General Music Chat

technically,

Jobs pay less now. I made $56k / year in 2000, and today I make $41k doing teh exact same job. It's actually great pay considering that most companies only pay about $38k for my level. I've been trying to find a new field and/or better work, but nobody is hiring for anything better.

Food, gas, and healthcare cost MUCH more today, (yet they CLAIM inflation hasn't gone up in 10+ years...talk about fuzzy math!)

Recovery? Hell, I'm about to go bankrupt, I've amassed 10K in medical bills over the last year, and I have Keystone Health Plan East, supposed to be one of the best in the state. Yet, I got 10K in co-pays. They don't let you send in $20 a week anymore either.. I got two law offices chasing me down, forcing me to go bankrupt cause I can't pay down the debts..

So much for $193 health-plan payment every 2 weeks (each check).. I thought I was covered... I'm seriously thinking of taking the mexi-benefits (just going to the ER every time I get sick) and F everyone. I'm sick of being the "catcher" in this anal episode of life.

I'm a very similar situation to you at the moment. I've been trying to do everything that I can do to make things better for my family even though I feel like a failure at times, I still try really hard. I even left the 2 bands that I was in to take on 2 extra jobs, but those only lasted for about a month until I wasn't needed anymore to help catch up on the extra work that disappeared. Now everyone is pissed at me for trying to make things right for my family and not lose our house. Seems like par for the course anymore...

In my line of work, my customers are panicking. The Dr I'm s'posed to work for is holding off cuz he is "short of cash right now." They griped at me cuz I wasn't gonna go buy thier $1,000+ of materials up front, & said that a "real co" would be able to do that! I almost told 'em to go poop in thier hat & get someone else, but I need the work.

My proposal clearly showed that I expected material cost up front, but they seem to have missed that lil point.

I'm trying to get on with the WV Housing Authority so's I can work & get paid for the gov't's buying ppl's new windows & such. Wish me luck on that!

Meanwhile, my wife's co has cut her med bennies AGAIN this year, which also affects my son, cuz he works there, too. He already is over $6K in debt due to the lack of coverage from his ins co, & his son needs more med help, & will continue to for the rest of his life, most likely.

I've been getting at least 2 calls a day from what used to be my competition, looking for work that I'm looking for, too.

The big convenience stores have quit hiring.

Lowes & Home Depot are running on skeletal staffs, so don't even TRY to get help on the floor. Ditto WalMart, KMart, & Target.

The mall is closing, & has been sold out to Mountain State University. heaven only knows how THEY'll be able to pay those high rents in that joint.

Downtown Martiansburg is starting to look like a ghost town, with so many store fronts closed up.

There are closed up businesses all over the place out here.

Nope. I don't see any recovery. Gas has risen $.50 in the last 4 months, too.

Go with your gut, it's correct 9 times in 10.

No, nothings better for me.
I blame you Mr. Danger.

If you own a home, have more than one property, and have IRAs and 401ks, you never hadd it bad to begin with.