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Budgeting for Older Adults

Managing your budget can be hard, especially if you’re no longer working and on a fixed income. Get tips for better budgeting, including ideas for financial planning, earning extra income and using prepaid cards wisely.
Get tips for better budgeting, including ideas for financial planning, earning extra income and using prepaid cards wisely.

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Bills piling up? Not sure what to do? NCOA can help. Applying for assistance to pay for food, medicine, utilities, and more is easy. Learn more about our free, confidential tool.

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Millions of older adults miss out on money-saving benefits simply because they don't apply. Find out how BenefitsCheckUp makes it easy to see if you're eligible. Start today by browsing benefits in your area, answer a few questions to see if you qualify, and get help applying. 

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Find out how BenefitsCheckUp connects millions of older adults and people with disabilities with benefits programs that can help pay for health care, medicine, food, utilities, and more.

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A personal loan is a borrowing tool that can help older adults fund large expenses and manage debt. Learn how to decide if this loan option is right for you.

Jan 17, 2024

What Is a Personal Loan and How Does It Work?

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A closeup shot of a Social Security Administration sign on field office building.

Dec 11, 2023

SSI vs. SSDI: The Differences, Benefits, and How to Apply

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Worried about rising food costs? A finance calendar can help older adults budget for unexpected expenses and stretch their grocery dollars further.

Oct 30, 2023

What Is a Budget Calendar? And Why Should I Use One?

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If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, you’re subject to a periodic review of your eligibility status. This is called SSI redetermination.

Oct 13, 2023

SSI Redetermination: What It Is and How It Can Affect Your Benefits

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Your FICO score plays a big role in your financial borrowing power—and your financial health. See why this credit score still matters for older adults.

Oct 5, 2023

What Is a FICO Score? A Guide for Older Adults

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A corgi sits in front its food bowl, ready to eat. SNAP benefits only cover food for human household members and cannot be used to purchase pet food.

Aug 11, 2023

Can You Buy Pet Food with SNAP?

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Wondering how to save money grocery shopping? Smart habits can add up to significant savings with every trip to the store, including learning more about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Jul 17, 2023

Top Tips Older Adults Can Use to Save Money at the Grocery Store

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Read about low-income older adults who learned they qualify for financial help through local and government benefits programs. See if you’re eligible, too.

Mar 14, 2023

How One 68-Year-Old Found More Than $7,000 in Life-Changing Benefits

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A grocery budget calculator can give you a basic idea of how much you should be spending on groceries each week or month.

Jan 9, 2023

How to Create a Grocery Budget That Works for You

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Work credits help determine your eligibility for Social Security retirement benefits, disability benefits, and Medicare Part A. Learn more.

Dec 14, 2022

What Are Social Security Work Credits?

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Good money management sometimes means you have to spend less, especially if you’re on a tight budget. Maintain financial stability by saving more money with these 6 tips.

Sep 14, 2022

How Can I Save More Money? 6 Tips for Reducing Your Expenses

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New to online banking? The right knowledge can empower you to add it to your budgeting toolkit with confidence. Here’s what you need to know.

Sep 2, 2022

How Can I Budget My Money With Online Banking?

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Is a prepaid debit card for you? Learn about the types of cards available, how they work, and whether you should consider using one.

Sep 2, 2022

Should Older Adults Use Prepaid Debit Cards?

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Learn what you need to know about the envelope method of money budgeting and whether it’s right for you.

Aug 26, 2022

How to Use the Envelope Budget System: A Guide for Older Adults

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Managing credit card debt is key to financial security—yet many older adults can’t make ends meet without putting daily expenses on a charge card. While it can be challenging, it is possible to get credit card debt under control. These 5 key strategies can help.

Jul 29, 2022

Getting Help with Credit Card Debt: 5 Things Older Adults Should Know

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What does it mean to be on a fixed income? Seniors on a fixed income depend on largely on limited funds from Social Security, pensions, and/or savings to live.

Jul 18, 2022

What Does Living on a Fixed Income Mean?

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As America recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, food insecurity among low-income seniors remains high. Learn about some resources that can help.

Apr 18, 2022

Help to Gain Access to Healthy Food: Resources for Older Adults

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While food prices aren’t expected to go down, smart shopping and budgeting habits can help older adults save on groceries.

Apr 6, 2022

How Much Have Food Prices Gone Up, and How Can I Save?

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Use these five money management tips to help boost your income and savings.

Mar 22, 2021

Five Tips to Boost Your Income and Savings

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A Black, working senior woman stands with her arms crossed in front of a paint store.

Oct 19, 2020

Women: Put Yourself First in Planning for Financial Freedom in Retirement

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A line of wooden cubes with the word "Help" and pile of coins are staircased to signify how to boost your budget.

Jun 3, 2020

Beyond Food and Medicine: Other Ways to Boost Your Budget

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A senior woman is at home, sheltering in place and wearing a mask.

Apr 14, 2020

Tips for Homeowners Facing Hardship During the Pandemic

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A senior woman in bed is turning off her lamp, indicating that she's going to sleep.

Aug 30, 2018

Keeping the Lights On: Housing & Utility Benefits

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An older Hispanic couple, alongside their son, are looking at a computer, discussing their financial situation together.

Jul 20, 2018

Thinking About When You’ll Claim Social Security Benefits Is Time Well Spent

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A senior Hispanic man is using his credit card while making an online purchase.

Aug 3, 2016

Ready, Set, Bank™

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