I’ve been working full time since I was sixteen years old. I got married and bought a house. Hubby and I busted our asses in the early years to make a living. No college education but we sure had heart and a strong work ethic (as it was called.)
Hubby got sick. He couldn’t work and even though I tried we lost everything. Got foreclosed on and had to start completely over with one income.
I changed careers. Started off in a entry level position making about $12.50 an hour with a possible monthly bonus. With my background I performed extremely well and got promoted. Hubby was approved for Social Security Disability.
I wanted to go further so I started college at a for-profit university. It was so fantastic, learning with these smart minds even if I was decades older than my peers. I did well and moved up quickly within my organization. In the twelve years I worked for this company my income quadrupled. I felt like I was winning this life thing. Except now I owe tens of thousands of dollars in student loans.
My company cut back and I got laid off. I kept working but now I’m making much less but at least I’m working. I’m having a much harder time working even forty hours, getting old is not for sissies.
Then I got sick. You think… I’ve been paying into this insurance for over 30 years, short term disability to the rescue. Oops, no, your not covered. You are just shit out of luck, no one cares. Now your fired and you just lost your health insurance.
Burn through the savings account in about six months. I was just approved for SNAP food assistance and I’ve had some people try to make me feel bad for using it. I’m just not sure where to go from here. I thought I did the right things.