[wcb1]

I am an over 50-year old man who was just laid off and my spouse of 1 1/2 years just left me. I have a Master's degree, but have been out of my field of study since graduation and the field has passed me by. I do not have the web development skills necessary to enter the field. I was very successful in my last job, but I cannot find a similar job nearby. I am physically handicapped and have high medical costs, have large student loans to pay back and have a home I bought in a rural area because my wife (then fiancee') wanted me to, said she was willing to help pay for it, and promised she would not leave me. I cannot make payments myself and the home values in the area have dropped. If I leave it before I have been in it for 3 years, I have to pay back the $8,000 tax credit. Foreclosure and bankruptcy will not prevent me from having to pay back the tax credit, nor my school loans, nor a $20,000 loan on my retirement that I took out on her behalf. Some of the money went to living expenses because my wife had a hard time holding a job.
Yes, I was foolish in marrying the lady I did, but I did and still do love her. We had gone to counseling and both the counselor and our clergy felt that I had bent over backwards trying to make the marriage work and she was putting hardly anything into the marriage. They felt she was a lady that lived off of others, did little for herself, blamed others for all her problems, and didn't know how to give. It was probably good in the long term that she left, but nevertheless it hurts deeply.
I am shy and do not talk much. I have several acquaintances, but no real good friends to turn to.
I have strong doubts at my ability to find a job that I qualify for, will meet my expenses, and is within 50 miles so I can commute. I feel that there is no way to get out of the hole that I am in. All of this is overwhelming and depressing.

[Rohag]

Hello & Welcome, Wcb1!

"Multiple stressful situations" is an understatement. It's easy to imagine the totality of everything you are facing precipitating depression. First, though, do you have access to financial and vocational counseling?

[wcb1]

Originally Posted by Rohag

Hello & Welcome, Wcb1!

"Multiple stressful situations" is an understatement. It's easy to imagine the totality of everything you are facing precipitating depression. First, though, do you have access to financial and vocational counseling?

I am going to go to a nearby vocational college at the beginning of next week to determine what I need to do to upgrade my web design skills. I have been going to a nearby employment center for some vocational counseling and taken their workshops. They have referred me to a professional networking group. It is 50 miles, but I will start attending that as well. I have received some financial counseling, but not from a professional organization. I am not sure where to look for professional financial counseling.