The key ingredient for success is to share with someone you actually know and trust.

Sharing is a “senior season” idea that needs to receive thoughtful consideration for seniors who like living on Reality Street.  The big picture is to create a lifestyle that allows for maximum independence for as long as possible.  The key ingredient for success is to share with someone you actually know and trust.

Transportation is an ongoing need for seniors, but lots of seniors find our lovely, low mileage well maintained cars in the garage 95% of the time.  Finding a way to share the car and all the expenses associated with driving is a great idea and one that is working for seniors living in close proximity to one another.

Take the example of Mary and June who are neighbors again in an independent senior living apartment home community in a Twin Cities suburb.  They grew up and went to school together in the same neighborhood as children so these women have a head start on the “let’s get acquainted” process.  Car sharing conversations are on the way to becoming reality for these neighbors.

Insurance coverage is the major financial consideration for peer to peer car sharing agreements.  A frank open conversation with a reputable insurance broker is a good place to start.

Food consumption is another area where peer to peer sharing can take on many faces.  Memberships at Sam’s and Costco are commonplace, but the portions of fresh food are generally too large for one person.  Buying with the idea of sharing the food and splitting the cost is a great idea for seniors.  This is also true for fresh, partially prepared meals that are big sellers at great prices, available at each of these local buying clubs.

Let’s not forget, Second Harvest options that are also a great place to conceive sharing ideas that save money and build friendship connections in senior apartment home communities.

Saving money where we can and managing resources is how we need to be thinking on “Reality Street”.