Has your income decreased? Are you as tired as I am?

[CoffeeCat]

48. I live in the suburbs...

…where things are supposed to be ok. I see my neighbors and others taking second jobs--besides their full-time jobs.

This is one of the reasons that I posted about this. I think this is a problem for MOST of America. People that you think are "ok"--driving nice cars and living in the 'burbs--ARE NOT.

Like us--we took a 30 percent pay cut and we're like hamsters on a wheel--trying to pay for everything that used to have no problem affording.

I think too many people are ashamed of doing something about it. We should downsize to a condo. However, it's tough admitting defeat--and the cost of moving and selling the house are barriers. Stagnant housing prices do not help.

I hear all of these stories--from all income levels--and it's just daunting. I really don't understand WHO is propping up everything for the rich. Who will buy what they make and sell--when the middle and upper middle classes are too strapped?

Yes, retiring "comfortably" is a luxury that too many really don't have any more. I am 49 and I wonder what will happen to Soc Sec--being the political football that it is. All it takes is one Republican to decide that those funds should be in the stock market and BOOM--we're all screwed.

I see many senior citizens working in grocery stores, restaurants, etc. Most just don't have this luxury any longer.