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I can certainly understand the logic around having the practicalities to deal with certainly does help you to try to begin to pick up the threads, which at the time seems that you'll never be able to again, but of course you do.
We have sat down together just briefly, and although I don't like asking people questions about their finances because its not my business, but I just got her to tell me how much her pension is, and how much her husband's was. excepting state pension. then we went through what expenses every month you have no choice but to pay, and things that you pay that you could usefully get rid of. Also, things that you could quite easily, with help if you aren't an internet person, get cheaper, example check you're getting the best deal for utilities, change from water bills to a meter, things like that.
Also, as well what she hadn't taken into consideration was how much spread over a monthly basis a car actually costs you. She doesn't drive so the car, and all its expenses will be going. I think she's beginning to understand that with no mortgage to pay, your monthly bills don't have to be huge. Plus when you have a pretty good income coming in, you aren't always as frugal as you might be.
Between us, I think some of her anxieties have been alleviated, and the state pension will take care of itself.