From the article: How Does the Current US Economy Crisis Affect You?
The recession has affected nearly everyone in this country. From job losses, to retirement portfolios decreases people are struggling to recover and come out ahead. Read other's stories and share your own, both the story and the frustrations. Share Your Story
Catch 22
- I was laid off in July 2011. Due to a clerical error my unemployment was not approved. I was told I had missed the appeal process but could not speak to anyone who had any authority to tell me why. The only program I qualify for is food stamps.I rented out my home because I didn't want it repossesed. My son moved in with friends and I live with my two dogs in my car that is certain to be a repo soon. I put in 70 applications or resumes per week. the only jobs I have been able to find paid below minimum wage. I made enough for gas to get to work and a profit of $25. a week... these business have since closed and I am unemployed once again. I was under $50000.00 in debt when all this started. I went back to school to get a higher degree since it seems that employers are only interviewing graduates. That may put me more in debt but at this point I have little options.
- —Guest Guest JD
It'll make you tougher.
- I graduated from school in 2008, I had worked long and hard menial jobs just to pay off my education while I was still in school. I couldn't find a job for literally a whole year after I graduated. When I found a job it was a temporary part time job where I was promised full employment at the end of the year. The employer lied and hired a brand new set of workers. The same thing happened to me when I used a temp agency. Don't have faith in any of these employers, they expect you to be honest but they lie upfront regardless. At first I was really depressed about both situations but in the long run I'm using my anger to fuel my job search. The best responses for work that I've received have come from outside the United States, which doesn't surprise me one bit.
- —Guest Jay
Underemployed
- I was laid off in 2009, finally found a part-time job in April 2011. The ad I responded to said up to 20hrs with the promise of full-time in the future because of expansions. Instead my hours have been cut twice. I went from making $42,000 at my last job to $120 a week at my current. And people still have the nerve to say "a job is a job". I can't pay my bills on this, it's a joke.
- —Guest Goldie
Poop Economy, Poop Job Search
- I recently graduated with my bachelor's degree. When I started school in 2003, things seemed to be on the upswing. I remember telling my friend years ago that teaching was a great career for me becuase it had security. School districts at that time were emergency hiring students who hadn't quite finished school yet; the demand was so high. Now I can't find any openings. I wish people would just be good so that Sauron would rest.
- —Guest Bob
GOD HELP US!
- This thing called recession has hit us all like the floods hit in the Moses era. I do not understand what is going on because finding a good paying job is very difficult, even the jobs the kind that are for just experience, it's proving to be a nightmare, where do we get answers to this situation even the banks are making borrowing harder, need I say I do not blame them but there should be a system that looks into placing people whether citizens or not , as long as they have the right to work. It has become hard to live in the UK as everything is so expensive and competitive. What does the ordinary struggling person do?????????????hang themselves perhaps?
- —Guest angie
Don't blame yourself!
- I lost my husband in a car accident 9 years ago. I have a 16 year old daughter. We still get social security for her till next july. i am certified to teach art, but have not been able to find a position. I work at a horrible job for 9 dollars an hour. My college degree is a total waste. I have been looking for a better job for years. I am 52 years old and have to sell my house. NOT because I am subprime, but because I make below poverty level wages of 12,000 a year. I know a lot of you out there would be greatful for that. I did nothing to cause the situation I'm in. And niether did you. The people who ruined this economy are NOT being held accountable. Meanwhile those of us who are struggling, will continue to suffer while those in power argue over who should have access to health insurance or get unemployment checks. I am now looking into teaching overseas. And that's really pathetic.
- —patriciagree
My Parents Dont Have It Good No More
- Before all this happen we had it good. My mom was working and dad was to he made real good money. I would always go to school mad fresh , but know we have to spend smart. I hate it when my dad says that because I'm young I wanna spend dumb. My dad says the bills has went up even more. My mom say the store prices have went up too. She say it use to be gas was 1.00 but now you would blessed to find it that low.-TeKirah Parker
- —Guest TeKirah Parker
Young and Struggling
- We are newly married and in a terrible position, she was involved in a family business for 5 years that went south. Unfortunately the boss chose to pay friends over family and forced my wife out. I had quit working about 6 months prior to finish school and now I am working a part time job making about 30% of what we need to get by. We have borrowed and are at our breaking point. We go to interviews every day but now it is getting hard to pay for the gas to get there. We just need help but have nowhere to go.
- —Guest Travis
My Retirement Fund Shrunk
- I feel lucky because my job is stable. I'm really frustrated because my 401k has decreased so much. I've put away money each month since my first job and I had the beginnings of a good size nest egg. Now I feel like all of my hard work and saving was for nothing. I also bought a house at the top of the market. I owe a lot more than it is worth right now. I thought I was doing the right things saving for retirement and buying a house, but now I feel like I'm just as bad off as people who didn't.
- —Guest Suzy
Worried About My Kids
- I am a SAHM and my husband has had a cut in his hours. He's not laid off, but they've cut him off of a shift a week. It's been really stressful. We just don't have enough to make ends meet now. I'm worried that we'll fall behind our house payment. I'm thinking about going back to work, but daycare for two kids will eat up nearly everything I bring home. It's frustrating because I feel so stuck.
- —Guest Meg
I'm Laid Off and Looking
- The hardest thing is that I've lost my job. I'm struggling to make ends meet and just get by. I'm single, so I'm all on my own. I'm thinking about moving back in with my parents until something comes through. It's tough to keep looking every day. The interviews I've gone on have had tons of people. A lot more than when I got my first job.
- —Guest Ray
