. . . from homelessness. To tell the truth I lived about that close to the edge for longer than I want to think about – and on the surface things were just fine.
OK, I never gambled away the mortgage payment, or even played games by using the mortgage payment money for something else and then had to scramble to find the money for it. I’ve always had a good credit rating.
But still. For the longest time I never had all that much put by for a rainy day. Stories like this one by Steve Lopez in the May 7 LA Times scare the hell out of me. (Photo from LA Times.)
Lee Sevilla is 71 years old, living in El Segundo, CA, with her dog Sandy. She has a part-time job, draws a little Social Security, and generates a little income from custom print-making.
And she lives in her Dodge Neon because she can’t afford an apartment.
Let me repeat that: She lives in her Dodge Neon because she can’t afford an apartment.
God. Where the hell is our country going when simple decent housing is so bleeping expensive that regular working people can’t afford it?
HT to jurassicpark over at the Daily Kos. I haven’t read that whole rant, don’t know how much of it I agree with, I’m still digesting the LA Times story this morning.
Note to everyone: Whether you are 24 or 42 or 58, PAY YOURSELF FIRST out of every paycheck. Ten percent minimum should go into savings, not to be touched except in case of dire illness, unemployment, or the immediate need to hire the best criminal defense lawyer in town. Check out FDIC insured online banks like www.INGdirect.com, open an account and feed it regularly with automatic deposits that you JUST DON’T TOUCH. You’ll amaze yourself, I promise.
I could still end up living in my car. Anything could happen. Guess I’ll check out how comfy the seats are when reclined, next time I go car shopping.
BTW, as a result of the LA Times story and the attention it’s received in the blogosphere, enough concerned readers are sending in money etc., that I believe this lady will be able to get an apartment. But there’s still a bigger picture, this lady’s not an isolated case I’m sure.
Unfortunately, and very sadly, I agree that this lady is not the only one out there who can’t afford decent housing. Add in those with children, no health insurance, too much income to qualify for government aid, but too little to live on…
And when 2-income families can barely make ends meet…
Have I mentioned the humongous tax breaks that are going to the wealthy and which won’t help the middle- and low-income folks?
Yep, we’re sure in an economic boom and things are just rosy.