I'd like to ask how much (as a percentage) you've cut back on your budget? I'd especially like to hear from folks who have some income from stocks, bonds, CD's, and might then hope for better days.

I'm not yet retired (was unemployed for 14 months, but now back to work). Itry out these "calculators" for retirement and they all seem to assume that you'll spend the same as last year plus inflation. Oh, really? I know that how much I budget will go up and down with the market, but don't know how much I can control spending. All of the postings on this topic have some really good ideas, so I'm interested in how much they impact the budget.

What's been your experience?

In regard to a cell phone.....this is what I've done for the past 3 years. I pay by the year with T-Mobile and it is $100 for 1,000 minutes. Initially it was $200 because I had to buy the phone, taxes, etc. Now I have an excess of minutes as they are added on every year. You do have to make sure to get the 1,000 minutes BEFORE the year runs out, or wheever you bought them, or I think they cancel you out or you just start over.

I have a land line but then I am home most of the time and prefer to use that phone. I rarely use my cell phone, BUT it gives you peace of mind to have one with you especially in the car.

L.P.

I drive my car less, but gas has come down.  I procrastinated taking my cat to the vet until I got the stipend(s).  Had to use both stipends for the cat.  Vet does not take payments.  Cat is better, but the food I have to buy her is much more expensive.  So the vet benefited from the stipends.  Car repairs delayed.  Had to start shopping at Wal-Mart just because some groceries are cheaper and am buying store brands more.  Have to borrow $20 or so at the end of month because money just doesn't stretch for groceries.  My shelves and freezer are less full.

It's a shame that when a person finally has the time to do something that they enjoy they can't afford to do it.  We try to plan an outing about ever 3 months but it has to be something very reasonable.

You gave me an idea about the cell phone.  Like you, I like to have one just for the security of it when I'm away from the house but other than that rarely use it.  I did without one for a long time but my husband for my birthday in June got me one with a prepaid plan.  Even with that the cheapest monthly cost is $15.00.  I'm going to check with my children to see if any of them have the plan you mentioned.

This month cancelled:

Newpaper delivery - have had it for over 20 years - it has now taken another "bump" upwards and there are "no deals"

Grooming for my dog - sounds stupid I know - but washing her is a back breaker - but when I added it up - "annually" it's a real piece of change!

SpeedPass - just took the transponder back - I live in SoCal - and to use the "fasttrack" lanes - you pay...even if you don't use it - there is a monthly service fee.  I didn't use it for the last 2 months as GAS is so high!!

Dinner out - what's that ??? My friends and I have dinner out at each others homes and find that almost as much fun!! If we "must" dine out - we ONLY go where we have coupons!

Pedicures/manicures - vanity I know - but so loved them - NO MORE

No more grocery store cleaning products - use the Dollar Tree - and interestingly enough - I find I like the products BETTER!!!

Cancelled my personal cell phone and am now part of my kids "family plan" - I carry the phone for emergencies only - I don't use it to chat!!! Even at that - they have the friends and family package so have added my closest friend home phone #'s for me--ALSO found by polling my friends that almost 100% of my friends have the same cell carrier - so those calls ARE ALL FREE!

Called  my utility companies: Edison and SoCal gas when I realized I qualified for the senior discount  - WHAT a difference in my bills - oh and bumping my A/C from 78 up to 80 made a MAJOR difference in my bill and it's still 25 degrees cooler or LESS than outside - I use ceilings fans with the A/C - and I haven't died yet!!

I bundle my errands to one day - map out my stops and DO THEM - no more "cruising"

Unfortunately I STILL need to find more places to make cuts!!

We have a 1999 Class C Winnebago that I dearly love but are putting up for sale.  We can't afford the gas and maintenance.   We still owe on it too.  It's in pretty good shape since we rarely used it while working and now that we're retired...we can't afford to take it anywhere.   I was really  looking forward to driving across country, visiting the National Parks, meeting new folks, too.

We use to go to Bluegrass festivals but that's out now too.  I really miss my bluegrass friends.

Now we stay close to home.  Maybe a day trip sometimes.  We shop for dinner daily.  But we do get to go out to lunch or dinner sometimes.  Restaurant.com  has saved us money on that.  We shop dollar stores, consignment shops, etc. 

I'm 62 and qualify for Social Security; but I'm trying to hold off until I'm 66 and can collect full benefits.

That 2017 bit is because of the Baby Boomers.  But I wouldn't hang my hat on that just yet.  There can be significant working population changes yet feeding into the program, so just keep cool on it.