Finance Insecurity

The money page (yes, we have one)

Practical notes on costs, scams, and stretching a check — written like a human, not a seminar. We will not ask you to manifest a surplus.

Ink drawing of a kitchen table with coffee and papers

Look at the numbers. Then go do something else. Both steps count.

My bank account is fasting: A spiritual journey for your checking account.

What this page is not. It is not the Social Security Administration, not advice about when to claim, and not a briefing on trust-fund dates. Official numbers live at ssa.gov. Here we talk about the gap between the check — and whatever else you piece together — and a real week.

Ask about your money questions

Use Grok or ChatGPT for quick ideas on debt, budgets, benefits, or everyday money decisions. This is not financial, legal, or tax advice. It can offer guidance so you know what to look up, what to ask a real person, and what to ignore.

Ask Grok Ask ChatGPT

Free accounts, with usage limits. The first visit takes a minute. After that you can ask right away. Double-check anything that sounds official before you act on it.

Cost of living, without the TED Talk

Review insurance once a year. Time the big purchases. Split gas. Use the discounts you actually remember exist. Then sit by the pool like a person who has done enough for one Tuesday.

Scam awareness

If a caller is urgent about your benefits, hang up. Call the number you already know. Scams love responsible people in a hurry. Being slightly rude on the phone is a skill. Practice it.

Today’s scam watch

Five current stories hitting people 55 and up. Each link opens in a new tab. We swap in newer ones when they land, and we always keep five.

Updated September 19, 2026

  1. Florida’s AG is going after spam calls, fake warrants, and AI voices

    Attorney General James Uthmeier floated a bill that would treat spoofed numbers, fake warrants by text, and undisclosed AI voices used to get money as communications fraud. Older Floridians are the education focus. Real courts do not text warrants. Hang up. Don’t pay. Report: 1-866-9NO-SCAM.

    Read the News4JAX story · Florida AG Scams at a Glance News4JAX · MyFloridaLegal · September 17, 2026

  2. FBI: elder-fraud complaints up 59% — Florida seniors near $710 million

    News4JAX walked the new FBI numbers: complaints jumped hard, national losses near $8 billion, and Florida seniors alone are around $710 million. The boring defense still works — hang up, look up the real number yourself, and never move money to “protect” it.

    Watch / read News4JAX · ReportFraud.ftc.gov News4JAX · September 16, 2026

  3. District phishing: logos + Gmail ≠ DistrictGov

    Fake emails still use District logos and ask for account updates from Gmail or other outside addresses. Real District mail ends in @districtgov.org only — never Gmail. Don’t click. Don’t open attachments. Call Customer Service at 352-753-4508.

    DistrictGov advisory DistrictGov · September 9, 2026

  4. Medicare Open Enrollment calls are already a flood

    Callers and texts push “confirm your Medicare number,” a “new gold/plastic card,” or free equipment. Medicare will not cold-call, text, or email asking you to confirm your Medicare number. Hang up. Report: 1-800-MEDICARE. OE still runs Oct. 15–Dec. 7 for 2027 coverage.

    Read the story · Medicare.gov Open Enrollment WMAR · Medicare.gov · September 2026

  5. Romance scams still drain fixed-income households

    Same playbook: build trust, invent an emergency, then ask for wires, gift cards, or crypto. The FTC rule is blunt — never send money or gifts to a sweetheart you have not met in person. Ask for live video. Tell one neighbor before you wire anything.

    FTC romance-scam guide · ReportFraud.ftc.gov FTC · evergreen / still active

Debt, in small print

Small, boring steps beat companies that promise a miracle for a fee. List what you owe. Pick a method. Tell one trusted person so it does not live only in your head.

Free downloads

What Counts as Earnings and Resources — what Social Security counts, and what it does not.

Social Security Earnings Limit Cheat Sheet (2026) — quick-reference numbers for 2026.

Useful links

7-Eleven Fuel Rewards — pump discounts if you already stop there.

BenefitsCheckUp — programs you may qualify for.

Medicare.gov — official plan info.

AARP — discounts, if you use them more than you pay for them.

Official earnings limits live at the Social Security Administration. We are the conversation after you close that tab.