The Social Security Administration has decided to give recipients a Cost of Living Adjustment this year, after two years of determining there was no rise in the cost of living. For me personally, this means an extra $33 per month, at least until I see whether and how much my food stamps will be cut.
I have to renew my food stamp application by the end of the month, so I will find that out soon.
Now, I admit that $33 will make a difference in my month-to-month existence. It could mean actually having some money to spend at the end of the month. It will be the difference between $918 and $951, and that may actually allow me to buy gas and be able to go places other than medical appointments late in the month. It may mean having a choice of what to eat at the end of the month instead of just finishing whatever is still there.
It may mean ending the month with more than 17 cents in the bank. (That is extreme, I admit; many months I actually have a dollar or two.)
An example: I had a couple of doctor's appointments on November 29. I thought I had enough gas to get there, and I had $5 and change in the bank to get a gallon or so to get back home if I needed it. Only I miscalculated, and ran out of gas. I called my sister and when I was looking around to see where I was, I realized I was right in front of her apartment complex. When she didn't answer, I just walked to her apartment. She was able to pay to fill the 1 and 2 gallon cans that got me going again.
I was very late for the first appointment, which was for a skin cancer screening. They were able to see me anyway, not the doctor, but someone training with him, and they took something off my scalp, which turned out to be negative, rounding out my luck for the day. (I think in run-on sentences by the end of the month.)
Luckily, I had left several hours between appointments.
Maybe it will be easier next year.