Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Social Security & Medicare

whathehell

(30,163 posts) Mon Sep 8, 2014, 01:15 PM Sep 2014

Any ideas for living off a social security benefit of only $680 a month? [View all]

I live in Illinois, in a somewhat distant Chicago suburb...I would consider moving

(In fact I'm thinking of buying a 'tiny house' to 'downsize' that way) but I don't

want to go further than necessary....I'm thinking maybe Madison, Wisconsin, if

I have too. It's a very liberal town and they and are looking to start a tiny house

community.

39 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Any ideas for living off a social security benefit of only $680 a month? [View all] whathehell Sep 2014 OP

I wonder if there might be a semi-communal housing arrangement in Madison that would work Arugula Latte Sep 2014 #1

Kick.... daleanime Sep 2014 #2

Camper Van n/t tazkcmo Sep 2014 #3

Does that beat the 'tiny house' option? whathehell Sep 2014 #9

Your post tazkcmo Sep 2014 #11

Can you outfit your van with toilet and shower? nt ellenrr Oct 2014 #19

I have heard living overseas makes money go a lot further. hollysmom Sep 2014 #4

Yes, as I said to someone else, whathehell Sep 2014 #10

It makes a lot of sense! in my case ellenrr Oct 2014 #20

I live in one of the most expensive parts of NJ, the North East. hollysmom Oct 2014 #21

in any town set up by humanitarians - like Marinaleda, ellenrr Oct 2014 #22

well, I like being able to walk to a top grade doctor, hollysmom Oct 2014 #23

You might consider Equador or Panama instead.. whathehell Nov 2014 #27

Move to Costa Rica NV Whino Sep 2014 #5

Yeah, I actually subscribe to something called "International Living" whathehell Sep 2014 #8

there's only a magazine subscribion option Alameda Mar 2015 #34

Say what? whathehell Mar 2015 #36

My post was in response to your post below.... Alameda Mar 2015 #37

Have Social Security redo your benefit yeoman6987 Sep 2014 #6

LOL..Thanks, but I think they got it right, unfortunately, whathehell Sep 2014 #7

Most people get 1300-1600 a month left-of-center2012 Mar 2015 #31

I wish you luck. I am living on $1400 a month social security, RebelOne Sep 2014 #12

Thanks -- I'm not necessarily being forced to live on that little, whathehell Sep 2014 #13

I've also considered a mobile home. ellenrr Oct 2014 #18

Don't get killed -- Go live wherever you can to avoid that possiblity. n/t whathehell Oct 2014 #24

I'm in Georgia. RebelOne Nov 2014 #25

HUD subsidized housing? left-of-center2012 Oct 2014 #14

I never thought of that, whathehell Oct 2014 #15

I live in subsidized housing too ellenrr Oct 2014 #16

Left-of-center - Is your apt in a large building or small? ellenrr Oct 2014 #17

do you have a link? Alameda Mar 2015 #35

double up grasswire Nov 2014 #26

Here's what my neighbors did mackerel Jan 2015 #28

Wow..What an interesting idea! whathehell Jan 2015 #29

Now the wife is bilingual but not the husband, the mackerel Jan 2015 #30

Self employed, never paid into SS. PoindexterOglethorpe Aug 2016 #38

The wife paid in to Calpers she was a social worker. He never made a lot and so I think mackerel Sep 2016 #39

Mexico? left-of-center2012 Mar 2015 #32

Hi Left -- Sorry I'm getting back to you so late whathehell Mar 2015 #33