As I was considering what I was going to write about in this month’s newsletter, I got stuck. I couldn’t think of a thing. Maybe its spring fever. Maybe I’m a stressed because my landlady gave me the news that I have to move again. They’re moving in and… guess what? I’m moving out. Move number 34 coming up. Whatever the cause, my mind is blank.
So, this is what I came up with: This and That. I’ve come across many great tips over the past few years that I believe can help keep a person active and living well into their older years. I’m going to share some of them with you, in no particular order.
Since moving is top of mind for me right now, I’ll start there.
Moving is stressful and expensive no matter who you are. It’s easiest if you can afford to hire people to pack up and settle you into your new home and un-pack for you. It’s also easier if you don’t have to move so far away that you have to leave your family behind, get a new doctor, accountant, lawyer, brand new friends, and a new business network that you’ve spent years building. It’s easier if you’re young.
Here are a couple of tips for everyone.
Get quotes from a few moving companies to compare costs. Lighten your load. Get rid of stuff you don’t need. Consider shipping things like books or donating them to hospitals or libraries. Time your move. Summers are busiest. Move off season and during the week, not the weekend. Plan in advance and get boxes for free from grocery stores, libraries, and schools. Start packing. Contact the post office at least seven days in advance to change your address and to have your mail forwarded to your new home.
What if you have to move and you find out that rents have skyrocketed and you’re priced out of the market? It’s a scary place to be. Spiffing up your car for a move-in is one option. Shared and community housing is another. You may want to consider getting a housemate. You may HAVE to consider getting a housemate.
We’ve all heard of the show, “The Golden Girls.” Having a roommate is not always the best situation, but it’s better than the alternative. Save money and have fun with home sharing. Try finding a match at seniorhomeshare.com, silvernest.com or nationalsharedhousing.org. Post on Nextdoor. Try Craigslist. Be careful. If you don’t know the person you’re considering sharing a home with, do a background check. Get referrals. Check that they have a job or can pay the rent. I’ve had a few housemates: only one didn’t work out, the others were great.
How about clothing? How can we reduce that expense? During the pandemic we could make due with sweatpants, sweatshirts, jeans and T-shirts–unless we were doing business on ZOOM . . . then sweatpants and jeans still worked. We only had to worry about the tops we wore. A nice blouse with a scarf, or a shirt and tie, did the trick.
As we get older many of us live on a fixed income, but we still want to look great and we can get by using a few tips and tricks. First, shop your closet. You’ll likely find great stuff you haven’t worn in the past two years. And while you’re at it, pull out the stuff you’ll never wear again (even though you think you MIGHT), and sell it on eBay, drop it at a consignment shop or vintage store, or host a small clothes swap party with your friends. I’ve had a blast doing that. Be ferocious!
Ask for senior discounts at department stores. I’ve heard that Kohls offers a 15% discount to people over 60 on Wednesdays. Use coupons. Only buy things on sale. Go to Ross, TJMaxx and Marshalls. They’re my go-to stores. Marshalls has great shoes. Have fun!
How about stretching your dollars at the grocery store as the last “This and That” today? We already know we can save by using coupons, shopping weekly sales, making a list, never shopping when we’re hungry, and leaving our credit cards at home when we shop. But do you know about the new shopping apps?
Using your smart phone can save you a ton at the grocery store with these free apps:
- Favado: Lists every item that’s on sale at your favorite supermarkets across the country.
- Grocery Pal: No more clipping coupons. Add online coupons to your store’s loyalty card and save when you swipe at checkout.
- Flipp: This app matches the deals you see in local flyers with coupons for the brands you buy.
- Ibotta: Get paid for shopping. Use your phone to find rebate offers at your favorite stores. Purchase the items, snap a picture of your receipt, and the money will post to your Ibotta account.
- Checkout 51: On Thursdays, 20 brand new offers go live on this app. Browse the savings, buy the ones you want, and take a picture of your receipt with the app’s built-in camera. When your savings reach $20, cash out and wait for your check to arrive.
I have no doubt that other apps will be popping up regularly. Stay aware and keep Google-ing.
I hope you found “This and That” helpful. By the way, if you have a topic that interests you and you want me to research it and write about it, let me know. In the meantime, you can see all my past newsletters on my website at www.martelinsurance.com. See you next month.
This month’s quote:
“Life is like a camera. Focus on what is important. Capture the good times. Develop from the negatives, and if things don’t work out . . . TAKE ANOTHER SHOT!” ~ Ziad K. Abdelnour