Affordable Transportation for Seniors: Stop Making Car Payments!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 ก.ค. 2024
- When seniors transition from working to fixed incomes, they are often saddled with high car payments that they no longer can afford to make. In this video, Attorney Eric Olsen explains why low-income seniors should stop making car payments and consider affordable transportation options for seniors instead.
Time Stamps
0:00 Introduction to Attorney Eric Olsen and Affordable Transportation for Seniors
1:40 What seniors can do if their car payment is too high
3:00 Why it’s OK for seniors to stop making car payments and let the car be repossessed
5:07 Why stopping car payments is different for seniors on a fixed income than young workers
6:06 How to buy a car for cash
9:26 You could stop making car payments and keep it for a few months to save up to buy another car with cash
10:49 Other affordable transportation options for seniors
12:28 Affordable transportation options for seniors who have their driver’s license suspended
13:22 Seniors should realize they have the option to stop making car payments
14:18 How HELPS Non-profit Law Firm could help you with your financial issues
Attorney Eric Olsen, Executive Director of the HELPS Non-profit Law Firm, explains why seniors could stop making car payments if they are too high. The former bankruptcy attorney details why seniors can stop making high car payments, unlike younger workers, as their income is protected by federal law.
Olsen walks viewers through the repossession process, and what repo men are and aren't allowed to do. He even lays out how you could stop paying for a few months to help you save up enough to buy a cheaper car.
The lawyer lays out how to buy a used car for cash, which can also lower your car insurance bills. He details affordable transportation options for seniors including Uber, Lyft, and taxis. Taking a taxi to the grocery store may seem like a luxury, but it could save you hundreds of dollars a month over making regular car payments. By getting groceries delivered, seniors could save even more money.
Finally, the Founder of the HELPS Non-profit Law Firm describes how HELPS can help you at little or no cost, including keeping debt collectors at bay.
Jeff Hoyt is SeniorLiving.org’s Editor-in-Chief.
For more on why seniors shouldn't worry about old debts, watch • Why Seniors Shouldn't ...
For how to deal with debt collectors, watch • Why Seniors Shouldn’t ...
To learn how seniors can avoid paying taxes, watch • How Seniors can Avoid ...
To learn when Seniors should consider Bankruptcy, watch • Seniors and Bankruptcy
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To contact the HELPS Nonprofit Law Firm, call 1-855-435-7787 or visit helpsishere.org.
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u guys are super cool
Thank you!
I sold my old pickup and bought me an electric pedal assist tricycle. I live in a texas town of 50,000 and go every where on my trike. My farthest trip is 2.5 miles to walmart. By not having a car I save $250 a month in insurance and gasoline. If weather is bad most stores have a delivery service or in emergency I can call Uber or get my neighbor to give me a lift. In Texas you don't need a license to use a bike or trike on any street under 35 mph speed limit. My Trike will go 15mph , Some days I ride 10/15 miles and get good exercise for an 80 ur. old man. My only income is SSA and I always save at least $500 after all expense every month. MY SSA income is $2800 a month.
When I lived in KS I bought a 2002 Chevy Cavalier at the State of Kansas Surplus Center for $1100 almost a decade ago. . They sold older State vehicles, State furniture, electronics, ect. Most States surely have these places. Might be worth the search to find something to get you from A to B.
yeah, GovDeals
One could also hire a personal assistant for transportation only. They don't charge an outrageous fee and usually you can find a referral from a doctor or business associate. Seniors might feel safer.
I use Uber, Lyft, friends or family, I have been using Instacart since the Pandemic started and I will continue to use Instacart. I can't afford a car and I'm fine without one
@dew Bryant I get it! I love it! I never liked driving! I still have my license! I just don’t care if I ever drive!
@dew Bryant Me too,all that walking keeps me in shape and sometimes I use Instacart during bad weather.
I use Instacart from time to time but so expensive with many fees added to it. I use Walmart online because they accept EBT and delivery and I pay $12.94 a month for unlimited delivery. I also use Safeway online without Instacart which is much cheaper but don't accept EBT. Schwans accepts EBT but expensive. I have a 1989 Mazda MX6 that hasn't run for a couple of years because I can't afford to get it fixed and my license expired a couple of years ago plus tabs because I live only on $825 a month Social Security. If it wasn't for Section 8 I would be homeless. I do miss driving though. I am 70 and live alone and I do alright.
I can't afford not to drive. Car paid off. Uber to hospital 1 way is over $300
I can't afford price of Uber or Lyft with other necessities rising in costs.
We are following the advice of HELPS and it has relieved so much stress. Thank you HELPS
Both of you are such a relief to watch! Your channel just appeared today and so much valuable information is being discussed. Thank You!
So glad we could help!
You guys are awesome I can't thank you enough for all your information
Thanks for watching!
Thank you, Eric Olsen! Thank you, Jeff!
You are welcome. Please share the channel with your friends.
Thanks
Excellent information and some of the other possibilities I discuss with my senior clients may be of interest. A possible use of a reverse mortgage for the senior wanting to keep their mobility and have having a dependable car is the following:
1- pay off their car balance with a reverse mortgage line of credit. This will instantly free them of any monthly car payments! Also, there is no payments required for the reverse mortgage line of credit that was used.
2- Buy a dependable used car and pay for it in total ! This will not need making monthly payments! Again, the line of crest from the reverse mortgage can assist with this transaction!
3- if driving is no longer an option or practical, use the available money from a line of credit from a reverse mortgage to pay for safe and comfortable transportation through using UBer / Lift - they have nicer and larger vehicles to accommodate your walker, etc.
Thanks for the contribution!
If you live in an area that offers bus service, you should call them and ask if they have any discounts or programs for seniors. The city I live in has a door to door service for seniors and disabled. Call a day before and make an appointment and they will pick you up at your door and bring you anywhere in the city for $5 ($10 round trip). If it's to a doctor's office or hospital, it's only $2.50 ($5 round trip).
Good idea. Thanks for sharing.
I need to drive 90-100 miles round trip to get to services I need as I live in a rural area and if my old car goes down, UBER and LIFT, etc. charge ridiculous amounts of money to get here. There are very few services out here and I'm 76 and getting worried. I have no one here to help me. I have a house, but I can't afford to fix it and I have no kids to help either. I'm doing the vest I can, but if my car breaks down, I'm basically screwed.
Call HELPS and we would be happy to go over your situation. Eric HELPS
Getting me a mopad and my friends help me with heavy stuff
This is very encouraging. Both of my cars are paid for I bought a Honda Accord 2007 for very little and 3 years later,it's working nicely with reasonably low mileage. No liability no collision insurance? maybe I should watch this again. I'm paying all of those things with my insurance carrier. Should I discuss that with them because of age? I love these videos
You should make sure that you can replace your car if it is totaled because you are self-insured.
@@marietaylor5174 I'm confused. What other kind of insurance is there? I've always been self-insured.
@@gabby7882 Liability, collision and comprehensive. If your car isn't worth a whole lot just carrying Liability which is what the state requires as a minimum will save a lot of money. Eric HELPS
@@gabby7882 You can't legally be self-insured. You had better hope that nobody ever finds out.
I have a Toyota Corolla 2002 and it's going awesome yet I have someone I know that works on it but there's nothing wrong he says it'll go keep it for another 3 years or so then maybe think about something else. But I always think I need a different car and I don't yet
There’s also senior transportation in most city’s through senior government services. That are usually free, or at low cost.
Not everywhere.
@@geneanuts yes your right. Not everywhere and the key is do you you have the money to do so, and not live in poverty.
Not in Virginia
Not here
Ours has only a few specific stores on a route.
AMEN
AMEN
AMEN
8/12/22...Even paid off older car COSTA MONEY 💰. 1ST you must have INSURANCE. Then you must pay AD VALOREM TAX each year to county/state. Then you have MAINTAINANCE b/c of oil changes/tires/other car problems.
Sure but it's one whole lot less than making payments on a car where you also have to pay for collision insurance.
You aren't even mentioning the added costs of gas, repairs, maybe parking (fees/tickets).
Really good point!
HELPS is wonderful!
Thank you for saying so. Please share the channel with your friends.
What is HELPS?
Thank God i have 4 payments left
What about any money you have saved in your bank can they take that
Most seniors are apt to make their payments so why can't car dealerships give some one on a fixed income a lower payment
I don’t know if this is something you can help me with or not. My vehicle was bought just for me because I’m in a wheelchair and the payment is really to high but I need it for the wheelchair lift and I need it. I have MS and hypoparathyroid disease. My payments are up to date but I need it. My husband bought it before he passed so I would have something that would handle my speciality chair. What can I do?
Contact the HELPS Nonprofit Law Firm, call 1-855-435-7787
I don't qualify for Medicare transportation and want to know why,?
Insurance is cancelled in my state if they report the payment is delinquent so driving the car when behind in payments is not a good option.
Never heard of this before and it makes no sense. You are talking about payment on the car? Of course insurance will be canceled if car insurance is not paid. Eric HELPS
Seniors are often ripped off by repair shops. So unless you know how to repair a car be prepared to spend tons of money.
I guess I disagree. As the video explains reliable transportation can often be found for smaller amounts of money. Buying a car from an owner who represents the car as "runs good" means expensive repairs are less likely. And if the repairs were too much then they don't need to made. If you had a car that you purchased for a $1000 you wouldn't put $2000 into repairs. Also if you purchased a less expensive car for cash and let a $400 car payment go away that amounts to$4800 savings per year plus the extra insurance for collision and comprehensive you would no longer need to pay. There are dishonest persons everywhere including auto repair shops. But I believe the vast majority are honest and ethical. One would want to look at reviews and get recommendations first. Eric HELPS
Compare even Dealer But awareness that car maintenance is not a choice...
Yes there are shops that will try to take advantage of seniors. Was at a FIrestone and a couple (elder senors) were going over what thier mechanics had found to be their "issues". They were telling the couple that if they didn't get this done, the problem would get worse. They also went over a list of other things that they said the car needed. They appeared to be into their 70's - 80's. Well, the CEO of the family, The WIfe said: Take my car down and bring it out front. We won't be spending that much. We will drive it until it can't drive any longer. Then she told her husband that they would wait until someone could go with them to another mechanic. They drove off. This same shop overcharged me twice. Never went back. Found someone else. They didn't overcharge me, however after a few fairly priced repairs, they threw the whammy on me and charged me close to $3.000.00 for something that was never completed to my satisfaction. The issue intensified, took it back to them and they presented a new list of things that cost close to $3,000.00. They are always nice when selling you on repairs. Bring something back that is still under warranty and they will find other problems; so they won't have to fix their previous repairs for free. By now they have an attitude.
@@HELPSNonprofitLawFirm There are many Curbstoners representing themselves as Private Sellers. Typically they don't want you to have their vehicles checked out, because they could have some issues. Some private sellers (who tell you to bring your mechanic) are more than likely hiding issues. If they won't allow you to have the car checked out by an independent mechanic, then walk away. Make it clear before you see the car. No Mechanic Inspection = No Deal. Always opt to pay for Mechanic Inspections. If you pay 50-100 for an inspection, its worth it either way. If the car checks out, your investment was worth it. If the car doesn't check out, your inspection cost just saved you thousands in repairs.
repossession wont take place until about 3 to 6 mos.
....I do exactly that...My car is paid for. It's older with miles but very reliable. The insurance is dirt cheap...That combined with having my house paid for means rock bottom living expenses...Cars can be money- pits.....
I’d like to know where you get dirt cheap insurance?
@@Paula-po9kx ....I consider $28/mo to be dirt cheap and that's Geico....There may be others even cheaper, but it's good enough for me....
Insurance is never cheap for people with poor/bad driving records! They earn their expensive payments because of their irresponsible behaviors behind the wheel! Everyone else CAN find great deals! Going through Progressive is another one to call!
@@LonskiBig thank for responding. Yes, that is cheap and I will be checking into this company.
@@sheilasmith1109 thank you, I will be checking into them.
If you buy a car for cash, you have to have money yo pay for car repairs. I have been w/o a car for going on 3 years. It was an adventure at first but now I am really isolated & feeling pretty useless. Grateful for grocery trips but very isolated socially.
You also need money for insurance, which can be very expensive. Thanks for watching our videos.
There are towns that don't Uber, taxies, buses, or any other transportation. No family. One either walks a mile to grocery store (not smart if older and it is very hot or very cold) or has to own a car. I once saw a man riding a lawnmower down the street.
Whether you live in a big city or small town, it's wonderful to have friends who can help you out in a pinch.
@@sallyjb6209 Unfortunately mine is 16 miles from any transportation. Such as buses. Doubt there is Uber. Maybe taxies. Without a car I couldn't even get there. Lol
That's my situation
@@SeniorLivingOrg That is a sweet idea. But I'm not from around here, as they say, and have tried to make friends to no avail. One woman called me a halfback. I was born in the Midwest and grew up in Florida so when I moved here, I am only halfway back. I made one friend in 20 years. She was from NY and couldn't make friends either. She soon moved away. In my homestate and FL I had many friends so I don't think it is me persaye.
I'm 70 & use ebike for most transport
What annual income qualifies a senior as "low income"?
There's no one figure, as there are lots of different factors, including where you live.
So can they place a lien on your home if you can't pay that credit card balance ?❓😊
Yes but various reason that may mean nothing including the state where you live and how the home is held Eric HELPS
What if the car you bought had the miles rolled back on the odometer. I bought one for cash. From a used car dealer. I ask for a car fax but he would not give me one. Now I've had it for 5 months. I got the car fax, and the miles did not match. It was rolled back over 200,000 miles. I want my money back. 😢 isn't that a felony?
I'm not a lawyer, but it sounds criminal to me. You may want to contact a local attorney or a news station.
Where do you get a moving vehicle for $1-2K?
He told you - Craigslist of FB Marketplace.
😆😆🤣😆😂🤨
I got a 1990 240 Volvo for $1,500 Found a Volvo mechanic who takes cash or check ! I pay $48 a month insurance ! It is a basic economical car w nothing fancy I use just for local needs ! No car payments. The newer electronic cars have expensive parts & repairs. I order parts off eBay when needed ! At times I use Uber & often there’s transportation available for seniors in their County!
@@HBDuncan1 👏🏾
As the video states Craigslist or Facebook marketplace, owner only, runs good. It is true that decent cars in this price range are more available in certain parts of the country more than in others. For example, probably because of more seniors a lot of great old cars for sale in Florida. Maybe not so much in other areas. Eric HELPS
Is SSI safe too?
Yes SSI and SSDI are protected.
There are no Taxi's anymore
Get a Chevy lumina or buick lesabre. Very cheap and low maintenance. I had a 2000 buick. $750. New battery in two years.
I don't think you probably have used the transportation your recommend and I have what a nightmare my car is so lmportant to me though it not new I do struggle with repairs
This is Eric Olsen. I drive a 2001 Ford 1/2 ton short bed to and from work every day. It has over 260,000 miles on it. I understand the problems seniors go through to find reliable transportation. And my heart goes out to lower-income seniors with transportation problems. That is exactly why we did this video. Listen to it again I believe there may be an answer there for you. I notice some good comments with some ideas also. Eric HELPS
What if you total wreck your car and a debt collector comes after you can they make you pay
You are talking about a car lender where there was no insurance or a balance owed. This and other videos from Senior Living explain how Social Security and pensions are protected by federal law. This income can't be taken to pay debt you might owe even if you are sued. Eric HELPS
What about the question ❓, I asked if you owe back child support,S, S, take it to your benefits payment.. please let me know okay thanks again..
Social Security can be garnished up to 60% for past due child support. A person could contact support enforcement and possibly they would agree to a lesser payment. Eric HELPS
Do you have advice about life insurance? Thanks
This is Eric from HELPS. Great question that needs to be answered. I will suggest to Jeff that we do a video on this topic. Seniors often don't need the life insurance they have for a lot of different reasons. But a little too much to address in a reply here. Eric HELPS
I HAVE A LEASE DOES THIS APPLY?
Absolutely. You don't have to keep making the lease payment. Your Social Security and other retirement income is protected. Eric HELPS
Where do you find a decent apartment rental for $600 a month?
🤣
Many lower-income seniors can get on section 8 and pay far less. Then it depends where you live otherwise. Rents vary drastically throughout the country. Kind of off-topic but it is important that lower-income seniors find housing within their budget. It is possible. Senior Living and HELPS will be doing a video on this shortly that should answer a lot of these questions. Eric HELPS
Ours is $650. And it's in a middle class part of out town.
@@HELPSNonprofitLawFirm I'm paying 1460 in Florida im stressed how to get li housing ???rents keep creeping higher and higher
@@cherizeaustin0816 That's Florida, a dense-population state. Of course the rents are going to be high. States with low population density have generally lower rents. Go online and search rents in different states and towns.
I have not driven in almost 10yrs. My license were suspended how can l get my license back Alphonse white client.
Contact the HELPS Nonprofit Law Firm, call 1-855-435-7787
There’s Senior Citizen rides and buses
Indeed, and Lyft and Uber.
Do you help with credit cards. My friend is 83.
What sort of help does your friend need?
Is it wise to believe that credit repay companies saying they have lawyers to fight for you, for they are getting the interest and fees taken away from the balance you agreed to with up to 47% of the debt is what you owe, so they make smaller payments for you till it is paid off, for an affordable monthly payment you sent to the credit repair company. Mine is Freedom Debt
Some counties have senior transportation.
Yes, my county has that, but the hours are very restrictive. If you need a ride after 3 PM, you are out of luck. I am a driver but cannot afford a car.
I let my car go back i turned it in. They are still trying to get me to pay.
Contact the HELPS Nonprofit Law Firm, call 1-855-435-7787
My 87 yr old ex mother in law bought a lemon that they never would fix, doesn't run now she's still paying on it still
Contact the HELPS Nonprofit Law Firm, call 1-855-435-7787
She probably doesn't need to do that. Eric HELPS
But can’t they put a lien on your home?
Senior Living has a video on this channel on seniors lawsuits and judgments that discusses this issue. Eric HELPS
Repossession means a negative mark against your credit record.
There are trade-offs. Keep the home or let the car go back- you can't afford both. Macaroni and Cheese seven nights a week or a decent diet. Having $1500 in income and a $400 car payment with $100 in car insurance and $750 rent. Enjoy living on $250 @ month? No one is forced to let a car go back. These are decisions individuals can make. The point is they don't have to keep a car they can't afford. Eric HELPS
Need help if you can.
can they take our stimulus checks
The last stimulus was protected. Laws have not been passed on a future stimulus.
but I only have four payments left. but my ss is 850 and my car payment 555 (sheesh)
How are you living on $300 a month?
@@deedeeotero4475 its not easy, thanks to the church pantry at least we have food
@@deniseaulin7439 ok but you said your income is $850 - $555, that leaves you $300.
Your food is covered but what’s about utilities & rent?
@@deedeeotero4475 I dont have a mortgage and I get help with utilitys from the local charity
In the city I take the bus
@dew Bryant We take the bus too. It's really not that bad, once you get the hang of it & our bus passes are only $9.00 a month for seniors, so we are saving a lot of money ,not having a car. No insurance, no gas, no oil, no car repairs or tires to buy, or any car payments!! Plus we get the added benefit of some exercise that you would not be getting going to & from the bus stops, which is also good for our health!
We have a bus in my town, but the routes and times are severely restricted. The best time of year is when school is in session, and then only during the week; in the summer and during school holidays, forget it.
Not safe to ride a bus in my large town.
Now they make u pay for it anyway.even if they resale it.
As the video explains Social Security and retirement income is protected can't be taken.
This includes any balance owed after a car is repossessed. Eric HELP)S
Well they can try. After they got the vehicle, there is nothing left they can do. Maybe send you a few letters to hound you, but all you have to do is ignore them. Just don't pay! As Eric said, your income is protected, so they can't get any more from you.
I know this for a fact as I've already been through it.
We even called up the bank & they wouldn't work with us, they wanted the full balance of the vehicle, & then sent a letter saying we had to pay it (the balance of $9000 ,after the auction), because they said it was deficiency balance. So we never paid them & haven't heard anything from them since!
Different rules different states???
Contact the HELPS Nonprofit Law Firm, call 1-855-435-7787
Always, however transportation costs and how to handle that debt is generally universal between the states. HELPS
Gentleman anyone can do deferred payments until turning it back. This helps you to get a couple of hundred dollars saved up.
Another piece of advice look up Nesara and Gesara as seniors money worries will soon be over.
God bless all!
Don't forget about $$$ GAS
he does nothimg to get a sr to a better place
But your credit is shot too.
Senior Living has a newer video addressing credit and seniors that discusses why for many lower-income seniors credit isn't necessary like it may have been in the past. I encourage people worried about credit to listen to that video. Eric HELPS
BEWARE...
NOBODY SHOULD BE STUPID OR BE ALLOWED TO DO STUPID STUFF.
Use Uber
Often not available in smaller cities.
Not available in my economically depressed town.
just say crap shot on cars-- the car u own is the car u know
This attorneys firms phone number doesn't exist been disconnected or unavailable
Here is the number it works 1-855-435-7787
Of course our number is good 855 HELPS-US or in numbers 855 435 7787
they really should have prepared for that BEFORE retirement, if they did it because they wanted to and did it by choice and on purpose.....AND EDITED FOR THE JUDGY ONES OUT THERE... I have been living off my projected retirement income for over a year in order to prepare for it... and no debts besides mortgage, and I got a refi just before quitting my job.
Cheapobunny I hope you know that not all seniors are blessed with good health for years before they retire or they become disabled. I know someone disabled at 58 and from then on his health was downhill, almost 4 years in a nursing home and then he passed. So not all are so fortunate. You have been blessed.
Your attitude stinks
and everyone shouldn't get a neuromuscular disease that ruined their life at age 50. what an ass you are, criticizing others when you have no idea about their persona situation.
@@benton-benton I am not criticizing anyone.. I guess I need to justify my statement with clarification... Going into retirement, IF YOU ARE HEALTHY AND IF YOU DID IT ON YOUR OWN TERMS. Geez yall need to get a life and stop being so judgy...
@@patriciagriffith7402 my attitude has nothing to do with it... my thoughts were along the lines of anyone that went into retirement ON PURPOSE and by CHOICE.
A $1,000.00 dollar car, get real !!!!!!
Absolutely or even less. I am real and don't make things up. And plenty of personal experience helping kids, grandkids, cousins, nephews, workers, employees, etc for many years. Obviously, more money gets a better car and you have to be patient and careful. But private owners will not as a very good rule advertise a car as "runs good" when it doesn't whereas a car dealer sells used cars "as is." You have to listen to the entire video. Craigslist or Facebook marketplace, owner only, runs good. It is true that decent cars in this price range are more available in certain parts of the country more than in others. For example, probably because of more seniors a lot of great old cars for sale in Florida. Maybe not so much in other areas. Eric HELPS
7:33 You can generally rely on a private seller's word?? What planet are you from bro? 😅
We always get our used cars checked out by an independent mechanic. but others don't always have that opportunity.
Ok who would you trust more a used car salesman who is selling a car "as is" or a private party who represents they have owned the car and that it runs good? If you don't know the answer to that good luck Eric HELPS
This is stupid. If you have any money in the bank, they'll sue you and take it!
As the video shows, some money can't be taken from a senior's bank account. It's protected.
Lol
Discussion ???
HOW CAN YOU TAKE A CAR ?
IT IS QUITE WRONG.
STOP LIEING, LIER.
I WOULD NOT ...
THERE IS NO WAY.
PAY FOR THE VEHICLE, ✔️