How I hate math!! I found a chart that was specific to R.I. I have a small pension (no COLA) and my Social Security. If I lived on my pension, I'd need a tent. If it was just S.S., I would be hanging by my toes. I thought I was doing well until I looked this chart. I looked at the expenses for my age (75). I don't know where this group's figure (expenses) come from but mine aren't even close.
It's far too expensive to live in R.I. I've been renting in the same place for 18 yrs. but it's reasonable. I pay my electric, gas, and phone/internet. Break down the utilities and look at all the taxes, surcharges, and fees. Our gas tax is one of the highest in the country. I rarely drive anymore but years ago I had to work in Braintree and drive it every day. Car insurance - ridiculously high. It doesn't matter how old you are, you're going to get slammed. I've been driving since I was 17, never had a claim, an accident, or a ticket yet I've never paid less than $1800 a yr. I have no credit card debt, my car is 17 yrs. old that I bought new and paid cash for. I keep it in tip-top shape. If I bring it for an oil change, people offer to buy it. To add an insult to injury, we are taxed on pensions and Social Security. I don't mind the pension but Social Security was a tax to start with so now we pay taxes on taxed money and, of course, RI wants its "fair share". For what, I don't know.
We have an election on 11/5/24. Once again, the State wants millions in bonds. The interest on them is over half of the cost of the bond. We have voted Yes on bonds for years. By the time the State gets around to using them, they need another bond for the same thing because the costs have gone up.
Bonds used to be individually listed. If something was close to your heart, you voted yes. Now it's broken down into categories. Since that started, I vote No. There are things I'd like to see get done but then I have to vote for a lot of things I don't like and deem unnecessary.
Yes, I ramble on. What I'd like to know, no one can answer. Where the hell is our money going??
I am happy to see that there is some info on Senior Rhode Islanders who are often burdened by the cost of medical care, prescriptions etc. I would like to see further analysis of that group which continues to get larger.
I agree, seniors and single people are not eligible for Medicaid if their income is over 18k a year. The problem with that is rent is 21k a year. If a single person earns minimum wage in RI which is about 24k a year, they don't qualify for Medicaid, but they will sell health care insurance for 2 dollars a month that doesn't cover their medications, and there is a 10% co-pay for every DR visit or procedure.
How I hate math!! I found a chart that was specific to R.I. I have a small pension (no COLA) and my Social Security. If I lived on my pension, I'd need a tent. If it was just S.S., I would be hanging by my toes. I thought I was doing well until I looked this chart. I looked at the expenses for my age (75). I don't know where this group's figure (expenses) come from but mine aren't even close.
It's far too expensive to live in R.I. I've been renting in the same place for 18 yrs. but it's reasonable. I pay my electric, gas, and phone/internet. Break down the utilities and look at all the taxes, surcharges, and fees. Our gas tax is one of the highest in the country. I rarely drive anymore but years ago I had to work in Braintree and drive it every day. Car insurance - ridiculously high. It doesn't matter how old you are, you're going to get slammed. I've been driving since I was 17, never had a claim, an accident, or a ticket yet I've never paid less than $1800 a yr. I have no credit card debt, my car is 17 yrs. old that I bought new and paid cash for. I keep it in tip-top shape. If I bring it for an oil change, people offer to buy it. To add an insult to injury, we are taxed on pensions and Social Security. I don't mind the pension but Social Security was a tax to start with so now we pay taxes on taxed money and, of course, RI wants its "fair share". For what, I don't know.
We have an election on 11/5/24. Once again, the State wants millions in bonds. The interest on them is over half of the cost of the bond. We have voted Yes on bonds for years. By the time the State gets around to using them, they need another bond for the same thing because the costs have gone up.
Bonds used to be individually listed. If something was close to your heart, you voted yes. Now it's broken down into categories. Since that started, I vote No. There are things I'd like to see get done but then I have to vote for a lot of things I don't like and deem unnecessary.
Yes, I ramble on. What I'd like to know, no one can answer. Where the hell is our money going??
Great work! Thanks for reporting on it. Let's hope it is taken seriously and is used to inform policy.
excellent coverage as always
I am happy to see that there is some info on Senior Rhode Islanders who are often burdened by the cost of medical care, prescriptions etc. I would like to see further analysis of that group which continues to get larger.
I agree, seniors and single people are not eligible for Medicaid if their income is over 18k a year. The problem with that is rent is 21k a year. If a single person earns minimum wage in RI which is about 24k a year, they don't qualify for Medicaid, but they will sell health care insurance for 2 dollars a month that doesn't cover their medications, and there is a 10% co-pay for every DR visit or procedure.