No Raise For Social Security This Year

[nanabillie]

http://www.goupstate.com/article/20091016/articles/910169981

Social Security freeze means seniors must scrimp

http://www.goupstate.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=SJ&Date=20091016&Category=ARTICLES&ArtNo=910169981&Ref=AR&MaxW=600&border=0 (http://www.goupstate.com/article/20091016/articles/910169981#)
J Pat Carter/AP

Buy photo (http://reprints.goupstate.com/cgi-bin/fotobroker.cgi?c=latest.htm&a=&op_by_line=contains&by_line=Pat&b=photo_db&s=&t=&show=3-4)
Joan McGarr, left, and other seniors sit in the Southwest Focal Senior Center in Pembroke Pines, Fla., on Thursday. There will be no cost-of-living increase for more than 50 million Social Security recipients next year, the first year without a raise since automatic adjustments were adopted in 1975.



MATT SEDENSKY
The Associated Press


Published: Friday, October 16, 2009 at 9:42 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, October 16, 2009 at 9:42 a.m.
PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. — If her check were bigger, 76-year-old Agnes Conti might be able to spring for a better cut of meat for her pot roast. She could afford to send her nine grandchildren more than $20 for their birthdays and Christmas. She'd be able to buy some nice new clothes, like she sees on QVC, not what she settles for at Walmart.


Related Links:

No cost of living increase for Social Security recipients (http://www.goupstate.com/article/20091015/ARTICLES/910159985)

If only. The government has said the Social Security checks Conti and tens of millions of other seniors rely on as their primary source of income will not increase next year as consumer prices have fallen overall. And while the retired hospital clerk will get by, she'll be watching her spending even closer, knowing she can't expect the annual raise she's been accustomed to.
"We were good citizens all our lives. We went to work."
Complete story at link

[Trailblazer]

This is so sad for those that live on SS checks...Not sure the $250 Obama is talking about, will go far for these people

[packy]

It is a shame and I wish I understood how they looked at the data. Seems prices are going up like crazy and not just by a few cents. And then medicare premium will go up as usual while they cut the benefits, so then supplemental insurance goes up to make the difference. So the 250.00 is a pittance.

[Roamer]

:45024:

[Claycat]

Wonderful! We are trying to figure out how to afford my MIL's assisted living which is almost a thousand dollars more than her SS. I had an estate sale, but it was a drop in the bucket. I still need to sell a lot of the stuff. She has savings, but it is not enough! We will have to sell her house next.

We should have a major protest of the next congressional pay raise!

[sunstar]

Wonderful! We are trying to figure out how to afford my MIL's assisted living which is almost a thousand dollars more than her SS. I had an estate sale, but it was a drop in the bucket. I still need to sell a lot of the stuff. She has savings, but it is not enough! We will have to sell her house next.

We should have a major protest of the next congressional pay raise!

Too bad the house and other assets couldn't have been transferred out of her name before she needed assisted living then she *might* be eligible for state-aid to pick up part of the costs of the extended care facility. Of course in some states this liquidation has to be years beforehand. :45024:


Many of us who work aren't getting a raise either while everything else goes up in price (except real estate). :groan:

[LiveLaughLuv]

The govt's rational is that prices have gone down. My problem is they have not yet stablized. It's a roller coaster they are up, down, up again, down nothing is stable. :francis:

I think it's a huge mistake to say the cost of living has eased down. It's a downright lie...but that's what they do best...:0009:

Now Obama wants another $250 stimulus to SS recipients. Problem is that won't go far either....:madranting94dp:

[Jute]

The govt's rational is that prices have gone down. My problem is they have not yet stablized. It's a roller coaster they are up, down, up again, down nothing is stable. :francis:

I think it's a huge mistake to say the cost of living has eased down. It's a downright lie...but that's what they do best...:0009:

Now Obama wants another $250 stimulus to SS recipients. Problem is that won't go far either....:madranting94dp:

The government had a gazillion dollars for people to trade in their "clunkers" - many of which were nearly brand new. But no money for people who have worked and paid into Social Security for their entire lives? :madranting94dp:

I haven't seen any easing of prices, either, Luv. :mad:

[sunstar]

The government had a gazillion dollars for people to trade in their "clunkers" - many of which were nearly brand new. But no money for people who have worked and paid into Social Security for their entire lives? :madranting94dp:

I haven't seen any easing of prices, either, Luv. :mad:

And isn't this reduction in tax being withheld from our paychecks about to expire also? :mad:

[nanabillie]

I haven't seen any prices reduced. Insurance rates on everything increases each year. Our homeowners went up $200 a year and heaven forbid you actually file a claim to use the insurance..

[sunstar]

I haven't seen any prices reduced. Insurance rates on everything increases each year. Our homeowners went up $200 a year and heaven forbid you actually file a claim to use the insurance..
Our insurance & property tax goes up too. Along with the utilities (water, garbage, etc) bill. From what I've seen (working at an apt. complex) many seniors are selling and going into retirement apartment complexes, or moving in with family.

[Claycat]

I haven't seen them reduced either. Gasoline is starting to climb again here. Health insurance, for me, through my husband's job cost around $368/month. Now it has gone up to $422/month. As a result, I am not covered. That would be a huge percentage of his wages. I need a job badly, but we live out in podunk and have only one car. I'm almost 60. Neither of us planned well, so unless there is a miracle, we have a bleak future.

[Claycat]

Too bad the house and other assets couldn't have been transferred out of her name before she needed assisted living then she *might* be eligible for state-aid to pick up part of the costs of the extended care facility. Of course in some states this liquidation has to be years beforehand. :45024:


Many of us who work aren't getting a raise either while everything else goes up in price (except real estate). :groan:

She talked about it, but she never did it. Thanks, Sunstar!

[sunstar]

She talked about it, but she never did it. Thanks, Sunstar!

I know what you're going through. It was horrible when my mom became ill and had to go into extended care. She had a house and savings. We thought medicare would pay more than they did and she wasn't eligible for medicaid to pick up the balance. It drained her savings considerably. Fortunately the house wasn't lost but it was only because she was very ill and didn't live very long in that place. So yes, a lot of things just aren't right. :girl_sad:

[Trailblazer]

I haven't seen any prices reduced. Insurance rates on everything increases each year. Our homeowners went up $200 a year and heaven forbid you actually file a claim to use the insurance..

I just switched insurance companies because my house insurance increased and was told the reason for it was Hurricane Ike...

I'm now saving over $700 on house and car insurance by switching from State Farm to Allstate Insurance...

[Faith]

I just switched insurance companies because my house insurance increased and was told the reason for it was Hurricane Ike...

I'm now saving over $700 on house and car insurance by switching from State Farm to Allstate Insurance...

I made the exact switch- saves a lot of money.

[Sioux_Girl]

I haven't seen them reduced either. Gasoline is starting to climb again here. Health insurance, for me, through my husband's job cost around $368/month. Now it has gone up to $422/month. As a result, I am not covered. That would be a huge percentage of his wages. I need a job badly, but we live out in podunk and have only one car. I'm almost 60. Neither of us planned well, so unless there is a miracle, we have a bleak future.

Holy crap almost $400 a month for health insurance??

I am sure pleased we get it here free here.

One thing we do here thats good for people over 60. Each November or December there sent a cheque ( or paid into the bank depending on how) benefit is normally paid $409 winter fuel allowance which helps towards elderly peoples fuel bills for the winter period so they dont have to worry about putting the heating on.

[texanne]

Even people still in the workforce are having problems with price increases robbing them of any savings for their future. Why is it prices have gone up so much over the years, but wages fall or remain stagnant unless you are sitting around a boardroom table where you have a legal license to rob?

[Jute]

I just switched insurance companies because my house insurance increased and was told the reason for it was Hurricane Ike...

I'm now saving over $700 on house and car insurance by switching from State Farm to Allstate Insurance...

I'm glad you mentioned this, TB. I've been watching the Allstate commercials and wondered if their rates are really as good as they claim.

[Faith]

I'm glad you mentioned this, TB. I've been watching the Allstate commercials and wondered if their rates are really as good as they claim.

Call and check on it. I get a check every 6 months from them for good driving. It's $25. Every little bit helps. I have my house and truck with them.

[Trailblazer]

I'm glad you mentioned this, TB. I've been watching the Allstate commercials and wondered if their rates are really as good as they claim.

Jute I chose them from a group of insurances...they were the lowest for me, now my sister did better going with Travelers Insurance...she saved $1700 a yr...

I did a search on House insurance comparisons and found NetQuote..

Keep in mind the savings is for insuring both my house and car...

[Roamer]

My car and home are both with with State Farm. I used to have Allstate and switched. Now I wonder (because of these posts) if I made a mistake.

[Trailblazer]

My car and home are both with with State Farm. I used to have Allstate and switched. Now I wonder (because of these posts) if I made a mistake.

Roamer....I don't think switching is a mistake if you get the same coverage at a lower price..

If next yr. Allstate increases my premium alot, I'll be searching for another insurance company...

It's all about me saving money...I had State Farm for 30 yrs. and never even thought about switching...but this year when the price when up so high, I knew it was time to look around...

[Febbie]

It is a shame and I wish I understood how they looked at the data. Seems prices are going up like crazy and not just by a few cents. And then medicare premium will go up as usual while they cut the benefits, so then supplemental insurance goes up to make the difference. So the 250.00 is a pittance.

I may be wrong, and if I am correct me, but in the package of no raise, they also suggest that the premiums cannot go up.

I will not hold my breathe on any of it!:022:

[packy]

I may be wrong, and if I am correct me, but in the package of no raise, they also suggest that the premiums cannot go up.

I will not hold my breathe on any of it!:022:

Hope you're right about that, Febbie. That would be nice. They usually go up every year and then base it on income related so some pay more per month.

[Roamer]

TB, I think we got most of our savings the first year with SF, because they saved us a substantial amount over Allstate, plus our car insurance dropped quite a bit.

[Febbie]

Hope you're right about that, Febbie. That would be nice. They usually go up every year and then base it on income related so some pay more per month.

Information about Medicare changes for 2010, when available, will be found at www.Medicare.gov. The Department of Health and Human Services has not yet announced if there will be any Medicare premium changes for 2010. Should there be an increase in the Medicare Part B premium, the law contains a “hold harmless” provision that protects about 93 percent of Social Security beneficiaries from paying a higher Part B premium, in order to avoid reducing their net Social Security benefit. Those not protected include higher income beneficiaries subject to an income-adjusted Part B premium and beneficiaries newly entitled to Part B in 2010. On September 24th, the House passed legislation by 406-18 that would, on a fully paid-for basis, prevent abnormally large premium increases. The President is calling on the Senate to enact this legislation before it becomes too late for the Social Security Administration to update its computer systems to implement this needed change


http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pressoffice/pr/2010cola-pr.htm


Maybe this helps!!!!:waitasec:

[Roamer]

I sure hope so, Febbie. We need all the help we can get, and it ticks me off royally to see the state our country is in (my personal thanks to George W. Bush...jerk). We worked all our lives and thought our social security would protect us. NOT!

[Febbie]

I sure hope so, Febbie. We need all the help we can get, and it ticks me off royally to see the state our country is in (my personal thanks to George W. Bush...jerk). We worked all our lives and thought our social security would protect us. NOT!

I agree, I worked from time I got out of college, and some before that! I just retired few years now, and still worked parttime to keep my insurance for the longest time. It is nothing living off SSA like it was working, but I never thought the gov't would be this greedy with all the monies we paid in.
So many of my friends never made it long enough to draw it, so what happen to theirs. It makes you think real serious of what the future holds for any of us. :0009:

[texanne]

I started my senior year in high school at 16 yrs. old. I would leave school an hour early, walk two blocks to a bus stop to catch a bus across town to the hospital where I worked as an aide 4 to 6 hrs a night. Then I would catch the bus to my home. I worked full time on weekends, worked while I was in college, and stopped a few years after getting married. When my youngest was 5 yrs. old, I went back to finish my schooling and then back to work full time. I did not stop till I took early retirement 12 yrs. ago to take care of a preemie grandchild. I still worked part time in a family business till last year. It burns me up when someone suggests we are taking social security dollars from young people. I trusted the government to care for that money to supplement my retirement. Whoo boy....was I in for a surprise. Three brothers and a sister died before drawing one dime of social security or retirement. There should be a surplus, not a shortage.

[packy]

Information about Medicare changes for 2010, when available, will be found at www.Medicare.gov. The Department of Health and Human Services has not yet announced if there will be any Medicare premium changes for 2010. Should there be an increase in the Medicare Part B premium, the law contains a “hold harmless” provision that protects about 93 percent of Social Security beneficiaries from paying a higher Part B premium, in order to avoid reducing their net Social Security benefit. Those not protected include higher income beneficiaries subject to an income-adjusted Part B premium and beneficiaries newly entitled to Part B in 2010. On September 24th, the House passed legislation by 406-18 that would, on a fully paid-for basis, prevent abnormally large premium increases. The President is calling on the Senate to enact this legislation before it becomes too late for the Social Security Administration to update its computer systems to implement this needed change


http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pressoffice/pr/2010cola-pr.htm


Maybe this helps!!!!:waitasec:

Thanks, Febbie. We shall see.

Same with me worked for a lot of years and so did my husband and our whole family with many of them and many friends not making it to collect. Seems like there should be a surplus but. . .

[Roamer]

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_13598557

Basic Medicare premium to rise 15% next year

Among the beneficiaries who will pay more are those who are new to the program and those with high incomes.
By The New York Times

Posted: 10/20/2009 01:00:00 AM MDT




WASHINGTON — The basic Medicare premium will shoot up next year by 15 percent, to $110.50 a month, federal officials said Monday.

The increase means that monthly premiums would top $100 for the first time, a stark indication of the rise in medical costs that is driving the debate in Congress about a broad overhaul of the health care system.

About 12 million people, or 27 percent of Medicare beneficiaries, will have to pay higher premiums or have the additional amounts paid on their behalf. The other 73 percent will be shielded from the increase. That's because, under federal law, their Medicare premiums cannot go up more than the increase in their Social Security benefits, and Social Security officials announced last week that there would be no increase in benefits in 2010 because inflation had been extremely low.

Among those who face higher premiums next year are new Medicare beneficiaries, high-income people and those whose Medicare premiums are paid by Medicaid. Premiums can be as high as $353.60 a month, or more than $4,200 a year, for Medicare beneficiaries who file tax returns with adjusted gross income greater than $214,000 for an individual or $428,000 for a couple.

The higher premiums will impose "an additional and significant burden" on states, which help pay Medicaid costs, along with the federal government.
The House bill was passed, 406-18, on Sept. 24.

While lawmakers considered whether to freeze Medicare premiums, a handful of senators met Monday to work out a compromise health care bill to cover the uninsured.

One participant, Sen. Max Baucus, D-Md., chairman of the Finance Committee, said senators were considering new ideas to finesse disagreements over whether the government should offer its own health insurance plan, in competition with private insurers.

Under one proposal, he said, the government would create a public plan, but states could "opt out" if they wanted to devise and operate their own insurance programs.

On Monday, a Washington Post-ABC News poll showed that support for the public option has rebounded from its summertime lows and now wins clear majority support from 57 percent of the public. If run by the states and available only to those who lack affordable private options, support for a public plan jumps to 76 percent. The Oct. 15-19 poll of 1,004 adults had a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

The Washington Post contributed to this report.

[LiveLaughLuv]

I am so happy I am under my hubby's medical from his employment. I couldn't spare $110 out of my tiny check each month for medicaid. This is torture for those who have no choice but use medicaid for that's all they have...and this on top of no raise since we received a huge one last year...that just caught us up to the cost of living...adjusted accordingly. Now with that 15% raise for medicaid we are back to square one and without another adjustment, to me that increase just ate what little adjustment received...:girl_sad:

[texanne]

I would love to know the names of the people who make the final decisions on these things. Their names and the medical benefits, their pay, etc should be made public. The same is true of the exact person who tags pork barrel onto bills in congress. I am so sick of "them" being allowed to make such decisions without ever being publicly identified. We know lobbyists write the majority of the bills before congressional committees. I want to know the lobbyists names, the congress person's name who allowed it, and the exact wording. Oh, I am on a roll of frustration over such things this a.m.

[LiveLaughLuv]

Should elderly get a $250 bonus?

Falling prices mean Social Security recipients will get no cost-of-living increase next year.

Posted by Karen Datko on Monday, October 19, 2009 4:39 PM
Under the time-honored formula used to calculate Social Security payments, recipients will get no increase AT ALL next year -- for the first time since the automatic cost-of-living adjustment was adopted in 1975. Prices have actually gone down, you may or may not have noticed.

Social Security payments cannot, by law, decrease when the cost of living declines, but neither are they supposed to go up when there is no inflation. And, the Los Angeles Times notes, "The decline in prices means that seniors will be able to buy more with the dollars they're already receiving."

•Bing: The future of Social Security
But President Obama and many in Congress want Social Security recipients to get an increase anyway -- in the form of a $250 bonus.



Is this fair or even reasonable?

Read More...
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SmartSpending/default.aspx?feat=1326855

Again, my problem is that prices have not stabalized. They are roller coastering up and down, have not remained stable for a year or more. Where does that leave folk who have to pay for heating oil, electricity and food. The rise in medicare coverage eats up what little raise folk got at the beginning of this year. This $250 stimulus will only help with a months utility bills, if you're lucky enough to pay less than $250 for heat and electric. I think some people just live with their head in the sand...:waitasec:

[texanne]

I myself have seen no decline in the prices of what I buy day to day. Groceries are out of sight. Even pet food has gone up right at 100% in the past 18 mo. with no break in sight. I buy more and more store brands to make up the difference. Some stores (Walmart for one) will knock off a few pennies on 3 or 4 items, while steadily tacking on a price increase on a hundred others. I understand the price of homes is declining in some areas. But, I ask you.....how many seniors run around buying new homes? I also buy a lot of boys clothing. The sale prices this year were just about what the regular prices were a short time ago. Sorry, I do not buy the price decline thing. I have lived too long to swallow everything Uncle Sam passes out.

[Roamer]

You and me both, texanne. I have seen nothing decline in price, and I don't believe anything has.

Since my sweet DH usually does my shopping, when I went I was totally shocked. Again, NOTHING was lower. Instead, everything is higher, Much higher.

[texanne]

I can imagine that it was a shock to you. You need a bank loan just to buy the basics. Another thing, the volume and weight has decreased. Remember when a standard size bag of sugar was 5 lbs.? Check it out....3 lbs. now. I guess they think we are too dumb to figure out how much the increase per lb is. Even canned goods contain less. They are slowly reducing the size of some containers bit by bit.

[LiveLaughLuv]

I too haven't seen prices decline at the grocery story. Everything is more money each day I go in. Rice/cooking oil is untouchable, milk is still expensive, the meat is outrageous due to the animals being fed corn...:groan:

If prices declined why don't I see it? Why hasn't the stores reflected what has gone down? Same with gas, I only see it drop a couple of pennies, then it's up again. So where do these politicans see the decline?

Why don't they ask those who truly are in a bind with SS?

Why don't they get feedback from the public and not from politicans with their head ups their azzes...:madranting94dp:.

JMHO

[LiveLaughLuv]

I can imagine that it was a shock to you. You need a bank loan just to buy the basics. Another thing, the volume and weight has decreased. Remember when a standard size bag of sugar was 5 lbs.? Check it out....3 lbs. now. I guess they think we are too dumb to figure out how much the increase per lb is. Even canned goods contain less. They are slowly reducing the size of some containers bit by bit.

Me and hubby were just discussing that same issue. They are charging us more money for less product. He loves potato chips, the 50 cent bag is now 99 cents with just as much chips as the 50 cent bag...seems the consumers are getting the short end of the stick...:doh:

We noticed....:madranting94dp:

[Jute]

Me and hubby were just discussing that same issue. They are charging us more money for less product. He loves potato chips, the 50 cent bag is now 99 cents with just as much chips as the 50 cent bag...seems the consumers are getting the short end of the stick...:doh:

We noticed....:madranting94dp:

I knew that a "gallon" of ice cream had shrunk; I just checked and a gallon now = 56 oz. At least in the ice cream world.

Fruits and vegetables that are normally priced really reasonably during the summer now cost as much or more than during the winter. :mad:

[texanne]

I saw baking potatos individually wrapped for 99 cents each....E A C H !. Why would anyone pay a dollar for a potato and then have to peel plastic wrap off it before cooking it? I need to stand at that spot and watch who buys them....and then sell them a bridge.

[SavannahStar]

I saw baking potatos individually wrapped for 99 cents each....E A C H !. Why would anyone pay a dollar for a potato and then have to peel plastic wrap off it before cooking it? I need to stand at that spot and watch who buys them....and then sell them a bridge.

I've seen those too!!!!!!!!!!.......I'm always like, :thud2:

[sunstar]

I saw baking potatos individually wrapped for 99 cents each....E A C H !. Why would anyone pay a dollar for a potato and then have to peel plastic wrap off it before cooking it? I need to stand at that spot and watch who buys them....and then sell them a bridge.

A woman I work with buys them and brings them for lunch!! :girl_haha:

[Jute]

I saw baking potatos individually wrapped for 99 cents each....E A C H !. Why would anyone pay a dollar for a potato and then have to peel plastic wrap off it before cooking it? I need to stand at that spot and watch who buys them....and then sell them a bridge.

I'd never heard of these individually wrapped potatoes, google has enlightened me.

Back to our potatoes in hand. All of the following phrases appeared on one of these now handy-dandy, individually-wrapped, previously-just-perfect, raw foods: “Microwave-Ready”, “Pre-washed”, “Express BakeTM“, and the ever-so reassuring “Double Washed”.

Why the rant? Admittedly, it’s just a potato. It’s just some plastic packaging. Just a bit more fossil fuel used to produce another useless piece of plastic in the competition for our coins. Plus, some people like individual servings. Some would prefer to stuff a potato in their er… briefcase (don’t go there!) and know that it’s hermetically sealed against … what? Not touching their makeup kit or laptop? I just don’t see the danger of taking a potato from the big bag you purchased. I mean, the people to whom I showed these anomalies would all wash them again anyway despite the printed assurances of careful corporate cleansing.

The big bag gets you more bang for your buck, too. True, 75 cents may be a handy price if you are looking for a quick lunch. Let’s see. The bag nearby was $2.99 and organic was $3.99. I counted the number of potatoes in the bags. I must say that during these grocery store forays, it’s a wonder I haven’t been thrown out for suspected industrial espionage. I counted several bags to get an average. I did the math. The individually-wrapped potatoes calculated to $12.00 a bag! I shake my head and buy one of each for the benefit of my audience and to be able to later take a photo without the fear of the aforementioned ejection. I feel shame at the checkout counter though.

http://goingveggie.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/solanum-tuberosum-plasticenum1.jpg

http://goingveggie.com/wordpress/?p=92


Someone did an in-depth study and review:

Followup report: The space-age baked potato
update: the individually-plastic-wrapped, Colorado-created Idaho potatoes (and also sweet potatoes) are priced at $1.50 per potato at a local large-chain grocery store. By contrast, the same store has a 10# bag of Idaho white potatoes for $4.99. Wow. "Eliminating waste" (see below) by buying some things one at a time can get expensive!

<snipped>

Conclusions: Not so bad, but I won't be going out of my way to seek these out. <snipped>

http://jofishandjim.livejournal.com/21070.html


Think I'll stick to the plain old loose variety. :biggrin:

[LiveLaughLuv]

Think I'll stick to the plain old loose variety.

Heck, maybe I'll plant my own...:girl_haha:

Outrageous prices and they want folk to eat healthier??? :groan:

I love fruit, I will never pay what the stores are asking for. I went in to buy bananas a friggin $1.50 per pound...I'm like :eek:

Then I move over to the plums, peaches and they want $1.99 per pound...I just walked right out. It's really ridiculous the prices rise and our pockets are deeper and deeper to dig in...

Usually I will only buy what's on sale at the stores. I don't get what I really want cause I can't afford it. Especially since hubby has been out on workers comp. I haven't done a good shopping in awhile...:frown:

[texanne]

If I wanted just one potato to take to work...I would wash one potato out of a large bag of potatos...dry it off...and roll it in plastic wrap, or zip it into a sandwich bag. No way would I pay a buck for a spud!

[Febbie]

If I wanted just one potato to take to work...I would wash one potato out of a large bag of potatos...dry it off...and roll it in plastic wrap, or zip it into a sandwich bag. No way would I pay a buck for a spud!

I agree, that is were this world does waste. I buy most things in bulk to save and put foods in freezer, can garden foods and make sure I have for tomorrow or next week. Too many out there, know nothing about save or spare, they live for only today. If I lived by myself, I would not have to do as much, but there is still way of stretching the dollar.

What makes me mad is, why should I keep doing this in my old age, when I worked for years to be able to enjoy the fruits of my labor. :z0tdntknw:

Dang fruit trees were chopped down by the gov't. :zm1:

[Roamer]

[snipped from Febbie's post] What makes me mad is, why should I keep doing this in my old age, when I worked for years to be able to enjoy the fruits of my labor.

Exactly!!!

[Claycat]

i haven't seen prices go down anywhere either. Gasoline has been going up again.

[PatC]

But... but... as you can plainly see in the photo above, one of them at least has a tab "Open" to show you how to get into it once you zap it.


I mentioned to someone the other day how many pre-cooked foods are in the stores. Like a BIG display of prepared MASHED POTATOES.

Ok, you don't know how to boil water and drop some taters in, pull hte peel off and smash them up with some butter and milk. What's wrong with the instant flakes?

[Febbie]

But... but... as you can plainly see in the photo above, one of them at least has a tab "Open" to show you how to get into it once you zap it.


I mentioned to someone the other day how many pre-cooked foods are in the stores. Like a BIG display of prepared MASHED POTATOES.

Ok, you don't know how to boil water and drop some taters in, pull hte peel off and smash them up with some butter and milk. What's wrong with the instant flakes?

Most of them now a days would drop the plastic and all in the boiling water HA!!:kidding-01:

Nothing wrong with instant potatoes, depends on the amount of people in the family.
I use to peel my potatoes and put them in a jar with cold salt water, and refrigerated...could make fried, mashed , what I need for few days for my meals.
I worked and it made it faster for me!!

[texanne]

By the time I wrestle a box out of the pantry, re-read the directions, measure out, etc.....I can take my trusty peeler, zip the peels off, boil them up, and whip them up. Honestly....it is the easiest thing. I think I might could set a world speed record with making mased potatos.