7 Things I Can’t Afford Anymore

EDITORIAL↓

If you’re like me, there are economic factors that prevent you from slightly upgrading your life. I suspect that some of these factors — if not all — are common for millions of middle-class households in America.

By Chris Boutros

Here are the 7 things that I cannot afford anymore.

1- Vacation

I haven’t had a real vacation in a long time. I try to go hiking, sometimes backpacking, just to escape the brunt of day-to-day life, but deep down, I still yearn for that “real” vacation, where I escape it all to a far new world for an extended period of time.

2- Saving

I haven’t had a savings account for three years now, and that’s all due to the fact that I’ve been living month-to-month since the recession started and recently “ended.” (Does anyone know the official expiration date of this ongoing recession?)

3- A new car

My old car will do for now. I’ll remain hopeful of getting a brand new one . . . soon. I’ve been dreaming of this happening since the great recession rolled over back in 2008. Possibly two years before that.

4- Paying off my debt

Introductory interest rates are helping me catch my breath a little, but I don’t know how long I can hold on. The road to flipping credit cards and transferring what I owe to another card with a low introductory interest rate is getting narrower and narrower every day.

5- Medical care

Simply put, I cannot afford the deductible, and I don’t qualify for Medical. Nuff said.

6- Dental work

Luckily, I have a dentist friend who takes care of my basic dental needs, but how many are as lucky as me? Even with my dentist friend around, I still can’t afford to take care of future big emergencies and surgeries, nor pay to prevent them.

7- Retirement

What retirement? It’s closing time, and I’m still working, trying to finish writing this “free” article at the local coffee shop.

! I glance at my computer screen, and I see reports about the economy bouncing back and cash being sprinkled — again — all over the housing market and on Wall Street.

The recession is over, but not for me — yet.