#financial-hardship

#financial-hardship

The federal government shutdown has become the Grinch who stole Halloween for Johnny Jones. Halloween is typically a big deal for the Jones family - they love to decorate, hand out candy and hot dogs, and enjoy a neighborhood shindig. But Jones, who works for the Transportation Security Administration, isn't getting a paycheck during the shutdown. That means big Halloween plans are out of the budget; so is an outing for his daughter and her friends to the new Taylor Swift movie.

When my son was younger, I shielded him from the reality of our financial situation. As a lower-income family, he always had everything he needed, and then some, so he didn't seem to notice. But now that he's almost 12, my son's requests for things have outpaced me. I used to be able to find some roundabout way to get him what he wanted, but as a single mother, I can't afford it anymore.

My husband and I love kids, and we had always planned to have our own. But now we're in our early 30s and have realized kids are probably not in the cards financially-unless we can get some child care help from my in-laws. My husband and I have the regular problems everyone has: crushing student loans and inability to afford more than a one-bedroom apartment.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Michele Wilke, a 63-year-old job seeker in Chicago. It has been edited for length and clarity. Over the past eight months, I applied to dozens of jobs and landed some interviews, but I struggled to find work. To stay afloat, I relied on loans from well-off friends and launched a GoFundMe to help me pay my rent.

I often wake up around 3 a.m. with my mind racing - thinking about which roles to apply to or what job search strategy to try next. Instead of trying to fall back asleep, I usually get up and start working on my job search, which includes sending out applications or post-interview thank you letters. Around 6 a.m., I typically might make breakfast, shower, and then start planning out what I want to accomplish that day. It's become a sort of routine.

I started my career at IBM in digital marketing. My brother used to say to me, "You're always going to have a job." I've been through layoffs and worked at companies that shut down, but I never really had to look for a job in my role. My last position was as director of e-commerce at Badcock Home Furniture. I made $120,000 as my base salary.

I'm seeing videos like this routinely. The hard working middle class is becoming the working poor. This is absolutely UNACCEPTABLE.

"I feel trapped working, but I can't stop working," Lydia says, sitting up to cuddle her basset hound, Brigette. Her husband, Bill, gives her a kiss but lets her be.

Saunders moved to North Miami Beach in 2023 seeking a warmer climate to relieve his arthritis but faced financial hardship leading to chapter 13 bankruptcy.

City fines and repair notices have been controversial among low-income homeowners financially burdened by an average bill of $3,000 for sidewalk repairs.

Most mortgage payments are due on the first of the month... After that, you'll likely be charged a late fee and receive notices from your lender.

Simone Biles has rapidly shattered records to become the indisputable best female gymnast of all time, overcoming significant personal and societal obstacles.