THE GOLDEN GAME PLAN A Stronger Focus on Frugal Finances
As you prepare for retirement, it’s never a bad idea to critically examine your current expenses and determine which costs you should keep or discard as your income changes. Here are three thoughts on streamlining your budget for greater security in your senior years. A Redundant Risk Evaluation When raising families, we implement ways to ensure financial security if unexpected circumstances affect a breadwinner’s income. Expenses like disability and life insurance may have been critical costs in years past, but perhaps you’re at a point where these policies could be reconsidered. If you’re approaching retirement and your children are grown and out of the house, you may no longer need to cover yourself in the event of a disability. Additionally, a life insurance payout for your family may not be as critical now as it would have been if you had passed away when your kids were younger. Simple Suppers That Save Cents A food budget should be based on what you throw out, not what you eat. It may surprise you that the average American family tosses $1,600 in produce annually! Although you’ll likely have fewer mouths to feed as you age, the likelihood of at least some of your groceries ending up in the
garbage can is still high. Planning your meals in advance and purchasing only the necessary items to prepare them is one way to reduce
unnecessary food spending, especially as the likelihood of sticker shock at the supermarket seems high in the new year.
Midweek Moments of Meaning One of the beautiful things about reaching an age when you’re done raising young children is that you’re no longer beholden to schedules that accommodate their needs first. Gone are the days of waiting for summer or holidays, which are among the priciest times of the year to travel, to take a vacation. With more flexibility in your daily schedule, you can now plan trips in a more budget-conscious way. Flights and accommodations often cost less during weekdays or in the spring and fall, and you can save even more by taking advantage of AARP discounts where available.
SEDENTARY WORK ISN’T ‘EASY WORK’ FOR EVERYONE PROVING YOUR LIMITS TO SSA
Building a Strong Case To build the strongest case possible, you need to provide documentation that details your physical or mental limitations. You should collect treatment notes of your symptoms, treatment, and struggles observed during your examinations. Additionally, you will need any medical imaging, lab results, or X-rays that show concrete evidence of your conditions and the work challenges they present. Partnering With Your Providers Working closely with your health care provider is essential as you develop evidence for your claim. Make sure you attend all your regular medical appointments and follow your treatment plan. You must be honest and open about your symptoms with your doctor so they have the whole picture. You can also receive residual functional capacity assessments that will test your ability to perform work-related tasks, such as lifting, standing, or sitting. We’re Here to Help Applying for SSDI can feel overwhelming, but documenting the limitations that prevent you from working a desk job will help ensure your daily struggles are recognized and understood. Our experienced team at Keefe Disability Law is here to guide you through the process.
Sitting at a desk isn’t as easy as it may sound when you live with chronic pain, fatigue, or other health limitations. Even sedentary jobs can feel impossible when your body and mind won’t cooperate. If you’re applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), showing that you have limitations that prevent you from light or desk-based jobs is crucial. Understanding Sedentary Work The Social Security Administration (SSA) defines sedentary work as a job that is mostly seated, where you lift no more than 10 pounds at a time and occasionally carry smaller items. As part of its evaluation, SSA will also assess your ability to concentrate, follow instructions, focus, and pace yourself. Acknowledging Health Barriers to Desk Work Chronic pain and mobility issues, such as neck problems or joint conditions, can make hours of sitting difficult or even cause additional painful symptoms. If you have arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or any other condition that affects your fine motor skills, it can limit your ability to perform common work tasks, like typing. Your mental health can make it hard to focus on tasks, meet deadlines, or handle workplace interactions.
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