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Economy also takes toll on middle class

 
By McClatchy-Tribune Information Services | Published: October 21, 2008    Comment on this article Leave a comment

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — After the hairdresser’s husband lost his job, they sold one car and took their son out of private school. She figured they’d get by on her income and her husband’s unemployment checks until he found work. Six months have passed and he hasn’t found a job.

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People like her who assumed they would never have to worry much about money are now worrying.

The diversity of people affected, said University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill professor Jim Johnson, is what makes this downturn so distinctive.

There are many such stories. Most of these people don’t want you to know who they are. They’re embarrassed. And who wouldn’t be?

You work hard, you live within your paycheck and, if you’re lucky, you save a little. Then something like this happens.

‘Don’t use my name’
"Please,” the hairdresser said, "don’t use my name.” She lives in a beautiful house near Charlotte and most days she makes a point of putting on make-up and a nice outfit, hoping no one will notice the cracks in the picture.

"You have so much pride,” she said, "you don’t want people to know how low you’ve gone.

"Or,” she added, "how much lower you might go.”

She is 50 and has tried not to get all worked up and worried.

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Related Topics: Business, Jobs and Labor, Unemployment Insurance



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