Living in a 55+ Community on Social Security: What Shocked Me

One chapter of my life began with a bad car accident, a blind little dog named Cooper, and a terrifying move into a 55+ community place I had never even seen. I had just $790 a month to live on and no idea how I was going to rebuild my life.In this video, I share that journey with you. We talk honestly about living on Social Security, the budget that helped me survive, the good, the bad, and even the ugly of life in a 55+ community. I share the story of being told Cooper was too big to stay, the night I learned about the 9:00 p.m. curfew, and the unexpected kindness of women in their 80s and 90s who helped heal a frightened woman who had almost lost hope. This isn't just a video about retirement communities. It's about discovering that hope isn't something we're born with. Hope is something we build—one difficult day at a time. If you're struggling financially, facing a move, starting over after loss, or wondering if life can still surprise you with goodness, I hope you'll spend a little time with me today. I've also included the simple Excel budget worksheet I designed and I used while living on Social Security. It isn't fancy, but it helped me see a path forward, and perhaps it can help someone else too. And because Michigan is sweltering this week, Desi and I couldn't resist ending with a little smile...singing "Too Darn Hot." ☀️🐾 If you have time, share your own story of hope!!! Thank you for walking this road with me...we love you to the moon and back, Susan & Desi The darkest seasons of my life did not teach me how to be happy. They taught me how to have hope. And hope was enough to lead me home by another way Videos: New Home Tour - 2023 -    • MY NEW HOME TOUR! -1939 Cape Cod Decor On ...   New 2 Bedroom Tour - 2020    • My New Apartment Tour! Decorating on a Bud...   My 1 Bedroom (Over 55 Tour) -    • One Bedroom Apartment Tour- Starting Over ...   _____________ THIS VIDEO IS NOT SPONSORED. I am a participant in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. BOOK - Smart Women Finish Rich, Expanded and Updated - https://amzn.to/4bRQQjM 1. My Green Blouse - https://amzn.to/45aqxl5 This is a lovely blouse that comes in many colors. I get compliments wherever I go in it! I bought it in a coffee brown too for fall!!! 2. Keepsake- Lovey Girl with Dog Figurine - https://amzn.to/4fIlrmf What a great gift this would make to someone who lost their dog or just loves their dog! 3. Boy and his Dog Figurine - https://amzn.to/4wNMPVD I gave my grandson this and he loves it! He is turning 9 years old 4. Necklace Ana Luisa - https://go.magik.ly/ml/2625o/ The book I am reading from - She's Strong, but She's Tired (Volume 3) (What She Felt) - https://amzn.to/44oEOKM 2. Outdoor Twinkle Lights Solar - https://amzn.to/4h2XaII 3. Decorative Blue Pillows - https://amzn.to/4fbJN6v 4. My Blouse - https://amzn.to/4vJWDzj Please Size Up 5. My Skincare - https://linktr.ee/mimmua_littlepoet My Cameras: Canon EOS 6 Mark ll - https://amzn.to/4bgQMKc Lens: Nifty Fifty http://amzn.to/2k116et Editor: Filmora ______________ The more fulfilled I became as a woman with a real purpose, the less I wanted to buy things to make myself feel better. I wasn't saving for a bigger television or a nicer purse. I was saving for the woman who had suffered and sacrificed for so many years. Every dollar I saved became an act of gratitude toward her. This video means so much to me. Let me know if you would like me to discuss saving money in future videos. xoxo Sues & Dez _______________________________________________________ ✔ I N S T A G R A M -   / littlepoet7   My LittlePoet Amazon Shop - https://www.amazon.com/shop/littlepoet My Songs on iTunes - https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/mr-... ___________________________________________________________ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * My Songs: https://www.reverbnation.com/susanbuc... My last record can be viewed here and listened to in it’s entirety: “ Mr. Crazy & Other Tales” https://susanbuchanan.bandcamp.com/ Take a listen to my songs if you have time. It’s free.