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Thank you for taking the time to respond. Yes, it is very different now. I don't think I have lived alone and although my husband and I did not see eye to eye very often, I knew he was here if I needed him. I did take my taxes in to be done, but they did not mention a death certificate. I will call them and ask if they will need that. As far as finances go, I did manage to close out his checking account and got the balance of the money that was still in there. I will have some left over after I pay the funeral home. But I have not heard anything from social security about whether I will get his as he made more than I did or what I will actually get. He had a very small pension (like 135 a month) from a place that he worked at before I knew him but he didnt last long there. But like you said, every little bit helps. I went to my cable company and spoke to them about lowering the cable bill. He was paying 300 a month. I seldom watch tv so I am going to try and get a lower rate. They gave me a number to call today. I just got off the phone with the cable company but they could only lower my bill 35.00 a month. What a racket. But they did discontinue my husband's mobile phone and it will save me 56.00 a month. Actually, I don't have anything worth pawning. Did it take you long to get rid of your husband's clothes, etc.? Everytime I walk into his room to do it, I can't. I just turn around and walk back out. My plans are to clean the room and make it into a guest room, but I just can't seem to get started. Well, it has only been two weeks and I need to give myself some time. As you said, it will get better. Thanks again for reaching out. Take care. We will get through this.
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Hi Denise,
It sounds like you are doing pretty good at managing things. That's great! You might want to call Social Security instead of waiting for them to contact you. A lot more people are in this country now so they may not have the time to contact you. Be prepared to be on hold for at least an hour! But it's worth it to get things going. It will take a couple months before you actually get a check. Also it may not be the full amount that your husband was getting. Mine wasn't. It was almost the full amount but a little less than what my husband had been getting. They always tell you that you'll get the same amount or they imply it. I thought that too. But you don't.
Your cable company doesn't sound very caring. $35 isn't much! Can you go to another cable company? If you are a new customer, they often give you a really good price.
You might also want to call Medicare about health insurance. I did and got Humana Gold Plus Medicare insurance. I pay no premium and most of my prescriptions are free or very low cost.
When I mentioned the Pawn shop they buy things besides letting people pawn things. What about selling your wedding rings? I'm going to do that. Partly because I can use the money but also I live 15 miles north of Seattle where crime is really high. Some of the bad people drift up here every so often. That is not the environment you want to wear a diamond ring in! The pawn shop buys other things too like frying pans, kitchen appliances, tools etc. It all depends on your local pawn shop. It might be a good idea to give them a call.
It took me about three months to get rid of my husband's clothes and other things. I understand your being reluctant to start that. Just give yourself some time.
You are right. We'll get through this. I'll say a prayer for you.
PML