Ask The Readers: How do I survive just on Social Security in this tough economy?

Dear Readers,

What are your tips for getting by on Social Security? I cannot work anymore and am struggling to get by.

– Retired & Frugal in Florida

Dear Retired & Frugal,

Ask The Readers is your regular chance to grab the mic and give advice to other readers in our community. Each piece of advice we share comes from a different thoughtful reader. 

Did you miss giving your advice for this question? Scroll to the bottom to give your answer to the next one.

I texted your question to thousands of women across America, and the responses flooded in. Hundreds of women shared that they, too, are struggling to get by on a fixed income. Some women shared recipes for how to stretch their grocery budget. Others shared resources and websites to get more support. Know this, Retired and Frugal, you’re not alone. 

Here are my favorite bits of advice from women across the country who are going through exactly what you’re going through:

Double-check your check.

“That’s a tough spot, and you’re not alone in it. Stretching Social Security in Florida is doable, but it usually comes down to making sure you’re getting every benefit you’ve earned. Make sure your check is right. You can run it through benefitscheckup.org. It’s free, from the National Council on Aging, and it flags programs most retirees miss. If your income is very low, ask Social Security about SSI. It’s separate from retirement, and some people qualify for both. I am familiar with having to survive on a low income and searching out every possible avenue that can help! I hope this helps you”

“Living on Social Security alone can be extremely difficult, especially with the cost of rent, groceries, utilities, and everything else going up. My biggest tip is to ask your Social Security office or a local benefits counselor to review your situation because sometimes there are programs people don’t know they qualify for.”

Apply for any other public resources you qualify for.

“Don’t be too proud to accept any help you qualify for. Call Florida’s 211 line to see if you can get on food stamps to help with grocery costs. Your taxes helped many, it may just be your turn now. Good luck!”

“I’m not aware of the help Florida has to offer, but my state allows SSI recipients to receive food stamps. They usually have programs to help you with firewood, Gas for heat, or electricity. And they give you enough help to last a while. You should check it out. It’s not fair when a person works so hard all their life just to get Social Security and end up below the poverty line.“

Stretch your dollar with smart grocery shopping and cooking.

“It’s hard because right now, a dollar just doesn’t go very far. When you’re living on a limited or fixed income, you really see how quickly your money disappears. My father taught me that even if you can’t buy luxury items, you can still eat well. So this is what I do: Buy a whole chicken, some potatoes, beets, carrots, and onions. Put everything in one of those big roasting pans with a lid and let it cook in the oven. Make a pot of rice. It’s an inexpensive way to get yourself full.”

“My husband passed away three years ago. My son and I had to move two hours away from where we lived to find something we could afford. Just like you, I’m finding it difficult to pay the electric and the water bills. Food is also a difficult situation. We cannot afford fresh fruits and vegetables, so here is what I do: Plan for the week ahead and buy one protein, then stretch it. I’ll get 3 pounds of ground beef, store-brand hamburger and hot dog rolls, a box of beef-flavored Rice-A-Roni, a jar of store-brand spaghetti sauce, and a jar of brown gravy. One night we have burgers. Next, I put a little of the beef into the Rice-A-Roni. Next, I make small meatballs with the spaghetti sauce over generic pasta. Each one makes two days’ worth of meals for two people. The next week I switch to chicken breast, cut in half so one breast feeds two, and do the same three ways. A pork tenderloin runs four or five dollars and works too. I buy whatever protein is on sale. I do not find this to be the healthiest, but with tight finances, this will get you by. Please know that I know how hard this is for you, and you’re not the only one, there’s so many of us in the same situation.“

“I am living on $553/mo SSDI. My apartment is Section 8 housing, so I only have to pay 30% of my income for rent. I get SNAP, which helps a lot with food. I have to be smart about what groceries I get. I buy the big bag of generic Lucky Charms cereal and eat it dry. It’s satisfying and goes a long way. I buy cans of seasoned beans and refried beans for my protein. I buy NIDO powdered milk, it’s just as good as fresh whole milk but lasts longer. I buy frozen veggies. Your preferred seasonings are important to making anything taste good, but a little more expensive. Hope that helps.”

You’re not alone, and you’re not doing anything wrong if you are struggling to get by on your monthly Social Security check. Gas prices have gone up over 30% in 2026, and we’ve felt it at the pump and at the register buying groceries that came to our town on a diesel-fueled truck. When it costs more money to transport stuff, everything gets more expensive. But your monthly checks have stayed the same. No wonder it’s hard! 

I hope that this advice from other readers gives you hope. We’re rooting for you and sending you strength in this tough economy.

Love, 

Grace and the Readers