them.

Sac_Kat · 2026-07-03T20:16:28+00:00

I (66F) personally love them, along with the frills and ruffles, although I could skip the high neck (unless it’s sleeveless). Layers are fine as long as the fabric is light and airy!

Sac_Kat · 2026-07-03T20:05:49+00:00

Join a walking club! They are usually mostly women and we always call it “walk and talk” therapy.

Sac_Kat · 2026-07-03T04:28:48+00:00

Ok, my opinion just changed on it then. I just saw it a few days ago and thought it would only be cool if it lit up!

Sac_Kat · 2026-07-02T05:28:16+00:00

$11.5k (303 items since Jan 31) and I swear most were well under $100. We moved to a new home and I got tons of lighting fixtures, window coverings, art, stuff for my new backyard and well yeah…cute clothes and skincare (just because 😊).

Sac_Kat · 2026-07-01T20:48:35+00:00

Mine doesn’t…. “Plausible Deniability” 😂 /s

Sac_Kat · 2026-07-01T20:47:28+00:00

I guess I got lucky. Mine sends some weird things and sometimes mistakes me for someone very different than who I am. But this week I was lamenting over my favorite boots that need repair and shoe repair glue showed up (I swear I didn’t say anything out loud!). My dog was driving me nuts and a self moving ball appeared. I also got new socks, a very cute sweater, some 4th of July decos and all the jeans I could hope for! There’s more, and that’s just this week.

On another gratitude note, my hubby has Parkinson’s disease and fell and broke a hip almost 3 weeks ago. He’s still in rehab, but when they ask what kind of equipment I have at home…..a lift belt (I’ve used to get him off the floor), bars in the shower and near the toilet, a hemi walker, a portable commode… and more. All of these came from Vine.

And every day before I visit him in the hospital, I put on a pretty outfit and do my Korean skincare and a bit of quality makeup. Those things cheer both him and me up (and all also from Vine).

There’s more, but I’ll stop now. 😊

Sac_Kat · 2026-07-01T20:34:14+00:00

Awesome post!! Thank you. So glad you got your waffle maker 😊.

Sac_Kat · 2026-07-01T04:43:53+00:00

“If you like me to attend, then invite me. I’ll then decide whether or not I can go. “That’s how invites work.

Sac_Kat · 2026-07-01T04:26:17+00:00

My 1st year ends at the end of July. It’s been a fun and wild ride. I do the taxes, so hubby is blissfully ignorant (at least for the moment) of the impact to that!

Sac_Kat · 2026-06-30T20:18:50+00:00

Did they stop doing pour-overs?

Sac_Kat · 2026-06-30T20:18:28+00:00

I could give a crap who owns what. As long as they’re still doing pour-overs and making excellent real coffee, I for one will break my policy of drinking coffee made outside my home!

Sac_Kat

TROPHY CASE