Watching my life slide downhill and nothing seems to stop it
By firemom31
@firemom31 (598)
United States
October 17, 2009 3:12pm CST
The economy is so bad that no one seems to be able to get ahead. We were rather poor to begin with, and now that everything has gotten so expensive, we are going under fast. I have a job, but it doesn't pay well, and I have have been searching but unable to find anything better. We have a seasonal business, which is my husbands income. This past year, the business did well but we had several emergency situations with the business that took our profit away. My car is very old and things are going wrong faster than I can fix them. My lights on the car won't work, and the repair estimate is $145, so I cannot go anywhere after dark. The muffler is very loud, so I am always embarrassed when driving. My dryer broke, and it's 11 years old, too expensive to fix one that old. I paid $25 for a (very) used apartment sized dryer, its noisy and takes all day to dry a few normal sized loads. Every week groceries cost more, and even then the governemnt wants to tax us more. If it weren't for my online earnings, we would not survive at all. How are the people in this country going to get through this? I am certain that I am not the only one who sees their former lifestyle slipping away. Living this way is bad for all of us, and I fear that soon we will be a country of defeated individuals with little will to fight what our government wants to do. As I'm typing this, I wonder if that's what they want?
2 people like this
13 responses
@bounce58 (17385)
• Canada
18 Oct 09
Hello firemom, sorry about your situation. Me and my family are also having a hardtime, but it's nothing in comparison to what you are going through. I also blame the economy! Although I was lucky enough not to loose my job when the company laid off 60% of employees, the few of us that were left were given a salary reduction.
It's not much, but I hope this response to your discussion will enable you to post another response that could help add up to your earnings.
I will also add you as a mylot friend so I can make sure I can respond to all discussions you raise.
@firemom31 (598)
• United States
18 Oct 09
Thank you for your kindness. I hope that this economy turns around soon so that yu will get your wage back. In the meantime, I guess we all make cuts where we can and keep on trying.
@mrfdg1972 (3237)
• Philippines
18 Oct 09
we just have to work harder, find alternate source/s on income, inmy experience it pays when you have at least 2-3 sources of income. by the way i can help you fix your headlight,is your headlight broken, have you checked the fuse box. it is usually located underneat the drivers side dashboard. lets do it PM me now.
@firemom31 (598)
• United States
18 Oct 09
Hi, thanks for the offer, but I have changed the fuse 3 times. After that, I took it to my mechanic who diagnosed the bad switch. It costs so much because the whole dash has to come out, and I'm pretty sure we can't tackle that one on our own.
@mrfdg1972 (3237)
• Philippines
18 Oct 09
was it fixed, anyway there still another relay box located underneat the hood, it a 1.5inch x 1.5inch square diameter. you may wanna check it. I am just offering a free help, i can run you through the diagnostics, in case you changed your mind. Really i feel like you are my neighbor, a friend. you can always PM me, I am a B+ automotive mechanic. which means i can overhaul your engine and the whole vehicle as well. it was not necessary to bringdown the dash board, he could have just run a new wire.
@sid556 (30959)
• United States
18 Oct 09
You aren't alone. I am a single mom and I do not get child support. I am so glad that I have only one left at home now or I don't know how we would possibly get by. I have always struggled so that is not a new story. With 3 of the girls out and on their own, financially we should be doing much better. Instead, I am struggling more than in the past. yep...it is pretty scary. They say the recession is ending. I will believe it when it shows in my wallet. Right now it is nothing more than empty words as far as I'm concerned.
@firemom31 (598)
• United States
18 Oct 09
Yes, and seniors aren't get raises in their checks this year because inflation has gone down. That has to be the most ridiculous statement I've ever heard. Groceries are more than ever, and if cap and trade passes, utilities will go through the roof, but I guess the elderly will just have to wait till the following year to see if they will get a raise.
1 person likes this
@sid556 (30959)
• United States
19 Oct 09
it's pretty scary at this point for many. I don't qualify for food stamps or anything as I work full time but I will tell you that I live very simply and this internet is my biggest luxury and it is getting to the point where I'm not sure if we'll be able to continue it much longer and still eat. I don't have car payments and my cable is just 18.00 per month. we don't go out to eat. I don't spend money at the salon or gym or things like that. It's pretty much the basic getting by. My rent has gone up 40.00 in the past few months. something is going to give soon if things don't really turn around.
@bird123 (10643)
• United States
17 Oct 09
When it's all going downhill, that's the time to look up. The sun is still shining. Your situation just requires some thinking. For the dryer, try the old fashion clothes line. If the sun is shining, the clothes will dry even on a cold day. Go to the library. They have fix it books on everything from cars to dryers. That 145 for lights might be high if it only needs a bulb. Learn how to do it yourself. Groceries are high but what are you buying. Dryed beans or rice are very cheap. A couple meals a week and you can save enough money to take care of other things. Clothes? Find a goodwill store or an Amvets store. Very cheap after a simple washing. Utilities? Put that sweater on and turn the heat down. Isn't the cable bill just too high and there is nothing on anyway. I don't have cable. The main stations are still free with an antennae. What about cell phone bills??? Do you really need to make that many calls??? There is internet connection. Dialup is still out there. Very cheap. Slow but it can get the job done. What other ways can you think of. You just need ideas!! Ask everyone you know.
@firemom31 (598)
• United States
17 Oct 09
Thanks for all of the sugestions. We have been using the clothesline for months, but it will soon be snowing, so we had to get the little dryer. The problem with the car lights is an electrical problem, something my husband and I don't feel qualified to tackle. As far as groceries, we plan a menu prior to each shopping trip and only but what is needed. We spend about $45 every two weeks for three people. We have hunted and gardened to supplement it. I don't have a cell phone, can't afford it. I pay for the internet with online earnings, I usually make more than the net bill, so we need it for the extra money. We have no TV service here without satellite, it's a rural area, and I think that will be the next thing to go, it's pretty much all that's left...lol. I utilze the services of our local swap shop for extra money, and we don't buy clothes, period, not even at Goodwill. We rely on birthday and christmas presents for those. We keep our heat as low as we can stand it, which has lowered our bill a good bit. I am quite certain that there is very little else we can do. I'm not whining so much about my life, but about the state of our economy that makes it so hard to survive on the same amount we had a year ago and lived much better on.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
17 Oct 09
bird you did not really know her particular situation and made assumptions that she had all the stuff you are talking about. that is a bit insulting I think.
@good2go2001 (915)
• United States
24 Oct 09
I can certainly know where your coming from on this. We have a large family and have just recently gone threw restarting our lives after a disaster, not easy at all. Income is less and less and just feeding everyone is becoming a concern. I wish i could just go back to the days when things were comfortable. We went from having our house paid for to now a $900 mo house payment and trying to take one day at a time, sometimes one hour at a time. I have no answers but all i can do is keep your family in our thoughts and prayers that someone in your location will help you fix some these things, it is all about people helping people now everyone is in the same boat and its sinking.
@firemom31 (598)
• United States
24 Oct 09
I agree that there are so many families struggling right now. I don't know how this will all end up (the economy), but I don't think it will be good. I sure hope things get better for your family soon.
@LolaBean (17)
• United States
18 Oct 09
I am very sorry for all that you are going through. If it were not for other family members, my family and I would be in a very similar situation. Over the last few years we have had issues with unemployment, high utility bills, the need for new appliances, and various other issues. I believe that God allows us to be tested but will give us the strength we need to survive. This thought has helped me keep my sanity when life gets rough. I am not sure if this will help in your particular situation as I do not know what is in your particular location. I saw on a television show a story about "Food Banks." I can not remember exactly where the locations were. However, they not only gave away food to people in need but some were "selling" food boxes for a low price. This was their way of helping people in these tough economic times. Maybe there might be one of these in your location? My family looked into it in our area and unfortunetly there was nothing like that around us. So I know that they are not everywhere.
@firemom31 (598)
• United States
18 Oct 09
Angel Food Ministries really is a wonderful program, especially for those who are able to qualify for food stamps. For our family, it isn't as helpful because I can do it cheaper still due to the food we have in the freezer from gardening and hunting. I do, however, highly recommend the program. The food is good quality and there is no limit on the amount of boxes you can purchase. Salvation Army aslo has a food voucher program, most give you a gift certificate to a local grocer, but that is usually a one time thing. Even if you don't have a local FoodBank, check with some of your area churches as many of them have their own private food pantry and are glad to help.
@pixeltwistr (613)
• United States
18 Oct 09
Lola
The name of that program is AngelFood Ministries and their website is
http://www.angelfoodministries.com
Glad you brought that up
They sell you a box of food worth about $60 for $30
only problem is that you have to order the food 2 weeks in advance because they recieve donations from various food companies and they need to know how much to get and stuff so they do it that way and for me i dont have $30 to give them and then wait two weeks for the food...i need that $30 to eat now...
but for those that can manage it it is a really good deal and once you get started of course you just keep ordering so the food is always comming in...
and another nice thing about that program is you can order ten boxes if you want and it is open to everyone not just low income....the unfortunate thing about that that i see is people like my mom who is the one who told me about that program...we dont get along at all and she doesnt believe in helping her kids out so dont even suggest that...but anyway she has tons of money and she orders lots of food from them every two weeks....so its helping her hold onto more of her money instead of helping someone else who really needs the food...
Dont get me wrong though...it really is a great program...i just wish they would change it so you could go in pay the $30 and take the food home with you!
@pixeltwistr (613)
• United States
18 Oct 09
Oh my...I wanted to come back and add I just went to their site and it appears they are accepting food stamps now which is terrific!!! That means those on food stamps can make them go twice as far. Thats terrific!!
@udnisak (609)
• Australia
18 Oct 09
well.. i feel really sorry for you.. my country is still a developing country.. so we are not affected by economy crisis that much.. but still there is a little effect.. i hav frineds who got graduated recently couldnt find jobs for their qualifiations.. they have submited an applicaation and all but never called for the interview..
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
17 Oct 09
firemom you are not alone believe me my son is out of work and been out of work for 11 months. we lost our apartment,were evicted, my son finally put me in here in Gold crest, a retirement home as we had no home, and I am 83 and have a bad leg and diabetes. he is in gov. sponsored housing and is trying desperately to get a job. it is really bad here in Southern Ca. more jobless than any jobs.i do not want to be here but there was no alternative. it was this or sleeping in the streets who wants that. My son and I were living in an apartment when he lost his job,our family is ripped apart, look if I can survive you can too.
@firemom31 (598)
• United States
17 Oct 09
I am so sorry that has happened to you and your son. I think it is horrible that a country such as the US has fallen to such a wretched condition. I know that we will survive, and my fear and sorrow is for all of us who are suffering the effects of the economy. I think there are many, many of us in the same boat.
@Keola12 (823)
• United States
18 Oct 09
In my previous response I forgot to tell you that on www.helium.com and on www.triond.com I'm listed under my pen name Joanna Maharis.
@Keola12 (823)
• United States
18 Oct 09
I'm sure this is not what the government wants. But all we can do is do the best we can as individuals and try to stay positive. Just keep participating in mylot. Some other means to make money off writings like fiction, poetry, articles etc. is through www.triond.com, where you can even earn money from photos. Another good website to post articles and earn money from them is on www.helium.com. Give them a try.
@firemom31 (598)
• United States
18 Oct 09
Thanks you. I know things are tough in India as I talk with online friends from there. It makes me sad to think of so many people living such hard lives.
@anning (88)
• China
18 Oct 09
i recommend you a film which highlights your spirits and gives you confidence . the name is “The Pursuit of Happiness”.you may have looked it but think more that things have never went so badly like the man in the moves .at last i want you to cheer up and insist on.
@firemom31 (598)
• United States
18 Oct 09
I actually watched that a few months ago and it is truly inspiring! I highly recommend it for anyone who needs their spirits lifted, and it is a true story.
@maleenmoctar (27)
• Philippines
18 Oct 09
I think we are on the same boat. My furniture business is suffering so much because of the down slide of the economy. I had to cut down so much of our expenses. To the extent of down sizing our number of employees. We hardly survive. With the influx of imported products from China, there seems to be no way for us to stay in business. I wouldn't know when can we recover. Especially with little concern of the government for small entrepreneurs like us. We can hardly compete with the prices of products coming from China. It is literally killing our business.
@firemom31 (598)
• United States
18 Oct 09
I agree. The only way we have stayed in business is that we had to change what we sell. We are selling less flowers that people don't need and increased vegetables. I was shocked at the number of first time gardeners we had this year. It's amazing that big corporations who are failing because of bad management and big bonueses can get help from the government, but the little guy gets nothing.
