I created this username half a year ago. Inspired by Lightbulb's series Confessions of a Retail Worker and rowanleigh's Cashier's Rants, I planned to write about my own experiences one rung up the economic ladder.
My family made around $45,000 per year and was a study in contrasts. We had plenty to eat, but wore our clothes threadbare. We had health insurance, and still we could barely pay for our child's uncomplicated birth. We didn't have to put our infant in day care, but we hardly saw each other around our staggered work schedules. If one of us died, our child would be protected by life insurance. As long as we both lived, there was no security.
And sure enough, we are now unemployed.
Technically, it is my husband who's unemployed. I still have my contract work and my small service business, which bring in about $5,000 per year. That $5,000 used to be huge - it was the difference between treading water and sinking into debt. Now it just seems laughable.
We decided we'll take a few days off to clear our heads, and start applying for jobs on Monday. Except I didn't make it; I submitted my first application last night.
I'm scared. We don't know whether we'll qualify for unemployment benefits. We do have some savings, but we don't know yet how much COBRA premiums will be. My husband has a chronic disease and cannot let his health insurance lapse. And I'm pregnant. I dreamed last night of being forced to give this child up for adoption. I'm scared.