Down But Not Out
California's unemployment rate hit a 12-year high this year putting a lot of people out of work who didn't expect to lose their jobs — people who had never been without work before. This is Roslyn Lee's story.
13 Comments
Roslyn is facing the worst situation in this economy, with the added burden of sexism and racism. I do wish her continued strength.
Hello Roz -- having been there, upper middle class myself as a Sr. Insurance worker and lost my home in the 90's when the last recession hit, I was devastated and unable to live more than a day to day existence while my home got foreclosed on around me. I finally got my head together in time to file Bankruptcy... and that at least saved me from my creditors to some extent, though I did lose the home.
Now, I know that Bankruptcy is a hard word to take, and even harder to swallow for the Middle Class, and it does blemish your credit for about 10 years, but heck... losing your home in foreclosure also ruins it, so you might as well file and protect yourself. It's harder admittedly to get a Chapter 7 these days, but not as hard as it sounds. You need to get to a Bankruptcy attorney as soon as you can, and they can get a stay on the Foreclosure on the house sometimes, extending the process for another 3 or 4 months, which could be all you need to get a job. BUT, you have to file BEFORE you lose the house! So get going girl!
On the job scene, I know just where you're at now, I'm there too, my apartment rent went up 4 times in two years - and nearly doubled my living expenses during a time I was unable to work due to a major illness. That's all it takes, is just one thing to upset an apple cart we worked all our lives to build, and the respect to have that cart.
That's what the President of the USA and his financial advisor's don't understand, they think that bailing out the Big Business will solve the credit problem - but it won't, it's the fault of the Credit Card Companies -- The Big Banks themselves...
These credit card companies are so greedy that once you fail to make a payment to them, the next month they tack on interest rates of another 10%, and want double payments "until you are back on track", never mind that you had good credit until you missed just ONE payment, the interest rate goes from 11% to 23% overnight, and then when you can't pay that ursury rate, they tack on another 5-8% to make it worse - knowing very well that you can't pay - particularly if you are out of work or seriously ill, and within 3 months you are sent to a Strong Arm Collection Agency who adds it's own interest charges until your actual owed amount nearly doubles in less than a year.
Oh yes, and President Bush feels we should use OUR MONEY to bail out THESE CREDIT COMPANIES? No Way! I'm FED UP with lies of politicians, people who have permanent free medical care and free transportation and lots of perks we'll never see, WE THE PEOPLE... remember us?
Oh, and these Collection Agencies completely ignore any collection laws or the Bill Collection Acts - calling you every half hour, night and day --hounding you and using up all your phone time so you can't even get a call from an employer... they harken back to the days of Strong Arm "Protection Racketeers", and I for one would like the CONGRESS to do something about them. NOT set up a Committee to investigate, because those "committee's" never do anything but bury the issue because Big Business buys their silence.
*My three cents*
M Thompson~
Thank you kindly and thoughtfully for your three cents (-= When I read your response, all I could think about was how much it relates to the mortgage crisis we are in. As noted in the program, we lost our condo earlier this year, for one, because I lost my job, but primarily because our payments sky rocketed. I think , even if I had kept my job, my family and I would be struggling. I think that's what another blogger was hinting at(hey! I don't see his comment anymore...). Well, his name is Josh, and he was pointing out that he has a $35k a year income for him and his wife and three children, yet manages to make it by scarificing certain things (that, luckily for him, he had no interest in anyway). And then ends with asking ,"So what's the difference between you and me?" None, in that sense, as is the same with you.
We are all in some sort of struggle, though how we deal with it may be different, as well as the circumstances that got us there. I just want to bring light to the fact that IF one should loose their job- another one is not right around the corner, like it used to be. So be concious of what you would do if it were you. And of course, to be encouraged through it all. I know I will have a testimony in the end.
As far as credit card rates making our lives miserable, let us not be blind to the situation the U.S. dollar is currently in. Karma is a....a mean old thing (-=
~Roz~
Hi Roz,
I saw you on KCET and really related to you. You seem like such a neat lady. I can relate to really wanting to work and not being able to find a good job to support my family. I'm going to be praying for you Roz, hang in there. Please pray for me too. Have you checked out www.snagajob.com? It's one place I'm looking on. I learned about Women at Work by watching your story. Just wanted to send some support your way and thank you too for sharing.
Sherry,
And that's what this is all about....sharing and strenghtening one another. Thank you for your insight, I will check it out!!
Sherry, you have my prayers, and I am already excited for you about how He will move in your life. I know that prayers were made to be answered, and next, I look forward to swapping success stories with you!
Be blessed, and thank you, again, for your prayers and consideration. May it return to you ten fold!
Roz- you seems like such a great person and willing to do whatever to put your family in a better place. Have you ever considered retail management ? I work for Borders books and music and our company is always looking for people with a great attitude like yours. You can apply at Borders.jobs. Prehaps we will be co-workers. I'm sending positive thoughts your way. Jana
Jana,
You are truly an angel. Seriously. Your positive thoughts are the best things you could have done for me, as I am a firm believer that thoughts do become things. Thank you, Jana, for the information and the insight. I will certainly go online and apply. I believe that your encouragement is with purpose, and no matter what comes of it, I am so grateful to have receievd your help. Thank you, again !!!
~Roz~
Roz, are you still looking for work? My husband and I live in Pasadena, and might have something. Unfortunately, it's not full-time or anywhere near your previous salary; however, we're close to you and it might provide a bit of a boost.
I believe you have my email address from this comment.
Take care,
Kristin & Tariqh
Kristin,
Something told me to check the this site today. I am sorry I am so late in getting your response. I am not able to view your email address, but I would love to give you mine. You can email me at roztlee@aol.com. Thank you so very much for your graciousness in simply reaching out. I look forward to hearing from you.
Roz
Hi Roz:
I'm sending you many good thoughts and hope your situation has improved.
One of the problems I feel we have with our education system in the US is that it doesn't give us enough information for owning our own business. We are just taught to Find a Job. So we are always dependent on someone else. I feel that if we were encouraged to look for business opportunities rather a job we would have a very satisfying life and not be enslaved to the corporation. I wrote a children's book to encourage kids to think about owning their own business. Maybe you could think of a business you could start. There are many possibilities, even if you have no money - pet sitting, house sitting, elder sitting, tutoring, kid's party giver, dog walker. I can send you my little pamplet "ten businesses for kids" that can be used for grownups too and also, if you like, a free discount drug card to give you discounts on prescriptions. Just let me know if it would help. Blessings to you.
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Jim Hague says :
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I feel your pain. You, nor I, deserved this. You will prevail.