middle class america

[mad-mommy]

We should not complain about anything, because we’re lucky to have a home (for now, and so what if the bank really owns 80% of it) We have not had to put groceries on a credit card, yet Seen others doing it. We live a very modest lifestyle. Everything we do is family orientated and mostly free. We aren’t saving, and he has no disability insurance, none provide by work, and can’t afford to pick up a plan on our own. He has to invest in his own 401K, they don’t put anything in it. His investment is minimal, because that’s all we can afford. We have a car loan, again, a modest car, and we put him through college together, so we have student loans. No other debt. So tell me, why he, who has a college degree, and 20 years experience in his line of work, actually making what appears to be a decent wage, and myself , with a 2 year certificate degree are living on the edge of destruction? Because in one years time, as the gas prices escalated, everything went up, and now we just about can manage. We make too much money to qualify for anything, and because a quarter of the pay are taxes (which ironically go out to help others in need, and for those not in need at all. ) For weeks we have tried to figure out what changes we could make. I thought of going back to work, but no openings in day care, waiting lists galore, and it costs so much, it would not be worth it after I paid taxes, gas, and daycare. Previously, I did work, while my parents watched the kids, but my mother passed away, and my dad can’t handle it on his own. I’m looking for a night time or weekend job. he’s trying to find a different job, maybe pick up another part time job. but until then, if then, what?

Of all years, his company is not giving a cost of living raise. They won’t cooperate with him picking up a car pool.

We’re not alone. Others are finding it difficult to afford decent housing, no heath care coverage, can’t afford to heat their homes in winter. Middle Class.

So I thought, just don't sit and complain, be proactive. I'm home during the day for now maybe I can do something. I called my local representatives office, and was told there isn't anything I could do. I even volunteered my time and skills for free to do whatever, and was turned away. I have written to officials, on a variety of issues, I just get an automated response. So does it really matter?

Right now we’re making it. But I’m scared. So, the plan of action if the gas prices go up, next step is getting rid of the internet, then cable, then long distance (which btw all are the basic cheapest plans) After that, we would sell the home, which will probably be when the bubble bursts and we‘ll not be able to pay off the mortgage, and move back to a rental or move in with my dad and wait it out. This sounds so sad.

When the gas hits $5.00 gallon, will we all just go ahead and keep pumping so we can get to work, and I guess just starve and freeze? Lose all that we worked for?

I’m new here….just looking for things I can do to make a difference.

[villager]

1. welcome aboard, and yes -- we're all on the precipice

Between now and November, perhaps you can channel your frustrations into electoral work?

Best of luck to you & yours....

[Ron Green]

2. Welcome to DU.

What I find is that I go back and forth between wanting the system to come apart to the point that the rich will be run out of their mansions, and just being thankful for the things I have.

[mad-mommy]

26. right...

Right, and they won't be able to handle it, while we, already living as we do, will do just fine. Why does something that sounds so terrible make me feel a bit better?

[JuniperLea]

3. Many of us are in the same situation

And much like our national budget, we are all one major incident away from the poor house.

I'm looking for part-time (evenings and weekends) work too. I'm a Notary Public and thought of doing the mobile notary thing... but gas prices pretty much make that idea suck. I'm selling my home too. Between the mortgage and a car payment, I just can't do it anymore. It's all I can do to keep myself from the depths of depression.

[mad-mommy]

27. sorry

I'm sorry you have to sell. After looking for 3 years, and scrimping and saving, we landed a decent home, just before thigns went really crazy in real estate here. It's only a house though(that's what I tell myself every time I think we may have to sell it and I get sick). My sister and her hubby, no kids, both with decent jobs can't find a home , they have been squeezed out of the market. Now her rental has been sold, and she has to find another rental, not easy. I swear we'll all be back living with my dad. If selling gives you breathing room, I hope that will give you some comfort and pull you up a bit. Is anyone with any ability or power to help reading this?

[Dogmudgeon]

4. When gas hits $5/gallon

How about, "when gas hits $10 a gallon" and "when gas hits $19.59 a gallon".

We're right on the oil plateau right now. Production is flat, and has been for about a year. I suspect it will start to drop by 2009.

When the drop hits, there will be some radical changes in store. We need to make sure that they are OUR kind of "radical changes". Otherwise, yes, we will starve and freeze.

--p!

[SutaUvaca]

5. Yep, all in the boat with you.

Selling my house. Renting together with my fiance. Neither of us have health insurance, but we sure do have health care bills. I tell her to just ignore those, but it is unsettling to have the debt hanging over us.
Like someone else posted, I am often torn between optimistically hanging on and just wanting the whole system to crash and hope for a clean start where people are forced to share resources together for both simple survival and for the delight of it.
Hang in there. Chop some firewood before winter. Plant some veggies.

[mad-mommy]

7. funny you said that...

funny you said that...my hubby made a outdoor fireplace, nothing impressive, cost him nothing but hard work. The neighbor said we can take his firewood as we need it, so that's part of our free family fun stuff. We invite everyone over, they bring stuff for an outdoor picnic. And, we did plant this year, my stuff got eaten up by the bugs, my son and my dad did their own vege garden, and that is doing well. I really shouldn't be complaining. It's just not me I'm thinking about...I care about other people too(esp. people without health care), I care about my kids growing up in the mess that is being created for them. I really want to do something. I'll get there. I'm mad enough now.

[mad-mommy]

8. healthcare

emergency health care can't be denied, if you need it, go for it, and then pay what you can, even a few dollars on a routine basis. A friend of mine needed her gallbladder out, but is was not an emergency, just an intermittent flare up, had no insurance, so no one would even see her. She worked 2 jobs, did not get health care cov'g from either employer, and made too much for medical assistance. I too would feel unsettled with bills looming about, but sometimes you have to make choices on what you can pay to keep yourself afloat. I have seen one dentist office who had a sign that read "will provide no cost or low cost care to people without coverage" There are still some decent people out there.

[MichiganVote]

6. Haven't you heard?

We're FREE in the US. And we have to pay for that freedom. Never mind the fact that the wealthy are also free---free to do what they want, when they want, with whatever money or influence they want...
while the middle class is restricted from both entitlements for struggling families and children or entitled tax breaks as members of the rich and well endowed ruling class.

Don't you get it? You're free because this government says you are. So what if your taxes are disproportionate to your income or area, big deal if your common state and local fees keep going up and none of the politicians consider the impact, too bad you can't grasp the illusory brass ring in the US for advancement without working 75 hours a week for the man.

Honey, let me tell you...unless you win the lottery or inherit a large sum of money or maybe get lucky inventing something or playig the slots...there really is no other way to be secure in the US other than to save, spend about nothing, and work very hard. My husband and I came to the realization years ago that we would both have to work. But we've never gotten "ahead". The game is rigged so we won't. So we have managed to keep our heads above water, been responsible and frugal, and enjoy a responsible life. No thanks to Washington.

Make a difference in your own life by choosing very carefully how you spend your time, your money, and your emotions. Washington or state government will throw the middle class a bone every now and then but guess what? It'll cost ya' one way or the other. Take your time and your talents and do what works for you, wherever it works for you.

Just don't buy the BS about the freedom b/c the quality of life in the US has deteriorated to the point where I'm not even sure where I'm living anymore.

[mad-mommy]

29. will hang on...

Will hang on as long as we can. Thankfully no credit card debt to date. We were living within our means until the transportation costs became out of proportion. meanwhile, and hopefully no one will take offense, many people are still driving around in huge gas guzzling cars. Only because they can for now, it hasn't hit home for them just yet. This summer the gov't provided a free breakfast and lunch program, sponsored by the schools, to any child age 18 and under at various parks and schools, regardless of income. I looked into it by calling the woman in charge of it. She informed me they provide regardless of income, however, it's based on the area where you live, and the wages etc. Meaning we live in an area where there's not a lot of money being made by most. I thought if they can do this all summer for free, they can do it in school, and make it so the guidelines will help middle class too. Why not? Our tax dollars go to fund these programs. So she told me where to write and I did. of course I didn't hear a thing back. I am finding great encouragement here, and I need it so i don't give up.

meanwhile I think our prez has not addressed any of this(not to mention all of the other serious issues). maybe we'll get a gas card from the gov't. LOL.

[pitohui]

83. you need to hang onto your house

the renters are living in fantasy land, they are far more at the whim of fate and fuel price than the home owner w. a fixed mortgage

i live in the greater new orleans area, so i know, when the shit hits the fan, the renter who once paid $600 a month -- now has to pay $1,500 a month -- i'm talking abt the house next door so snoopy me knows the price to a tee -- the landlord is even talking abt raising it to $1,800 a month when the current tenants rebuild their real house and can move on


my house, same plan (3 bed, 2 bath) had a note of $440 per mo. bought in the early 90s and since paid off early

renters don't pay less, they pay MORE and they are subject to rising costs

eat beans and rice if you have to do, cut your medicine in half or skip it if you have to (i did it for years), get clothes at goodwill or freecycle, but keep your house whatever you do

renters are truly at the whim of rising prices, every time the lease expires in 6 months or 12 months there is another chance for the landlord to jump the price in an inflationary economy

i don't know what else to say, i went w.out health care for literally over a decade, you do what you have to in order to protect your family, shelter is pretty basic

the federal gov't doesn't give a damn about us, they would like the middle class to go ahead and lose everything financially, it's a zero sum game, the money we have lost to gas prices is money in dick cheney's pocket and in the pocket of exxon mobile which has posted the greatest profits of any industry of any quarter for all time in human history

we are just here to be extracted of our last dollar and left to die

no one is going to take care of us, we'll just have to do it on our own

no matter how bad it gets, it helps the rich, katrina displaced hundreds of thousands of people and destroyed hundreds of thousands of homes -- and exxon mobil jumped the price of gas and made the greatest profit of any industry of any quarter in human history -- it bears repeating -- if we lose, they win

[Sinti]

9. Unfortunately, your experience is not at all uncommon

35 percent of Americans had to choose between food and rent at least one month out of the year in 2003.

You could look into volunteering for a campaign in your locale, they can always use the help.

To help the ends meet maybe renting a room would help, if you have the room to spare, - perhaps watching someone else's kids. Since you have a computer, perhaps you could help people with their resumes and submitting them online or something comparable - maybe an eBay service, helping people sell their stuff online for a fee (portion of the sale price they get) - think outside the box. These ideas may sound goofy, but I figure anything beats nothing.

Whatever you do, hang in there - and Welcome to DU.

[mad-mommy]

30. charity begins at home

people have to chose which meds they really need since they can't get all of what they need. I am right now cutting back on food to allow money for gas. No one is starving in this house yet, and there are people buying food with credit, in this country. I just knew I would go in one million directions with this post. My dad and I got into one of our pow-wows and he said we can spend trillions of dollars in a war, but we can't feed the homeless in this country. And you know how you hear about eating healthy, and chosing healthy foods, well that is near impossible on a strict budget. You land up eating a lot of pasta. I could watch someone else's kids, I put that idea out there. Another idea is job sharing, and perhaps this may help me back into my old job if the person who took my job starts a family. I offered to split the hours up, and even share the babysitting. I watch her baby when I'm home, she watches mine when she's home. we both get to be home and work, and save on child care. I already do resumes for people, I don't charge, the people I do it for are in the same boat. I just do it because I can. I have to remind myself charity begins at home, and sometimes it doesn't cost a dime to help someone.

[Sir Jeffrey]

10. Welcome to DU...

A lot of us are on the edge. I understand your "proactive" urge. I have that myself. I wanted to go to law school to "make a difference" and "fight the good fight". I got into a great school but had to drop out because I couldn't afford to stay in. Everything went up in price. Now I make $22k per year with no benefits.

You have to realize that we live in a mass society now, though. All of us exist as mass consumers of mass produced goods. We're taught to respond to our irrational urges when choosing goods, services, or politicians. We all feel helpless because we don't seem to matter as individuals to society...which is why I spend time on DU talking to others who feel the same way.

About the only thing you can do is what someone upthread said: channel your energy into something positive for this November. Unless there is an armed rebellion or a general strike, as an individual you can make the most difference helping get out the vote, talking to your friends, etc.

As far as financial concerns, I really do think we're closer to a general strike than many believe. Imagine being a trucker in this environment. Or imagine being stuck in a year lease at a house 30 miles from work when you're making $8 an hour. We are fast approaching the tipping point where it will be useless for these folks to go to work and suddenly people will say to hell with this. I think $4 a gallon will do it, frankly.

Once the "proles" start asking why, incumbents better run and hide.

[mad-mommy]

31. they'll need a drink after they leave here

I guess your post it the most heartbreaking to me. When someone gets crushed, it makes me sick. I don't even know what to say to you. Can I ask what you do now?

Yes, we do live in a mass society. Irrational urges... I have learned through my mentor about NOT keeping up with the Jones. I say no a lot to my son. it's difficult when he's in school and they target these kids with overpriced events and fundraisers. Now that I'm opening my mouth, that will be the first thing I address this school year. Yes, bobby can earn a slinky if he sells ten overpriced pizzas, so the kids can have a holiday party , where Mary's mother will be mad because her daughter's cupcake didn't have sprinkles, but another kids did. I see it all of the time, at school, parties, etc. parents just giving kids a lot of money for a lot of nothing. Oh my God, I sound like my dad. I sound like my dad!

I need to find out more about being more involved, I'm just waiting for the first politician to ring my door bell, if it's dem, I'll tell them their office didn't want my help when I called. if it's a repug, well, that will be a lot of fun, and they'll need a drink after they leave here.

[Sir Jeffrey]

78. I'm a copier salesman...

for a small company. This was the only job I could get that was anything above minimum wage. It is pretty funny because I wear a suit and tie to work everyday so everyone thinks I'm earning a lot of money.

I felt crushed for a while...maybe I still do to a certain extent. But I see people everyday in much worse situations than me so that helps. I mean, I still have a job. I can cut my mileage back at times and work out of the house some. Our landlord is flexible on rent. And I have a 2 year old so I can't really sit around feeling sorry for myself. All I can do is try to make things better for her.

My job gets me in front of a lot of people. I live in a Southern red state, but I get people talking to me about their situations...and even in the red parts of red states I can see the shift in perceptions. Individually we on the bottom cannot do much but together we can change things.

Bush has been awful, but if we can survive him I see some great progressive victories on the horizon. We just need to hang on tight until the next election. And take heart that my generation, the 18-29 year olds without health care and $50K in debt from college, are voting and voting left.

[mad-mommy]

93. you have a positive attitude....

when you get around people, ones you can trust, use that as a network to find a new job. A lot of jobs are by word of mouth. And you have to love your landlord. There are still good people out there.

[Warpy]

11. I spent the last 3 years living on $800/month

when the mortgage took the first $560. I ate a lot of beans, rice, and root veggies. I don't know how I'd cope with $3.00 gas on that budget, although I was managing to get 6 months out of a tank of gas in my old Ranger. I walked and biked a lot and used an electric moped for most shopping trips

The adjustment will be miserable. People will have to make it, though, until we get rid of this bunch in power.

[mad-mommy]

32. We should be managing the nation's money

We should be managing the nation's money, we sure as hell know how to live on next to nothing and make it work.

You know what, I know we're already not spending money and stimulating the econony, and soon enough no one will be spending money.

[conflictgirl]

12. We're in the same boat too

Except imagine if your husband lost his job, and six months later he was still looking. That's the position my family is in right now. Obviously we have no health insurance either.

We had to make the decision not to run the air conditioning anymore, even when the temperature hits 90 degrees with 70 percent humidity. Air conditioning is a luxury, but it was one I really enjoyed using when it got that hot. Now we can't afford it anymore. I hate to see what we're going to have to do this winter. Last winter we kept the temperature at 66 and I was freezing. I guess it's just going to have to go down a couple degrees below that this winter. I am lucky to have a house with central heat and air. I just hate how quickly the middle-class lifestyle has become completely unattainable for us anymore. Both of our cars have around 100K miles on them now. We don't drive them that much (especially now that my husband is unemployed), but I worry that one of these days one of them is going to need an expensive repair or to be replaced, and there's no money on the horizon for either.

I don't know what to do to make a difference. I've taken another job and I'm about to finish my college degree, and my husband's about to return to school next month. To save money, we've cut way back on the grocery budget and haven't taken any day trips this summer to the beach or to visit family. We've always had a garden and canned tomatoes, but this year we also made jam. We're pretty resourceful as far as cutting back as much as possible, but it's starting to get to the point where cutting back any more would be difficult.

[mad-mommy]

34. this country is on it's knees.

It sounds like more positive things will happen to you both with furthering your education. I sure wish that for you. We have central air, and I turned it off to conserve. My hubby gets angry, he says, I went to school, keep up with my job through continuing education, bring work home and don't get paid for it, for what. What, we don't deserve to have things? And not that we even want anything great, just to live and breath a little easier. I know my dad, went through the great depression, which I think we'll see soon enough, but he said back then, the wealthy people aren't like the wealthy people of today. While we're worried about what next, we had on that sweet sixteen million dollar birthday party non-sense. Do you know what show I'm talking about? Maybe it's better if you don't.

Exactly, how much more can people cut back? It doesn't work when people can't spend money to stimulate the economy, let alone keep their heads above water. truelly, this country is on it's knees.

[conflictgirl]

47. That Sweet Sixteen show is horrible!

Unfortunately I have seen it. It's sort of like a train wreck and I admit that I've even watched more than one episode. I think it was the writer of the "Wonkette" blog who wrote about that Super-Sweet Sixteen show in Time magazine or somewhere, and said that the show is the best advertisement for class war. I think that at the rate things are going, class war is inevitable, as the gap between rich and poor grows so exponentially.

I'm taking a social psychology course this summer and one of the topics we covered was the reasons why people choose to riot or protest, particularly against the government, and the reasons that make people choose not to take those actions. Apparently if people believe that they deserve to be poor, they are less likely to fight back. And another big reason that people might not choose to fight back is if the losses they have faced have come really gradually. A very rapid drop in standard of living after a very good standard of living is more likely to result in action. It seems like even though the big economic losses have been fairly sudden, in the greater scheme of things I'm worried that it might not have been sudden enough to shake people out of their apathy.

[mad-mommy]

59. did you want to smash your tv?

right, the gradual change...this was happening all along, it wasn't until this last year where it hit us. It will continue to hit people. Though, I still see many people in a situation similar to ours, spending money foolishly. I know someone who wants to buy a hummer. wtf. why would you do that? It just makes it seem like everything is hunky dory, look , people are still buying gas guzzling cars, things can't be that bad. must be credit card living for many people, sadly, as others are using their credit cards just to eat. but back to what you said...it needs to be drastic to evoke people. if the gas prices continue on, even gradual, things will start to happen. people will resort to a variety of things.

[MadHound]

13. Hi there, and welcome to DU

A lot of us are walking that fine line. My wife and I are in a bit better shape, mainly because we don't have kids and no outstanding debt other than the mortage.

However we do live out in the country, and I have a fifty-two mile round trip commute that was starting to kill me. So I got together $2800 and bought this


It is a Bajaj Chetak scooter. It cruises at 55mph, it gets 100mpg. I highly recommend it for the daily commute. It has saved me a ton of cash, and is a blast to ride. For more information go to <http://www.bajajusa.com>

Also, if you have the yard for it, I would recommend that you grow a garden. Not only are you saving money, but the food is better for you.

Also, since daycare seems to be in high demand, have you thought about taking care of a few children at your place? Sure, it would take a small initial investment for licensing, fees, etc. but hey, you could work and raise your kids:shrug:

I wish you luck and let us know how you're doing OK. :hi:

[unpossibles]

15. cool! a fellow scooterist

Where are you? I'm in Ohio.

my wife and I have older, less dependable Vespas, but they are fun and save a lot in the long run. Heck, we bought ours for fun a few years ago, and now that gas has gone up, prefer them over the car as much as possible.

here's me & my bike:



it's a 1981 and gets about 70mpg and goes 55mph. I'd like to upgrade to a more efficient and cleaner daily rider, but can't afford it right now.

but back to topic, it's been hard - we both have degrees and have both had spans of unemployment, where luckily we could help the other a bit, but we've had to live cheaply for a while now. Frankly I do not mind as I am not into excess anyway - sometimes it is annoying and stressful, but if you don't mind cooking from scratch and can entertain yourselves that helps.

Good luck! Just remember: we can get through this, and one way or another there will be big changes on the horizon!

[MadHound]

84. Lovely little bike!

I would love to have an old Vespa, and actually thought about getting one originally. But dependability and getting parts were an issue, so I went with the Bajaj.

I live in the Mid Missouri area, out in the country. I picked the bike up last fall due to rising gas prices. I have a fifty two mile round trip commute, and gas was just killing me. Did some research and found that the little Bajaj fit the bill perfectly. In fact it has been such a dream of a machine, I'm seriously contemplating on getting one of Bajaj's three wheel panel vans here in a few years when my orchard is producing commercially, transport produce back and forth to market. Either that or a diesel powered vehicle, so I can make biodiesel.

Long ago I heeded the warnings of Peak Oil, a looming theocratic coservative upswing, and economic collapse were coming our way, and started preparing. I moved out to the country in order to provide for myself, friends and family. I'm growing a lot of my own food, shortly I'm going to be putting up a wind turbine, this fall I'm putting in a woodstove. I need to drill a well and purchase a biodiesel production kit also, along with a small diesel tractor. Hoping that it all holds together for a few more years, I'd love to have the mortage paid off before the shit hits the fan, but we'll see.

Good luck to you, and if you're in the Columbia area and see a guy on a red Bajaj, you know who it is!

[unpossibles]

86. thanks! I painted it myself

I like the farm idea - something my wife and I have discussed.

those little three-wheel vans are neat - a little tricky to get used to driving, but not bad. And I have some friends who did the grease car conversion and love it.

good luck and take care!

[mad-mommy]

39. I plan on sticking around

hubby has a 100 mile round trip. we can't afford to live there, he wouldn't make enough for us to rent, let alone buy. he can't afford to work here...though we would save on gas, the drastic pay cut would'nt be enough of a difference yet. he drives a small car, but it's older, so the gas mileage is so so.

we grew a garden, well my son and my dad, I grew herbs that the bugs ate through. the veges are still going strong.

As I was typing away today on the board, I could hear my one son palying in the background, no care in the world. It was really nice.

[lindac07]

14. WELCOME to DU!!!!!!

Its a tired old saying, but, I feel your pain. My husband and I are retired and basically living on a fixed income. My husband picks up teaching jobs when he can. Our health insurance is $450 per month and is slated to go up in January. And that's from his old company. I get the feeling they want to get rid of us and make us get our own cheaper insurance, which we may have to do. But, at least we have insurance. We have watched as our living expenses have gone through the roof and have cut back on our retirement plans alot. All the years we worked to retire and do the stuff we saved for and now we can't.

2008 is way too far off for me. Changes need to come now. I'm tired of being pushed around by gazillionaires who have no idea what we average people go through, and still try to tell me what's good for me.

And yet, I have to say that I remain optimistic and I think, wait for it, that DU helps alot. They have forced me to get off my butt and work for what I believe in. And they lighten my spirit. People here are smart and resourceful and they know what's really going on out there in the world.

Pick a candidate and work for him/her. They will need you. Do whatever it takes. Its good networking too. Join the local democratic party. I've met so many people that way and found so many friends who think the way I do. I'm proud to know them. And proud to be a small part of DU.

In the meantime, you take care and put that chin up. The revolution is coming soon, so hang in there.

[mad-mommy]

41. keep around the healthy poor to work for the upper class

My aunt is working(at a nursing home) just to pay her insurance until Medicare kicks in, and will probably continue on to pay her supplemental. The current job pays her half of what's she's worth. But she gets the hours she can handle. The residents love her and they tell her they wish she never leaves them. Not fair to you for all of the hard work you put in. Can you imagine what the future holds if things continue on? Just get rid of the sick, elderly, poor, but keep around the healthy poor to work for the upper class.

[redqueen]

16. YES! IT MATTERS!

ACORN can use your help!

DFA can use your help!

Your local / state Dem party can DEFINITELY use your help!

:bounce:

[mad-mommy]

42. thanks for the info

Oh my, it's 1230 am and I think I'll be on acorn.org after here.

[Extend a Hand]

17. things seem to be falling apart

one family at a time. I think we are facing an unprecedented convegence of crisis in energy/oil, economics, and environment. I hope there is the time and will to make the necessary changes in our "non-negotial" way of life and to repair the social safety net in this country before things get really ugly.


:scared: :scared:

edited to add:
welcome to DU :hi:

[mad-mommy]

44. people need to wake up, I think I woke up too late

[Extend a Hand]

67. Have you been to this site?

http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/Index.html
Matt Savinar has been spreading the word for a few years now and still needs time to prepare. All we can do is hope we don't see a worst case senario.

:blush:
Wish I had proof-read my earlier post. ;)

[Wiley50]

18. Middle Class America?

Sorry, but they don't live here anymore.
Could the working poor be of any help to you?

[Wiley50]

19. Seriously though.....

Ditch the cable now. It's just brainwashing you and making you more depressed.
Don't stop the internet, Here's why
You can get Skype internet phone for $38 a year.
A real local number, with ultra cheap Long Distance.
So ditch your phone and LD before you ditch the internet.
and You can get all of the entertainment
and much more truthful news
through the internet.

I went through this already.
In 2000, I owned a house
and had almost $100,000 in paper equity
But after 30 years laying carpet my back went out
Two months after my back surgury my wife's job was downsized
We struggled to avoid foreclosure for two years.
unsucessfully.
Used up all of the savings making payments,
When we finally tried to refinance
and get some of the equity out
it was too late, our credit had slipped enough
we couldn't get a re-fi.
Put the house on the market, but it didn't sell
Lost it and the equity and filed Chapter 7 in 2002

The marriage was young (3 yrs)
so the divorce wasn't so bad
and we're freinds again now.

She works for Verizon
and I was getting my cell phone through her at her emp discount.
She bought a house ( Glad I'm not on the mortgage )
I bought a 28 foot sailboat on Ebay
when my disability finally went though after 3 years
It's paid for.

So I just traded my Verizon Cell Phone
for a verizon data card
so now I have internet on my boat or whereever
and my phone service is through Skype

All I know is what happend to me
maybe you can keep middle class status
But really
the elites don't want us to have it that way

[undergroundpanther]

61. HI Wiley!!

Good to see You Again..:)

[Wiley50]

20. bump n/t

[mad-mommy]

62. I'm not sinking!!!!

I'm not sinking! I had to go to a funeral. Then tend to the kiddies, and the lil' one was being a bugger and wouldn’t go to sleep. Mommy time starts about 11pm when the rest goes to bed. I get a few hours during the day when the baby naps. Can you change your primetime? To about 11pm, to, oh let's see, it's now 1:15 am? Oh what a Wiley one you are indeed, I did get a chuckle knowing you can buy a boat on eBay. Good for you! How about a good leader? Can you buy that on eBay? Ok, I’m like a total bargain shopper these days. I looked into this internet, TV, phone deal, it would come out to be more stuff, for less money, but I found you, God forbid, you dial 911, it may not work properly, if the call gets disconnected and you can’t call them back. And if the power goes out, which it does a lot here, you can’t call out at all. Cable TV would be long gone, not just because of the money situation, I think the prices are absurd, and they can get away with the monopoly they have going. Hubby won’t budge on that, only entertainment we have. How about this…we have to use this crazy local phone company, and to get long distance, you have to buy a package of non-sense that would cost nearly 100 a month. I said, give me the package that lets me at least lets me pick up a phone and make local calls, like 911. Just give me that package. I have totally had it with this package crap of stuff I don’t need. I sound my dad again. That’s scary.

I don’t even care about status. Just wanted a decent home, safe for the kids. At the time, we made a smart decision with got the home for a good deal. Who knew in a year, all of this would happen. First the gas, then the home heating, then every utility went up, and the groceries. So whatever the sacrifice has to be, it has to be. Worse case, we’ll have to sell, and move and my dad would take us in in a heartbeat. That makes me sleep a little better.

Chat with ya’ later Wiley one.

[TheCentepedeShoes]

21. Another kick to keep it going n/t

[Little Star]

22. At first I thought this post was satire. Then I realized that

you were really feeling like a lot of us. Welcome to DU and hang in there. You are not alone.

[mad-mommy]

45. satire...my life should be a reality show : ), i'm glad I found this place

[Wiley50]

23. Another Bump for the Mad Mommy

It's all too real for us all

[earth mom]

24. I feel your pain.

Hubby and I lived on the edge for about 8 years before he got a good paying Union job 2 years ago. Well, everyone knows that they are trying to bust every Union in this country! :grr: So, we're fighting those bastards tooth and nail and just praying that hubby can work long enough to get the pension that goes with his job if the Union can hang in there. I'm also a stay at home mom, and agree with those who suggested eBay for extra income. Even with hubbys better paying job we are slowly getting back on our feet but what with the gas prices and higher prices on everything, it feels like we took 3 steps forward and 2 back. Our house needs about 10K in repairs-roof and furnace-right now and we don't have it and aren't about to go into further debt for it. Meanwhile we're keeping our fingers crossed that the roof holds and that we can survive another cold winter with just the wood stove. Maybe next year will be better....

Oh BTW-Welcome to DU! :hi: This is a good place to come and vent and also to feel that your voice is being heard and maybe making a difference somehow to someone, maybe just another mom like yourself. Which helps a bit when the frustration of not being heard by the powers that be in D.C. gets to be too damn much! :argh:

[mad-mommy]

48. thank you for making me feel not alone

[earth mom]

81. You're welcome!

:hug:

[Wiley50]

25. HEY M> MOMMY! Come Back and tend your thread!

We can't have a conversation if you leave after only a monolouge

I can only bump your thread so many times

It's primetime on DU

and you keep sinking fast

[Greyhound]

28. Welcome to DU, glad you found us! Seriously, you are far from alone

and many of us are further down the road, so the voice of experience can be helpful.

Speak your mind, and don't feed the trolls. :hi: :grouphug: :party:

[mad-mommy]

49. glad I found you too

[grannylib]

33. Welcome to DU, and you are not alone, as others have said!

Many of us in the same boat.
Hours cut, insurance and gas going up, trying to stay on top of the bills, not using the AC, freezing in the wintertime (hope we have another relatively mild one), gardening, canning, no vacations, no excess driving, doing without medications, etc.

We need a major change in this country, back to a government OF, BY and FOR THE PEOPLE!

[mad-mommy]

50. amen

[lonestarnot]

35. We are in a corporate class war. It rages on daily without much notice.

[mad-mommy]

51. right! people wake up!

[lonestarnot]

53. Welcome to DU mad-mommy.

:hi:

[misternormal]

36. Welcome to DU...

... and know for sure that you are not alone...

Hate Bush and all he stands for and want change???

Raise your hand and vote Dem... :headbang:

[mad-mommy]

52. i think dad would like you....

we have a private joke in the family, anytime something goes wrong, like the weather, that's who we blame.

[question everything]

37. Don't sell the home

You have to live someplace and rent can be more expensive and will rise each year. At least with a fixed rate mortgage you don't have to worry about this.

See if you can get something that you can do from home.. perhaps even tutoring students?

And, yes, if your spouse can get a better job he should. Supposedly the economy is expanding and new jobs are being formed. It is not easy looking for a new job.. perhaps he can use friends and relatives who can keep their eyes and ears open.

Good luck to you.

[w8liftinglady]

38. welcome to DU,and as an RN I've taken a second job

These bastards are trying to do away with us.The thinkers...the teachers,medical people...no different than viet nam and cambodia.

[mad-mommy]

54. I don't know, you sound like my dear friend

I don't know, you sound like my dear friend a retired nurse. She said it's like back in the day. We live in the coal mine region, and back then, they hired the immigrnats and paid them crap, worked even little kids in the mines, told them where they could buy food, from the mine barrons of course, and keep them all under their little greedy fingers. Do away as you said with the thinkers, keep the poor to do the dirty work. But it wasn't long before people started uprising.

[ReadTomPaine]

40. Don't feel alone.

Most of the country feels the same way.

[mad-mommy]

55. except the wealthy

and I'm starting to feel bitter, and that's not a nice feeling. I don't like to think like that.

[Canuckistanian]

43. Used to be that being Middle-Class was a sweet deal

Union job, low mortgage, gas at 65c a gallon. Hard work was rewarded and salaries increased progressively. Loads of opportunities. Lifetime jobs, pension funds.

Not any more.

Now it's a struggle just to hold on to jobs, work like hell to keep the status quo and hope there isn't a disaster 'cause there's no savings, no cushion to pull you through.

Yet, there are wealthy people. And the big benefits seem to be going to THEM now.

I don't know where this will lead. But something's gotta change.

Or there will be trouble.

[mad-mommy]

56. exactly

[Canuckistanian]

58. Welcome to DU

You're among friends.

:toast:
:hi:

(my standard greeting for new members! :P)

[w8liftinglady]

46. man...I have become the coupon queen.

It sucks to have to buy school clothes,and try to feed kids well.I make GOOD money compared to a lot of folks.I can only imagine trying to support people on even 7.25 /hr.

[mad-mommy]

57. i use to think...

I use to think my hubby made good money, I did too. Even if I was working right now, because of the gas, and everything else going up...it isn't good money anymore. If you need to call someone to do even a minor repair in your home, or a minor car repair, you're looking at no less than $100.00, but probably alot more. Now take your pay, divided by the hours you work, and see how many hours you had to work to make the money to pay someone else for that job. AND, in most cases, the person doing that job, mind you, isn't making that kind of money, his boss is.

[undergroundpanther]

60. Damn I feel for ya

I am in a bad spot too. I don't make enough money(Disabled) to qualify for budget billing for heating oil on my income.The other option is save up over 500 bucks to buy a winters supply by the time winter hits on around 500 bucks a month.Hope my mom can help. I think I'd better get used to sleeping in a winter coat.. and pile on as many blankets as I can..Glad I got 3 cats,cats are little fur covered heaters.I dread facing this issue when it all comes home to roost. I live in my moms house rent free but maintaining this place is beyond my means if I do it alone and there is nowhere else I can go because rent alone would eat my entire check..And the roommate I got now I am not sure I can cope with the situation,A new roommate is coming,but he's strapped too.Goddammit is sucks everywhere. And I fear for those worse off than me who have no house to shelter them at all.A house can cut the bitter wind and a bed can be made to be warmer than a sidewalk.

[mad-mommy]

64. hey there

Hey there! Yes, do pile on the blankets! One, if not both kids are in bed with us. They are like heating machines. During winter, I wear a wool sweater, and my crazy man wears a t-shirt. The kids just run around like maniacs. Check for the most competative oil rates where you live. here in PA some places allow you to do a budget(regardless of income etc), where you pay every month, they base on what you used the previous year, AND, some places lock you in at a certain fee for the year, so no matter how high the oil goes, you're locked in. Sometimes that budget hurts a little less, plus you pay that same amt. each month, and don't get hit with a huge bill at once. If they won't do any sort of budget for you, do it yourself, base on last year, add a little , then divide by how many pay/disabilty checks you get a year, and deduct that amount each check, and put it on the side. Can you qualify for any other heating assistance?

[starroute]

63. There are plenty of hints for living poor

Maybe you already know all of them...maybe not. Americans haven't done much economizing lately, but there were a lot of books out during the lean years of the 70's with money-saving tips. I still have one kicking around somewhere called something like "Living Poor with Class."

Some examples:

- Swapping services. If you need work done on your house, find out if there's someone who would trade the work for babysitting or some other service you might be able to offer.

- Keeping down your fixed expenses as much as possible. Insulation, for example -- depending on how old your house is, there's a lot that can be done to keep in a few pennies worth of warm air here and a few there. Rope caulk, for example, works wonders on drafts and may even let you kick the thermostat down a couple of degrees without feeling chilled.

- Changing how you eat. Eating too much refined starch is bad for you -- but eating less meat and more beans and lentils is healthy. Get a couple of vegetarian cookbooks and do veggie a couple of nights a week.

- Living second-hand whereever you can. I buy shoes and underwear new, but almost everything else I wear comes from thrift shops, yard sales, or clearance racks. A fair amount of my furniture was picked up off the streets, where neighbors had set it out with a "free" sign or just left it for the trash pickup. Anything I have to get new, I'll get at the discount store if I possibly can, or off the remainder counter in the case of books.

- Researching for bargains. For example, our local farmers market -- which is cheaper than the supermarket to begin with -- is only open weekends, and if you go in late on Sunday afternoon, the produce stands are selling off the last of their goods dirt cheap. Craigslist has listings of stuff people are giving away free. And so forth.

[mad-mommy]

65. great minds think alike

I'm already on it. The trading work is a great idea! Our local farmer charges 4.50 a dozen corn, but I can buy it at wal-mart for 1.98. Haven't quite figured that one out yet.

[mad-mommy]

66. wake up wiley...my thread is on fire!

[Wiley50]

80. Oh Honey, You stay up too late for me

Pennsylvania! Yuck!
I hate to even drive through that place
It's hell to find a place to buy beer

[mad-mommy]

88. oh there you are....

oh there you are. You must not be driving anywhere near us, because there's lots of places to buy beer here. Where I grew up, there was a church and bar on every corner.

[McKinneyIsAHero]

68. What you can do is speak out that's the most important thing!

Speak out about your plight and common plights. That's more revolutionary than we know.

[NMMNG]

69. I can empathize with you.

I work two jobs to maintain existence. One of them has not given me a COLA in three years (there is no such thing as a "raise" here). While the measly 2-3% wasn't much it was better than nothing. I want desperately to get my Masters so I can get a job that pays enough for me to live on one job but I don't have the money. If I quit one of my jobs I'll qualify for financial assistance but I won't be able to afford to live. Right now I just can't win.

By spring at the latest I'll be getting my own place which will be somewhat more expensive for me (right now I'm sharing a place with a roommate). It's likely I'll have to give up cable, though that won't be a big sacrifice as I watch little or no TV at home. The local gas and electric company just instituted a big rate hike which they'll be increasing every year for many years. I have a feeling I'll be wearing my usual four layers plus a blanket come winter to lower my heating bill.


We shouldn't have to live like this.

[B Calm]

70. Every morning when I log on I scroll looking for a thread that

catches my eye. You wrote a beautiful post that describes the hardships of the shrinking middle-class under republican corporatist rule. For that, I thank you!

[mad-mommy]

76. your welcome...

do you think the media cares? maybe they should do a reality tv showing how middle class, and the working poor live. Didn't Oprah just have a show about the minimum wagers? I heard tears were shed, but that's not going to fix the problem. Then that other show, the messengers, I want to try and catch that.

[Greyhound]

91. It's not just the repukes...

Let's not forget how much of this shit was perpetrated by "our" side.

The Corporate Party has both a Re:puke: and a Democratic wing.

[salitine]

71. 10,000$ electric car. 40 mile range. 40 cents a day to run

http://www.zapworld.com/cars/xebra.asp

The cheapest electric car I know of that's worth a darn.

[mad-mommy]

77. need more info

has anyone done a comparison of costs? how much does your electric bill go up when you charge this car?

who repairs these cars?

I don't think this would work for our family, BUT it could work for other people, would like to know more about it.

[salitine]

79. it's cheap. and it's the first one of it's kind.

Compaied to what? The 100,000 dollar 'Tesla'? Repair? Change the batteries yourself, unscrew the covers. The electric motor? Guarenteed for 5 years. The're simple compaired to a gasoline motor. Family mover, it isn't. Going to work and the grocery store? Perfect! Figure you use 5-7 dollars gas a day going to work and the grocery store. That becomes .40 cents a day electric. Save your gas car for places you have to take everyone.

[NC_Nurse]

72. What middle class?

Oh, you mean the sinking ship I'm on? :-)
Don't get me started! At least as a nurse I know I'll always have a job - as long as my health holds out, that is...no disability...
We are living in a hous eof cards as well. Welcome to DU! :hi:

[midnight]

73. How many foreign nurses with visa's do you work with?

Under the guise of Nafta /homeland security a lot of those nurses came in to help out with the shortage of nurses. I think it was a tool to prevent capitalism from being applied to this profession. I see them these nurses with visa used a lot in the care for the elderly.

[mad-mommy]

75. I can't believe that the health field

I can't believe that the health field-of all fields does not offer disability and good coverage...but we are seeing more and more of this. We find the larger hospitals offer the best deals, that's the direction we are looking in. The smaller businesses claim they just can't afford the plans, and I have seen what it costs to give a family plan to an employee, yet, we had both interviewd at jobs(well years ago) where smaller companies offered good plans. I suppose it depends how generous they want to be. it only makes sense though, employee turn around would be lower. Yes, nursing is the one thing I do see lots of openings for in the medical field. But not so much so for x-ray and physical therapy etc. once very hot fields. Nursing is not an easy job, there aren't too many 9-5 shifts, and you put up with a lot. I have also noticed around here (again hospital setting)they are competative with salaries.

[Chimichurri]

74. You're not alone. It's tough right now but together we can all make

a difference. The first thing we must do is get people aware so that we can get an electorate to vote in new leaders to then fix the damage.

It's isn't going to be easy but Conneticut proved it can be done.

[Imagevision]

82. Also Bush eliminated the ability to filing for bankruptsy at a time when

only yesterday MSNBC had a story regarding the highest credit card spending ever

[Amelie]

85. Don't get me started

We were getting by, and then lost everything in Hurricane Katrina. Our house marinated in seven feet of water for about three weeks. It's easy to imagine the big stuff -- beds, sofas, tables, the house etc.; it's the little things that take us by surprise. Just yesterday, for example, I realized we don't have a pencil sharpener. Cheap, sure, but it still costs money. I'm just grateful we don't live in a trailer, like my sister-in-law and their three teenagers.

Anyway, in addition to losing the house, I had a baby while we were on evacuation, then got pregnant again almost immediately. So now we have to replace our sedans with something that can accommodate three car seats (we also have a three year old), two dogs, and (with a mind toward the next evacuation) all our stuff.

You don't know how much you have until it's all taken away.

[mad-mommy]

87. no matter how bad you think you have it, someone has it worse

My mother always said this, no matter how bad you think you have it, someone has it worse...and you have had it a lot worse, then to start all over in this current economy. best of luck to you.

[butterfly77]

89. Happy holidays and seasons greetings...

from what I am hearing it won't be happy for most, it will going into gas tanks and fueling homes if we can afford it by then.

[AZBlue]

90. You have a 401K? What...are you a Hilton??

OK, joking aside (although, no, I really don't have one), I feel your pain. Acutely. Daily. I already dumped cable. My internet is a dial-up plan. I'm searching for a new job and yet I only find dead ends or people willing to hire me for less than what I make now!! What's that??

And, like you, I know I'm one of the lucky ones.

As for your frustration with getting involved...I feel that pain too. I can't tell you how many times I've called, e-mailed, and gone to the Dem Party here only to be ignored. I'm told that they're so excited that I have volunteered and that they can really use my help and will let me know when the next phone bank/mailing party/event/meeting is...and I never hear from them again. I contacted the Kerry campaign so many times they probably thought I was a stalker. I've contacted Pederson's campaign 3 times (he's running for the senate against Jon Kyl) and never even get acknowledged.

I keep trying though. I can't give up - if we all gave up, think of how bad things could really be! Economics and politics go in cycles - we're in a bad cycle now, so let's just keep going until we come into a better one!

:hug:

[leftofthedial]

92. I didn't realize there still WAS a middle class in Murka

the wealthy's class war has all but eliminated it.