How hard do you work? Do you struggle?

[StellaBlue]

I was just reading this excellent, spot-on rant about the costs of healthcare, and pondering which of the ten places I applied to waitress today would likely call me back first, and whether I could pull off working two jobs while getting a second, more specialized masters degree in hopes of getting a 'professional' job...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1199615

...when I thought, hey, I think I'll post a poll about hard work.

I have a feeling that a lot of us here on DU ARE struggling. And very, very few of our 'leaders' can even conceive of empathy.

[Skip Intro]

1. Struggling - earn less than needed, but with healthcare

I just bought a house, and I'm facing bankruptcy. Its a modest house, but I wanted to grab ahold of something before I went under...

[flobee1]

2. I voted #1 but

I had to move 200 miles from friends and family for the job
my brother just moved 150 miles away from friends and family for his job


we are employed, but rarely get to see family

[StellaBlue]

3. For the record

I am employed and looking.

Have a masters, cannot find a job AT ALL. Not many jobs, lots of nepotism.

I have no healthcare, mounting costs from recent diagnosis requiring daily meds, regular bloodwork. Also have MASSIVE debt from school, and some credit card debt incurred from moving back to the US after spending four years in Europe (my partner left me and I got zilcho. Long story. But the free healthcare spoiled me and now I am PISSED).

Applied to be waitstaff at Chili's today. Seriously.

[flobee1]

5. Keep this in mind,stella

being a college grad has its benefits
eventually a job will present itsself


blanket the job market with your resume and eventually someone will see it

[Horse with no Name]

12. Have you tried a hospital?

Not everyone that works at a hospital is a nurse or a Doctor. There are many administrative positions available and with your degree, chances are you might find something that fits.
You at least will have health insurance.

[quisp]

13. also try informational interviews, if possible

I read a startling statistic recently; sending out resumes takes more than 250 for every job offer, on average, 12 informational interviews result in a job offer.

I'm in a masters program now, but looking, too. And doing info interviews whenever I get a chance.

[guinivere]

4. Struggling, paycheck to paycheck. nt

[MissB]

6. I'm sure you don't mean to imply that stay at home parents don't work hard

[Buck Laser]

7. I'm retired and surviving.

I retired six years ago at 65, my choice, and so far, so good. I'm fortunate to have excellent retirement benefits from my last employer. I even profited (a bit) from the Bush tax cuts, but I'd give them up in a minute and gladly pay higher taxes for a realistic gummint budget.

[uppityperson]

8. self employed, struggling, no health care, no dental

[union_maid]

9. Working, struggling

My husband and I both work and we have health benefits. We could be less than a decade from retirement but in one of those ironic twists, due to health problems we've had we no longer have nearly enough money to be looking at retirment in that time frame. It's ironic because the very health problems that forced us into our retirement funds will probably prevent us from working way past retirement age. Our income is also a lot less than it was before my husband's illnesses and the self-same health issues make it very unlikely that we'll make a rare, late in life comeback financially. I don't know what the hell we're going to do.

[conflictgirl]

10. Self-employed, struggling, no medical or dental insurance...

With a currently unemployed husband, no less.

I'm back in college and my husband will be doing the same this fall. For the next several years, it looks like we're going to be surviving on a combination of part-time work (his, which he hopes to obtain soon), my freelance work, and many hefty student loans. I have no idea when we'll have health insurance again. The kids will be covered by Medicaid, but the hubby and I are left dangling in the wind. Hopefully we don't get sick.

[kineneb]

11. other- work for no pay

I am the person in charge of health care for my husband. He is on dialysis, and hence SSDI/Medicare/Medicaid. We are struggeling to get by on his disability. I am just too tired to try to work right now, and if I make over $200/mo., he will lose the Medicaid coverage. So, I don't "work outside the home" but I do everything else, including all the housework, gardening, bookkeeping, driving, appointments, etc.

[PassingFair]

14. Hmmm ... Define "comfortable".

I am working MUCH harder now than I did 5 years
ago. My husband and I had our own graphics design
co....

I had to get a "real job" 3 years ago to pay
for med insurance for the family.

We are getting by, but I wouldn't exactly
deem our lifestyle as "comfortable".

[Blue_Tires]

15. unemployed in my field

working part-time in another field to pay bills (the job does not provide health insurance, and i cannot afford it)

[hopeisaplace]

16. stay at home mom (for the moment) and have healthcare

thank you canada.

[InkAddict]

17. Struggling....

in vain - facing the lions!