Down But Not Out

We asked Yahoo News readers to share their stories of living...

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 11:00:03 -0400

We asked Yahoo News readers to share their stories of living with mortgages that are underwater. Over the next week, we’ll be sharing their stories here.

Ben, Jill and Carlyn Wilson

Verona, PA

Purchased in 2007 for $115,000

Current value: $83,000

“We have never been late on a mortgage payment or any credit payment for that matter and my credit sits in the excellent range. However I recently found out that my home is now valued in the low $80k’s and we currently owe approximately $17k more than our home is worth, therefore I have found no bank that will refinance our mortgage for this reason.”

We asked Yahoo News readers to share their stories of living...

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 16:36:17 -0400

We asked Yahoo News readers to share their stories of living with mortgages that are underwater. Over the next week, we’ll be sharing their stories here.

Emilie Peck

Minneapolis

Purchased in 2004 for $154,000

Current value: $64,675

“A year or two after we’d moved in, the houses in our neighborhood had started to go into foreclosure. At one point, there were more empty homes than occupied on our block.”

'I pay on the loan monthly, but I still owe pretty much the same principal amount I did when I graduated'

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 09:58:40 -0400

I was able to get through undergrad without having to get loans. But the summer before I entered graduate school, my parents got divorced and were no longer going to be able to help pay for my Master’s degree.

I ended up taking out loans to cover my three years of school, while also working full time. I decided to go into the Social Work field and without a Master’s Degree I would not be making the salary I currently make. That is the positive of taking out the loans. The difficult thing has been paying them back. I pay on the loan monthly, but I still owe pretty much the same principal amount I did when I graduated. It is frustrating to not see that balance decrease but have so much less money each month for other things.

I think if I had to do it all over again (and knew then, what I know now) I might have gone into a different field. Possibly obtaining a MBA, where the possiblity to make more money and pay off the loans faster would have been much higher.

In the end, I am happy that I have my Master’s degree and while I live pay check to pay check, without the Master’s it is highly possible I would not have a job today.

Maggie, Dallas, TX via email

'North Korea and student loan debt have this in common: both are difficult to get out of.'

Fri, 29 Jun 2012 07:57:41 -0400

North Korea and student loan debt have this in common: both are difficult to get out of.

At the time of writing, my student loan debt sits over $40,000, divided up into three different loans, which are owned by three different companies. During the five years of owning this debt, those three different loans have changed more hands than I can remember.

When a loan changed hands, which happened frequently and suddenly, all I received was a simple email – no call or letter – just one email that told me who bought it and how I could now access it. If that email ended up in a spam folder, which happened on more than one occasion, all knowledge of the loan disappeared. This left me wondering where my loan debt went and why it had so suddenly disappeared, only to realize later that I was now late paying it off with the new owner.

My monthly minimal student loan payment sits around $450. But if I followed this recommended amount, I’d be in debt for another 30+ years. Since I actually want to enjoy my life and do something other than remain financially enslaved, I pay $800 per month, which shortens my payment period to 5+ years. Still a large chunk of time, but that’s the price of a mistake, I suppose.

I say my student loan debt is a mistake because I now know there are more financially viable options for attending college. For example, I would not have attended a private college for a liberal arts degree. Instead, I would recommend everyone to take advantage of the community college system, at least for the first two years. Get the general education requirements out of the way, use that time to burn through your energetic youth, and then get ready for an expensive two years at a university.

Also – and I say this from experience - do not be afraid to drop out of college. This may sound anti-intellectual, but I am in no way advocating for individuals to not attend college. Furthering your knowledge of a subject is a great, great thing – the best, in fact – but you must understand that learning a subject from a college or university comes with a hefty price tag. And that price tag must eventually be paid back. If you feel the financial strain is too much, do not drown yourself within the murky red ink of debt, especially if your degree is not financially viable. Drop out, give yourself time to financially recoup, and then head back for more intellectual advancements. It worked for me.

The continual demand of my student loan debt may seem like a terrible thing – I mean, I called it financial enslavement earlier – but I have come to accept it as a generally positive part of my life. The need to meet those financial constraints has pushed me, both mentally and physically, to be a more productive citizen. Yes, I am a college dropout, one with loads of student loan debt, but the lack of a degree has not stopped me from being a successful individual; the lack of a degree and the looming mountain of student debt force me to stand out from the mainstream crowd. My skills much be sharper and more marketable than the competition, for the lack of a college degree is becoming a rarity.

Regardless, I anticipate the day when I can enjoy the financial byproduct of my work efforts, instead of promising them to some large corporation. What an absolute bliss it must be to look at a paycheck and say, “This is mine, and I’ve earned this for myself.”

Five more years.

Dale R., East Providence, RI

via email

'Maybe one day I’ll go back to school ... but I think I’ll be vacationing on Mars before that comes about'

Thu, 28 Jun 2012 08:01:16 -0400

My name is Kyle, I’m 27 and I graduated from ITT Tech in 2008 with a drafting/design degree. At a cost of $40,000. $20k a year, now that’s a lot, but figured it was the first step in the right direction. Before I took up drafting, I use to work as a “housekeeper” for a local medical clinic. That’s really just a fancy way of saying I emptied the trash and cleaned the toilets. It was a dirty job, but it paid the bills. In fact, I may have been at that same job today, if it had not been for an auto accident in 2004. Unfortunately, due to the injuries I sustained, I was forced to look for work elsewhere. That’s when I made the decision to go back to school and hopefully get a job that didn’t require me to be on my feet all day long.

So in summer 2006, I enrolled at ITT in Seattle, WA. At first things seemed great, classes were going well, I was learning a lot and even made some new friends. But all that changed when I found out about some of the shady/unethical and even illegal practices that were going on at the school. For example, a student was going to school part time, but the school administration would tell the federal government that this student is going full time. There for, they are eligible for federal assistance. The school would then receive the money from the government, and would hold onto it, until that money was spend for future classes. The government has been made aware of this, but to my knowledge they have yet to do anything about it. “Lack of oversight” I believe is what I was told. There was no one to enforce the laws.

When I found out about some of this stuff, I was about half way through my course. So I made the decision to stick with it, and just finish the degree. Which I’m glad I did. Because not long after the beginning of my second year, I was offered a job at a local structural engineering firm. It worked out great for me, I hadn’t even graduated yet and I already have a job in my field. The drafting job paid several dollars more than my housekeeping job and I finally got benefits. I worked during the day and finished my classes at night. And in June of 2008, I graduated from ITT Tech and I was on my way to pay off my loans. $600 a month was my payment. It was a lot, but I was able to afford it with my new job. It would have been smaller, if I was able to consolidate my loans, but as of right now I have 8 loans each with their own interest rate and monthly payment. Add them all up, and it’s a lot.

Then came the recession. And the economy took a drop. I lost my job and couldn’t get another right way, so I had to go on unemployment. And anyone who’s been on unemployment, knows that you don’t get very much money. My $600 a month student loan payment ate up most of my money each month. I thought my biggest concern was to keep up with my payments on my loans. And to this day, I have yet to miss a payment. I had to live in the garage of my brother house for 9 months while I was on unemployment. With most of my UE checks going to keep my student loans current, there was little else I could afford. I owe my brother a big thank you (and a few dozen six-packs) for being there when I needed help.

Today, I have a great job, working for a civil engineer. Working on fiber optic projects throughout Washington State. While I have a good job now, my student loan payment is still a heavy burden. And if the interest rate rises back to 6.8%, it’s going to get even tougher. I still can’t afford some of the things I wish I could. But I manage to survive. Looking back I am glad I made the decision to go back to school and earn a degree. It helped me get a better paying job (even with this payment each month) and I do feel like it was one of my highest accomplishments in my life thus far. The only regret I do have, is going to ITT Tech. I wish I had chosen a different school. Even a community college would have been better, looking back. But that’s the past, and I have hope for the future. Maybe one day I’ll go back to school and study more, but I think I’ll be vacationing on Mars before that comes about.

Kyle C., Seattle, WA

via email

'It was only recently that I have been able to start paying my loans down'

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 15:33:54 -0400

The decision of taking out student loans was never really a question. Growing up in the mid-90s, the pervasive mentality was that successful people went to college. College people were smart. In an era where everybody was a winner, I was smart, so I was going to college to be successful, regardless of cost.

The initial thought was that scholarships would be prevalent, but they were not, so financial aid including government subsidized loans seemed to be the most viable option. Fast forward to the end of my college career. During that time, I had changed majors three times, adding superfluous summer sessions and private loans. The cost of my college education had ballooned nearly four times my initial expectations. Everything was going to be okay, because those with a college education find jobs. They find success.

My first post-college work was at a local movie theater in a southern capital. I moved northward to find work in DC, but only managed to muster up the lucrative career of bagel making. A brief pit stop in Iowa found me a meat counter position, putting me past minimum wage for the first time since my college career. Moving to the steel city, I finally found a job making double digit figures with the promise of future benefits, only to be let go six weeks into landing that position.

It was only recently that I have been able to start paying my loans down. After years of struggling, I am finally in a position that, while menial and vastly underutilizes my skills, talents, and abilities, I am able to be semi-independent, paying down debt, investing … being a real adult. Meanwhile, my friends who skipped out on college and worked their way up in their respective ladders for four years and not undertaking any financial encumbrances are getting married, finishing up car payments, and buying houses.

When all is said and done, I do not regret any of my past decisions. I have a cadre of friends, memories, and experiences that would have not been available to me otherwise. The choices I made were entirely my own and I will work diligently until every last penny has been paid in full.

Things could always be a lot better. At the same time, things could be a lot worse.

Jimmy M., via email

'I wish I knew then what I know now, I would not have gone to college'

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 10:49:57 -0400

I had to go to work right out of high school. Yet ever since I knew what one was I wanted to be a teacher. So with no savings I decided to take out loans. I went to the University of Phoenix online (I still had to work full time) in 2003 and received my Associates Degree in General Studies in 2005. I then found an online accredited teachers college called Western Governors University and started working toward my secondary teachers credential in Social Science in 2005. I was able to graduate in 2007. Ever since I graduated I have been applying for teaching positions and haven’t even been called in for an interview (may I remind you it’s 2012!?). My speculation is that there are so many seasoned teachers who need work that they may not want a teacher who has no experience.

I owe a stomach wrenching $22,125 from Sallie Mae and $11,470 from Nelnet. I was able to consolidate some of my FAFSA loans. And I have had to ask Sallie Mae to make my payments lower because I am unable to find work. But that is only going to prolong the process of paying it off. I wish I knew then what I know now, I would not have gone to college. Loans were my only option. I didn’t realize how overwhelming the debt would be once I was done. I was not only married when I graduated, but 6 months pregnant with our first child. He is now 4 and we have another son who is 2. We rely on my husband’s income and it is extremely tight to say the least. I wish I didn’t have to send in the $355 a month in student loan payments. I am sure that is not the message you want to give your readers, this is my truth.

Angela W., via email

'I don't necessarily think that someone else should have to pay for my loans, but I don't think that I should either.'

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 07:53:00 -0400

Down But Not Out started as a project to gather the stories of those dealing with long-term unemployment in the summer of 2011. We continue to gather stories of how Americans are coping with a rocky economy. In May, we asked Yahoo News readers about their experiences with student loan debt. We’ll be sharing some of their stories this week.

I like to say I’m a victim of the poor economy, although I don’t like placing blame on others.

When I started college in 2000 at the University of Minnesota, I was a starry eyed freshman with high hopes and aspirations, of what, I was never quite sure, but I was looking forward to finding out. I spent my undergraduate years taking classes that interested me, hoping that by the next semester I would decided what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. At this time, the economy was good, and the advice most commonly heard was, it doesn’t matter what you’re degree is in, it just matters that you have one … which is how I ended up with an Art Degree after 6 years of taking classes that interested me.

My parents were generous enough to pay for my first 4 years of college, so I left the university with only 12,000 in student loans. During college, (and still) I made my income working at various restaurants and bars, which pays far more than the average entry level position, so I continued to work there while I searched for jobs … The University of Minnesota did not prepare me for looking for jobs. I didn’t even know how to write a resume. Needless to say, my poorly written resume did not land me any jobs, or even any interviews for that matter. I was frustrated, depressed and needing a change in my life so I decided to go back to school. I then attended the Minnesota School of Business and obtained a degree in interactive media and graphic design. Things were looking up, as I knew that I would have a leg up on the other graduates with my second degree. I was wrong.

After I graduated I spent pretty much all day every day filling out tedious online applications, some which took over 2 hours. I never heard back from most of them. Because companies are spending less money on marketing in the poor economy, jobs in my field are sparse. For every 1 open position companies are receiving about 250 applicants. I have had a few interviews, they went well, but someone with more experience beat me into the position. How does one get experience when no one will give you any? Do it for free. Which is when I started my unpaid internship helping out in marketing for a local website.

I did this for four months, and decided it was time to start looking again. I joined clubs, volunteered, and went to networking events. Still no luck. It’s been 2 years now since I graduated for the second time. My student loan payments are over 1,000 dollars a month, which leaves me 30 years old and living in my parents basement. I haven’t given up however, and I did just get a part time marketing job that pays 12 dollars an hour, but as you can imagine, this is not paying my bills. Again, I left am frustrated.

I don’t necessarily think that someone else should have to pay for my loans, but I don’t think that I should either. I feel that I have done all the right things, I graduated with honors from both schools, I’m talented, hard working, and eager to be a part of something. My student loan debt has left me in a hole I can not see way out of.

Chantal L, via email

'Sort of like being the only sober person at a party of drunks'

Sun, 25 Dec 2011 17:00:00 -0500

My husband is officially laid off today, after 26 years with the company and roughly 2 weeks before Christmas. We have scaled back tremendously—no gift baskets to relatives, only cards. No big presents to my two adult kids—just some cash and a few stocking stuffers. No trips to see family. My adult son has only been able to get part time work and lives at home with us.

To cheer the holiday up we decided to have a Mexican food fiesta for our family- it’s inexpensive, well-loved by all, and will break the tradtion of the usual ham or turkey. We’ll watch a movie at home or maybe catch a matinee.

Not being a part of the consumerism, it is sickening to watch. Sort of like being the only sober person at a part of drunks. That part feels good!

Julie M.

'I do not have a new years resolution. Well maybe never to be where I am again.'

Sun, 25 Dec 2011 14:00:06 -0500

I am a mother of three living in Reno, NV. The holidays this year are rough.

I am still without work and my husband is just starting his job on Monday and we do not know if it will even pay the bills. We have gone from making $72,000.00 a year to food stamps and $100.00 to my name.

To add to our struggles the home I live in is being auctioned off on Thursday and my oh so wonderful landlords are turning off the lights and water on Thursday as well. With help from family we will be able to move into an apartment. But it will not be ready in time. So we will be homeless for the first days of Hanukkah. I won’t even be able to light our menorah.

My children are handling it well. We have always instilled the point of being together as a family first rather then gifts. But this will be the first year they will probably receive none. It is breaking my heart because I thought at least we will be able to light the menorah but we will not even be doing that.

So as this holiday season comes in its weight is heavy. I do not have a new years resolution. Well maybe never to be where I am again.

Michelle G.; Reno, NV

'Holidays literally around the corner with with not a dollar to spend for my loved ones is quite depressing and stressful'

Sun, 25 Dec 2011 11:00:05 -0500

I have been jobless for about a month or so now. My previous job was in Fremont barely making enough to get there and back due to my car that ate my gas and of the prices being outrageously high. But like everyone else, I needed a job to get me around. Let alone every pay check went into bills which now is piling up due to no income. And giving money to my parents who unfortunately are unemployed as well and are seniors.

The previous job out of the blue let me go due to their lack of resources and ever since I’ve been looking for another job. Yet, no luck. Holidays literally around the corner with with not a dollar to spend for my loved ones is quite depressing and stressful. Every year I would get everyone something even if it was something small but this time I can’t even do that. Giving during the holidays is the best feeling and not being able to do that makes me not want to be around my family and friends. I would feel selfish and wrong receiving and not giving anything in return.

Yesterday, I went to the mall and it hit me. Seeing everyone shopping with numerous bags in their hands and not even one in mine made me emotional. I got into deep thoughts, ” What am I going to do? I have no money to spend to buy anything. ” So I left the mall, but the thoughts remained. Hopefully, I get a job soon. Even if the gifts might be late, its always better to be late than never. That became my conclusion. That way I’m not over stressing knowing my family and friends won’t even mind. Just to spend quality time would be more than enough.

I’ve always been big on loved ones. Luckily for me my family and friends are near by. Though no one should go through the holidays with heavy shoulders, I learned a valuable lesson. Save money. I spent money here and there throughout the year. And when the most important time of the year comes, I have none. I had no suspicions a meeting on a Monday would end up to me losing my job. Now I am in the ratio of jobless for the holidays.

Mary B.; San Leandro, CA

'My presents from my family members will be things to help me in any way get a new job'

Sat, 24 Dec 2011 17:05:05 -0500

This Christmas will be worse for my family than it was last year. My parents and I are unable to buy presents for any family members. If we’re lucky, maybe we could at least buy them some of those chocolate-covered cherry candies. My presents from my extended family members will be things to help me in any way get a new job, such as how two of my aunts are buying me a new pair of glasses. I don’t have any children because I’m single, and for that I’m glad. I severely doubt I could look into my children’s faces and tell them that their Christmas will be a small one because of how poor I am.

The holidays have become just another day trying to survive with as little as possible. There’s no point in celebrating. Days blur together into weeks, weeks into months, months into years. I don’t expect any major changes from my hometown. It is a dying small town, one that reeks of incompetence and an unexplained hatred of new technology. It is living too far in the past, and it’s sunk too far down for anyone to throw it a rope to save it.

Of course I’ve had to focus less on consumerism. I have no unemployment checks, and my only source of money is from food stamps. I’m forced to buy only what my parents and me need the most. If that means living a week on tuna sandwiches, then so be it. While putting off those big purchases come with the territory, it obviously wears down on your soul. You feel as if you’re lagging behind everyone else, even when you’re all in the same position.

My resolutions for 2012 are the same they were for 2011. To find a new job as soon as possible. To find a new job that I actually enjoy working. To find a new job where I’m not mentally and physically beaten down for pointing out what is wrong within the company. To find a new job where my bosses aren’t kissing each other’s butts and ignoring any major problems I point out to them. To find a new job which lets me escape the trap of “I need experience for jobs but how do they expect me to gain it when I can’t get a job?” To find a new job so I can finally escape my hometown’s void of nothingness, and possibly even move to a new state where it is not afraid of change or the future.

America needs jobs and it needs jobs now. However, I do not expect any politicians to take the American public seriously anymore. Their careers come first to them, and if it means declining a city’s effort to bring in new jobs then that’s what they will do. The divide between the rich and the middle class along with the poor will only grow further apart. The old American motto is sticking together to help your fellow American through tough times is long dead. Now it’s become fend for yourself because very few people will be considerate enough to help you. Wake me up when this nightmare ends.

Andrew Gardner; Tullahoma, TN

'This past Friday, on the afternoon of our annual evening company Christmas party, I was told I was being laid off'

Sat, 24 Dec 2011 14:00:05 -0500

I thought I would add my two cents to the tale of the down but not out stories. I have been employed for the past eleven years in a small Civil Engineering and Surveying office. Times have been tough and we all have been taking unpaid furlough days to help keep the office overhead in check.

This past Friday, on the afternoon of our annual evening company Christmas party, I was told I was being laid off. I unfortunately “earn too much money” and my position of office manager/executive assistant is being done away with. This, needless to say, was a bit of a shock especially by happening on the day of the holiday party that I have planned and executed for the past decade. Sort of unthoughtful in my opinion, but such apparently is life in big and small companies around the country. Employees feelings are often not taken into consideration, rather the bottom line is.

But fortunately I’m done shopping for the the kids (luckily all of their gifts were paid for with cash), our home is decorated with love and joy, and I am expecting to have one of my very best Christmas holidays ever. Because you see, I have my family and friends around me and we all are healthy, happy and thankful we have each other. These seemingly small things really have no price tag because they ARE priceless. The joy of seeing the kids open their presents Christmas morning, the big dinner with family and friends, and the celebration of the holiday can only boost my spirits.

I will rejoice in having the rest of December off to spend with the family and in the New Year I will begin my job search. My resume is being fine tuned, my cover letter will knock their socks off, and I will land the job of my dreams in 2012!

Plus, I am treating myself to several weeks in New York City the first part of January. I have air miles to burn and friends to visit. So, as you can see, life really is great after being laid off and that is how I chose to see it. I’m definitely not wearing rose colored glasses, I know the reality of landing a great job in this economic climate will be difficult. But what I have that so many other people don’t is the support and love of those around me!

Pam N.; Santa Cruz, CA

'I'm grateful that I don't have a family of my own right now'

Sat, 24 Dec 2011 11:05:06 -0500

This is my second Christmas in a row unemployed. In fact, my 99 weeks of unemployment are ending in January, and I’m not sure what I’m going to do. My usual work is as an entertainment executive in Los Angeles, but my holidays this year will be spent looking for any job I can get and deciding if I’m going to have to declare bankruptcy. Merry Christmas to me!

I’m 36 now and I’ve been looking for work since I was 34 when got laid of with a third of my company. I’m pretty sure after this long, I’m never going to be able to get a similar job to the one I had. I have a big gap in my resume. Other jobs in my industry require other years experience I don’t have.

I have 3 roommates to be able to pay rent, and they’ve all been having their own employment problems too. I’m grateful that I don’t have a family of my own right now. I could never consider starting one at this point in my life. I have dealt with a lot of depression since being laid off that I never used to have. I’ve become more distant from my family and friends, and I’m afraid that my personality has changed somewhat. I hope that I can find something where I don’t have to worry all the time and I can feel like myself again.

The holidays come at a pretty bad time for me this year. Since my unemployment is about to end, I will only buy a few small presents for a few close friends and family. I haven’t been home to see my parents who live across the country in years. And with the economy the way it is, they can’t afford to help me much either. Another phone-call Christmas.

I can’t afford to decorate for Christmas this year, but I do try to get out and enjoy the season and decorations that are around public areas. I look forward to being able to fully partake in gift-giving and decorating for another Christmas someday.

Upsides? Well, I don’t have to go into an office every day, but that’s the only one I can think of. Actually, I’m not sure that’s an upside. Staying at home all day every day is not as fun as it sounds. Not after almost two years, anyway. I want to work. I want to find a job. Hollywood pretty much shuts down for two weeks during the holidays, so it makes finding one right now that much harder. I’m not holding my breath. My resolution for 2012 is the same as it’s been since 2010: Find a job.

Collin B; Los Angeles

'We will have a special dinner if the meat goes on sale'

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 17:10:05 -0500

I am a 56 year old female who has been out of work since early Feb. 2009. I worked with an educational travel organization located here in Spokane, WA. I live 25 miles west of downtown. My significant other is a 60 year old male on disability retirement from the federal government (not SSI).

Having run out of unemployment in Jan, 2011, I’ve been supporting myself by taking cash out of a Roth IRA. I will soon deplete it. We have been economizing as much as possible by not traveling, but even to go into town to get groceries is a 60 mile round trip.

We will not be celebrating the holiday. We haven’t given each other gifts for Christmas or birthdays since I was laid off. We will have a special dinner if the meat goes on sale.

Luckily, we don’t have children, so we don’t have to explain why there is no tree, decorations or gifts.

The holidays are stressful, especially if it snows as that means shoveling and clearing. As it is, we keep the thermostat very low and light a fire during the daytime as the temps have been in the 20s, and the heater is set at 62. At night we keep it set to 55. We are luckier than Spokanites, as we live so far out in the country that we can cut our own firewood, and our electricity provider is a co-op and not Avista (who requests rate hikes at least once a year). Propane to heat the house is our biggest expense, but our provider tries hard to deliver only if the price per gallon has dropped a little.

Gasoline is running currently at $3.48/gallon locally, which has gone down since Thanksgiving. This is another reason we try hard to make only one trip into town per week.

Since I’ve been out of work, I’ve volunteered at the Humane Society, went back to school to try to upgrade my skills, and have been helping a friend with breast cancer get to her doctor appointments since she doesn’t drive. (Her husband drives a school bus, and his pay is deducted if he takes time off).

The unemployment rate here in Spokane is still close to 9%, and even with the extra schooling, I still have not been able to find a job. There have been weeks where there are no jobs for which I can apply. I try to stay positive, but as money gets tighter, I get more worried about the future. The holidays just make it that much harder.

Pat Sibley; Spokane, WA

'I've found that so many of the people who I thought were my friends are only friends for those who are not in need'

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:00:05 -0500

I quit my job with a Project Management company in early 2010 to come back to my hometown and take care of my elderly parents who both have major health issues. As one of 5 children and the only single one, I felt it was my responsibility to care for them. Like most people who have not been hit very hard by the economy, I didn’t realize how hard it was going to be trying to find work. I worked a few temporary jobs when I finally landed a permanent position with another construction company. After 8 months they had to cutback on “overhead expenses” which meant cutting people and of course, as the newest employee I was let go in June of 2011. I didn’t have anything savings left but was able to pay off all my debt so my unemployment has been barely enough to get me by while searching for work.

I am a 53 year old female who has spent her career working in accounting/bookkeeping/office administration for most of my career. I no longer go out for my once a month dinner with my friends, I no longer go to Starbucks, I no longer spend anything unless it is for a necessity. I cannot afford health insurance so I have not seen a doctor since 2009. Thank God I have not needed any medical attention. I was given an opportunity for a 3 month temporary assignment about 2 weeks ago but was told after 7 days that they were going to use a “friend of a current employee to do the work” so I just found out yesterday that my services would no longer be needed. With Christmas quickly approaching and no funds to provide for my daughter, it was simply the worst news I could get. So, this Christmas will be spent baking our favorite cookies, preparing a Christmas day meal and just trying to be thankful for each other.

I have to admit it has been very hard emotionally for me because I’ve found that so many of the people who I thought were my friends are only friends for those who are not in need. Of all my “friends” there has been only one who even bothered to ask if we needed food or money for gas to get to interviews or help with the electric bill. Everyone else has spent time talking about their vacation home or their shopping trips or going to their favorite artists concert or how busy they are wrapping their Christmas gifts. It has certainly made me painfully aware that most people are so wrapped up in themselves that they are oblivious to the suffering of others around them.

No, I don’t have money for gifts this year and I don’t do any of the things I used to enjoy doing and there is no job waiting for me in the forseable future. But I have had a wake up call and I am very aware of how very hard it is for others out there. I realize that there are some things much more important than going through ones day as though a kind word to someone who may be hurting or holding the door for an elderly person just doesn’t matter … because it does. And for those people who are “living the life and loving it” as I’ve seen from so many I know say, someone you know could use your help. If you are doing well, how could it hurt you to pay it forward to someone who could desperately use your help?

Connie C.; VA

'I got my parents to help me get baking products to make everyone sweet treats'

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 11:00:06 -0500

I am 19 years old and live in Northern Virginia. I have been out of work for a year now, I was working at Spirit Halloween/Toyzam for the holidays last year and was laid-off right before Christmas. I have been searching for a job since then and I can’t find one that I meet qualifications for. This year for gifts I got my parents to help me get baking products to make everyone sweet treats nothing special, just the usual chocolate chip and peanut butter cookies.

I love the holidays and the spirit within the holidays but sometimes (like this year) I get stressed because I can’t get anyone anything really nice that would mean a lot to me because I don’t have money. I love getting my loved ones at least 1 pricey gift because to me they are priceless and I get them something I know would mean a lot. The last 2 holiday seasons I took a loved one to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert and I so wanted to keep up the tradition but unfortunately it was postponed until next year because I have no source of income.

In 2012 I hope to find something stable and steady and be able to save up and make up next year for what I am unable to do this year. No matter what I will still enjoy being with my family and boyfriend and celebrating the reason for the season, The Birth of Christ! Merry Christmas!!

Amber C;, VA

'I will be home, alone, in a city without my family because I have absolutely no money'

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:15:06 -0500

I graduated in May with a Masters degree and moved from Los Angeles to Sacramento, CA to be closer to my boyfriend who moved here for a job. I thought being fresh out of graduate school from a renowned university would make me a top candidate for jobs. Well six months later, I realize now I do not have enough work experience for jobs compatible to my degree or I have too much education for random lower wage jobs.

Either way, I have applied for everything under the sun and still no success.

I recently applied for a holiday job at a department store, I figured it would be an easy hire and I would have some cash for the holidays. However, I was candidly told they would later call me in for a second interview as positions need to be filled. Wow, I am only 28 years old. Sad to say, for Christmas, my boyfriend will be traveling to the east coast where he is from originally. I will be home, alone, in a city without my family because I have absolutely no money. This holiday will be the worst ever for me.

Nikki R.; Sacramento, CA

'My 2012 resolution is simple: survival'

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:00:06 -0500

I have been unemployed for almost 15 months. My last position was as an assistant manager for the US Census. Before that position, I was unemployed for almost 11 months. In total, I have been unemployed for 26 of the last 46 months.

Even with putting in thousands of applications, I have only received three interviews. I am not one of those people who, “sleeps later” and is comfortable with being out of work. I am embarrassed by having to live off of others and would do any type of work if it meant providing for my family. I wish that Christmas would not come this year. Even with cutting everything back to the bare minimums, we still have barely enough for food and utilities.

In addition, my mortgage company informed me that they were not going to extend my unemployment modification (I guess they expect everyone to have gainful employment within a six month period). This took up an additional one-third of our monthly funds but it was the only way we could keep the house. My Christmas is going to be filled with worry about whether or not we will be homeless in the next couple of months.

I watch the commercials of happy families sitting around, reveling in their presents and think, “A few years ago, that was us.” Now we have been reduced to shreds of hope and waiting for the knock at the door that will tell us how much longer we will have shelter. Everyday, I job search and volunteer at a museum and put on a brave face so the little ones will not feel the pain and stress that I am feeling.

Growing up, I always watched the Christmas shows that say how Christmas is the season for miracles—the reality is that it is not. I know that this will probably not get printed in lieu of other, more positive responses but this is my reality, and my Christmas. My 2012 resolution is simple: survival.

Shawn V.; Rockford, IL

' The worst part of this holiday for me is that I cannot afford to see my daughter and my beautiful grandchildren'

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:00:06 -0500

I have been unemployed for a long time now. I am 54 years old. I live alone with my dog and every day I am one step away from homelessness.

I have cleared out my storage and sold its contents for money. I have sold anything I have of value for money so that I could pay my bills.

I have been lucky in that I qualified for financial aid and loans for school. I take any odd job I can find. I do focus groups, tutoring, babysitting, dog sitting anything I can do to to feed myself.

The worst part of this holiday for me is that I cannot afford to see my daughter and my beautiful grandchildren. They are all I have. I will spend the holidays alone, without family. They live in Florida.Trying to gather gifts for my grand children is difficult. I feel my financial situation has forced me to look at my life with more gratitude for the little things. I am healthy and grateful that I am still able to think of ways to come out of this. I am grateful that I can go to school and learn. But poverty is lonely. Very lonely. You cannot afford to go far because you don’t have gas.

I suffer with depression and each day is a battle of keeping my spirit up and to be honest with you I just want Christmas to pass because it is another financial burden that I cannot bear. I can deal with the hope of a New Year. I somehow know that it will be a better one. I pray a lot.

Janice R.