Living on unemployment is tough enough during the year but the sting of unemployment is felt more sharply during the holidays.
CNN's Jim Roope talks with a man - he asked that he not be identified - who is trying to stretch his $900 dollar unemployment check from food to Christmas for his family of five.
"You watch every penny," he said. "it's difficult. The older kids understand as best they can, but the younger ones look at you and ask what did I do wrong this year."
Hear his story by clicking the audio button.
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In our case, it is grandchildren, and it looks like with all that we are getting in(Unemployment and Disability) we are not doing Christmas either....Makes me upset but cannot do with what you don't have.
And I am a 99er in a few weeks....
The good thing is that you have your family to spend time with and your health. All those material things are not what the holidays are about. Heres to hoping that you find employment soon.
All the best to you, Sam, and good luck!
Sam,
I really do feel your pain because I have been three 3 times.
It may not be the best idea but,buy them all a 1 dollar scratch off lottery ticket and put it in a card.They may be lucky.
The Wealthy will have their caviar. Who cares if the working class sacrifices as long as our wealthy are doing well?
My benefits ran out on the 12th. But I also worked for the Census this summer and did not collect so I can file a new claim. But UI is just supplemental for me...I found a part-time job. Best wishes and hang in there.
Hi Sam and all who can't afford Christmas this year....I have grown children and i have grandchildren, I understand the pain of not being able to give the things you want to ...here is what my honey and I are doing this Christmas...On Christmas Eve we are going out to look at the lovely christmas lights. See Christmas is not about what you can buy it's about the small things you can bring to the table. And yes my honey has been laid off for almost 2 years. And I am now on disability and having sergery soon. We are just trying to make the best of all this.
Sam,
I know that, but for the grace of God, being blessed to at least find a job doing security work, am I. And, yes, it is only half of what I was making, with no benefits, but my family and I have our health, I have a beautiful, wonderful wife who loves me, two great kids, a nice place to live, and food to eat, among many other blessings. How could I ask more than that? Sure, I'll buy a lottery ticket for fun, dreaming of the good the Lord might allow me to do with that extra blessing if His will allows me to win, but, until then, I do the best I can to be content with what I have and focus on the good, especially the large gift of our Lord and Saviour whose birth we are celebrating.
Sam... Hang in there let's all be grateful for having to survive 2010, it's been a rough year. I am optimistic that the coming year will be bountiful for everyone. This coming holiday my friends and family will gather together and just share stories and also keep everyone warm... Just like the old days only your companionship counts. Happy Holiday everyone be safe.
We haven't had an income for 4 months. I have no presents for my kids or grandson. Its very depressing
These comments show how completely brainwashed we all have allowed ourselves to become with the ad agencies' marketing influence. We, without thinking for a moment, feel duty bound to buy things for the kids... we've taught the kids to expect to receive gifts and all things material. I wish society would 'just say no' to this commercial squandering of resources in the name of 'lighting up those little faces'. We just need to re-think it, and show the kids a new way.
I remember in the 80s when my family moved from California to North Dakota because of the recession then. It was a culture shock for me but I am greatful. If any of you around the country are in a postion to relocate for opportunity, you may want to comnsider North Dakota. You have to know a couple of things first. Do you like white christmas's, can you get here, and can yo ufind somewhere to live? We have the biggest oil boom going on right now in the history of area. Employers are in a labor war right now fighting over what little unemployed there are. We had a Home Depot close because there was not enough staff to run it. I love Home Depot! Almost lost a Super Wal-mart because of the same thing. There are jobs here from restraunt, to industry, to oil field, to service, you name it, its here, all over the state. You just gotta be able to get here and want it. It is a boring state, but hey, thats what makes it safe!
I'm a month off unemployment, as Nebraska is too low to extendthe Tier. Try doing food, rent, car, electric, gas, phone, AND Christmas on 100% of Nothing. After we pay rent, we have $100 left from my husband's pay. If we are lucky.
The Republicans like to bill themselves as the party of the people, but looked what they've done: those who are most in need right now–the unemployed folks who are ardently trying to find employment–have been abandoned by the Republicans. The Republicans only care about lining their own pockets; they don't care about us little people.
best of luck
I'm happy I don't have to worry about shopping and all that stuff this time of year.
Me neither. But I can understand that those who do and are unemployed will feel very depressed. It's a stressful time anyway, but to have no money and no prospects...must be difficult.
I feel so much for them and I also feel my husband and I who or on disability. We have not received an increase for two years now. We can't afford christmas. Due to this fixed income everything has gone to pieces. I had to refinance my house for our medical bills. This is not fair to the unemployment too
I am not shopping either. My husband is employed but our tax burden is such that after paying for kids' college and all our other expenses, there's nothing left over.
I grow all my own food and can and freeze, drive nowhere. My husband has not taken a day of vacation in 24 years. We have no netflix, no movies, no plasma tv. I work all day saving money, keeping the woodstove burning, shoveling my own snow, etc etc. because my husband has no time and I can't afford to hire any help.
Perhaps you should all count your blessings that despite your ill health or being old, those still working are willing to support you and stop complaining about what you don't get. Perhaps you could help out someone else who has no time to do things. Perhaps you could do something creative for giving.
You obviously have a computer and internet.
We need to pull together and stop complaining! I have eight years of higher education and work harder than a migrant farm worker (luckily I'm still healthy). Use what you have and share it!!
Dorothy, it doesn't sound like you can afford to pay for your kids' college. If you don't have retirement savings, for example, then you can afford the luxury of paying for your kids to attend college. Encourage them to attend community college, or apply for scholarships. I was able to get a full-ride scholarship to a state school based on SAT scores and GPA...it was merit-based, not income-based.
Unconditional love is the greatest gift. it is free. Christmas is about love not material Things. The cup is half full. If you do not know Jesus, try asking Him into your life. Your greatest gift is awaiting!
@ CPC I totally agree!! CHRISTmas has become a disgusting display of materialism. I celebrate Jesus all year round for he is my Lord and Savior. Jesus is the reason for the season!!
I agree. Everyone is in trouble these days. A big hug or a kiss to someone you love is all that matters. People would understand. Buy a candy bar to the small once and take tham outside to look at free house decorations.
Nice.
There is no Jesus
I was wondering when the idiot atheists were going to show up. Thanks for not letting me down, Lindsay.
Jesus is very real and he died on the cross for you, me, everyone. When he was hanging on that cross he thought about you, Lindsay, in his minds eye. He offers a gift but some refuse. Jesus started a revolution thousands of years ago and it's still going today. He CAN and DOES change peoples lives. He is good, just, and righteous! People hate him without cause. What wrong did our Lord do to anyone. Nothing. But instead he gave his life for them. He offers forgiveness and peace and truth. My little daughter was born with a birth defect and was sickly as an infant and she told me the other day that Jesus was with her when she was a baby. I never told her that! That came out of her mouth and she's only six. She placed the baby Jesus in our manger scene and know carries around her baby doll and calls it baby Jesus. Yes, I teach my children about Christ. He's a part of me. He enters hearts and changes lives. At one time I didn't care about God or the Bible or church but I was called one day. I was depressed and down. I wanted to die, so I prayed and asked God to help me, I took a chance and something happened to me that I can't explain. But I knew I was born again. And began to seek God out with all my heart. Maybe we should us this time of suffering to get closer with our Lord. It's his birthday and how would he want us to celebrate it? By forgiving others, giving your time and help to someone in need. Or give a toy to a needy child, help out at the soup kitchen. Jesus wants people to act on the Word, not just read it. God bless you, Lindsay! And I pray that Christ love will touch your heart and others out there too that really need him.
At least you get unemployment, a lot of us seasonal workers in the construction field just got kicked to the side like a used tissue.
Agreed.
& the government would not even mention these people just let them DIE!!!
Happy Holidays!
JS,
Use the system,file for Welfare and Food Stamps so your family
suffers less until you can go back to work.
its going to be a walton's christmas, broken doll and all
Our extended family has always assembled gift baskets that we exchange at a large Christmas party. This year we are, each of us, putting in $15, and giving that pot of money away to a needy family. I suggest that everyone needs to do that. The government, Wall Street's millionaires, no one else is going to help ordinary people, and we either start looking out for each other and helping each other or this society will collapse.
Glad you have an extra $15 to put in. I am working and do not even have extra $15. Lucky you.
Good ideas! I told my kids to give us each an hour of time for Christmas. We don't need stuff!
Make something. Shovel someone's walk. Send a note of appreciation. Learn some crafts. Just care.
I wish I had $15 to kick in! But that's my entire food budget for the week.
@Mike, that's a wonderful idea, best idea regarding christmas that i've heard in a while
If you don't have $15 to kick in to this hypothetical pot of money, you might want to rethink your priorities. You obviously have a computer and an internet connection...
Sully, Good try but please try thinking a bit more. Anyone that doesn't live in the city or suburbs or maybe even needs to look for employment outside of their home area, saves so much money doing it on a PC rather than driving all over. I always love the way folks try to manage everyone elses lives on here. You can't even get basic TV anymore without basic cable and if your phone's rolled in, then there's even more savings. Most businesses do their resume reviews and job applications mainly by internet now as well. Sorry to pick on you, but its just a lame comment I've heard too many times, along with a lot of other insensitive put downs by those who probably aren't so unfortunate. I also love the ones about the unemployed just being too lazy to work. I know plenty of people who have worked hard and smart all their lives only to lose their job, because some exec could get a bigger bonus by replacing them with third world labor or younger less skilled labor. Times are not easy for a lot of peope through no fault of their own and treating them bad to make yourself feel good ain't cool. The economy didn't lose millions of jobs all at once because that many people just got lazy all of a sudden. So if you want to lash out a bit, have some guts and lash up at real causes, instead kicking those that are down.
im sure our politicians are feeling the pinch as well, we need to throw more money at the top, and it will trickle down to me, then suzy gets her new doll, and billy his new fire truck. Ever seen a poor politicain, or one that cant pay their morgage? Me either
That crap never happens. The politians don't care, look how much they gave the rich, & poor people starving AND DYING!!!! MY NEIGHBOUR JUST DIED IN HIS APARTMENT!!!!! At least hes in a better place & does not have to deal w these screwed up politics.
Happy holidays!!
Sadly, too many Americans fall for the Conservative (a.k.a. Republican) rhetoric. Conservatives make it should like Democrats are all pro-gay, pro-abortion. IT'S A RUSE! It's a trick to deceive. The Republicans use these arguments to make it sound like Democrats are evil to get votes. But once the Republicans are in office, they do everything they can to take as much away from the middle and working classes as they can. Don't let yourselves be fulled. The Republicans aren't any more anti-gay or anti-abortion than Democrats. They PRETEND to be to get votes, but that's all. They really only care about making themselves and their already-rich cronies even richer!
why the obsession with buying gifts for christmas.How doing a second thanksgiving on Christmas and celebrating food and health.
I feel the same way too. More than anything, I have everything I need (not that I have an iPad, xPad, tPad etc, but all that I need to live peacefully) – and a good family too. But I dont want to sound self-righteous here – I guess it is important for people to give and get gifts...
I don't think people are obsessed with giving gifts. Most adults understand that some people are out of work and can't afford to give them a gift. The problem is with children, especially the young ones. They don't understand unemployment. They don't know what it means and don't fully understand the idea of money and how it works. So it is very hard to see your child on Christmas not getting a gift. I say, if you can, donate to a charity that supplies children of families having a tough time with gifts during Christmas.
Completely agree! My family is nuts with $100 gifts for the extended family, gifts for divorced parts of the family, new kids, sisters, etc...
Why can't everyone just get together and that's it?
The thing I find most annoying is I don't want any gifts at all, but people keep on giving them. All garbage. All get thrown out or donated or something. Such a pointless waste of money and Earth's resources.
I was unemployed myself last year at this time. I'm single, so I didn't have the onus of trying to provide for a family, but still, every dollar had to stretch a long way! Watching ads and knowing that I couldn't afford any of that, knowing that instead of a juicy turkey or ham, I'd be having a baloney sandwich before going down to the homeless shelter to help serve a meal, and feeling both sad and angry at watching others who obviously didn't have any money problems waste huge amounts of money on junk was very hard.
Yes, @cpc, unconditional love is a great gift, and religion CAN be a comfort, but that is hard to explain to a small child on Christmas morning. I have God in my life and the man in the story might also, but that doesn't stop hunger pangs when your choice is keeping a roof over your head OR food on the table. So, @cpc, why don't you stop judging whether this man has TOO material an outlook when you don't know, and worry about your own life and learn compassion. Volunteer at a shelter...take some inexpensive toys to a family in need along with some food, and most of all, learn that materials things include food, medicines, shelter, heat, and the abilty to take care of yourself and your family. It is difficult to worship when you can't hear the Word over the growling of an empty stomach, or your teeth chattering from the cold, or the crying of a child because they don't even have a candy cane.
This will be my 2nd Christmas unemployed. I was laid off in Feb 2009 and have yet to find permanant work. I have it a little easier, my DH works and we have good medical benefits. But, not all do. My heart goes out to each and every person affected by the greed of others.
America has become so consumed by the whole Christmas thing and the commercialism that surrounds it. I understand if your a devout Christian and the holiness of the day, but how many actually even observe the holiday for that purpose and bothers to spread the word of Christ? Seems to me that the only true benificiary of the tradition are retail chains looking to pad thier pockets. While the rest of us stress to the point of damaging our health or even suicide. I see no moral base any more for even bothering.
I have looked for work diligently for two years, I would rather work than receive UC, which I am no longer receiving, each day that goes by makes me feel more useless and a failure, it is a constant struggle to maintain a positive outlook. I am a university graduate with many years experience in my field, my skills were always in high demand. I am a single person with no significant other to assist, I have lost my home and had no option but to file bankruptcy, so my credit is shot. I lost my job through no fault of my own. It hurts when people say folks like me are too lazy to work, content to collect unemployment, well maybe for a few, but most people take pride in earning an honest living and would rather receive respect than disgust. Our economy is in serious trouble and the world is watching.
My husband was unemployed for nearly 2 years, after 13 years with the same company. He is 58. I work part-time, not by choice. We are educated, and had savings and investments. We now have lost savings, real estate investments, and our home to foreclosure. This is not because we are lazy. My husband is now working for minimum wage, and we do odd jobs to keep most of the bills paid. Our Christmas spending will be minimal, but we will have our family surrounding us. Christmas will come anyway. There is life after foreclosure. Don't let your finances determine your happiness.
MG, it no longer hurts, but rather the words" too lazy to work, would rather sit on the couch and collect a check' MAKES ME VERY, VERY SAD, that working americans have this cold, non-spiitual view of the unemployed.
I was laid off in May of 2009 – after the company I worked for lost their bid for a TSA contract that did not get awarded to my company. So 200 of us were laid off – through no fault of our own. I am a 99er, will have no unemployment after this week. It is very hard when your friends and family our going about their merry lives and mine is messed up. I feel like I am becoming worthless – maybe hubby should divorce me so he can have a nice life again. People who tell us we are lazy obviously never walked a mile in our shoes. I would love to work anywhere, would happily go to Taco Bell or any other place – but they are not hiring and after paying into the gov't for over 30 years – this is what I am getting in return. We also are filing for bankruptcy, but now losing my benefits means we can't afford our house now either. It's hard losing everything – then all these other people want us to not have any dignity left either. I am afraid of what comes next? Mass rebellion, or just lay down and die. All of you people who are screaming we should just get a job – I would be happy to trade places with you, because according to you – you would have a job the next day cause your not a slacker. Well I am not either.
No, ILVTOFU the long term unemployed did not get a Tier V added, which means that 5.17 million people will not receive anything, and a lot of them have had no income for many months (some as long as 9 months) but that was before the big Christmas scre*ing 2010. Now they will receive nothing on top of that to find a home, relocate or food or medicines or anything. The legislation that did pass gave the people who would have been dropped off the unemployment rolls (about 2 million people) extended benefits but not the other 5.17 million people who needed it the most. No financial aid packages for hard hit, recessed states went through, and no additional funding for the non-profits, which are the most needed places to assist the rather large amount of people currently in need within America right now. Their bright side is, it looks like the banks will be able to pay back their government bail out loans a lot faster now through foreclosure sales, and again, on the backs of the middle class Americans, the unemployed, the underemployed and the elderly. Back in the day I believe people referred to it as "dirty pool." It is shameful and disgraceful!
Wow..$900 for 2 weeks?..how about those of us who's unemployment stopped after the 99 week mark? I have been unemployed for over 2 years and my partner of over 15 years is employed but with only 1 income....we have to rob peter to pay paul. I am very sorry to hear about the above mentioned person predicament but we should also try to focus on those who are less fortunate and try and turn the hiring slump around.
Is that $900 unemployment check for a week or month? If a week, screw that bum. Wish I had that much money!
Surely you're not that dense to think $900.00 a week? Obviously, you've never been on unemployment – try 900.00 a month – with a mortgage, kids, car, groceries. It's this type of uneducated thinking that's gotten this country in the mess it's in today. Do your reseach before replying so as not to make youself look uneducated.
Steve, does it matter if the $ 900.00 is for a week or a month. It is still less than he was making.Tthe bigger problem is ,America has lost a ton of jobs. How does Congress correct this situation?
Steve.
The max at the top end is $450.00 a week.