Recession Worn

The story below, rings a bit too close to home for me...

After working 40 years in the chemical industry, Michael Tait of Locust Grove, Va., could not wait until he turned 66, the full retirement age to collect Social Security. He can't find a job.

"Lowe's and Home Depot and the grocery stores and the gas station," he said, listing the places where he's tried to get work. "Nothing."

With his unemployment checks running out, Tait decided to apply for his Social Security retirement benefits two years early, at 64, despite the catch that when you collect early, your benefit is cut up to 25 percent permanently. For Tait, that's a loss of $252 every month.

Still … "Something coming in right now," said Tait. "I've got to take care of my family, and that's the most important thing."

I'm not 66 - (or even 64). I'm only 55 - never mind the details. I'm disabled, but because I do not have access to a doctor, I do not have access to social security, disability or unemployment benefits. And after four years of bone grinding misery, the likes of which I would never wish on my worst enemy,  I can say in all honesty, that I'm worn out - and that I don't have energy or the resources to keep up with a blog anymore. 

Sam Taylor, after the birth of his son, will be back home later in the week. Apexnerd has offered to take on a more prominient role on Latte Republic.

I sincerely wish each of you much happiness in the future. Regardless of whether we ever agreed or not.

I'm off to try to figure out if there is life after a recession - or, after you discover you can't really walk very well anymore.

Best of luck to each of you...

Please note that  Dave from Megaawesome is back online.

I"m going to take some time for a well deserved break.

E