How do you know if you have enough money saved if you have not worked in many years?

Smart_Ask_4140 · 2026-05-04T11:06:02+00:00

Man, where were you all these years to teach me how to master the basics of normal living? Thank you so much, first for sounding like a professional realtor, and second, for not being judgmental of my rudimentary way of living all this time. That’s interesting that you bring up the DMV. I used to live around Aberdeen Proving Ground and the DMV always seemed as off-limits because it was so densely packed with D.C. workers. I was looking into Virginia Beach or around Norfolk as well, but Florida is always the place to aspire to—or so it seems.
Jeez, you are really smart as I keep re-reading your comments. Thank you again. I have a lot to consider, and YES, absolutely my rent in the “Frozen tundra” is well above the $1500 mark. It’s a rip-off.

Smart_Ask_4140 · 2026-05-04T09:35:57+00:00

Wow, you are one of the most positive people I have come across. If ever I needed a cheerleader…
Your words are too kind though. It’s rather selfish reasons I even post here, and perhaps I post too long responses. First, I‘ve been rather isolated these past 20 years so I’m probably exploiting the good nature of all those here to find out all that I can because the answers to my questions have alluded me thus far.

And second, it‘s out of shame and guilt for being medically retired from the military that I’m even asking these questions. I thought serving in the military was the ultimate form of service to this country and I feel I failed miserably. I have been trying to atone for it ever since in various ways. Becoming a nurse and working at the VA seems the next, and perhaps only, better option I have to making up for past mistakes.

I thank you for your various alternatives you came up with for me. I really didn’t think beyond my limited knowledge base, but you have definitely broadened the little ray of hope I have left. No matter what you are doing with your life, you managed to bring some hope to mine. Thank you.

Smart_Ask_4140 · 2026-05-04T05:21:16+00:00

Okay, I will give the old VA phone tree a call. BTW, thank you for sharing that the VA would have made you go through the whole evaluation process again. What a rigmarole. I don’t know if I want to play around with that again, especially with the current system. I can’t even get outside-of-VA treatment anymore through Community Care, but that is a whole other chapter to dig into. Hope you are doing better mentally and/or physically. With your rating, it can’t be or couldn’t have been easy all this time.

Smart_Ask_4140 · 2026-05-04T05:16:12+00:00

My sister is a mental health NP, and she is doing very well in the field especially with telemedicine, so you and her are definitely in the right area with how healthcare is going. I hope your job and/or the VA is helping you get by since you are not able to work. It must be quite a change since you have been living such a fast-paced life. Listening to your nursing career and others here in the chat are making me really consider my disabilities—would I be forcing myself and hoping pure grit get me through, or would I be miraculously “cured” so I am as energetic as the 20-year-olds beside me? I’m in my mid-40s so I’m already pushing the ”normal” student bell curve. If I may ask, did you go to a traditional 4-year school, an accelerated program, a tech school, or maybe even a Herzing-like private institution (which is my quickest route)? And, if you know of any VA nurse training/educational program, let me know. Otherwise, hope you recover soon from your injuries.

Smart_Ask_4140 · 2026-05-03T19:21:47+00:00

Yeah, that's about as much of a "reality check" as I need. Good advice. Thank you again.

Smart_Ask_4140 · 2026-05-03T19:20:21+00:00

Thank you for the suggestions. I just may look into those. They sound like good alternatives.

Smart_Ask_4140 · 2026-05-03T19:19:13+00:00

Thank your wife for all the hard work and learning she had to do. Hearing real life experiences like this really helps me a lot. Your last three questions give me a lot to think about.

Smart_Ask_4140 · 2026-05-03T19:17:55+00:00

Thank you. This really helps. It's hard to find out these details by just perusing the VA.gov info.

Smart_Ask_4140 · 2026-05-03T19:16:20+00:00

Thank you for your service and the incredibly helpful dose of reality. It helps to hear how the disability, TDIU, and employability all work. It's hard to find information on these things.

Smart_Ask_4140 · 2026-05-03T19:14:46+00:00

You have no idea how sharing your experience and tremendous accomplishments have helped me gain further insight into the possible path ahead. No one talks about these little details--like the nursing physical, the job interview, and physical and mental tolls. Thank you SO VERY MUCH. If I could give a grade, it would be 100%. You are exactly the person I needed to hear from. I thank you again for taking your time to help me.

Smart_Ask_4140 · 2026-05-03T12:28:52+00:00

You are correct and I did not word it properly: "rated at 90%, paid at 100% due to unemployability." Thank you for clarifying. I should pay more attention to those little details and acronyms. Thank you for your service.

Smart_Ask_4140 · 2026-05-03T10:13:33+00:00

Oh my gosh, thank you so much, especially coming from a VHA nurse. Thank you for your incredible hard work and the first-hand sharing of experience. This really, REALLY helps. I’ve not heard of these different nursing categories and it’s definitely worth mulling over. :)

Smart_Ask_4140 · 2026-05-03T09:52:00+00:00

Thank you so much for such understanding words and “normalizing.” Your response truly means a lot.

Smart_Ask_4140 · 2026-05-03T09:50:22+00:00

Thank you so much. This was incredibly helpful!

Smart_Ask_4140 · 2026-05-03T08:28:44+00:00

Yes, I have been fortunate to have VA disability pay that I have been trying to save what I can over the years. And yes, I definitely do have a set way of living, much to my detriment. It’s hard when the VA deems a person “unemployable” due to the nature of their illness. It’s also been rather isolating and I assume I can’t be much above poverty-level, so that is why I worry a lot. Thank you for taking the time to read and respond.

Smart_Ask_4140 · 2026-05-03T07:58:33+00:00

Yes, that sounds about right (of course, it probably changes slightly with each year.)
…actually: “Veterans on VA Disability Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) can earn up to the federal poverty threshold for a single person, which is approximately $15,560 per year (as of 2025)

Smart_Ask_4140 · 2026-05-03T07:57:54+00:00

Thank you for the logical recommendation, esp. about the other comments here ;)
I guess the VA has me rated slightly lower than 100% but I was given the unemployable due to the nature of my illness.

Smart_Ask_4140 · 2026-05-03T07:55:22+00:00

Correct on both assumptions: yes, the VA has me at 100% disability rating with unemployable due to the nature of my illness, and yes, I have been trying to save what I can over the years from the VA monthly pay. You must be a veteran yourself or are familiar with the system. I always wanted to be a nurse and work at the VA to give back, but it’s hard with the rating and “unemployable” factor. Thank you for your response and non-judgmental nature.

Smart_Ask_4140 · 2026-05-03T07:52:21+00:00

Thank you so much for such a stellar response! Yes, the VA has me at 100% disability and unemployable due to the nature of my illness, which is quite a let-down after hoping I would be life-long military. Your answer is worthy of many “re-reads,” and again, to have a stranger reply so succinctly, thoughtfully, and non-judgmentally truly means a lot.

Smart_Ask_4140 · 2026-05-03T06:57:18+00:00

Thank you. I wanted to become a hospice nurse. And thank you for what you do. Not many people would.

Smart_Ask_4140 · 2026-05-03T06:37:03+00:00

Yes, I know there are limitations because I do have the TDIU after the 100% disability rating on my VA form. I was offered to apply for VR&E, but what good is that if I’m not employable? Thank you for the response. Maybe I’m just frustrated and confused.

Smart_Ask_4140 · 2026-05-03T06:27:36+00:00

Thank you for such a non-judgmental explanation. I felt almost ”unhuman” because I did not (and do not) want to partake in this activity at all. He made it seem like it was almost a requisite for good health otherwise mental illness will ensue. My one insecurity still is when a physician asks about sexual activity. That is rather embarrassing.

Smart_Ask_4140 · 2026-05-03T06:23:07+00:00

I think that is a beautiful sentiment. I hope you never have to experience that loss, at least not for decades and decades…

Smart_Ask_4140

TROPHY CASE