[ruthann8]

I am really feeling sorry for myself today! I’m tired of the economy. I’m tired of pinching pennies. I’m tired of not being able to do the things I want to do or afford the things I want to. I was reading in the paper how some company had to cut pay by 12%. Well I sure would have been happy with a 12% cut for my dh! His hours have been cut a lot and his is now on a rotating layoff. The past 6+ months have been hard. His weekly paychecks are LESS than ½ of what they used to be. I have saved every extra penny b/c it is supposed to get worse!

We are fine, all our bills are up to date, I pay a little extra on student loans and probably would qualify for a deferment if needed. We have enough for food and medical expenses. And my dh still has medical insurance. But there is no extra. Every time I have to go shopping it frustrates me that I can’t get a pair of jeans or Ellamae a new toy or some new fluffy towels or whatever else I want. Just budgeting one time necessities, like a new car seat, is a struggle. We have to stick to the basics only.

We have friends that complain about money and are behind on there mortgage but they go out to the bar or buy new expensive phones or clothing, etc. And even my MIL irritates me, she is in foreclosure. And I guess they just bought NEW furniture for there new place they are renting. Thy bought new and left the old in the house to be sold at auction!!!! Life is never fair. And b/c of the rain this weekend we have water in our basement, Iowa doesn’t need flooding again this year.

In our company bulletin it talked about Direct Support Professionals wages. I work for a not for profit private organization. I love the company and what they do for people with disabilities. But the 2008 ANCOR wage study states that in the state of Iowa the average state wage for DSP’s is $18.43 and average private wage is $9.99. How sad is that. They said they would be using that info to advocate for better compensation for our staff members. I sure would love a pay raise!