As the recession continues I’ve often wondered about the personal suffering that is undoubtedly happening in homes across the country. What are the conversations as families sit around the dinner table? For those people in the 10%+ group that are out of work with few prospects for a paycheck any time soon, are they suffering? If so, how are they suffering?
In our neighborhood, my daughter’s school now has nearly 50% of the kids getting free or reduced lunch. Another significant number go to school early each day to get breakfast. I also read that 1 in 8 families is receiving food stamps. I’ve definitely noticed more people in the line at the grocery store using food benefit cards.
At the same time, I see people at Costco with carts full of stuff. It’s almost surreal to see people stuffing all kinds of discretionary items in their carts in one store, only to see people barely getting enough of the essentials with state assistance in another store. I often think about some of the stories I’ve read about the Great Depression where some people write of total poverty and desperation, while others write of a relatively comfortable time. We are fortunate to be weathering the current economic crisis with no impact, although we are just one layoff away from feeling it significantly. How are you doing?
In the grand scheme of things, I can’t complain. My mortgage is current, my bills are paid and I have food on the table. I would love for the value of my house to increase and for my 401k to gain a little weight but those are things I can live with. I have a roof over my head and food in my belly.
Here in Europe certain countries are struggling. Spain is facing massive unemployment, Greece has its austerity program, Ireland is facing financial woes. Here in the UK inflation is rising, but at least interest rates remain low. Most people I know are in work at least, as am I. My rent gets paid, as do my monthly bills, but yes, it’s a struggle. Maybe our new government will come up with something, though the way they are talking it looks like huge spending cuts are on the way.
I guess having been poor and/or cheap and/or a student most of my life I’m used to the current situation. I just haven’t had a raise in 3 years. It would be great if the paycheck at least kept up with inflation.
We know nothing but a frugal life. My husband works for an automotive supplier (was laid off from March 2009 to Feb 2010). Before he was laid off, we made plans just in case it happened. We worked on increasing our emergency fund, no eating out(not that we did alot before), cancelled our land line, beefed up the garden, and cut where ever possible. I work part time as an RN. Before and during my husband’s layoff I worked all the overtime I could get. Also, we immediately changed over all our insurance to my employer. With all the cuts we made, we were able to life off my income and my husband’s unemployment and not touch the emergency fund or savings. The bills were kept current (was even able to pay off my car). Now that we are both working again, we continue to live like we always have. My husband and I are both 52, 2 kids through college, 1 through tradeschool ( He is now a Journeymen Electrician) and 3 weddings latter, we now longer pay child support(it has been 4yrs since the last wedding)!!We pray every day that we keep our jobs! Michigan is a hard place to live right now! We are much better off then the majority of Michiganders. As a RN I am cancelled 4-8 hrs a pay period. In Michigan no job is sacred!!