View Full Version : Can I just rant here for a moment?
frugalone
11-2-11, 12:03am
I know it could be worse.
I know I could be alone, with no family or friends.
I know I could be living in Turkey or any other place that's in trouble.
But I'm angry right now.
I got out of debt. I followed Mary Hunt's program. I started a retirement fund and dutifully put money into it for 15 years. I kept an emergency fund. I went to college at night and worked my ass off.
Now...I'm down to my last $1K (unless the job I interviewed for comes through), on food stamps, applying for LIHEAP, I just found out the newspaper I used to work for may shut its doors (I had hoped perhaps i could go back). I could go on and on.
I'm SICK of applying for jobs, getting my hopes up, etc. and for nothing.
Why am I about to lose my life's savings? What the hell did I do that was so wrong in this world?
Sorry. That's it. It's just not been a great day. Thank you for listening. You don't even have to respond.
((((((((((((((((((((ladyinblack))))))))))))))))))) )))))
It's hard, really hard. You didn't do anything wrong. You are doing the right things. Have faith, have hope. You're still here, and we're still her to support and encourage you. Even on the sucky days. Especially on the sucky days.
Hope you can find something laugh --or at least smile -- about sometime today.
lhamo
Cannot think of anything to help beyond sending you hugs. Life is a stinker, it seems at times.
So sorry. You've been through a rough patch. But take heart, all your hard work was not for naught because imagine the state you would be in if you hadn't done those things.
Make sure you are taking care of yourself. Stretch and breath deeply, regularly. Drink plenty of water. Get fresh air when possible.
I've got no answers, no suggestions, just lots of empathy. You are being heard.
You folks are great. Thanks for just being there and listening to me. Great big hugs to all of you, too.
Anne Lee, good point--because in the past I didn't have any savings and was in debt and I don't want to go back there.
I sure hope you hear soon on the second interview. I hate that waiting bit. So nerve-wracking!
Gardenarian
11-2-11, 4:12pm
I'm so sorry you're going through these hard times. You didn't do anything wrong! It's just plain old bad luck,
and it stinks, and I sure hope it changes for you soon.
Ladyinblack1964. I'm sorry to know you're struggling and having to content with hard times. Will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, and, as of right now, I'm sending a special good luck prayer your way in hopes it brings you a little luck. Oh, and a great big warm hug too! From me!
frugalone
11-2-11, 10:26pm
Thank you, everyone. I've been kind of teary-eyed today...
I don't know what to say, either. I hope things start getting better soon.
Big hugs and prayers are coming your way, ladyinblack1964! I, too, went through the same thing--got myself into a debt hole, dug myself out, contributed to my IRA, stayed out of debt, and now I can't find a job either, despite having all the nice middle-class aspirational credentials (degrees, training, clean background check and clean pee!). I do hope you find work soon...finger crossed!
Hello ladyinblack! I could write a very similar post right now. I truly feel your pain. Have worked hard all my life, am a seasoned professional, took the high road, and have been out of work for 9 months without a lot of promising prospects. The constant 'rejection' is also hard to take. (I know, we're not supposed to think of it that way, 'it's just not a good fit,' LOL. But some days, it does feel like that, and it's hard to have hope.) I keep reminding myself, daily, of all the advantages I DO have - of living in one of the most amazingly free countries on earth, of having an education, a strong work ethic, and some support. I'm waiting for a realtor now, to see if it's realistic to put my house on the market. Weighing the options. Hang in there. (((Hugs coming your way!)))
It's not you! We all live in a social context, and the are too many in your position for it to be an " individual responsibility" issue.
The economy has been assiduously driven into the ground since Reagan was elected. Real wages have not increased since before that - 1973, by some estimates. This is why the 'We are the 99%' rallying cry.
It sucks big time for the malfeasance and downright criminality of the federal gov't in cahoots with a globalized business sector to have impacted you thusly. It is wrong, wrong, wrong!! Yes, it could be worse, and yes, it is bad and it impacts real people.
Hugs & blessings.
early morning
11-4-11, 7:04pm
(((ladyinblack))) and everyone else struggling in this economy. Hoping things start looking up soon. And +1 what redfox said!
It's not you! We all live in a social context, and the are too many in your position for it to be an " individual responsibility" issue.
The economy has been assiduously driven into the ground since Reagan was elected. Real wages have not increased since before that - 1973, by some estimates. This is why the 'We are the 99%' rallying cry.
It sucks big time for the malfeasance and downright criminality of the federal gov't in cahoots with a globalized business sector to have impacted you thusly. It is wrong, wrong, wrong!! Yes, it could be worse, and yes, it is bad and it impacts real people.
Hugs & blessings.
Amen! Couldn't have said it better! I have an old friend who did all the right things, too. Now she's retired (forced into it early by the big brand-name corporation where she worked for decades) and coping with the financial schrapnel of a divorce while her retiree health benefits get more expensive every year. She's depressed.
I retired recently from a large government bureaucracy and the more perspective I get on my former career the more bizarre it seems. Truly, I felt like a slave while I worked there. I was stressed out all the time and had a depressive breakdown last September, largely from having to work under a project leader who was both stupid and slimy. Post-retirement, my stress level dropped so much that my doctor reduced my antidepressant dosage by half, and it still seems to be too much medication. My blood pressure has normalized. I sleep soundly.
The economy is truly undergoing a change, largely due to the effects of Post Peak Oil, and none of the guys with the big bucks get that nor do our politicians. They have no clue about what's broken and therefore cannot fix it.
Try thinking outside of the box about things you like to do and services or products that are needed in your local area. It doesn't necessarily take a lot of money to start a business of your own. Here's an article from yesterday's New York Times that blew my mind:
http://tinyurl.com/Sheep-Lawn-Mowers
I doubt owning sheep is your sort of gig, but you get the idea. Try some daydreaming or brainstorming with a close friend or two.
I wish you the very best with whatever you try next, and believe me you have plenty of company. This is absolutely NOT your fault!
lady sometimes it has nothing to do with what you are doing. Life just goes like that sometime. I think a little rant is excellent for getting it off your chest. Things will change, they always do.
I have sometimes thought, why me, or that life is unfair, and that is true, but today I am fine, I am warm, I am home. It sounds hackneyed I know, but sometimes when things look bleak, I DO count my blessings. Good luck.
Thank you, folks.
Every night I think of five things for which I am grateful. Sometimes it's hard to do (especially since I try to think of NEW things every day, instead of just repeating the old ones). It's challenging.
I'm glad I am not alone--but not glad that others are going through this. Hope that makes sense. I seem to be the only one in my family who lost my job. Sometimes I feel like a real freak because of it.
frugalone
11-18-11, 4:47pm
Just checking in with this thread now...Thank you. All your thoughts and prayers are appreciated.
loosechickens
11-18-11, 11:14pm
Boy, I know it doesn't even help to hear how many other people are going through these same things, but at least you know it's not YOUR fault, and it's not something wrong with YOU that you find yourself in this really bad time. Sometimes, that, at least, helps a bit.
Hang in there....I wish I could think there were some easy answers, but I'm afraid that a lot of people in this country are going to be in a very bad place for a very long time, despite being hard workers, willing to do most any job, etc. It's heartbreaking, for sure.
Cyberhugs coming your way ladyinblack........and everyone else here and elsewhere who is struggling in this economy.
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