Cost of Living in the Bay Area
Emergencies: Everyone’s nightmare
I don’t like crying wolf or those who do. Yet here I am. For us the struggle is a little more long term, but the next six months are crucial. The cost of living has outpaced our income for years now and has eaten what savings we did have. It doesn’t help that we live in California. I have nothing against living here other than the cost, and we’ve at least started our kids off with the same disadvantage.
There are a handful of states, if that many, that cost more to live in. Gas was $4.39/gal last week for instance. This really is February 24, 2026 and gas in California is still well over $4/gal. Don’t worry though, that high-speed rail system will save the day for sure.
The point is, we are not prepared for a major emergency. I don’t mean health. I mean fiscal issues. The roof needs repair. I can’t get up on a ladder again – yet, and we can’t afford a roofer – yet. If we had a cushion, we would have options. That cushion is now gone.
I wonder how many in our position just say the heck with this, move to a neighboring state, buy a larger home for half the price and an RV to visit the kids in. Sounds like a plan right? Neither Donna nor I would last ten minutes that far from the kids and the grands.
As I said, the next six months will tell the tale. We get a couple of boosts coming in the form of disability rate increases, with some retro pay coming too. Nothing spectacular but that will get us over the immediate hump. Then with the monthly increase, we can slowly get caught up and ahead of the game.
The struggle to stay ahead can be hard, even overwhelming. For instance, this time last year, we had no assurances that my Disability claim would pass muster. We were several hundred dollars a month below break even, and there was no light at the end… That’s why I ramped up the efforts to sell – anything.
For those planning or entering retirement, with only SSA, VA, or whatever fixed income, you simply must be strict with yourself. Work out the budget plan and stick to it faithfully, so that if/when you get to this point, you’re already disciplined to be frugal. We’ve held our own, more or less. There are some creditors who are never going to be happy with the current state of affairs. We’ve been up front with them. They’re tolerating the delays.
When you live this close to the edge, you also have to remember that emergencies do not wait for a convenient moment, so building even a tiny cushion matters more than it ever did while you were working. That might mean cutting non‑essentials, selling a few things, or picking up a bit of side income now, while you can, so that future emergencies don’t immediately push you into crisis mode.
It also means talking honestly with family, setting expectations, and accepting that pride sometimes has to take a back seat to survival. In retirement, peace of mind comes less from having “enough” and more from knowing you have a plan, even for emergencies, and the backbone to follow it.
The best possible solution for EVERYONE, but for younger people especially: start saving now, save into something proven and solid that earns at a steady rate. Be smart now, or be forever frugal later.
PS: I’m not seeking sympathy. We chose this path willingly. And…we’ll be fine, in six months.
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