How are people making it?

[DenaliDemocrat]

I am lucky. I have a good job, no really a very good job with good benefits and a pretty decent salary. I have three kids so my wife stays at home to defray daycare costs, plus the kids love it.

The past 18 months I have seen my disposable income, uh...disposed of, by gas prices, higher grocery bills, increased insurance premiums, and utility bills.

At the end of the month we used to have some fun money to go out to dinner, maybe the movies, take a fishing trip..........whatever.

Now, I am finding it tougher and tougher to make ends meet. Still, I am managing. However, like I said, I am lucky. I have a good paying job with good benefits.

How are other people doing this? I look at myself ten years ago, and I KNOW I could not make it today on what I was living on back then. HOw are people who make minimum wage doing it? How about those who have entry-level positions? I mean, seriously, go to college or learn a trade for a few years to take a job that qualifies you for food stamps???

I am wondering where is the outrage. I am pretty outraged, but I guess a full stomach and a roof over my head tempers me a little. Where are the people screaming in the streets? Is everyone just living on credit cards and pretending they have money that they do not? Seems the only plausible answer to me, because otherwise, I think there would be riots by now.

[Catherine Vincent]

1. I'm single and make a pretty decent salary but I'm always broke.

:-)

[texpatriot2004]

2. I am barely breathing financially. Here's the thread I started last

night.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5088463

[texpatriot2004]

3. And I have a college degree too. n.t

[lildreamer316]

159. Hey texpat...

is it possible for you to go get a cash job? Bartending is easy, fun, and profitable; and usually guaranteed to not be replacable. Once you have done it you can always do it,anywhere, anytime. Research proves also that despite the lack of disposable income, people will ALWAYS go to bars to drink. Even if they can't afford it. It is a plus that YOU don't drink also; one less thing your boss has to worry about (A.L.E. laws and such).Give it some consideration...it is a skill that is always valuable, believe it or not. And CONSISTANT. I just talked to my best friend and she is bartending 3 days a week and making it fine; she is a single mother also.

[itzamirakul]

181. College degrees have little meaning today unless you are teaching

school or university. IN NYC, there have always been those with Ph.Ds who are homeless. Seriously, guys with degrees in engineering have been found in the shelters-unable to find work. Some years ago, I watched one of my neighbors go from a well-paid position in publishing onto a downward spiral of less-well-paid publishing jobs until he was eventually evicted from this building. A degree or even a well-paying job is no guarantee that you will have it next week or next year. Things change,businesses close, owners sell out and landlords don't give a shit that you are having a run of bad luck. They just take you to court and bounce your ass out onto the street.I have never heard of a company that holds a mortgage on your house have a heart because you lost your job. Sometimes the field in which one has a degree or even an advanced degree is simply gutted...a situation which will soon take place with the number of people going into law these days.

Bartending is not really a viable career choice either, because that field is also glutted, as is make-up, hair dressing, fashion, acting, restaurant owners/chefs (always room for $5/hour dishwashers though.)

If you think it is bad now, just wait a couple of years and that financial noose around your neck is going to tighten even more. And I don't just blame the Repubs for this condition. I think that just as many corrupt Dem sobs helped this financial spiderweb engulf us. Everyone of them just about, sold out to corporate interests and now even the ones who WANT to help us out are at a loss of just how to do so. Damn those who sold us out!

On edit:
My post is so damned negative I had to come back with SOMETHING positive or at least a suggestion. Again, I think it is time to find as many like-minded people as possible in your neighborhood and start to make a stand in the streets. This government doens't seem to recognize our problems unless we pull a Cindy Sheehan on them.

Anyway, all bs aside, try selling stuff on ebay or craigs list while you are at home. Some people do quite well with this.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

144. Dupe

[bj2110]

170. I have a great job, great salary, no kids, & a wife who works, but...

I'm in debt up to my eyeballs, I have a mortgage that is 50% higher than it should be, and my rather large check is gone almost before it's deposited. Yes, some of this was a result of being young and careless, but I felt like I got sucked into the debt long before I could pay for it, and I've been struggling to come out of it.... Oh, what financial freedom would feel like....

[Matariki]

4. good points you make. i wonder that too.

[grannylib]

5. If it were not for a small sum I received after my Dad's death, which we

have had to tap into due to my husband's near-fatal illness, we would not be making it at all. The "raise" I am projected to get this year will not cover the rising cost of my insurance, so it's not much of a raise at all. And I am much better off than many who work where I do; many are making much less.
We have had to rely on some county assistance and I am sure we will again: we had no insurance when Hubby got sick, and we did get some fuel assistance last year (hope we can again, with the projected rise in heating costs for this winter)
But we do have a lot for which to be grateful, mainly the fact that he survived and we have a home and family and are not starving on the streets, so I feel guilty even bitching about it...

[The Whiskey Priest]

6. The people are toe-dancing on a razor blade

And it isn’t fun.

[bonito]

7. Loosing ground , but still sucking air

and a lot of hope, for as long as I breathe.

[Ruffhowse]

8. I'm employed at half the salary I was a few years ago, and the

only way we make it is my wife works. We have one kid grown and out of the house and one who is a high school senior. We used to have plenty of money left over for extras each month, but now we are tapped out after paying all the bills. If this keeps going, we are in big trouble. Gonna have to sell the house. Income goes down, bills go up, and I'm caught in the middle. I'm really afraid for my retirement years, if I ever can retire. Gonna have to get used to dog food sandwiches I guess. Life in Bush's America.

[fight4my3sons]

9. barely making it with three babies at home. n/t

[w8liftinglady]

18. I feel for you-here's a hug and hope it gets easier for you

[Ksec]

10. Im poor

I used to have decent money but was laid up with a chronic hip and back nerve injury. Lost my ability to hold a job so I went on Disability, now I make about 800 dollars a month and no health insurance but a 500 dollar spendown medicare . Its like I have to pay 500 before my coverage kicks in . Luckily my wife works. She doesnt make much either. Needless to say my finances are a wreck.

[shockingelk]

11. "Borrow" $ from

... the parental units.

My brother's college education was 10x the cost of mine, so I figure I've got some more coming. :o

Also that General Assistance paid a $13K uninsured hospital bill helped this year. Thank-you fellow taxpayers.

[rosesaylavee]

12. I work with people in our community who are in the lower

income or euphemistically referred to as 'limited' income bracket. They are NOT making it - no where close. And this before the big credit card hit coming down the pike and the huge utility bills this winter.

I see riots in our future if people are not given a break and I mean right now not next month. The Rove/Cheney/Libby etc. indictments are a pleasant diversion right now. But come December, January - I predict that the 'little people' will be squeezed so tight that there will be many not able to heat their homes and many will die from exposure - possibly next door. You'd be surprised who I see come in - many people that try to 'pass' for middle class but who in reality are free falling financially.

Thanks for those tax cuts, Schmoes. They are really trickling down now to the little people.:grr:

[ultraist]

80. Riots? Could happen. 5 million people have fallen into poverty under Bush

Just last year, another 1 million fell into poverty. 37 MILLION people live in our poverty in our country. Despicable. Those good "Christians" need to read their Bibles! There is a lot about poverty in the Bible and the duty to help the "least of us."

[elehhhhna]

130. Most won't die from exposure. They'll die from the following more often:

Fire
Carbon Monoxide poisoning

Space heaters and ovens are dangerous. Expect to see more than usual of the above this winter. Not to mention defective furnaces--people will skip the annual inspection/cleaning when money's tight.
People will also sleep in cars w/ engine running to keep warm, A VERY DANGEROUS idea.


Please everybody: buy a carbon-monox.detector for home & USE IT.

[noahmijo]

13. I'm 24 still live with parents

I graduated with a BS in MIS from the Univ of Arizona over a year ago. Been looking for a steady job since.

[rosesaylavee]

14. I am kicking this and nominating this

because I think it hits closer to home than the indictments right and it is more important. What is really happening in our lives outside this virtual community? And what can we do about it?

[Seansky]

15. I volunteer in several organizations that work w/underpriviledge (ugly

term) families, mostly in healthcare. The there is 47 million people without insurance today...Families making less than 35K with 3 kids are living at poverty level. The pay part of one bill today, jugle a couple other for a couple of months, pay part of those two months late, and so on. Priorities are rent and utilities, next transportation (cross your finger they don't have to drive for a living) and finally is food. Healthcare and enterteinment are a luxury. And clothes, hmms, kids growing so fast. Clothes are only when they are really needed.

How many families you know that live like this? Well, it reminds me of how my life was in a third world country...here, in the US there are so many that they make an entire country by themselves, in the way they are treated/ignored/left alone and so on.

It is sad, but few have enough energy to help, few care enough to join forces, and the parents are too, too tired to even care about their kids' homework today, much less their future education so they can learn a trade for a few years to take a job that qualifies you for food stamps...

[w8liftinglady]

20. There is no section 8 housing in Tarrant county,Texas

Fort worth/Arlington area...has a waiting list of over 1500 people,who are now living in shelters.

[youthere]

16. I hear you...I wonder the same thing myself...

We're pretty fortunate, my husband pulls a very good salary, and I make a decent amount off of my part time job, plus we are pretty self-sufficient (raise most of our own veggies, fruit and meat). We were sitting pretty good and had some disposable income but not lately. Our spending habits haven't changed (in that we aren't going out more often, or making additional frivolous purchases) but yet there is less and less money come payday. We save a substantial amount from our income, and don't have much debt beyond our mortgage but just the living costs (gas groceries utilities etc..) are taking a larger bite out of our income. I spend the same amount at the grocery store every two weeks and bring home less and less. So we stopped eating out as often. We stopped going to movies. We stopped making runs to the store on a whim.We didn't take a vacation this year. I've been making whatever I can instead of buying it at the grocery store (bread, noodles etc). We could reduce the amount we put into savings but that would only hurt us in the long run, so we'll have to continue to tighten the belt as much as possible before resorting to that. We have some friends that are feeling the pinch as much as we are and they've been living off their credit cards-even using them to buy groceries-that's a financial disaster waiting to happen. I don't know how other folks are doing it, but that's how we're managing for the time being. I guess it all depends on how willing you are to adapt your standard of living-but some folks have cut their standard of living to the bare bones..to the point where it isn't really even living anymore-just barely surviving.

[DenaliDemocrat]

24. This is about what I expected

I figured I could not be alone here. It makes me very angry and very sad. Here we have people with education and training that qualifies them for jobs that in the past provided a nice living, getting down to bare bones.

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that people with skills should be treated better, rather, I am saying that I sacrificed many years so that I would not have to sacrifice later in life.

I don't know about you, but I did not attend college for six years to not be able to not afford to take my wife out to dinner on Saturday night.

Funny, if you listen to the right wingers, it is only the guys who chose to drop out of high school and drink Night Train and smoke dope who are in dire financial straits. Obviously not the case.

[youthere]

34. No, you aren't alone...

I feel the same way you do. My husband and I both have graduate degrees, and we didn't work that hard, or spend that much on our education to struggle like we are now. We waited to have kids so that we could provide a nice home for them, and now here we are trying to stretch every penny. Just the increase in our health insurance premiums have been enough to create a financial strain.
I guess I still feel fortunate though. Heaven knows there are plenty out there that simply AREN'T making it right now, and with the increase in heating costs this year a lot of folks are going to be pushed past the breaking point.
I feel sad and angry as well, and I will readily admit that, at least to a degree, part of it comes from feeling frustrated about my own situation. I feel a lot of helplessness and worry about what the immediate future holds not just for our family, but for all of us. How bad are things going to get?

[w8liftinglady]

17. I've cut all the extras out

I still have 2 kids at home.No more movies,extra trips to the store.Buying clothes on sale.Using tons of coupons.Shuffling bills around.
I'm a nurse,and used to get by fine on my income,but between gas and utility prices,and my health insurance premiums almost doubling..I don't have any extra now.

[sniffa]

19. get used to peanut butter

[petgoat]

60. Peanut butter? That stuff's expensive! n/t

[purji]

111. i've been calling the last couple of years

the ramen and hot dog days.

[bicentennial_baby]

117. ....

x(

:hug:

[abbeyco]

21. My unemployed sister moved in with me

She can't make it on unemployment on her own, so I'm lucky I can help her out. However, we've cut back on the grocery bill and are prepared to crank down another few notches on the heat, just layer up and hope for a sunny winter.

It's a bitch and I do, really do feel for folks that are in a worse state than us. I've added $5 monthly to my gas/electric utility bill to help out the lower income folks - it's a nice way to give back. I just hope things don't get worse, but I don't see them getting better any time soon.

[Horse with no Name]

142. That extra $5? Keep it and donate it yourself

I know MANY people who have asked the electric company for assistance on their electric bills only to be told they didn't qualify, when indeed they should have.
You are just helping a corporation to keep more money.
I think they use that money as a cushion so that it pays the interest on their money when folks are late with their bills.
So unless you personally know someone who has been helped, I'd take the money and donate it to a better cause than the electric company.

[abbeyco]

172. Good thought....

Maybe it'll go to Meals on Wheels since their funding has been cut to nothing.

I just can't not contribute...it's how I was raised.

[BeHereNow]

22. It's gonna get worse

and then it will get worse.

I really don't know how people are making it or
how they are going to make it when the credit card
laws and bankruptcy law really hit the fan because yes-
many people ARE living on credit cards and money they don't
have and will never be able to pay back.

I am thankful that we have no debt other than
a mortgage. We most certainly don't eat as well as
we used to, what with the price of food, and we
don't have as much cash as we used to, but we are
okay compared to the majority of people in this country.

I have been "dirt poor" as the saying goes and
it is no fun at all, but I feel like I do know how to survive if
push comes to shove. I don't think the majority of people
do though and when people living on credit cards
hit the reality wall, I think it's going to get real scary real fast.

I think we are going to see the dust bowl days real soon.

BHN

[AbbyR]

182. Speaking of advanced degrees

I have a master's, a full time and then some job, and I will be going to a job fair this afternoon to see if I can get some part time work at McDonald's.
I also intend to fill out an application to work somewhere for Christmas - I MUST pay off the bills before the interest kills me.
I used to have money. I used to be able to go out and do things. No more. I stay home.
This winter, I'm in the market for long johns and wool socks so we can keep the heat WAY down.

[TexasLady]

23. Seven of us at home

3 of us working. Oldest son has fiancee here with us. I wonder how many people are in our shoes where the adults in a family all pitch in to make the bills. Two teenaged girls in school, who really want to work but Id rather they concentrate on school. Besides that, a pt time job working at Pizza hut isnt really worth the gas for them to work anyway.

So me, husband and son all work to pay the bills. We arent starving! And luckily mine and my husband's job both use the computer, so internet is a necessity for us.

We live in a tiny house, but its home! And amazingly, we all get along.

[grasswire]

150. just out of curiosity...

...how many square feet do you have for this family of seven? I'm real interested in how extended families are living together and making it work. Let's say that a home has three bedrooms, and a family has three adult women and two teenagers not the same sex. How the heck does anyone get privacy? Or is that just a thing of the past?

[Giant Robot]

25. I have a masters and the best thing I can say about my job

is that at least its in my field and at least I have health insurance. Otherwise, my wife, who's a retail manager makes about as much as I do. Actually more than I do to be honest.

We both fell victim to the evil credit cards, separately, when we were younger, and now have been working our asses off in credit counseling to pay those bastards off. So in about a year we will be debt free. Our credit is shit, but at least our income will be our own.

I complain a lot, and I know I have it better off than many people, since we are two healthy individuals with health insurance. But we are truly struggling, both under the weight of debt and our normal bills. It is enough to keep me up at nights. It's like we are always looking forward to the next paycheck. OK the next paycheck things will get better. OK the next paycheck we can pay this bill. OK the next paycheck we will be able to pay your mother back. And so it goes. My car usually has a 1/4 of a tank of gas in it because I can't afford to put any more in it than that. And I'm dreading the utility bills coming this winter; oh yeah, we live in Northern Michigan. I am too tired to do 2 jobs any more. I can't do it. The extra money was good...but I called the store manager of my second job(who's my best friend) crying because I just couldn't make it in that night or any more. And my wife has had a similar experience with her second job. We have screwed up, and we're trying to make things better or right or whatever, but it isn't getting any better! When will this get better? Please someone tell me because I really feel like I am struggling with this.

[phusion]

79. Welcome to DU...

:hi:

Thanks for sharing your experience with us...I don't know when all of this will get better. It seems to be a constant struggle to keep your head above water. Sometimes I wonder if it was meant to be this way? This difficult...Isn't there a different way to live?

Anyway--keep the faith and know that we're all in this together. :grouphug:

[The Doctor.]

26. "Pretty decent salary"

That there is the problem.

As for the riots... you don't have to wait more than a couple of years for those.

[Epiphany4z]

27. we are hanging in by thread

We sent one of our 5 heathens off to college this year he got some great student aid but it still took a nice bit our of butts.

[newscott]

28. Let's just say

I picked a really bad year to buy a car that I actually have to make payments on. (First time in 10 years)

The gas prices went up and my car payment was cutting it close anyway.

My credit is now maxed. It's not much really but I've been down that road before and will not get more credit cards even though I could "qualify" for them.

We never go out.

A big dinner out now would McDonalds or Burger King. That's the sad truth.

[gulfcoastliberal]

29. I'm 29 and live off (but not with!) my parents. Have a bachelors degree.

But it's rather worthless. Just secured an $11000 sally mae career training loan. Gonna be an electric lineman. Since we're never going to go off fossil fuels, might as well make a living off it. They can't work on the grid from Bombay. Then I'll be one of those $50,000 per year gazillionaires! :silly:

[B Calm]

30. The working class turmoil is simmering. A judgment day will come....

[Giant Robot]

31. I'm struggling enough I don't know how much more I can wait

I'm sorry I'm feeling very negative about this tonight. But it keeps getting worse and worse, and I'm tired of it. It's 3 days after payday and already I'm doing the "well we just need to make it to the next paycheck" bullshit. I'm tired of it. I have played by the rules set out to me almost all of my life. Where is the fairness? Where is the relief?

[B Calm]

32. Now more than ever we need to preach to our co workers that

the republican party are cheap labor CONServatives. We need to point out to them that the republicans like keeping working class people wages low and to keep us in a position to work cheap or starve. This is why they hate unions. The republicans know when labor sticks together, wages goes up. That's why workers unionize, because they don't like being over a barrel!

[youthere]

39. Hey Giant Robot..,.

We ALL feel it.

:hug:

[area51]

40. relief

I don't know for sure where the relief is, but I hope it's ahead of us. :hug:

[Giant Robot]

42. *sniff*

Thanks guys. I appreciate the support.

[AZBlue]

152. Giant Robot, I feel your pain too if that helps any?

:hug:


Have an ok job but I work on commission and sales are down. Have health insurance and all my co-pays went up in May. Bills are all up. Have to borrow money from my parents sometimes even though they really aren't in a good position themselves. Gas is up. Have reached the ceiling of what I'll earn because I don't have a degree but I can't afford to finish it (only have one year left!). My rent is going up $81/month. I live from paycheck to paycheck, juggle bills, and my paycheck is completely spent before it even hits my checking account.

I do try to remain positive because I know I still have it much better than many people do, both here in the US and abroad. Still, every day I'm worried about finances, some days more than others. I would like to spend one day where I feel secure. I wonder what that feels like. :shrug:

[tjdee]

176. Same here--just got paid, got no money.

And it's not like we're going out for extravagant lobster dinners and buying Versace and Louis Vuitton.

[Giant Robot]

183. Buying a burger is an extravagent meal

for us these days. And not that we could afford it, but we would have no clue where to get Versace things here. Which is probably good because I might be tempted to throw rocks at people going in there.

[Talismom]

122. Yep!

"Doncha know, thinking about a revolution sounds peaceful"...

[Hello_Kitty]

33. Think about how many businesses depend on

People having "fun money", as you say. Restaurants, movie theaters, shops, amusement parks, personal services, etc. Many low wage people's jobs depend upon other people having disposable income.

And same here - I've got a decent job with great benefits, plus a part-time job for extra cash. 10 years ago I was making about 1/3 what I make now. I could for sure not afford housing.

[sendero]

103. No kidding..

... there is a restaurant here that we traditionally visit on my birthday, which is next month. It is (not Dallas expensive) kind of expensive but the family really enjoys it.

Last weekend we wanted to go somewhere special, we've been skrimping for a while, aand that restaurant was requested by the kids.

Now normally, you'd need a reservation at the very least a week ahead to get in this place on a weekend. Wifey said "don't bother, they aren't going to have an opening".

But on a hunch, I decided to call anyway. Table for 5 in an hour.

Businesses are hurting already. Everyone in the media is trying to act like this is not happening, but our economy is struggling and struggling hard.

Trust me, it is going to get a lot worse. Please folks, save whatever you can. Do not incur any more debt right now. Who knows how low the bottom of this thing really is?

[MountainLaurel]

143. Interesting that you say that

I live in Washington, DC, and it's been obvious since August that people in my neighborhood are just not going out in the evenings. Normally on a weeknight, on-street parking next to our apartment starts to get tight around 9 pm, and by 10:30 we have to park up the hill about 1/2 mile away. Since gasoline prices started rising, those times have moved back more than two hours. A dog-park friend was complaining that she can't find parking after 7:30.

In a locale where restaurants, gallaries, theaters, etc., are a major contributor to the economy, it's troubling indeed.

[Missy Vixen]

174. Absolutely

>Businesses are hurting already. Everyone in the media is trying to act like this is not happening, but our economy is struggling and struggling hard.<

Business is down all over. Anyone who doesn't think so is either working in a bankruptcy lawyer's office or kidding themselves. I own a shop that caters to crafters. At this time last year, I had been open 4 months, but I was easily paying my rent. (It's a big deal to be able to pay one's rent out of the business earnings the first year.) This year, it's not going well. The quilting shop across the hall was coining money three months ago; it's gotten eerily quiet. DH went to lunch at a burger place yesterday that's usually so crowded one can't find a parking space at lunchtime. He said that there were few cars and NO wait.

I agree with your assessment -- if people have the ability to save, they should do so, and do whatever they can to not incur more debt. DH makes a good income, but I'm scared shitless as well over what I'm seeing on the news and in our community. I love my little store, but I've already told DH that if sales don't pick up, I'd rather close while I still had a shirt and find something to do to bring even a small second income to our house...

Julie

[AZBlue]

153. I'm a perfect example - I work in sales in the entertainment industry

and have had to start looking for a new job because sales are down and the future looks bleak...

[haydukelives]

35. Still doing ok

My wife has good job,(R.N.)and I'm going to nursing school. Money is real tight, but I have a 401 if we need it. Been thinking of taking all the money out and pay off credit cards. I'm afraid of a crash.

[holboz]

115. Please do not take $ from 401k to pay credit cards!

Seriously, DO NOT do it unless the proverbial wall has fallen on top of you or you're over the age of 59.

I had a friend do this. If you take out a loan then you have to pay taxes on that money.as well as a 10% penalty. If you're in a real pinch and you own your own home, a home equity loan is probably much better. That way you can deduct the interest on your taxes.

I know how you feel, though. My husband and I are working to pay off our irresponsible spending from our "roaring 20s" now.

:yoiks:

[Dave243]

36. We are as tight as we have ever been

I have sold off a few "luxury" items in the last 60 day to drum up a little extra dough. My kids went to the dentist yesterday and that hurt but what can you do. I need to put five deer in the freezer this year for sure. I gave away one deer last year to an unemployed friend.

[converted_democrat]

129. Welcome to DU Dave243!!

:hi:

[Coyote_Bandit]

37. I have become very frugal

10 years of college, 3 graduate degrees, 2 professional licenses. I am a single 40 something politically liberal female living in crazy red f*cking JOklahoma (and yes I want to leave).

In 19 months I have put less than 8000 miles on my car - and that includes at least 6 out of state trips to visit my aging parents. I dropped my gym membership and now go to the neighborhood park and walk. I maintain my own yard and do all minor household repairs. I mostly cook from scratch and I have become semi-vegetarian. I quit buying books, CDs, and videos. I no longer eat fast food. I do eat out maybe once a week. I tip less. I found a hair stylist that cuts and styles my hair for $15 - half of what my previous stylist charged. I have neglected a couple of collections I have and have not added to them. I grew some of my own vegetables this summer. I no longer go to church or support charities. I often shop for clothing and other household items at consignment and thrift stores. I shop online if I get free shipping in order to avoid paying the local sales tax that is now approaching 10 percent. I had my first garage sale - and I'm getting ready to start selling a few household items on eBay. I buy canned goods at a local canning factory outlet store. Same with baked goods. I don't go to movies. I don't rent videos or watch pay per view. I eat leftovers. The dogs go to the groomer less frequently. I use a computer monitor that is 7 years old, a printer that is 6 years old and an answering machine that is 10 years old. I don't buy software and I have learned to do my own hardware repairs. The temperature in the house was warm this summer and will be cool this winter. I quit drinking colas and now drink mostly tea, coffee and water. I don't go to the doctor or the optician or the dentist. I no longer call the pizza delivery guy. I don't buy bottled water. I raised the deductibles on all my insurance and dropped some of my coverages. I carry a credit card balance that I did not have 3 years ago. I shop at the dollar store for things like cleaning supplies. I drink less (and cheaper) alcohol. I can always tell you how much money is in my wallet - and I can account for how it is spent. I know where to find the cheapest gasoline in town. I don't go to the fair. Or shows or concerts. I rarely entertain. I use less detergent and fabric softener.

Generally speaking, I have found that I have cut my spending by cumulatively reducing lots of smaller expenditures. For example, by eating out only once a week instead of twice I have reduced my annual expenditures by $520 (assuming dinner, tip and transportation expenses total $10).

I am not a proud American. And, yes, I am angry.

[Giant Robot]

41. Its nice to know it can be done at least.

I am sorry for being extra whiney tonight. I guess I have been more upset and scared and depressed over finances than I have let myself ackowledge. Although I'm jealous because I only have 1 graduate degree and 1 professional license. And yes I am angry too.

[Coyote_Bandit]

51. You can whine for me

I'll even give you all my credentials. Of course, they do not appear to have any marketable value. I've been seriously considering burning them and going to dog grooming school.

[Giant Robot]

61. I'm too much of a nerd

I just like knowing things, and would love to get my PhD, but that will not happen. As you can tell, I don't have anything that the market will pay much for either. Silly me, wanting to do something outside the consideration of market forces.

[Sacajawea]

54. Dinner, tip and transportation for $10!

Here on Long Island (NY) you can barely buy a takeout pizza for $10!

[readmoreoften]

87. Barely? You can buy a takeout pizza for $10? Lucky.

I teach at a 'major private university in downtown Manhattan' (you do the math) and I opt to live in the city because I got a reasonable deal on an apartment (new york reasonable).

Drinks at the bars near me are $9-$12 a piece. Bastards. I have to sell my family heirlooms for pizza. It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't teach at one of the most expensive universities in the country and make less than $450 a week teaching two mandatory courses. And I'm one of the lucky ones. Three advanced graduate degrees: heh heh, I always said money never meant that much to me. Then Bush got elected and tested that theory.

Ack. I don't wanna think about it.

[Coyote_Bandit]

125. Eating out once a week

is a social event for a single person living alone. I would forego the expense if it were only about the food. Obviously, we forego the more expensive establishments. And we sometimes eat where the specials are - enchilada dinners are about $5 on Wednesdays. Lunch fajitas are $5.50. A full breakfast with omlet, home fries, two slices of toast and drink is $8.08 including tax. Spaghetti is about $6.00. Sometimes we make a meal off the appetizer menu. And a sandwich or burger can usually be had without spending a fortune. We forego cocktails, wine and beer from the resturant. Too expensive. Same is true of takeout pizza. We tend to dine in the area of town where we live - but I can drive anywhere in town using city streets in about 20 minutes (not true during rush hour however). So, yeah, you can manage dinner, tip and transportation for $10. But, no doubt about it, it is cheap food. Forget about shrimp, steak, cocktails or anything resembling gourmet.

[readmoreoften]

88. I live in a wonderful blue major city. But:

It costs me $7 to get 12 blocks in a cab to my girlfriend's place. I walk now, but how will I get there in the winter?

When my work colleagues want to go out, they go to 'reasonably priced restaurants' where meals are $15-18 an entree and alcohol is $10 a drink. It is considered 'gauche' to say: I can't pay that much. So I just decline these days.

I read books from the library, go to museums (and suffer the embarrassment of not being able to pay the entrance fee), but otherwise I cannot enjoy the fruits of living in 'the greatest city in the world.'

Last night my girlfriend and I went to see Good Night and Good Luck. For the two of us the tickets were $23.

Bush's cronies destroyed the labor relations between my union and my job, so I am still waiting on a check for two weeks of training that was supposed to be paid. Union officials told me that the check will probably never come.

Still, I consider myself one of the lucky ones. I try to remember that.

[linazelle]

38. I cannot count the people I've talked to who work more than one job

As I grocery shop, buy gas, and make my rounds I hear people at these places talking about their other jobs. It seems really hard to have to work two jobs, but then again I think of the hours I put in at my only job and I guess it would equal two--minus the travel time to and fro.

My income seems to be shrinking as well. I am trying to save more but each month it seems that the extra money I intend to save just disappears. I guess you could say I'm treading water--not going backwards or forward financially. I expect gas prices this winter will have me doing a back stroke.

[Cookie wookie]

43. I'm really lucky. have a good job

good salary and health benefits and an older but paid off economy car. So much better off than many. Still, my "play" money for clothes and home repairs (never really had play money as in recreation other than books occasionally) is going to fuel, food, raised property taxes, and the like. Need to buy a new front door and storm door to save on heat and could use some heavier drapes to hold in heat but probably can't get the latter.

This with a promotion and a raise this year.

Maybe this will get the attention of the American people. Strange circumstances around 9/11 didn't. Unwarranted lies to get into war didn't. Imprisonment, torture and killing of innocent people didn't. Maybe as they are freezing their rears off this winter they might get shocked out of their long stupid snooze long enough to get mad and help us do something to rid the cockroaches from the black night of our government.

[Nickster]

44. Getting creative. Call up your services and see what deals they have.

I decided to look at what bills I could cut back on. I was paying 50+ bucks a month just for a phone. I investigated Vonage, got the phone adaptor for free and cut my phone bill down to 27 bucks a month.

I still have satellite tv, at least for now. I paid my bills on time for years. Asked if they had any deals and got 20 bucks a month off for 6 months.

I have high speed internet, just about the only way I can get internet out here. The price is normally 50 bucks a month, I explained how DSL is in my area and only 14.95 a month. They immediately gave me my highspeed internet for 19.95 a month for 6 months.

Cancelled the two papers I used to get. Sent 15 bucks of that to DNC on a monthly sustaining membership. Just get the Sunday paper for the coupons now and try to maximize my buy one get one deals. Also started adding Aldi to my grocery rounds.

Called up the credit cards and got varying answers on rate reductions, one of them gave me a 10% reduction.

My main point is, you can shave some money off of your budget just by asking. It's worth the phone call.

[Kindigger]

45. $580 per month

in disability. This is too funny...I had a job delivering papers every Wednesday. It paid $54 per month. I have chronic pain syndrome from repetitive injuries (working my ass off since I was 12yr old). I limped around that paper route once a week for 6+ hours..$14.50 a week...how much is that an hour? Then it took me three days on the couch to recover, as much as I was going to recover.

My Dad told me a long time ago to knock it off, but I grew up with hard work, and never, ever quitting (the reason I am in the condition I am now). Mom wanted her car payment. I owe them $500 on my rust bucket. My Dad said screw the $500, they didn't need it that bad. Then Mom would make me feel guilty when I didn't pay her something a month. So I sold my food stamps to my neighbor to give her money.

I spent the summer eating day old bread, and tomato sandwiches. The tomatoes are done...time to go back to bread and butter. Sometimes I buy cheese.

I have a four year degree (graduated with a 3.985) and I feel like a useless piece of crap.

On edit: Guess I have issues.

[Kazak]

46. We're flat-lining...

If we scrimp and don't make any non-essential purchases, our checking account pretty much stays on a flat line from month to month. It's not exactly a glamorous way to live though, but we manage.

[skids]

47. Living entirely off savings.

I got a long head start on "coping" by:

Picking a practical college, choosing my friends wisely, not having kids, not even dating much, not taking expensive vacations, not buying a house when prices were so high, not picking up many expensive habits, and not buying anything I wanted unless there was a good reason. I knew better than to trust the culture of consumerism, even under Clinton, and stashed a lot away.

I did engage in a bit of less-than-discretionary spending -- enough so noone can really say I'm a total tightfist -- but I put away a good cushion for hard times. Which I now have (just over a year with no job despite great credidentials and references in telecommunications network administration.) Unfortunately my best guess is that I'll have to eat through savings before there is any decent recovery, and well into my retirement money (which by a quirk of luck I can take out of the alternative state plan; it isn't stuck in the system like with Social Security.)

My only regrets, other than seeing everyone around me suffer, is that when my savings were at their peak, interest rates were too low to bother investing thanks to the FED covering up for Republican bungling with those ridiculously low interest rates. That and on a more personal level at this rate I'll be in my 40's by the time I'm looking to start a family.

Sometimes I feel a bit guilty about being able to scoot by, but then I remind myself that I didn't have as much carefree fun during the boom. So I deserve it.

[DenaliDemocrat]

49. with all due respect

If you are cashing in your retirement savings to get by, you are not making it. You should be able to get by and still save for your retirement.

[Coyote_Bandit]

50. skids says he is unemployed

There are lots of us unemployed folks out here. And, yes, we have to use or savings and our retirement funds to survive.

[DenaliDemocrat]

55. and it is sickening that you have to do that

and it is not a good thing. I feel for you. My heart is heavy tonight.

[skids]

52. I'm not yet.

Still savings, haven't had to break the retirement piggybank yet. Not for a year or more.

No I don't consider myself to be "getting by." Never have, actually, even when gainfully employed. The way I figure it, as long as dishonest people I wouldn't hire to do my laundry are making six or more figures in executive positions, noone is "getting by." Money, and power, are still being transferred into the wrong hands. That's not progress.

[nadinbrzezinski]

48. Making it from check to check

lots of pasta, and all, and my hubby has a good job and all

I will depend on that disposable income for the small bidness to take off, so it is tought

[cynatnite]

62. Same here...

Not much income left to do any kind of disposing.

Hubby's out on the road and we are fortunate I don't have to work. It is tougher now than it was just a few years ago. We're slowly building the savings back after hubby was off with an injury for a year and a half. Thankfully, the retirement is still doing okay.

We do have a little stashed for the kids' college expenses, but it's not much. The middle is 15 so there isn't much time to do any serious savings for her. Just this year she started getting information on colleges that offer chorus scholerships and that's what she's aiming for.

Hopefully, there'll be a lot more when the youngest heads off in 12 years.

Tonight I found out we're going to be a little short on retirement if no adjustments are made. We'll fix that after the holidays.

We are better off than most. We can make the bills, have a roof over our head, put food on the table and clothe the kids plus save a little.

[nadinbrzezinski]

69. Yeah I mamage to put a little away every pay day

but still it is tuesday and I am already going, cannot wait till friday, so I can pay the credit card.

[B Calm]

53. I have had two employers file bankruptcy in my working career,

I have no pension, except my 401K. I have watched my 401K savings go down the toliet under the Bush Economic Disaster. The republicans want to do away with social security because they are anticipating millions of old desperate baby boomers to hire as cheap labor!

[B Calm]

97. 54 years old and it's time to go to my low paying job again..

my fingers are crossed that I'll win the powerball lotto tonight..

[NoSheep]

56. Alcohol.

[phusion]

81. lol!

you called it...

:toast:

[SammyWinstonJack]

118. Cheap alcohol at that. I wonder what the responses to this question

would be in FReeperville? Surely they aren't doing much better than the majority here? Oh but gays can't marry! :eyes: Morans! :spank:

[proud patriot]

57. Going Without

My husband and I no longer drink coffee .
It was costing 20 bucks when coffee creamer
and cocoa were purchased for a week . that's
a hundred bucks a month :wow: for coffee? No
I don't think so x(

always behind never caught up but
we pay what we can every month ,
so far the lights have stayed on
and the water still runs :shrug:

we Don't go out to dinner or movies .
T.V. and the internet is our luxury.

I make stuff from scratch baked goods etc.
Homemade soup and , bread .

Clothesline to dry clothes to keep electric
costs down .

I could go on but every month we twist
with contortions to stay afloat .

We don't do credit cards so at least we
aren't in the hole .

It's difficult every month.

[SheilaT]

58. I read all these stories

and I wonder exactly what's going on here?

It's scary how quickly most Americans can go from middle class to desperate or even homeless.

I'm interning as a paralegal for an attorney who does social security disability appeals cases, which means she only takes on those she feels are winnable. When I read through the client case files it's not only heartbreaking what most of them have been through, but I honestly cannot understand why more of them aren't living on the streets. For the most part they have nothing and no income.

We have a health care system that works best if you're never sick. We have an employment system that dumps people out of jobs at the drop of a hat, and a retirement system that takes workers' savings and throws them away.

Most people aren't living frivolously. Look at the stories just here of cutting back on every possible expense and spending only on the absolute necessities. Going to a movie or eating out once a month or even once a week shouldn't be considered a wanton luxury.

It shouldn't be impossible for someone with an MIS degree to get a job. Or someone with several professional degrees to be employed. It doesn't really seem as if anyone here has a sense of entitlement and wants something for nothing. Most people want to work -- even the ones at see at my attorney's office who honestly cannot work, who are truly too disabled to hold down any kind of job.

There's something very wrong here.

[leanin_green]

59. I live in the deep red state of Utah and. . .

in the southern part of the state that I live in I work for the state at the state college. I'm married with a partially disabled wife, have a morgage, car payment etc. To top things off, my wife is battling with Social Security in order to get disability. We've been doing that for two years now. So, no income yet from her. I gross a little over 20K a year salary at my college job, work as a sports official year round as a second job and clear around $3-4,000 a year there. I just filed chapter 7.

Let's face it, Republicans aren't good employers. Hell, even the state pays poverty wages. Got to love a Bush economy.

[MountainLaurel]

146. "Even the state pays poverty wages"

You said it. I had to leave the state where I grew up because I couldn't afford to work in the field I had gotten a bachelor's degree in. At that time (1994), the state college and university system was paying about $18,000/yr to editors and 15,000 to library paraprofessionals. Even with a low cost of living, I still would barely be able to afford housing on my own, and that's not even considering the student loan payments.

Now I have a master's degree, and I couldn't move back if I wanted to because of how the state classifies librarians.

[CoffeeCat]

63. I saw this coming a few years ago...

...and our family did everything we could to prepare.

In 2002, my husband and I sat down and had a discussion about finances and what life would be like under BushCo rule.

We understand that they hate the middle class and only care about corporations and their elite friends.

We dug our heels in. We read Dave Ramsey's "Financial Peace" book together and we paid off all credit card debt, medical bills, both cars and other miscellaneous debt.

We are only paying off my student loan and our mortgage. We re-fied to a 15 yr fixed mortgage and we're paying aggressively on the student loan--more than $1,000 per month.

I learned how to be a Coupon Queen and our grocery bill--for a family of 4 and a cat--is around $50 per week. I have so much grocery stockpile that we built an extra room and bought another freezer to store it all. I get tons of stuff free at the grocery store and I've taught friends and family to do this too.

I buy the kids (ages 4,5) clothes only from the clearance racks--and at the end of season.

We make a decent salary. We have good insurance. I consider us very lucky and I feel humbled that we are doing ok. I help out friends and others all of the time...by donating my grocery stockpile to local food banks and friends.

A woman in my child's playgroup came over last week--because she wanted me to teach her how to "coupon". She broke down and told me that they are financially in deep trouble. They have a $250,000 house, they make $80k, but their credit-card debt is eating them alive. They can't keep up. Between all of their other living expenses, bills, gas prices, 2 children, etc)--they are having difficulties making it. They did what many have done...they took vacations, brought furniture, purchased meals and spent tons of money on "things"--and they put it all on credit cards. Now, credit-card companies are calling in the loans and doubling payments while they raise interest rates.

Many, many people are completely screwed.

I almost feel as if BushCo set a trap for the middle class. They relaxed bank regulations and allowed people to finance HUGE interest-only, variable rate mortgages. Now those payments will begin to skyrocket. They allowed credit card companies to issue credit to anyone who had an address and borrow like there's no tomorrow. Now, the govt is forcing credit card companies to increase payments--sometimes doubling them! Also, bankruptcies are not an option. Combine all of this with gas and heating oil prices--and the middle class is in the eye of a perfect economic storm.

It really is frightening and those making $50-$100k will be suffering as well. Many of them fell into the credit-card, easy-financing traps and they will be hurting as well.

[BiggJawn]

64. I'm in deep shit.

I make just a beer's worth less that 40 kilobucks, and I'm in deep shit.

Credit cards got maxed out this summer while I was getting my teeth fixed, I've missed a payment on 3 of them, my truck payment is consistently 14 days late, my gas and phone are 2 months behind, my water and lights are always 30 days behind...The only things I can keep current are the rent, storage, car insurance, and medications...

Where does it all go? Higher fuel prices and "Higher prices reflecting higher transportation and production costs" on everything else.
No cable, no DSL, no Spendyerbux, no Netflix, no "active social life", no nuttin'. I'm glad i quit smoking 2 years ago, so that's an extra $120 a month to hand over to Big Oil...

Didn't go to the West Coast (of Michigan) this summer.

Last movie we say was "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", and that was on a matinee.

I used to "treat" myself to one lunch out a week. Now it's brownbag X 5.

Appliances with switching power supplies (the "always on" kind) get unplugged when they're not being used that's TV, VCR, sound system, wall warts, all that stuff. All light bulbs except for 3 are compact fluorescents.

Only 2 magazine subscriptions,(Rivendell Reader and Vintage Bicycle Quarterly) and those get read and re-read until they fall apart.

Windows have plastic over them, the bedrooms have styrofoam inner shutters, the door has new weatherstripping, the thermostat will be programmed for 50 days, 65 evenings and mornings, and 60 night.

What else can I do?

[jus_the_facts]

116. Then you see this shit...Cheney's stock options rose 3,281% last year.....

“Halliburton has already raked in more than $10 billion from the Bush-Cheney Administration for work in Iraq, and they were awarded some of the first Katrina contracts," Lautenberg said in a statement. "It is unseemly for the Vice President to continue to benefit from this company at the same time his Administration funnels billions of dollars to it. The Vice President should sever his financial ties to Halliburton once and for all.”


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1842415

[BiggJawn]

132. Wasn't he supposed to DIVEST himself of those Halliburton stocks?

Oh, yeah, that's right, "9-11 changed EVERYTHING" and it would seem that his sticky little conflict problem has been convienently FORGOTTEN...

[bluedawg12]

65. I'm wondering about the outrage from the working middle class

I am seeing industry close around here, jobs going to Mexico and China.

Both parents working trying to make ends meet,etc.

It used to be that folks worked the mills, workng middle class, good pay, good benefits, dignity and blur collar- working class pride.

Heard today on Lou Dobbs that IT -tech jobs are at a higher unmployment rate than the national average- tech jobs being out sourced.

@sshat Tommy Friedman taks about the joys of globalization and how when jobs leave here we all just have to get re-trained--sure then those jobs go.

Arlen Spector is in favor of selling J-2 visas for $500. and wants anothe 60,000 to come and take jobs- Judas iscariot, where is the outrage?

Some one tell me what it's going to take for people to wake up?

[BiggJawn]

67. What's it gonna take?

the death of THIS thing...


"Now, you kiddies be real quiet, and Mommy will turn on the glass tit so you can learn how miserable your lives will be if they're not crammed chock-a-block with all the glittery STUFF they advertise here!"

[bluedawg12]

70. Do you think Red states will vote against their economic interest

again, this time around and be swayed by the wedge issues?

Or is this feeling trickling down to Kansas and Georgia?

[BiggJawn]

73. I'm afraid we'll vote the "Three Gees" again...

"Gawd, Guns and Gays".

I got passed on the highway tonight by a couple in a clapped-out mini-van (is there any other kind?) who looked in worse fiscal shape than me.

And they had a "Bush/Cheney" sticker on the back of their Hoopdy.

Bet Rush told them they were gonna be RICH some day, just as soon as Ann Coulter started shooting Liberals in the street and keeping the cute ones for sex slaves...

[bluedawg12]

76. There are some who have drunk too deeply of the cool aide.

They are beyond hope and have always been beyond reason.

But the Independents are coming back to the light.

http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?ReportID=257

[AZBlue]

155. I see those stickers too! And I saw them during the '04 elections.

It's mind-boggling! They're holding their beat up cars and vans together with these bumper stickers for Bush. I swear I saw more Bush stickers on old cars last fall than I did on BMWs and Jaguars! If they only stopped for a moment to think this through....


:wtf:

[Theres-a]

102. Absof**kinglutely.

:mad: The ministry of information is lying to us all.War is peace,the economy is great,we've turned a corner in Iraq,Freedom is on the march,Terror,Bird flu,have I missed any? Disinformation,propaganda and outright bullshit.

[DemonFighterLives]

66. Sad to hear some of these stories

This terrible regime has made it worse for most of the population. Some are profiting exorbitantly while the other repukes just think they are getting somewhere.
My story is that I got lucky during the Clinton years and was able to save enough to buy a house for 35,000 which is now worth over 200,000 with no payments. Property taxes and insurance have gone up like mad since dubco took over. I sold my 69 Impala this year that I had for about 20 years. I loved it, but it fell from favor with a newer car and a new pickup last year. It didn't make me rich, but the 1,700 paid off a house fix up loan and some credit card debt.

Mom died last December and left some money. It was becoming sad to have to dip into Ma's money to keep afloat. That is when I realized that I was beginning to go back wards. Work has really picked up for me and the fellow who I sub for. I was able to put Ma's money back with a sale of a siding job. Last summer Mrs. Demonfighter had spasms in her chest and the overnight bill was nearly 10,000. It was just after the insurance that we had (MN care) was dropped. We were able to get it down to about 70% of the bill by paying it off (credit card). The bill is nearly paid now and only costs 2.9%, so it is not killing us.
We are attempting to keep the heat down assuming that this winters gas bill is going to be steep. The big shirts and blankies are within reach.

Dubby's Base should be happy now but I doubt it. Greedy pigs!
:argh:

[progressoid]

68. No health insurance as of 4 months ago.

Wife was "downsized" and our health ins went too. We haven't been to a movie in a long time. Almost never eat out. I haven't purchased any new clothes in over a year. Right now selling lots of stuff on Ebay to fill in the gaps, but I don't see us maintaining for much longer.

We're starting to run out of things to cut. I need internet connection for my business otherwise I would be at the library now using the computers there. I called the cable company to cancel service but they offered 6 months free if we stayed. So I guess I'll cancel that in January!

Mostly, I'm worried about the winter. Last year cost us about $750 for heat. We can't afford a 70% hike in fuel prices.

[bobbieinok]

71. scary to be grateful I'm 65+......doing ok on SS and pension

but I only feel secure b/c my dad (retired in 75, died in 95) never spent much, didn't upgrade to a new house, do much fixing up of the old house but left my mom a goodly amount; he was really scared he'd leave her with a financial burden......she was 82 when he died with a paid for house; she invested and left about the same amount to be split between 3 children........both parents were children of the depression and did not believe in 'consumerism' or 'materialism'

the 'blessing of having been born at the right time to healthy white parents who didn't earn a whole lot but who were able to send 3 kids to college (50s and 60s) and save a lot'

college: my brothers went to state schools and I went to Rice....when I attended Rice NO TUITION WAS CHARGED.......this is really hard to believe in the modern world......the charter said the school was to admit whites and charge no tuition........some years after I graduated the school went to court to break the charter......they SAID because the charter was racist; I always thought they really did it so they could charge tuition

[MarsThe Cat]

89. a lot of us will be depending on what our parents stashed away-

i don't have any idea what the next generation is going to do, however.

[bluedawg12]

72. Get off our backs!

Doing some research here on financial demographics and ran across this gem. The labor of the middle class our home purchases then drive up the market at the top and then up the @ss, again, in the middle.

Grrrrrrrrrrr...

http://www.rismedia.com/index.php/article/articlestatic/2271/1/1


High End Housing Market Update
The housing market is like a pyramid: a strong base of sales in the more affordable market stimulates sales up the price points, which subsequently affects the middle and high end markets. This activity, along with anticipated economic strengthening in 2003, will continue to support and increase confidence in the high end market.

........

Like the stuck-market--a Ponzi scheme.

[Warren DeMontague]

74. I like to be on the bottom sometimes

but good old fashioned missionary position still works, too.

(Sorry. I-- I-- saw the thread title and I just couldn't resist. I know, I'm a horrible, horrible example of humanity)

[bluedawg12]

75. LMAO! n/t

[Gronk Groks]

77. Multiple generations in the same house...

...everyone has a job. Everyone helps with the chores. Garage sale 2-3 times a year. Work overtime when it is available. Have catastrophic health insurance (kicks in after 5k deductible/individual or 10k deductible/family).

No credit cards. Under $40k left on the mortgage. Under $35k still owed on 3 vehicles.

Pray alot...can't afford to make waves...thinking about joining a political campaign, but it is a hell of a gamble with the family's future.

[MarsThe Cat]

78. just lucky i guess- i developed a chronically painful spinal condition...

and now i'm on permanent disability- unfortunately it went un/misdiagnosed for years, and i wasn't able to prepare for the inevitable.
my approx. $1200/month check is based on what i paid into the system over the years of my working life- i never really got a "career" going before i was struck down...ALSO- it turned out that one of my employers, a now non-existant construction company, NEVER paid into SocialSecurity for the 2-plus years that i worked there- and i only found out when the SS was figuring my numbers, and showed a void for the time i was there- and there were a lot of other people who worked there who probably won't find out about it until they reach retirement- it doesn't really matter when they find out tho- there's absolutely no recourse for recovering the funds- which were deducted from paychecks, but never passed on to uncle sam...fun, huh?
my wife has a job/career she enjoys- the pay is decent, and she can ride the train to work.
we also got a little lucky real estate-wise... just before my condition was discovered, we bought a two-flat that we intended to rehab/convert to single family- but we kept it as income property instead, and have been able to keep it rented- we also intend to sell it early next year, and hopefully cash out a considerable amount of equity we've accrued over 10 years.

[MarsThe Cat]

82. i should also add-

thatwe have NO children, and we are both in our mid-40's, we've been married 15 years this march, and i became disabled without warning at age 38.
in addition to the financials i've outlined, together we eventually stand to inhereit between 300,000 and 600,000, and probably a house or two.

I think that MANY in this generation will be surviving on the wealth accumulated, and still being mostly held by, the previous generation.

[phusion]

83. Amazing stories here...

A lot of them sound really familiar.

What's it gonna take? How soon before people are rioting in the streets?

K&R.

[WindRavenX]

84. im scared

Im 20K in debt with student loans (Im a junior in college), no job, and a CC bill of 400 because I can't pay for books.

what is going on :cry:

[Zinfandel]

85. Juggling, refusing to get sick, lots of carb's, ebay clothing & bicycling.

Now, about heating this winter, as they've announced their plans as reason for their gouging, in the whore media, for all of us to have plenty of time to accept...Well...stealing food to pay for the heat, looks very attractive!!!

We might even be able to scratch enough for a vacation to a Wal-Mart "Superstore" this spring.

Of course we're the lucky ones!

[Kindigger]

91. Steal food & vacation at Walmart

at the same time. I had a friend who'd get a lb. or two of chicken nuggets etc. at the deli. He'd eat them while shopping, and leave the bag on a shelf.

[friesianrider]

86. It's taking a toll on everyone...

I think your assumption about people pretending things aren't as bad as they are is true.

Just wait until they decide to lower the mortgage tax deductions from a $1M mortgage to a $350,000 mortgage.

[lovuian]

90. Was looking to coworkers who voted for Bush screaming about

inflation and not being able to keep up!!! Ya people are so strapped right now!!!

[earth mom]

92. I hear ya!

We were living close to the edge for several years. But a little over a year ago, my husband finally got a decent paying job and we thought that at last we could breathe and live! However, between my husbands new job being much further away-60 miles round trip-and gas going up as well as groceries and everything else skyrocketing, we now don't feel like we're ahead at all.

We cut corners by shopping at garage sales, thrift stores, and sometimes estate sales which I actually love doing since I'm into vintage decor and love getting cool stuff for a song. I also cut everyones hair, including my own and the dog! We don't have cable or satellite and don't get the newspaper delivered-only buy it as needed. Our dining out experience is a pizza every couple of weeks. We get all of our movie rentals at the library which has many new releases but the waiting list is so long that often it's months before we see those "new releases". In the past month or so my husband has started taking the bus part way to work which saves us about $30 to $35 a week. We usually have a nice sized vegetable garden but didn't have time to get it ready last summer. We haven't been on a "real" vacation in years-when we go away, it's usually just for a few days to the coast.

I don't mind doing without because I really don't like the corporate stranglehold hold over our lives or the ugly consumerism in this country which only serves to make people feel less than if they don't have the latest this or that! It is SO FREEING to not buy into it! I learned long ago that Money does not buy happiness nor does it buy the best things in life.

However, what I do mind is having to pinch pennies because gasoline has gone sky high or because the electric company decided to raise their rates! I mind that a new roof for the house is thousands and thousands of dollars and new tires are hundreds and hundreds of dollars! How are we to buy these "necessities" if we can't ever save a penny?! I am furious that I am at the mercy of corporations that feel that they can charge whatever they damn well please for their goods while CEOs and stockholders laugh all the way to the bank!

Yeah, I can live without a lot of things, but there are just some things I really resent having to be at the mercy of assholes for! :grr:

[donheld]

93. One day at a time

My company just laid off 25 and there's probably more to go. Of course they laid off those with longevity too.

[snappyturtle]

94. kicked and nominated!

It's bad. We're scared. Where will it all end? I'm so depressed I can barely get the daily things done. My work used to be fun but that was when there was something left at the end of the month after bills and putting a little away. I actually hate people who have money because they do not have a clue as to what is going on.

[classics]

95. Suicide for the poorest.

Having grown up poor, really 'ghetto' poor, I have a lot of friends who are still poor.

Most of them know they will be poor forever, as do I. We work ourselves to death for less and less every day, almost none of us have access to health insurance or good food anymore. Many of us are eating only once a day to save money, including me.

We have seriously and soberly discussed suicide as an alternative to the eventually homelessness many of us are going to get into when we reach our 40s and we cant work 14 hours a day anymore to pay the rent on our shitty apartments.

Thats just the way it is in America now. There wont be any riots, dont kid yourself. We will freeze to death in the streets, die on our feet or exit quietly in shame for not being able to 'make it'.

There will be plenty of cheap labor to replace us. Its really no big deal.

[Nordmadr]

128. Hang in there man. N/T

[rucky]

96. Beans, beans, the magical fruit...

also because it's a cheap source of protein.

I also have a "faith-based" health plan for my family. (no coverage)

:(

[peacefreak]

98. Trying to figure out what I can cut next.

Rent takes half my take-home pay. I shop at dent & damage stores. Don't buy clothes. New shoes are considered a major purchase.
Last year I pulled cable, stopped buying CD's. I DID pay off my credit card. I got tired of Citibank ripping me off.
My car just died & I am fighting to get the last of my 401k. I figure I'll be working the rest of my life anyway.
Depressed? Yes. Worried? Yes.

[sendero]

99. It's going to get a lot worse......

... and "it's the economy stupid" - that is what is going to put Republicans out of power for a time because for all their talk they are never good stewards of the economy for the vast majority of Americans.

[mopaul]

100. SHAME on those who can't keep up with the american dream

the poor are a drag on the rest of us wealthy americans.

sarcasm of course.

[Iris]

101. No kids.

Not exactly how I expected my life to turn out, and I may not remain childless, but the thought of the likelihood of paying for education from k-12, plus save for my own retirment AND possibly having to help out my parents if my dad loses his pension, well. . .

[The Flaming Red Head]

104. 2 jobs looking for the third

anybody hiring? I'll do windows and make coffee.

[Vinca]

105. I've been hoarding antiques and collectibles for quite a while

and now I'm selling some to pay off my credit card bill once and for all. I put a dent in my car and rather than go in the hole, I sold off a valuable doll. It's turning into a win-win situation because the house needs a good cleaning out anyway. We bought a pellet stove to save on heating costs and it's working out very well. So far we haven't turned on the furnace and the bonus is one of my cats loves the thing so much she sleeps next to it.

[ohio_liberal]

133. There's a woman in town here

She travels to estate sales and auctions and I think she drives up to Amish country a couple of times a month. Anyway, she finds art and collectibles and sells it all on eBay for some pretty remarkable profits.

[Vinca]

141. I'm a garage sale/church sale buyer. You'd be amazed what you find.

Yesterday my husband found a set of books - for free - that are listed for sale on the Internet for $4,000! I'm so hooked I'll keep amassing stuff even as I sell it.

[ohio_liberal]

145. If I knew anything at all about art or collectibles I'd try it myself

Unfortunately I don't know bupkes and don't have time to do a lot of research. I'd end up buying all the wrong things and losing money.

[grasswire]

154. it's a great way to add income

I do it, too. I consider myself a "peddler" as a buyer/seller of antiques and collectibles. Some of what I find enriches our household (interesting old books, estate linens, hand tools, etc.) Other items are bought and sold for a profit -- I've turned a $12 purchase into an $1100 sale, turned a $5 book buy for $400, for example. Can't make that in the stock market. I don't buy anything I can't double my money on, at least, and usually do way better than that.

It's addictive, exciting, and rewarding. My only limitations are capital to make purchases and transportation -- my household does not own fuel-powered transportation. Whatever I buy, I take home on the city bus or on foot. If I used a station wagon, for example, I could go farther and carry more.

[Vinca]

156. We must be soul mates. I do the exact same thing.

Nothing makes me happier than finding something for 50 cents and selling it for $237.00 as I did on ebay earlier this week. It used to be for fun, but now it's for serious bill paying.

[grasswire]

158. I see by your location....

...that you are near to those fabulous New England local auctions. If I lived in that area, I'd make a lot more than I do now. I spent a few summers in Western Massachusetts in recent years, and was able to buy collectibles stock VERY cheap at auction. My teeth itch to be able to do that, but they just don't exist in my area.

[Vinca]

169. There are few deals at auctions around here.

Everybody . . . and I mean everybody . . . seems to be selling on ebay. Auction prices are often greater than what you could sell something for retail because so many people don't do their homework. Every so often, if you know obscure potters or other trivia, you can do well. Most antique dealers lament that the area has been "picked clean" and it often seems that way. I've only hit upon one sale all summer that had really good stuff.

[notadmblnd]

106. my income was 77,000 two years ago

this year, I'll have less than 10,000 taxible income. I had 28 years with my company and was let go. We're making it because because my husband died (isn't that sad?) I used the insurance money to get out of debt and invested the rest. Even with Social Security's suvivor benefits I've had to withdrawl all the interest earned on my investments just to keep up and the only bills I have is house and utilities.

I want to take the rest of the money and open a small business, but in the current economic crisis am scared to death of taking that risk.

[elehhhhna]

135. nota,

do not, I beg of you, open a small business if you must gamble your nestegg to do it. Find another way. Unless you have opened and run a very successful biz before, don't go there--DO NOT BET THE RANCH.

I am not normally a buzzkill but god, the horror stories...

[notadmblnd]

137. I know, I'm scared to death.

and I've got about 4 years before I have to do something, so I'm not in a hurry. I don't plan on spending a dime on anything we don't absolutely need until the current regime is out of DC and I see some improvement.

Thanks for the warning.. I'm listening.

[earth mom]

140. You're right. Someone recently told me that a small business must do 10 X

the rent to be profitable. I've wanted my own small biz-a retail shop-for the longest time, but hearing that and with rents what they are, you are talking some serious coin.

[Skidmore]

107. There's just the two of us at home now.

The kids are grown and making their way in the world. My husband is close to retirement age and I still need to work for a few more years before I reach retirement age. It's looking more and more that we may end up dying on our jobs. Our vested retirement plans have both lost money over the years. I try to move my monies around a bit, but its frustrating to keep up with. We have life insurance policies (universal or whatever they are called) but I don't know how we can afford them much longer. I may be unemployed by the end of January. We did manage to pay off our debt and have enough money and supplies on hand to survive for a few months if we needed to.

We have cut all fat out of the budget. We don't go out more than once a month if that. I buy many generic products. We buy in bulk and at discount. We grow and preserve some of our food. We open the windows in summer and caulk them with that seasonal caulk in the winter. Been known to sleep in sweatsuits in the winter. ALL our bills have increased and we have received notices from a couple of local services to anticipate rises in their fees soon. Basically, our expenses now are mortgage and associated insurance and taxes (fortunately we have a fixed rate), gas, electricity, water, food, gasoline and auto maintenance (important because we have a 40 mi commute in an area without mass transport), insurance, telephone, and our one luxury satellite services. We can stuff this into my husband's salary with nothing left over until I can locate employment. What kills us is the vehicle tax and auto insurance. Insurance is a scam and a costly one.

Basically, I worry about getting old and losing health insurance if we can retire--I don't know how we could afford it out of pocket. The premiums are too high and we probably make just enough to not qualify for anything else. I have to take medication now--fortunately, one pill that is fairly inexpensive, and my husband needs to take a combination of two pills--one of which is pretty pricely even in generic forms. I worry also about losing my home.

[jzodda]

108. Im too busy trying to find a job

to riot, or drowning my sorrows in scotch :)

After losing a job due to injury and then going through all my savings during the painful rehab. (meaning learning how to walk again) I live on the grace of my parents. Were it not for them I may be homeless even though I have a J.D. degree

So I am not making it even week to week. The student loan people call 10x a day because I am behind. Telling them you have no job and can not pay does no good-they sometimes call 20 minutes later.

For me these are rotten times, worst ever.

[lostnfound]

109. 13 million Americans have 'direct sales' jobs, no salary no bene's

just commissions -- and over half of them make <$10,000 per year, according to Barbara Ehrenbach (author of 'Nickel and Dimed') who was interviewed on DemocracyNow! http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=05/10/17/1423218.

Her new book "Bait and Switch: The (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream" is about how many people who went to college etc. can't find a job any longer.
Barbara has a PhD in biology and is an award winning writer and was looking for a job paying $50 K with benefits. She found out that after 10 months of interviews, networking, interview coaches, etc., she found only 2 jobs, both direct sales, commission only, no benefits.

This is very frightening.

[purji]

110. I used to be able to stay home with my kids.

Hubbie got laid off in 2002. Now we both work full time and are only bringing in about half of what he used to make on his own.
We no longer have a retirement account,or a collage fund for the kids.
If it wasn't for my in-laws we would have lost our house.
We no longer have health insurance.One of our daughters got bells palsy,and the other one broke her thumb,so we now have over 7000 dollars of medical debt too.
It sucks but as long as we are together and keep working as a team ,we'll make it.

[HughBeaumont]

112. You aren't alone at all . . . look at this archived thread . . .

More and more people are finding it exponentially more difficult to keep up with the cost of living and everything else being thrown their way.

[kick-ass-bob]

113. Bankruptcy.

:(

[sweetheart]

114. inflation

The real reasult of this republican folly is inflation, costs soar,
and inefficiency devalues the economy, that 10 dollars becomes worth
5, and 1/2 of the value of your work is erased.

And the empire-tax of the government sucks up so much money from the
middle classes, that what they do have is insufficient. Were there to
be a much more serious economic collapse, with expected spiralling
inflation of the dollar, as it becomes increasingly worthless, as the
republians use printing presses to print their way out of debt.

And the poor will get the shaft, like the people of argentina, indonesia,
korea and so many other places that the US has done similarly to by
fostering an "economic correction" at default.

The outrage is the slow emotionless tick of the clock of international
banking as the Amurikan empire swallows a NON vote. Though it may
kill us all, an armed civil war seems the only way to fix such criminal
destruction of human rights at the cost of corporatism. And a night of
fires could burn every factory in the continental US, and the corporate
CEO's need realize they need the consent of the governed.

But people are not angry enough. They're just getting by, compelled
by hardship to demeaning labour for insufficient wages... and talking
about healthcare as if its a priviledge. Oh, the travesty of
goodwill that was the american experiment. In a civilized world,
only savages don't provide healthcare for their own, care for their
homeless and weak. And savages the corporatocracy has become.

[atfqn]

177. Well said,

[mandyky]

119. And now they are trying to cut food stamps and medicaid?

I know a lot of people here had trash to say about Louis Farakan but his speech made sense about a movement forming ministries, etc. No, he doesn't need to be in charge of them, but his ideas were good ones.

The working poor in this country are really getting screwed. Hopefully, we all will take to the streets soon. GWB's America is not friendly to the poor at all.

[raccoon]

120. I'm single, have degrees, work at a low-paid job with no bennies,

and the only way I'm making it is because of money I inherited from my parents. If not for that, I couldn't make it.

I'm frugal with my money, always have been. Last car I had, had 250K miles on it when I finally got rid of it because it was unreliable.

I don't go to the movies and don't have cable TV. I don't buy many clothes and most of them are from thrift stores or Kmart.

I am fortunate to be able to have individual medical insurance now, but before that, I didn't have insurance for eleven years.

One reason why people aren't rioting in the streets may be they are just too tired, from working two or three jobs to try to make ends meet.

Still I'll be surprised if they don't riot, in the not too distant future, if things go on the way they are going.

I think the glory days of the US when good jobs were abundant and most people regarded the future optimistically, figuring they'd still have their jobs (or a comparable or better one), getting raises, etc., are gone FOREVER. The post WWII economic boom in the US was an anomaly, and many Americans got used to a standard of living that now is MUCH more difficult to attain than it was a few decades ago.
Getting additional degrees SOMETIMES helps but is certainly no guarantee of anything.

Getting Democrats in office would help--anything would be better than what we've got now--but they belong to the corporations too. They care about the average American slightly more than the Republicans.
(of course that's probably also true of Saddam Hussein. :-) )

[Talismom]

121. My mother-in-law is constantly exclaiming about how she can't

understand why her son, a lawer (works for the state) and I (a medical researcher with a Ph.D.) have barely enough to pay our bills and stay outta debt. We have two kids and live VERY frugally (co-op, 1 car, public schools, can't remember last vacation!) and she can't figure out why we have so much "edicashun" and still have to scratch to get by.

She just can't get the picture that these are not the 1950s or '60s! Those at the top are sucking the life blood out of the working class today and she's busy watching CNN and being oblivious to the reality of 2005.

[MadHound]

123. Hanging in , hanging on, accelerating my timetable`

I've long suspected that the the proverbial fecal matter would hit the whirling blades at some point during my lifetime. The signs were there during my adolescence in the seventies, the oil shocks, the stagflation, the crony capitalism, etc. During the eighties, under Reagan and Bush I, alarm bells started really ringing, what with the upsurge in the religious right, the record breaking defecit, the surge in jingoistic patriotism. Clinton showed the naked face of the two party/same corporate master system of government, what with NAFTA, welfare reform, and the '96 Telecom Act. These and other actions set the stage for Bushco's assault on the middle class and the poor that we're suffering from now.

Fortuneately I started planning ahead long ago, realizing that it is easier to get by out in the country rather than in a city. I worked my way up to some modest acreage in the country, started growing my own food, switched to a very economic vehicle(100 mpg), and will be heating with wood by next fall. My wife and I are pretty secure in our jobs, and though our incomes are quite modest, we've been able to save some cash and continue to work on the house and grounds.

With what I've been seeing the past three years, I've had to accelerate my plan, cutting it in half from ten years to five years, and may have to cut it again. Our ultimate goal is to raise the majority of our own food, generate our own energy, and make our own biodiesel. For we are facing a severe oil shortage that is only going to get worse, and unless you have though ahead, you're going to be left out in the cold. While I can still purchase a wood stove for $2000 and a wind turbine for $11,000, when the shit really hits, these commodities are going to increase in price to the point that only the rich and well of can afford them.

I just hope this all holds off for another five years. Let me complete getting my plan in place and then the world can go to hell. For that is what is certainly coming down the pike, and I would suggest that everyone gets ready for it.

[raccoon]

131. "Clinton showed the naked face of the two party/same corporate

master system" ---- Thank you!!

[CrispyQ]

124. I am thankful that my husband is a smart & practical man!

While we were making very decent bucks we paid our house off & stashed as much cash as we could in the bank. He lost his job a week after the dimson was reSelected & has been out of work since. We are able to survive on my very good part time job & have only touched our savings occasionally this past year.

However, the company I work for is a small software R&D firm, financed entirely by my boss & I suspect we have about 6 more months to show something marketable before he folds this operation. I'm the office manager, so I see how much it's costing him every month. What really pisses me off are the software engineers making really good bucks (100k or more) & taking excessive vacations & time off.

[Nordmadr]

126. This thread just depressed the hell out of me, and I was

already having a bad day.

I have a decent job in local government working in the information systems field. My income has gone up by about 40% over the last 5 years, and certainly more than when I was one of the working poor military enlisted, but I am not any better off than I was then. In fact, I am very much living paycheck to paycheck again after having gotten away from that for a couple of years. My wife and I both have degrees (she's a biology teacher with a Masters) and I have a B.S. In the County I am working in there is a hiring freeze, a promotion freeze, travel restrictions, and my health insurance keeps going up (I know at least I have insurance). The rates go up, and my medication co-pays are doubling in January.

We manage by:

1) No longer doing many recreational things, and I believe our marriage is suffering for it. No movies, no dinners out, etc. No time but to take care of all the stuff that always has to be done.

2) I have taken up gardening and many other do it yourself type things. Insulated the garage, replacing posts in front of house, etc...

3) My wife inherited our house from her deceased parents and it is paid for, but taxes are a bitch.

4) Have taken to burning wood for heat (bought 10 face chords this year at $10 more a chord than last year), and currently have the oil furnace thermostats turned off, upstate New York is already getting cold.

5) Other discretionary spending cuts...new clothes, cd's, books, dvd's. I recently bought a pair of shoe laces for a pair of fairly worn shoes that I would normally have replaced.

All this and I KNOW I am much better off than many. While I am complaining, I feel guilty about it because so many have less. I am not even a materialistic person, I actually try to have less "stuff" in general. Not perfect, but strongly believe in de-cluttering my life. In the process of consciously trying to have less I just seem to be doing worse. It feels like a no-win situation. Damn Bush, he didn't even bother to kiss me first, before sticking it to me and the rest of the country. Stuck in a cycle I never wanted to be a part of.

Olaf

[ohio_liberal]

127. I'm divorced with 4 kids, two jobs

We're not making it. This time last year we did with no problems. Oh, there's never really been enough at any one time so that I could sit back and not worry. Now we're stretched to the limit. I don't know what else I can cut out of our budget. I don't know how I can make any more money.

[grasswire]

164. two thoughts

I believe that people are going to have to be thinking of home-sharing. Yes, I know all the obstacles and problems. But whether family members move in together or single moms double up, it is at least worth a consideration as things get worse. I'm now in a three-generation home, having given up my 1200 sq ft apartment to be with four family members in 1550 sq ft so we can all do better.

Second, I know that you said you didn't know enough to be able to buy/sell from thrift shops and tag sales, but I urge you to at least take a look at the "eBay for Dummies" book. Selling on eBay is like having a retail store open 24 hours per day all over the world. You literally have potential customers at all hours, everywhere. You don't need a license, insurance, a building, or any of the costs of doing business. You just have to find something to sell. It could be something that you make at home -- an artisanal craft. It could be something that you can get at wholesale prices and sell at retail prices. It could be something mundane but useful. It could be something imaginative.

You can do it at home. When you wake up in the morning, you look to see how much money you made during the night! Kids can help.

Really. It really works. Many DU-eBayers are testimony to success.

[bee]

134. I have less than $100.00 in the bank...

My savings is gone, and my credit cards are maxed out. My photography business is going under since people have cut down on such expenses & now I only pay the bills that have the yellow stripe on the envelope. Our heat is on now... so we're down to one meal a day. Last months nat. gas bill was $80.00 (for hot water only). My fiance and I are one unexpected expense from being without electricity... or heat... or cable. Weve also cancelled our wedding. And given up on having children. We're not making it... we're just barely keeping a roof over our heads. If things continue to worsen... I dont know what we'll do. Neither of us has ever been poor before. Its hard.

[MaggieSwanson]

173. You sound just like me, Bee.

I was reading through these stories and yours was the one I could identify most with.

Hope something good happens for all of us soon.

:grouphug:

[Hidden Stillness]

136. Okay Before; Suddenly Now, a Crisis

I was doing okay, not really getting rid of the credit card bill--all of it built up by paying for car repairs, furnace repairs they screwed up so it ended up costing me about $2000, and vet bills; no splurging of any kind--but at least able to keep pace with it, and make a dent, until the past few months. There has been a horrific price-gouging spree among the devils--gas for vehicles, food, insurance, property taxes, natural gas for heating--and now I don't have enough money to cover it anymore, no matter how I cut things. I never buy books, etc. anymore, never go anywhere that costs money, have not put gas in the car for a couple of months, and now walk everywhere possible. I have looked at the rich people on TV and their eternal sales pitches with coldness for a long time now, as none of it has anything to do with me, but now I can't even afford the basics that I used to. Many days now, I have one meal a day, and other "meals" are orange juice, or coffee.

I did not grow up this way, the real price-gouging and now lack of money to cover it has been recent, but luckily for me I learned how to manage money and cut things out, from my Mom, or things would be worse. Still, because I cannot cover the suddenly much higher bills anymore, and have used up my savings, I am thinking of asking a family member for help--for money--which I am dreading. If you think it is easy to ask people for money, you have obviously never done it, and I am still putting it off. I don't know what else to do, as everything gets worse, and now for the first time, I don't have the money to cover things. I wish there were still Democrats, who knew we were here.

[Slfrighteous1]

138. Sadly enough, we aren't

making it, that is. They've started foreclosure proceedings, and we're rushing to find a buyer for our car NOW to pay up the mortgage. The engine blew, so we had to replace that, so now it's finally sellable. We only drive one car, but with four kids, that means husband or I can't go. Not that we can afford the gas anyway.

I'm a stay at home mom, but have been desperately seeking work. No one wants to hire a 31 year old who hasn't been in the workforce for 10 years. Especially a mom of four kids to create numerous sick days. Husband is union, makes fair money, but we have crap insurance. It's so bad that even with husband's salary, the kids are on Medicaid. (How much longer, though?)

I'm on anxiety meds, for which I have no insurance, but they at least allow me to sleep. Anti-depressants keep me from screaming at my kids. Blood pressure meds keep me from dying of a heart attack induced by stress.

We have no credit card debt. We have minimal doctor bills. We don't go anywhere or do anything. I am online, and that would cut some cost, but it's how I keep in touch with my family out of town. Without cable, the internet is my entertainment.

Yeah, someone tell me HOW ARE PEOPLE MAKING IT???

[elehhhhna]

139. We have been soooo lucky it's remarkable.

I left a very generous employer not long after we were bought, and escaped with stcok options which actually made us some money! (No-one else who left after or remains there has jack for options--the stock tanked not long after I left & sold mine.)

My employer here, for whom we moved to Texas, began to stuggle & couldn't keep their promises, so I left and took some time off. Shortly thereafter, my Hub's new (at the time) Texas employer JACKED him for several (tens of) thousands of dollars in bonus money. As a result we, over time, busted out our IRAs. The IRA money had been contributed in 28% tax years, but was liquidated in 15% years, so even with the 10% penalty we came out okay. Here's the clincher: IF WE HADN'T SPENT that IRA $$$ then, the account balances would be about the same now, anyway: Almost Nothing!

Hubs makes a great living now with a stable co. I'm now home with our girls (HEY--I kept him home for 5 years when they were babies! Now it's my turn...plus I work in staffing so if a Bush has a good job, I have NONE...) Cars paid for, thanks to a refi on our below-our-means house (LOL. That still means 26oo square feet w/ pool in TX.)

If you can stand the heat, parts of TX are gorgeous and homes are VERY CHEAP (we had our land crash YEARS ago, thank you), gas is a bit less, in fact everything's cheaper than Chicago except auto insurance, and wages are the SAME! Moving here has been the one thing that most improved our lifestyle.

We've been married 20 years today. Intentionally living beneath our means has always worked for us. The Bush crunch has stripped the fun bucket from our budget, though. No more scuba trips, that's for sure.

My staying home with our girls has been challenging, frustrating, and very, very rewarding.

I sat out back last night near midnight, in the moonlight, and thanked the FSM/Jah/BabyJ/Allah?/Her for giving us so so so much...
then asked (again) for the swiwft imprisonment of all Republicans.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

147. Ha! Only by the grace of God.

I'm in school and my husband is a projectionist. I work part time and go to school full time. We live in Indiana and he began earning 5.15 an hour but last year or so he had a raise to 6.00 an hour. Im still earning minimum wage. We survive because thank God my mom has a good job and can help us out. It's my family's way. Parents help their kids and kids take care of their elderly parents. Even so, she has a good job that she works very hard to help us. I look forward to one day being able to return the favor. Between now and then, I'm scared to death.

[Tracer]

148. I've never made more than $35,000 in my life....

... and it's usually been closer to $25,000.

I've been a single parent since my kids were 5 and 7 (and they are now in their 30s).

We live frugally, but not penuriously. There has never been a time when I've had to say to them "you can't have that".

I have money in the bank and IRAs and mutual funds. I buy what I need, not just what I want.

The house is paid for and so is the 10 year old car.

I look for free entertainment. The library for books and free passes to museums. I was given a Blockbuster card that give me free movie rentals. Was never much for eating out, so I don't. I work at home, which cuts out gas costs and paying for work clothes. I like to travel, so part of my saving up goes to that (trips to Europe, the Caribbean, etc)

And I realize completely, that I can only do this because I've lived in my house long enough to pay it off.

[MountainLaurel]

149. Cross-post for an answer

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=114&topic_id=17812&mesg_id=17812

[Horse with no Name]

151. Barely

Making alot of lifestyle adjustments.
Limiting and combining all unnecessary trips.
Selling clothes and other items on Ebay. I have been able to clothe my granddaughter and buy Christmas presents with the proceeds of these sales.
My daughters both have jobs. They use their money to buy their clothes and personal expenditures.
I am spending money to make some changes to the house in order to save money on heating this winter.
This will be my last winter in this big house.
I plan on relocating next year closer to a large city so that we can utilize more public transportation options. I wanted to return to Phoenix, but the housing there is way too high right now, so unless some changes are made, will have to have an alternate plan.
I also plan on returning to work. I hurt my back a couple years ago pretty bad--found out how corrupt Texas Workmans Comp was in the process, but I can't financially not go back to work, even if it means becoming permanently crippled.
Sad part is, my Doctor won't sign off and let me return because of the potential for permanent injury, so I will have to doctor shop until I find a quack who is willing to just sign a paper.

[anarch]

157. sinking fast

Massive debt...increasing cost of every goddamn thing...significant other unemployed (let go due to cost-cutting "staffing reductions")...medical bills piling up (insurance not quite what it used to be)...utilities getting shut off...creditors coming after me...considering taking up a life of crime.

[Mr Grieves]

160. I make 4$ an hour - work two 15 hour days and a 50 hour work week. . .

I get by on tips because I'm a pizza delivery driver . . . though gas recently has really been eating away at my income. My girlfriend and I live VERY frugally. My diet consists of about 80% pizza because it's free. We only go to the two-dollar movie theatre (which is more packed than the mega-plexes I used to go to). My car has 220,000 miles on it . . . as soon as my car breaks down or I incur I health problem (all those pizzas) - I am royally screwed.
Oh yeah, I have a BA from a decent school. At first I thought this was just a temp. job - but now I'm too busy to look for work. . . . or riot.

[lildreamer316]

161. Pure luck.

I inherited, but all my money is tied up in investments,so we are scraping on the day-to-day stuff just like anyone else. Two weeks ago I had to borrow money to buy DIAPERS. So fucking embarrassing. I think we have the problem under control now, and I should NEVER bitch too much; I have 2 paid off houses and 2 paid off cars.(Credit sucks or I'd get a loan).
I don't understand how anyone can keep buying new cars and new clothes and new $4thousanddollar plasma tv's and etc. and etc. and etc. It boggles my mind how much debit they must all be in.

[Ksec]

162. Someone should send this thread to bush and his minions.

BTW if anyone knows of any online jobs or any way someone can make some cash on my computer email me. Ive tried the ones that spam your email box and they are usually just scams. So if anyone knows any legit opportunities Id sure appreciate a heads up. [email protected]

[mnhtnbb]

165. I'm sending this thread

to John Edwards. He just started a tour of university campuses
trying to get college kids interested in his anti-poverty work.

Methinks he needs to pay attention to the diminishing middle class, too.

[Ksec]

166. Exactly

I used to be Middle Class. I had a good job with medical , dental, eye, etc. I made decent money. It was a hard job but it did pay well for a blue collar job. BTW I was a steelworker and those jobs are extinct today around here . They were replaced with min wge junk jobs that barely pay enough to pay for the gas to go back and forth.

[LiveWire]

163. Two words- Top Ramen

I think its time that all of us changed the way we lived our lives.

[electron_blue]

168. Wow, just wow

I have wondered what a similar thread on FREEP would generate.

I am in such a better position than most people here - I have a tenured faculty job, just promoted. I have some security in not losing my job, provided the university doesn't shut down (I worry about that sometimes).

And yet... I'm still struggling. I am a single parent, Ph.D. tenured university professor and I am slashing my entire budget trying to make sure I live beneath my means. My expenses are not that outrageous, seriously, I only have a housepayment plus utilities, food, insurance and the usual bills. No debt other than my mortgage. I'm very lucky in that regard. No fancy lifestyle (no maid, no lots of eating out, no big trips), I've already raised my deductibles, and consolidated what I can on my utilities, phone, insurance.

And yet... I have still not got this budget thing under control. I still have to find other, more significant things to cut out to make sure I have enough money next summer when I'm unemployed for 3 months (that lovely summer break we get - sarcasm).

And this is all before the winter heating bills.

[rainidame]

167. I am/was just lucky. . . timing

For whatever other reasons, last year I brought my business which was located a few miles from home, to my backyard, so my commute is now only seven steps. I am going through a tank of gas in two months. . . I live wherein everything I need is almost exactly one mile away. . . a large grocery, the post office, the places I need to get supplies for my biz, the barber (woman with short hair), numerous bars and fast food, everything. . . so my four year old car has only 14000 miles on it.

Secondly, I own an older, very well made home, BUT after years of listening to the furnace which set in the middle of the house in a closet. . . I switched to putting a freestanding gas stove in my otherwise useless double sided fireplace. Now this stove is gas, but it is a wood stove look-a-like (an actual woodstove would be useless here as much of our winters are under burn bans because of inversions) which radiant heats without the huge furnace blower. The whole house is warm and cozy, with bedrooms being only about 5degrees cooler, perfect. . . .But here is the great part. . . I use it to . . .
heat water for coffees and teas in the am, slow cook dinner through out the day, clothesline nearby for laundry drying, also I use it to dry my herbs, keep a bucket of hot water for general washing and cleaning camping style, the list goes on.
Now clearly this doesn't help in the summer, but during the winter, I use hot water from the H2O heater about 5 gallons a day, rarely use the clothes dryer, and almost never is my stove or oven running. . . reduce, reuse, and recycle, . . . well, I think I got the point. Also because I don't have the huge furnace blower going to push the air around (doesn't seem to need it for a 1350 sqft house, 3bdrm, 2bth)my electric bills are noticably less usage, though because of price increases the $'s are about the same.

Well, I wish I could say I did all this to beat the energy crisis, but it was just dumb luck as far as that goes, man I am so glad I made the decisions I did.

[undergroundpanther]

171. Hmmm

I am on disability. I live in my moms basement so rent is not as high as it would be for other places ,But it is still very hard.If I didn't have mom I would be on the street possibly sleeping in a tent like some of my friends do who cannot afford rents because they make minimum wage.Where is the outrage? Who has TIME for organizing? How many people have ROOTS and personal connections with the other people living around themselves with the communities they live in now?

[IronLionZion]

175. Thanks, now I feel like such an asshole!

God smiled down upon me and blessed me with being born into a sucessful middle-class Indian family (and they will never let me forget it :P). My father works twice as hard as his colleagues so that he could pay for a first-rate college education for me, now my sister, and soon my brother too. And just as importantly, my family was very responsible with money so I still find myself walking through snow to the store when I should have taken a taxi.

And with that education I managed to get a great IT job straight out of school in May of this year and am actually able to save money unlike some of my friends. Sure I make an entry-level salary, but I don't need much to live. My monthly bills are pretty much just: rent for a 1-room apartment, gas, utilities, car insurance, internet, and groceries. I should get a gym membership but I'm going to wait until it starts snowing.

My total furniture: 2 folding tables, 4 folding chairs, and 1 air mattress.

Fortunately, I don't have that monkey on my back called student debt. Some of my friends have high student loan expenses, yet somehow still manage to outspend me on entertainment and shopping. Who the hell needs a TV? A computer with a cable internet connection can entertain you, inform you, educate you, let you communicate with people, assist in your work.....

I'm doing well...for now. I probably won't lose my job at one of the fastest growing socially responsible corporations in the world unless I choose to leave. We'll see what the future brings. A high-maintenance woman might ruin me! ;)

Those of you looking for work in the IT field, check out TCS. Company vision is to be Global Top 10 by 2010 and that means hiring,hiring,hiring.

[drfresh]

178. I am a college student

Who has been self employed for the last 16 months, but I have good parents to catch me if I fall. However, I owe the feds $20k in student loans. Focusing on paying rent and groceries and living cheap is the way to survive.

The future looks OK to me.

[hyphenate]

179. I'm currently on disability

getting a little over $1000 a month. I live in the second floor apartment of a friend of mine who stopped charging me rent when I didn't have money anymore.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts helps with health coverage (which I seriously need, having diabetes, heart disease, depression, arthritis and possibly CHF, among other things), food stamps and fuel assistance. Since I got my disability, they've cut my food stamps down to less than $50 a month, but it's better than nothing.

I have electric, basic satellite, telephone with the DSL, storage, and basic cell phone. These are my only bills. They total about $300 a month right now. I have no credit cards. I can't buy a whole helluva lot more, but I do have a great DVD place with low prices, so I try to buy about $30 a month in DVDs on a regular basis. I put things I need (like clothes, cleaning supplies, storage bins, etc) on layaway at Walmart, since Target doesn't have a layaway. I check the clearance items at Target on a regular basis, and haunt the dollar stores, Target's dollar section, and the big lots (Ocean State and Big Lots, Christmas Tree Shoppes) stores on a regular basis. I have even began to buy a few extra things from them in preparation of my new gift basket hobby, hoping to sell at some fairs and craft shows coming up. It's not much, but it might be something to occupy my time.

I also have a decent amount of old collectables to sell on eBay that used to bring in some money. I haven't done it in about a year, but the stuff is there, I just have to get enough energy to do it.

I forego almost anything and everything else. I go to Savers to buy jeans--it's been pretty much the one thing I've been getting there as I've been losing weight, and the jeans range from $5-$8. Some are new, some are used. It really doesn't matter to me--I'm short, and anything that is short enough not to have work done on it is fine.

My mom helped me last March with car repairs, but right now, it needs a little work on the brakes and the steering, which I will have to wait until next month for. I can get one fixed at a time, so I will get the brakes fixed--it's not a major thing as far as I know with the steering, just a slight grating noise. It will wait until December.

I often will see something that I like, but I know isn't practical, nor is it somethng I need, so it gets passed over. I've been fairly poor all my life, and while I would love to have a few expensive things, I know it will likely not happen in my lifetime. I just have learned that sometimes there is a massive inequity, and some of us have to live on one side of the fence and not the other.

[NMMNG]

180. Two full-time jobs, seven days a week

[Giant Robot]

184. Once in a while I get scared about retirement too

but honestly, I am too worried about next week to think about 20 years down the road. Too scared and tired to riot, too worried about today to think about the future. I keep looking around for help, but I know it won't be there. Other than maybe I'll hit the lotto...but you have to have money to spare to play it first, don't you?

I have one wish, and this may sound mean, but it's not coming from that kind of place. I hope our next President will understand and have experience with what it is like to struggle and be scared in America these days. I hope that person will know what it is like to worry about paying the electric bill so it doesn't get shutoff. I hope they will share the high carb, cheap food diet we endure, not because that's what we like necessarily, but because Ramen is 8 for a dollar. I want a President that represents me. Please.