Our Great Recession 2.0: 9,000 Resumes and Counting…

If you’re reading this, odds are you might be suffering through a pretty tough financial time. What may make you feel a bit better about your current economic situation is the firm knowledge that you’re not alone in this global economic meltdown. Specifically, millions of average Americans just like you are facing a shared financial burden as we all struggle to stay afloat in the wake of this country’s recent Great Recession—full of folks facing insurmountable health care costs, foreclosure, job insecurity and losses, and, in some cases, complete and total insolvency.

In this ongoing series, Our Great Recession 2.0, we’ll delve into some of the more unique stories of this decade’s unprecedented economic downturn, sharing the familiar faces and dire places people are going in order to handle our collective financial meltdown head-on.

In part of five of the series, we meet John Wands, a New Jersey resident, experienced in the ups and downs of the labor market, and more recently laid off in 2009 and facing unfamiliar territory: a recession during which jobs disappeared right before his eyes, like never before.

According to The Huffington Post, “In the past, Wands was able to easily navigate from one job to another. NorthJersey.com reports that after sending out 9,000 resumes without finding steady employment, things are looking bleak for Wands and his family. Wands was forced to sell his beloved 1969 Plymouth Barracuda, a loyal companion over the last 30 years. The family is currently subsisting off Wands' weekly $400 unemployment checks, benefits which are slated to run out in October. ‘Literally, there will be nights where I will stay up until 5:30 in the morning," [Wands] said. ‘I talk to friends and they say, 'Oh, don't worry. It'll work out.' I say, 'You are not there. You are not going to the food bank. You are not watching: 'Oh, my God, if I drive this distance it'll cost me $3 that way and it'll cost me $3 that way.' Isn't it ridiculous to live that way?’”

The “ridiculousness” of the situation doesn’t stop there. The Wands family is facing groceries bills, gas purchases and health insurances costs, that John’s weekly unemployment checks can’t cover. What’s worse is that Wands' 13-year-old son Zachary suffers from hypertension and a recent surgery to reroute the teenage boy’s veins will soon leave the family buried in medical bills.

As HuffPost found, “A monthly trip to a local food bank helps them out with some basic groceries, but Wands finds himself embarrassed his family can no longer attend any social gatherings that would require them to spend money. ‘The one time we did go, we stopped at a restaurant and the kids were all ordering stuff," Wands recalled. "I'm going through my wallet. Oh, my God, do I even have enough? ... We couldn't even get a chocolate milk.’”

Because it’s all about planning ahead and finding your own personal perseverance during our Great Recession.

Bankruptcy could work for John Wand, relieving the burdensome debts of medical costs, consumer credit bills and other debts weighing the Wands family down.  It could work for you too. If you’ve been affected by the economy and are wondering how to get back on track, knowing a qualified bankruptcy attorney can also help you to conquer your creditors and face your financial fears, yielding the right kinds of support, information and insights—at a low cost— for a viable and secure future beyond our own “Great Recession.”  The bankruptcy experts at the Law Offices of John T. Orcutt offer a totally FREE debt consultation and now, more than ever, it’s time to take them up on their offer. Just call toll free to +1-833-627-0115, or during the off hours, you can make your own appointment right online at www.billsbills.com. Simply click on the yellow “FREE Consultation Now” button.