Holley's story: Medical issues cause unemployment

The increase in food and gas has caused an enormous financial burden on my family. In October 2011, my husband was taken out of work on medical leave and had to have surgery in November 2011. Due to complications, he has not returned to work and had to have another surgery in April 2012. My husband was a correctional officer and I work for the Dept of Social Services. So when our income was cut in half, we had to make a lot of changes.

My husband was having to drive 60 minutes round trip to go to physical therapy 5 days a week, luckily he’s down to 3 times a week, and routine checkup appointments. So, with the rise in gas prices, it came to a point where we were having to decide whether to pay for his medical care or buy groceries. I’m a super mommy and my best solution was to start couponing and trying to save as much money as possible.

We have switched from name brand items to generic brand, if I can’t get it for a good deal with coupons. I try to do my grocery shopping on my lunch break or on my way home to save gas. I also regularly watch websites for free events for the children and search for coupons for restaurants and clothing stores. I cannot pay full price for anything now..lol..:) My husband wanted peanuts the other day and I told him he would have to wait till they went on sale and I had a coupon.

The decline in the economy has prohibited me from frequently visiting with friends and family members. I stalk the clearance aisle at Target, hoping to get something for nothing. I have become a more frugal person where before I was an impulsive buyer. My husband and I were sitting outside the other day and we were talking about how if we were this frugal when we first got married that maybe we would have been able to save and not be so tight for money now. When my husband goes back to work and the economy gets better, I plan to continue to be frugal, so I can be more prepared next time..:)

Working with the department of social services, I see everyday how the economy has disrupted others lifestyles. When you see that other people are in a worse situation than you are it makes you humble and grateful that you might not have everything you want but you do have enough. I have clients that don’t have money to pay the electricity bill and their children don’t have running water to bathe in. I’ve had families that were evicted from their homes and forced to live in hotels or with overcrowded relative’s homes. I love my job and I love helping others. And even though my personal life is a little stressful right now, I go to work every day with a smile, because some people need a smile and I’m willing to offer mine. Some of my clients have sold everything in their home just so they can have shelter for their families. They might not have a couch or bed but they do have a roof to shield them from the weather. 

Before the economic crisis began, the majority of clients were people whose income was under the poverty line. However, now the middle class is experiencing more struggles now than before. I have several clients who have a mortgage payment of $1000.00 or more. They used to be able to afford it but now living off unemployment they are sacrificing other things in order to pay the mortgage. American’s are struggling!

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Holley and I had a chance to speak on the phone this week and here are some other thoughts she offered:

The most difficult thing about her situation has been having to spend money more wisely and staying positive when so many negative things keep happening. She did say that couponing takes some of the pressure off and makes the things she can’t change more tolerable.

In addition to her family of 4, she has recently taken in her 25 year old cousin who is disabled right now after a serious injury. Her budget for 3 adults and 2 children is $50 - $75 per week!

Holley says that the biggest challenge is time management. She now has to strategize about groceries and make a plan. She takes 1 –2 hours per week to plan her list and organize coupons so she can get the best deals every week. In addition to working full time she is also back in school so time management is very important in her life!

Her favorite stores are CVS, Harris Teeter and Lowes Foods. She uses the binder coupon organization method and buys two Sunday papers each week. She also gets coupons from friends at work and prints them as well. She said her stockpile has taken over at least one closet!

Holley indicated that the key to success in couponing is to be organized. She also wanted to remind people not to be fearful about telling a cashier that you don’t want an item if it is not the price you expected or they won’t take your coupon.

In regards to her work as a social worker, Holley commented that she is seeing more families struggling than ever. Despite what the economists may be saying, she does not see the economy getting any better for her clients.

She’s said she has learned how to cope with the situation and be positive with what they do have. She emphasized that she tries to find the positive in every situation to become a better person and live a better lifestyle. I bet she is a great social worker with that attitude!

My great thanks to Holley for spending the time to share her story! I hope her husband and cousin are back up and running soon. Next week we will have a profile of one of our readers who offers a number of frugal and delicious meal ideas!