Quote:
Originally Posted by Werewoman
What we went through was horrible, but some amazing things came out of it. You certainly find out who your friends and family really are. Some people shy away from you insisting you must have done something to cause it but I think they are really just afraid that if it can happen to people like us, it can happen to them, too. Most amazing of all was the number of people who were either acquaintances or complete strangers who did things like leaving an envelope in our mailbox containing a hundred dollars or more, a few bought us groceries, one neighbor brought us coffee every morning until we left for Texas. Those people still bring tears to my eyes. Now that we are able to stand on our own two feet again, we look for opportunities to pay it forward.
From here on out, we play by our own rules. We will never again buy anything on credit - even if we could. We save up the money for larger purchases such as furniture and appliances - paying cash still and always will. We find this life much simpler and we like it that way. Someday we hope to buy a little travel trailer or pop-up camper and travel around the country making whatever little money we can just to sustain ourselves. You'd be surprised at what you can live without when you have to and we have found that most things we always thought we couldn't live without we can no longer live with.
Why do I suddenly have this overwhelming urge to put flowers in my hair and paint peace signs everywhere? 
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Wow everyone should read your post! This was amazing.
I thought it was incredibly important that you mention you find out who your friends and family are.
My husband and I have experienced unemployment four times. Yes, I've said it-- FOUR TIMES since we have been married. I couldn't believe I'd be laid off from a relatively "okay" job before I was even 30 but there I was. After my layoff people I knew got mad. My mother screamed at me and was furious. How is it my fault my company eliminated my position?? I wasn't even fired!
We have come across a lot of judgment these past few years. Like you, we've learned what people can really be like when things get bad.
I agree on paying cash. Hubby and I haven't used our credit card in well over a year, we have a good savings, and we have considered having second jobs to pay off the debt we do have. We've also pushed back purchasing a house until decades later so we can pay it mostly with cash or put a huge down payment so we only have a 10-15 year mortgage. People our age think we are stupid or careless or whatever else they think-- but we're learning not to care.
Unlike Werewoman, hubby and I still have yet to receive any amount of kindness from people
We've both learned the world is a harsh place and people are even harsher. I think back to 10 years ago when I was so hopeful and optimistic and now I just feel like a jaded old lady
At least I know others have been there.