SSI is weird like that. They barely give you enough to live on, but if you save over a certain amount, they decide you must not need benefits anymore and yank the rug out from under you. I know there's that problem of potential "gaming the system" but really, if someone is saving up $10 here and there for a year and can finally afford to replace their broken TV or whatever, that doesn't mean they're swimming in cash and don't need their benefits... it just means they managed to scrounge up enough fun money to finally get something nice for themselves.

We live paycheck to paycheck, and I'm in the process of filing for temporary benefits (temporarily unable to work) and for a while my partner's hours were cut at work, but they recently restored them so it's not so tight financially anymore.

Yeah, they watch me very closely, too because I must appear guilty. When you first get your money there is often a lump of it because it is retroactive to when you applied. So, I had to use the "excess" money before the next month, I already had credit card debt, so I used it for that. They demanded all the info, I had to show that I spent it that way - I was required to give them the credit card account info & a receipt proving I spent it there & didn't just withdraw it & sit on it. Well, the person also demanded I empty my wallet to prove what cash I had on hand. I know now that this is illegal, but at the time I didn't & was afraid, so I hope she had fun seeing the 56 cents in pennies I had, the nasty bully. I should say I know others who receive different types of aid, SSI included and none of them get "harassed" like I do. Problem is, I cannot afford to rock the boat because I have to have the medical aid I receive and complaining in the past has caused retaliation, so I try to stay under the radar.

Unfortunately, too many people run up credit card debt, get all the stuff they want, then go the bankruptcy or write-off route. It seems many don't bother to sacrifice and save, but instead get whatever they want right away on credit. If you don't look at it as actually spending your money, sure you're going to get in trouble.

The nice thing about credit for me is that I have been able to get interest free payment plans so I could get stuff such as some furniture. All I do is pay the specified amount each month & I am fine. Credit cards are great, but I think a lot of people have no intention on paying it off. I doubt I could get by without them, but I also don't run up debt without a care.

I used too but things have happened and I have none