LIVING POOR: PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES FOR MANY
70Previously Middle Class Folks are now Poor
Getting the Message Out
I am writing to get the message out about how bad it may be for many out there as a result of this present recession. I am doing this because I received a comment on my "Discrimination against the poor: Still Alive and Well" hub a few days ago stating an opinion and attitude I've read before on hubpages and elsewhere. Quite frankly, I'm tired of writing about being poor, and its consequences on one's life. I wish I could write about something more uplifting for myself and others, but as long as some appear to not understand the changing face of the poor in America, I will be obligated to write on this topic simply because my family's generous contributions allow me to still have computer access and be able to do so.
The comment about which I refer, stated "I don't care much for the po, because the rich and middle class always have to carry the load." I've read this before, and it only indicates that some aren't getting it. Many of the same middle class people who have carried the load along with the rich in the past are now among the poor.
I've told my own story so many times I cringe at the thought of telling it again. To make a long story short, I obtained seven years of formal education, earned a specialty certification in another two years, obtained employment in my field and moved a number of times advancing my career quickly. I hold a Masters Degree with a specialty in Psychology and Counseling, and have a Certification as a Substance Abuse Counselor. I successfully worked on a number of professional and management positions, some more successful than others as is common. I dealt with the typical political winds related to the workplace, was actually terminated once for political reasons, and resigned by my own choice once, but finding new employment in my field was never difficult. That is no longer true in my state. While Substance Abuse Counseling never paid a six figure income, it is safe to say I would have been considered a middle class professional while I worked within my chosen field.
One year ago, my contract Substance Abuse Assessment business ceased to exist due to the 2009 state budget cuts in Georgia that caused my referrals to cease. Since that time I have searched for work in my field, have interviewed for three professional positions, but have not found employment within my field. It is worth mentioning that before the present recession I never had less than three job interviews a month at any given time that I was seriously sending out resumes of qualifications seeking work in my field. I have not changed. What has changed is the number of unemployed substance abuse professionals within the state of Georgia.
My Experience Today
Last month I submitted a somewhat humorous hub about an interview I had at a prison in Wrightsville. The offer did not happen, though I was actually over qualified for the position both in pay-grade and experience. It was actually a job I would not have even considered even one year ago today. Nevertheless, it does not appear an offer is forthcoming since I have heard nothing at all. I was desperate enough to consider the position only after my hours were cut so drastically on a part time job I have held for over a year, now, that I could no longer even meet my monthly utility obligations without family help. The prison job would have required the cost of a place to sleep four nights a week since it required ten hour days two hours from where I live. it also would have required me to pay for care for my dogs and cats while I was gone. The job was only going to pay from 31k to 32k annually, so about all it would have done was assist me in paying my own monthly utility bills, other than covering the cost of sleeping in Wrightsville and pet care for my pets while I was working there.
When it was obvious the offer was not coming, my Charleston family decided to send me money every week to make up for the money I am no longer earning on my part time job. Be aware that many, if not most people in my situation do not even have the luxury of a Charleston family who can afford to assist them in such a way. Since I am not disabled mentally nor physically, I was uncomfortable with this, and preceded to make the rounds in my local community picking up applications for jobs in local stores such as Piggly Wiggly Supermarket, Dollar General, and Family Dollar, hoping to earn the same amount my family was paying in order to be able to tell them to stop sending the money.
In front of CVS, a drug store about 11 miles from my home, my car would not start up. I worked with it an hour or so with no luck. I ended up having to contact my family, who will now repair the car in addition to sending the money they were sending before. My car is old and has over 200,000 miles under its hood, but I have not felt financially secure enough since it has been paid for to justify the purchase of a new one. My home is too far from town to walk to work, thus in order to work on even a minimum wage job I must have a working automobile.
In my case, this setback is an emotional one for me, and a financial one for my family. A healthy person requires more than having his or her physical needs met by others in order to feel positive about his or her life. One must be able to make a contribution in order to feel whole so yesterday's development was a painful one for me, however, many have much more serious problems than those I am experiencing. Imagine the story I have just described without the presence of a generous family who can or will help.
I am not asking that you take pity on me. My family is already doing that much. I am asking instead that you recognize the level of desperation many who were previously middle class Americans are currently experiencing. It is not simply a matter of being willing to work. First of all, a car, a home, a hot shower, and appropriate clothes are necessary for work on almost any job regardless of what it pays. Secondly, in order to hold on to all these necessary things, earning enough money to cover your monthly obligations along with unplanned emergencies is also necessary. Before you write or say you don't care what happens to the poor because they don't carry any of the load, keep in mind that many of us who are now poor once paid high taxes while we were middle class Americans, and wish we could do the same today.
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justsilvie, Whether I would leave Geogia depends on the job. They would have to pay relocation costs which is rare in this field. I can't afford to do much of anything at this point. I would have to have some type contract insuring me I wouldn't end up unemployed a long way from home, and once again have to call on my family to get me back home. Thanks for commenting on my site. This is not a good time to return to the U.S. Jobs are very hard to find, and because of that work conditions are very bad for most people. (:v
Oh.. I sooo agree with you..the last part is much overlooked!!
Thanks msorensson. I think some people are still living in past tense. (:v
Yes, Valerie..I know..hugs and much love.. always.
MS, thanks for your continued support. (:v
Always remember that in my heart and in my mind, you are a superb lady and no one can take that away from you.
I can relate to everything you put into this hub. I consider that we cannot afford "not to care", because who knows what is next for us.
You worked hard, paying your share of taxes honestly for many years. Maybe now it is the right time for people like you in time of need to take help from the pot you were contributing to. Can you apply for unemployment benefits (because of reduced hours not by your choice), for living assistance from local human services department? These are supposed to support people like you in hard times. I know, so many people are abusing these sources living on their support generation after generation. Not in your case! You deserve to get some help back from the source you were contributing to honestly when you had a good job. Is there such a temporary option?
Thanks again MS. ReuVera, I doubt any part time work qualifies for unemployment compensation, and since my previous contract work was self employment in the form of a small business it didn't qualify for unemployment benefits either. All part time jobs are unreliable, but many of us are working on them at present, because we can't find a full time job, and some income is better than no income.
There is no program other than EBT food stamps for single women with no children. Food stamps keep you from starving to death but they don't repair cars or pay utility bills. All such funds are reserved for women with children. In my case I am two years away from drawing social security, but being almost 60 also makes it harder for me to find work. Thanks for the support and the suggestions, though I don't think they will work in my case. (:v
With six billion people in the world most people don't give a rats ass about anything except the next football game and a six pack of beer. I find it difficult inside to stand near the edge of the cliff and watch people fall off so to speak. This person about sums up the "PO" comment in just the title. Pakistan Is Dying -- The World Yawns. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Pakistan-Is-Dying It all leaves us to question our own existence and purpose. At least with the internet someone does hear you. I'm hearing you.
Welcome back, White Horse, It does seem that nobody hears about the plight of the poor until they become poor themselves. I've written on this topic so much people are tired of reading it and I'm tired of writing about it. Still, if I have a spiritual calling at this point in time, this is it. Thanks for your support. (:v
Good hub. And your right times are tough right now.
Very tough for many of us, but after reading the article white horse left in his comment, I realize I am actually lucky. (:v
I agree with what has been said about being poor in an uncertain economy, but in some cases the circumstances people are going through don't warrant the reaction from most OTHER people. I've been through losing my job after 20 years doing the same thing. I went from making 50 grand to nothing coming in. The only conciliation I have, if you can call it a conciliation, is that I got hurt on the job, and workmans comp is picking up my medical bills, and they have to pay compensation for me not working. Of course it's not the same amount of money, but it helps pay the bills till everything is resolved with what happened to me. But the point I want to make is that I know all about working class men and women who have lost their jobs and trying to make it. I, like you, have a wonderful family that helps me when I need it. Being single, sometimes, isn't worth the financial burden. You would think the government thinks single people can bare the burden for the rest of the nation because they have less to lose. Now, that, is crap. Why should we, as single people, give more; we don't have as much to give. And help for us, comes at a higher price. If anyone doesn't believe that. Become single. Taxes are more, help is few and far between, and family mostly thinks your life was just an experiment that went wrong. Keep your chin up Valerie, I'm with you all the way.
Roger
Yes, Roger, it does seem that single people with no kids get taxed to the max for being that way, but when we go broke we don't qualify for any help because we don't have kids. I guess if I had been irresponsible enough to have kids out of wedlock I'd get help with my utility bills, but since I only paid higher taxes for not doing so I get no help other than what my family gives. I'm grateful for that, but accepting help from others does get hard. I'm wondering if things will ever get any better at this point. (:v
A very touching hub. I feel your desperation as I too am in a similar situation. I'm an Australian who moved to the USA to be with my fiance and although the financial crisis has hit Australia too what I experienced there was nothing like it is here. Its heartbreaking and I know when my circumstances improve that I will never take the things I took for granted that way again.... if I can ever get back to where I was.
Hello Listerino, I feel ya. I once earned one of the highest incomes in my field. Now I can't even get an entry level job, and I don't have a fiance or a husband. I'm two years away from Social Security and looking for a job as a grocery store cashier. Actually, my social security will pay me more than I am able to make on any of these part time jobs that are available. The budget cuts ended my contract business, and placing counseling services in the hands of the private sector in this state ended my ability to obtain a job. I was a certified substance abuse counselor, but now you have to be a licensed mental health counselor to find a good job, even though they know nothing about the field of substance abuse, and hate doing it. It would take me five years to get licensed at this point, at which time I'd be able to draw full retirement from social security. But that won't happen. I'm retiring at 62 just to have a steady income again. Luckily, I'm pretty heatlhy, and can use the health clinic for breast cancer screenings. All I can say is "Mamas, Don't let you babies grow up to be Substance Abuse Counselors." I haven't been perfect in my life, but I always thought I had a skill I could use to make an honest decent living after 7 formal years of education. These part time jobs don't even pay your basic utility bills. Its slave labor with no benefits at all. I'm just waiting for the day I can quit even trying and draw social security. Never thought I'd hear myself say that, but my degree is useless, and my career gone, and I get no satisfaction out of work any idiot can do that doesn't pay enough to make any difference. Thanks for commenting on my site. (:v
I hope things turn around for you I really do but yes I feel your pain. In Australia I earned $24 an hour doing administration work. Here I'm about to start trying to freelance for $6. That hurts so much but I have to put my pride aside as earning $6 an hour is better than earning $0 which is what I'm earning right now.
Its so frustrating when you want to work and there's no work for you.
Listerino, What kind of freelance work are you planning to do. I guess I feel resentful of having to do anything for money, and feel we should be able to do what we love, and just earn money as a side benefit. There have been times I did work I enjoyed and earned a good bit of money per job, so now considering doing something I would hate for very little money feels like slavery to me. People become angry when I say that but it is how I feel. I guess I've been one of the lucky few who did work I loved and was paid well for doing so. I feel that is how it ought to be, and that no one should have to subject themselves to misery for money or for any other reason. I think that was the attitude of the old aristocracy, so perhaps I'm spoiled, but I still think that's how it should be. What is money to enslave me? Why are people killing themselves just to survive. I resent it, and I guess I resent it because I know everybody isn't having to do it. Many have everything they want and never have to do work they hate. So, I've written too much, and probably made more people angry by expecting to be happy, and not only to exist in bondage. Thanks for commenting on my site. (:v
This is an excellent hub. I so totally agree. I was a poor working class single mom for years, earning my degree and my master's degree and paid my fair share of taxes too. I do not like when rich people and even some middle class, who by the way will not remain middle class for long, no matter how smug they seem now, think they are on some moral high ground, that ground they are on is shifting sand, they just refuse to see it. If people get angry, tough for them, I say. Excellent hub.
Another great hub, Valerie. You might be tired about writing about this topic, but the more you write about it, hopefully, the more people will read your hubs and perhaps stop being so ignorant.
I hope things turn around for you, SOON. A person can only take so much...You have a lot of fans and a ton of support.
Valerie - I do administration work. I've been in Administration for 15 years and in Australia someone with my experience easily gets at least $20 an hour. Here in America it's about $10 an hour to maybe $15 if you're lucky. I found it a real shock as I thought America, since it's the power country, would have good wages but it's terrible. My fiance works all day digging ditches and working outdoors and gets $7 an hour for his hard work. Like you said it's slavery and I find it hard to accept that I now have to work for $5 or $6 an hour and be happy about it because all the big companies just want to hire the person who is willing to work for the least amount of money rather than the most qualified person. if companies were smart they would know a happy worker is a more productive worker and a more loyal worker and would do their best to retain staff by paying decent wages!
It's a very sad state and I hope that someday things change for America. It really seems to have fallen behind other countries in a lot of ways.
bobbi, deni, and listereno, Thanks so much for the support. Bobbi, I've taken to writing, because I only end up arguing with my sisters when I express my feelings to them. True they have provided for me for well over a year, and do everything they can to cheer me up, but earning one's own money is important, and being able to do things for oneself is also important. After talking to one of my sisters yesterday, I only felt worse. She tells me now negative I am, and how selfish I am, but she is in the top 1% income-wise, lives in an exclusive neighorhood, hasn't had to work in over 40 years, and her work involves remodeling her own home using her skill and her husbands money. She doesn't know how it feels to have your life out of control financially, and seems to think her mood wouldn't have to change at all if she were dealing with serious financial problems. She wouldn't even be the same person without her money, and while I love her as she is, she would change drastically if they lost all their money.
Listereno, I'm surprised to know things are that much worse in the United States, but I think our capitalistic greed is the reason our economy is in such bad shape. Here I go again. No CEO is worth 600 times what his workers are, and this kind of greed on Wall Street is distroying the middle class, and our economy. The idea that higher profit justifies any action by management is the problem and is destroying our country. But these right winged idiots continue to think there is more opportunity over here than anywhere else, and that is no longer true. My sister got furious when I told her working as a cashier at Piggly Wiggly would be the same as slavery to me after having done work that paid well and was emotionally satisfying. She thinks that because it pays at all, it is not the same as slavery. But any wage too low to run a household is not worth working for, and if she had to actually do it, her feelings about it would change just as ours have. Thanks for reporting the truth, and hopefully some of these right winged republican types will read it. My sister is my love, but I guess only others who are suffering can relate to my feelings right now. Thanks gang. (:v
Anytime :) Hang in there. Do your best to be positive and don't give up. I'm sure there is something out there for you.
BTW I don't know if it will be of use but the freelance work that I've been getting has been from a site called Elance.com Check it out if you want there might be something you're suited for there.
Listerino, Is it free lance writing, or what?
It's freelance everything. There's admin jobs, web page design jobs, all sorts of things.
Thanks for the info. Does this place have a website?
I can touch base with much that has been said in this hub and the comments on it.
Back in 1988, I had to take the difficult decision of returning to a depressed economy that my country was in back then. I chose to return, only to discover that it was much worse than I had imagined.Maybe, someday soon I will find the time to tell that story in a hub. For now, let the key be this simple statement in my printed version of that tale " I spent in one hour the entire content of my bank account which represented a full year's savings from my salary as a graduate"
I could have returned abroad but chose to remain for various sentimental reasons, not least the idea of not wanting to be far from my family. I then ran into a marathon of struggle to remain in the middle class, a battle that was actually lost long before it started because of the state of the economy.
I finally found the key when I discovered financial literacy,especially the concept of passive income,which is why I write so much about it.
I understand poverty. I came from it and fell back into it after my return, but I believe that the answer is not in anything that others can do, will do or will not do. The answer is in every one of us.
Maybe that is part of what Jesus meant when he said in the Mark account : “ The kingdom of God is within you. “
dudumodu, hello, and thanks for commenting on my site. I wish I could believe anything could help. About all that feels possible for me at present, is to learn to be happy in poverty. I just don't believe there will be any economic turn around before I'm too old for it to matter. I may be old for it to matter already. I probably feel even older than I look right now. I feel totally washed out, old, unattractive, and spent. One good experience could change all that, but I don't see it happening. Thanks again for responding on my site. (:v
Thank you for posting this. There is just so much changing in our world right now, and as you have stated, those that were once middle or upper class are now living at or below poverty level.
My household is one that has been touched by the recession, as there is only one full time worker (me) in the house at this time. It is such a scary time right now. But I think the only way for anyone to get through it, whether they're being directly affected (aka poor or unemployed or whatever) or not, is to realize that things can change on a dime. Both good and bad.
:)
Thanks pattyshub, hopefully they will change on a dime. At this point many of us would warmly welcome change. (:v
www.Elance.com is the website sorry for not mentioning it.
Thanks listerino. Appreciate the thought. (:v
I guess I feel resentful of having to do anything for money, and feel we should be able to do what we love, and just earn money as a side benefit. There
Rookie, Finally somebody speaks my sentiments exactly. I resent having to do anything, period. Call it spoiled, or a feeling of entitlement, the American attitude or whatever you choose. The truth is the old aristocracy considered working for a living something only the lower classes did, and looked down on those who did it. The upper classes still see it that way today. Meaningful work was supposed to be for fulfillment or for the good of others. I guess I grew up believing if I became educated and worked to advance my career and standing, I would always have access to meaningful work, and not have to beg for work I don't even want to do, just for the sake of survival. We are probably spoiled in this country, but I like being spoiled, and don't want to change. I want the prospects to change instead. Thanks for speaking my mine exactly. (:v
Great hub with great feedback. I feel your frustration...
dallas, Thanks. The job market is one thing, but I am now dealing with turning sixty years old in this present economy. I'm not even motivated to write right now, and wish I could at least do that. Thanks agaiin for responding to my site.
I truly feel that my life is over, and wish I could shake it. (:v
Today is the first day of the rest-of-your-life! Focus on who/what you are: then do it. I have "re-invented" myself four times... Each of us are different and march to a different drum beat. Perhaps "re-invent" yourself?! Life is what we are doing while we make plans; or do not make plans... I have no idea of what your answer is.. If you did you would be doing it.. It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings....
Hello dallas. How do you re-invent yourself at 60 years old? I spent years developing the person I am now. I don't have thirty or more years to re-invent that person. Building a career takes years of both study and experience.
As far as coming up with hobbies, that part is easy. I have written a noval and many articles within the past two years, and have improved my body through almost daily exercise to the point to where I am physically in better shape than I've been in years, if I was even this strong in my youth. Setting goals and having interests is the easy part.
But none of these positive actions have resulted in improved financial status, and we must have money in order to do things. I am presently using other people's money in order to survive, and will be doing so for two more years unless something changes drastically. Reinventing oneself is one thing, making money is another. If money weren't necessary to do almost anything at all, I'd just stop caring, because I prefer re-inventing myself within my own mind and just feeling good about the things I do well. But money is needed, either mine or someone else's, and just reinventing myself is not bringing it in. My frustration right now is not about the person I am. I have acheived more than many or most people I know, but high earning power does not seem to be one of my abilities at present, and it is what is needed to improve my life. I've done everything for myself I can do without it. (:v
I can relate to your story but from a different angle. My family has always been in a middle to low middle class but were always taught that to work to to get what you need. We do not ask from others, but if push comes to shove we do help one another. My parents have all died within the last few years, leaving me and my husband the oldest in our family for anybody to come to for help. We are both disabled, but I have learned to make things stretch, to make something out of nothing, and to come up with a miracle when one is needed. Talk about living by faith....it is said now, that 97% of all the money in the USA is owned by 1% of the population, and the distance between the lower and upper class spreads, as the middle class disappears. I firmly believe it is not a matter of people becoming lazy, but the change in our society as time goes by.
I do agree with you, ddsurfsca. I have another job interview on Wednesday, and hope something happens this time. I will not forget about the poor, but I would like to stop living it first hand. Appreciated your feedback and support. (:v
Well.... "I guess if I had been irresponsible enough to have kids out of wedlock I'd get help with my utility bills..." Who's generalizing now?
I have been in both situations in the past: both single (until almost 30), then had children after that. I made quite a lot of money, paid high taxes (both as a single person AND when married/with children).
I was not "irresponsible enough to have kids out of wedlock", but now I find myself as a single parent (my husband died) with children and utility bills to pay. My high-paying job is gone. I never bitched about giving tax money for schools, or other public resources, or so that children who are in a bad situation could get medical care and food. That's how I look at it... NOT that the adult parents are "getting something" but that I was caring for innocents that were in a situation over which they had no control.
"A nation's greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members."
beccaWA, thanks for your comment. I was intentionally generalizing and going over the top to make a point. I don't actually object to paying taxes to support schools and two of my nieces are school teachers, but too many people who use my tax money to educate their children objected to any tax money paying for medical insurance for those who can't afford it.
Today I am working full time and have health insurance. This article was written during the year and a half I was underemployed. I still support a public healthcare option AND the public school system. Thanks again for your comment, and yes, I was intentionally generalizing about something few have objected to that I know of, just to make my readers think.
beccaWA, Again, thanks for calling me on that one, because I know it could be misunderstood. I do feel that single people are taxed higher, and that there is absolutely no compassion for us when we fall on hard times. it was that defensiveness you were hearing, not any lack of support for single moms. Thanks again for calling me on that one, because I fully support aide to single mom's for dependent children. I wouldn't want to live in a country that did not provide it. (:v
Justsilvie Level 4 Commenter 20 months ago
Dear Valerie,
Excellent message. I think people who say things like that, don't really have the correct information.
Being an American living overseas and looking into the US it is a sad to see peoples attitudes towards each other.
I really would like to come home but currently have a decent job with good benefits here and am afraid I might wind up a burden to my children if I make the move without a like job to go to.
My heart goes out to you,I know how tough your position is at the moment. Would you be willing to leave Georgia for a job?