Sep 25, 2008 11:47 am US/Eastern
What's Worrying You? See What Others Are Saying...
(CBS)
CBS 2 has asked viewers what has them most concerned when it comes to surviving the financial crisis. We've been flooded with e-mails ever since and telling the stories of some of those who have responded. Here's a look at what others are saying when asked, "What's worrying you?"
WHAT'S WORRYING YOU?The stock market - I'm in my 70's and so far since 6/30/08 I have lost 13% of my pension which is mostly in the stock market. Should I take out as much as I should or what? I can't afford to keep losing.
-Jean, Massapequa, N.Y.
The increasing costs of homeowners insurance, property tax, water bill, plumbing, home repairs, and all the other costs of having a roof over my family's heads, that they all go up faster than salaries and inflation combined! I am very worried that my 3 daughters, my wife, and I will become homeless even though my wife and I have jobs!
-Fred, Brooklyn
I am unemployed and worried about the extension of my unemployment benefits running out. I am praying for an additional extension before November.
-Ronald, Beacon, N.Y.
What worries me is that even though I am educated, the American Dream may not be within my reach. I worry everyday about food, If I'll go hungry, something I had never worried about before. I worry about dropping out of school because I could not afford books, and where It will lead me in my future. There is nothing else to cut back on, I no longer go to the movies, I don't travel, no school, no cable, no more phone, no more internet of my own, and the car was sold. No more savings, doing laundry by hand, no new clothes since last year, the same broken flip flops, and eating at soup kitchens. I am not on the street, yet. When I see on TV that the crisis hasn't quite hit rock bottom, I wonder what is left to go, how much more expensive everything can get...
-Ricardo, Bronx
Skyrocketing gas, utilities and food prices. We can't even afford to make ends meet just for these three basics anymore - it's insane!!!
-Rina, Pearl River, NY
Lost my job and can't find another that pays enough to cover all the bills. This has been ongoing for 4 years. Very frustrating as I am doing all the right things in terms of trying to get back to where I was 4 years ago.
-Dom, Norwalk, Conn.
The fact that no one will help sub-prime mortgage victims until they CAN'T pay. Now, there's no hope to keep my house.
-Jessica, Queens
I am a cancer survivor, & have been fighting my disease for 20 years. That was always on my mind, but now, higher gas prices forces me to leave my car in the driveway & only using it in emergencies. Higher utility bills that force me to stay at home in the dark, increases in real estate taxes, water & sewer taxes. When does it end? When I am in the ground???? Our politicians have no answers. So, where do people on social security/disability go. Should we all be on WELFARE??? This is NO JOKE.
-Diane, Staten Island
The stock market pales next to the anxiety I feel with just my family's every day expenses. I'm a married mother of 3 in a two income household. We use to consider ourselves middle class because we make a decent salary but now we live paycheck to paycheck. Two years ago we did not what a bill collector phone call was and now it's a daily occurance.
-Daniela, Clifton, NJ
Stock market - being 55 and having a company sponsored 401k plan. We have no control over whats happening. We can't just move money around easily to protect our accounts. Also the property taxes are outrageous.And with this disaster on Wall street just don't know how we'll be able to afford to remain in Jersey when we stop working.
-Frank, Edison, NJ
'm a 3 year retiree and have watched my well diversified 401K drop $100K since the first of the year. We retirees need some advice and guidence just as much as those still working and contributing toward their retirements....maybe more so!
-Laura, South Orange, NJ
The cost of gas, the rising cost of home heating oil and the rising cost of food. These are the everything basics. You need to go to work to make money to pay for these items, so you have to gas your car up. You need to heat your house for your family and we all need to eat. Forget about vacations and going out to eat. We are working just to survive. How come the salaries aren't rising as fast???
-Jeanne, Yonkers
My concern is my tenants losing jobs due to domino effect.I need everyone of them in my home especially with the cost of oil this winter.
-Randy, Bronx
The current state of the economy is worrisome. Especially considering that I will be graduating from college in May and I'm concerned about obtaining a good job.
-Juan, NYC
What worries me is how much our propery taxes are going up. If they could stay the way they are for a while we would be able to stay in our house for a couple of more years. That is a big part of why so many people are losing their homes.
-Scott, Spotswood, NJ
Home Heating. In better times we used 800 gal. Last year 550 gal. Kept the thermostate at 62 which was fine when you are away at work, doing chores, or sleeping. Try it when sitting still. We layered, used blankets, and gallons of hot-tea, even thot about gloves but didn't actually use them. I'm scared to death of this year - what will we do??
-Dorence, Napanoch, NY
The high cost of babysitters these days. Most sitters want $10.00 an hr cash. And, I can't even write it off as a childcare expense because most do not want to give their soc.sec. number.I am a single mom and I end up taking my son with me to work! Talk about STRESS!
-Sheila, Selden, NY
I am trying to sell my timeshare for the past eight months now, without any luck, not even a single off!
-Farida, Richmond HIll, NY
The increasing price of oil and gas.Also the increasing price of food in the supermarkets.
-Sandra, Merrick, NY
Page 2
We want to know what financial concerns have you worried? From housing to basic food costs and everything in between.
What's Worrying You? Let Us Know.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
World's Most Useless Facts
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
