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Marion, 70, relocated to Ohio with two roommates due to the increasing rent costs in Washington state. Despite holding multiple jobs to support her family, surgeries led to financial difficulties. Sharing living expenses helps her save, but medical bills are still a heavy load.
After raising two sons in Washington as a single mother and juggling two jobs, Marion faced further financial strain following several surgeries that sidelined her. Opting for a cost-saving strategy, she now lives with roommates.
Marion, whose last name is being withheld for privacy, told Business Insider she sold most of her belongings and moved to rural Ohio with her sister and her sister’s boyfriend. She couldn’t afford the rent in Washington anymore and now pays about $500 in Ohio, which helps her manage her numerous medical bills.
Armed with $1,662 from Social Security, she still finds it hard to make ends meet, even in a small town.
“I’ve got roommates now for the first time, but it helps me live comfortably,” Marion shared. “You do what you have to do.”
Growing up in a military family, Marion moved around a lot and wasn’t wealthy. She got pregnant at 17 and later moved to Washington with her husband, although they divorced, and she continued raising her kids alone, working long hours at restaurants.
“It was tough to keep my kids on the right path while working so much and making sacrifices. Looking back, I don’t know how I managed,” Marion said, recalling years spent making difficult choices to ensure her children’s well-being.
Marion retired early more than 20 years ago due to numerous health problems and surgeries, which heavily impacted her ability to work long hours. She relied on Social Security Disability Insurance, which paid significantly less than her job salary.
Filing for bankruptcy, she lost her condo and lived with her mother for ten years after cashing out her 401(k) early, mostly spending it on dental work. She painted bottles to sell, earning around $100 per month, and picked up house cleaning jobs to make extra money.
During the first two years of the pandemic, government assistance allowed her to live within her means. But her rent in Washington eventually surged to $1,150 per month, which was unsustainable on her Social Security income. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits only covered $23 per month, illustrating the financial pressure.
“After rent, there was not much left for food, insurance, gas, or internet,” she explained.
With few affordable options in Washington and rising safety concerns, Marion decided not to move in with her sons to avoid burdening them. Instead, she joined her sister and her sister’s boyfriend in rural Ohio, selling her car and moving across the country, incurring debt to cover moving expenses.
“I hardly know anyone here aside from my neighbors,” Marion admitted. Sharing a five-bedroom house that costs $1,300 per month, she pays between $500 to $600 monthly with utilities. The area, although quiet and safe, has few amenities, and grocery shopping requires a 20-minute drive.
Living with family necessitated major adjustments, and leaving her grandchildren behind has been emotionally taxing.
“But living with roommates is a viable option for older people like me, especially if living solo is not feasible on my Social Security,” Marion said. Her sister and her boyfriend are financially better off, with pensions and part-time work supplementing their Social Security.
Despite saving money, Marion’s finances are still strained. She avoids essential medical screenings due to high copays and carries debts from previous medical treatments. With current expenses exceeding her ability to prepare, she hopes to switch to a more affordable medical plan soon.
Her focus now is on saving enough money to handle her future without burdening her sons.
“My primary concern is saving for my cremation so my kids won’t have to pay for a funeral,” Marion concluded.
If you have concerns about retirement, reach out to the reporter at [email protected].
Read the original article on Business Insider.