Retirement: Adding free time, cutting costs
According to the official website of the U.S. Social Security Administration, the average monthly Social Security
benefit for a retired worker was about $1,230 at the beginning of 2012. This average is also subject to change
monthly based upon the total amount of all benefits paid and the total number of people receiving benefits. In
the grand scheme of things, $1,230 a month is not a number that many people can solely depend on to support
their lifestyle. Of course the vast majority of people have their own savings for retirement, but the instability with
social security has Americans concerned and looking for ways to cut daily living expenses. Here are some of
the more popular ways people have been able to cut down on their daily living expenses:
- Hanging laundry on a line
- Brewing coffee at home rather than buying one
- Use your local library to rent movies rather than Netflix or Redbox
- Drinking water rather than soda, and it’s good for your health
- Walking, biking, or using public transportation rather than a car
- Lowering the thermostat at night and adding more blankets
- Insulating homes to be more energy efficient
- Hand washing dishes rather than running the dishwasher
- Buy food in bulk
- Use plates and utensils instead paper and plastic
