My Message in a Bottle for the Jobless

November 14, 2011 by Sandra Rogers.

 By Sandra Rogers

11-11-11 was our 2nd anniversary on the Web!  131 blog posts later and I’m still sending out an S.O.S. on behalf of all the unemployed.  On the car ride home this weekend, I heard the Police’s song, “Message in a Bottle” on the radio.  I realized that’s exactly what I’ve been doing on this blog—trying to send you a life-saver of helpful information or at the very least some inspiration.

For the new reader to my blog, I founded BrokeButNotForLong.org to help veterans, persons with disabilities, ex offenders and displaced workers find employment.   Each day I wonder how I can help the jobless.  Nowadays, the messages I send are delivered via tweets, blogs, Facebook, e-newspapers, YouTube, and Foursquare. My message to you: I am here for you! Contact us.

My current initiative is to create how-to videos for the use of social media as a career tool.  I created a YouTube channel, but it only has one video so far: http://youtu.be/ZylKHxq7H4I.  Our website lists the best tools for social networking for the job hunt, and we’ve blogged specifically about it.  However, I think it will be easier to understand if you see a video demonstration, as some of us are visual learners.

Lastly, I want to thank the 70,000 blog readers that visited our site this past year! I sent the first blog post of my career in 2009 not knowing who would respond or how.  Slowly I began to hear back from a few frustrated job seekers.  I’ve been actively mentoring some and passively encouraging others.  Blogging is akin to sending a message in bottle and you, my readers, are those “100 million castaways looking for a home,” as the song lyrics go.

Best of luck in not only securing your next job, but excelling in your career!
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Non-Traditional College Degree

September 8, 2011 by Broke_Intern.

Thirty-something years after finishing high school, I’m still a student.  Rather than attending college, I accepted a job offer and joined the work force, but I never gave up on attaining my bachelor’s degree.  As a non-traditional student in my mid-thirties, I finally earned an associate’s degree and continued taking a few courses, but I struggled with juggling work, school, and family.  Since my children are now grown, I decided to try college again, only this time I know I’ll succeed because of The University of Alabama’s New College LifeTrack program.

Adult students in the New College LifeTrack program can take courses on their own schedule, and attendance on campus is not required except for the orientation course.  In fact, one of my classmates is a ferry boat captain in Canada.  This program is an excellent choice for active military personnel and veterans as well.  I was very pleased that all of my former college coursework transferred.  In addition, credit may be granted for prior learning.  For example, I received two hours of credit for a course I took through my employer.  Also, credit may be given for documenting life experience learning.  Financial aid is available, and many scholarships are offered to adult learners through the Office of Continuing Studies.

If you’re like me and desire to attain that elusive bachelor’s degree, check out the New College LifeTrack program at The University of Alabama.  My son will graduate from college in May 2013, and my goal is to graduate then as well.  Hopefully, we will enjoy a cap-and-gown photography session together.

Intern Blogger,

Linda McIntosh

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Georgia Roussos on Catering Solo after her Family’s Business

June 14, 2011 by Sandra Rogers.

 

I recently sat down with Georgia of Georgia Roussos Catering and asked her about branching out from the family tree.  The Roussos family has a long tradition of serving Grecian style seafood, salads, and good ole’ southern comfort food to folks on the Gulf Coast. She’s carrying on the traditional great service, attention to detail, and ambrosial food with a welcoming smile! Her menu reads like a wish-list of last meals on a deserted island with items like pecan crusted chicken breast, smothered pork chops, seafood gumbo and rice, and Roussos famous corned beef to name a few.

Her parents’ original restaurant was located on the causeway on Mobile Bay. Georgia fondly recounted how her dad opened his first restaurant in 1974 after being fired from The Sea Ranch Restaurant, which was also on the causeway. Roussos Seafood Restaurant opened across the street from her dad’s old job and had a line out the door from the very first day!  Unfortunately, Hurricane Frederick demolished the building in 1979, and they relocated to downtown Mobile where they stayed for 23 years.  Georgia’s father, George, passed away in 2000.  In 2009, her oldest brother retired, and they moved the restaurant to Daphne, AL.

Then in 2010, she and her other brother parted and both of them now have their own catering companies. When asked what her motivating factors were to begin her own company, Georgia said that catering is like putting on a party for someone else! She caters to both large and small groups, VIP events like the Senior Bowl, or the bride-to-be.   Georgia strives for perfection to detail.  For instance, she’ll not only plan for the wedding guests’ meals, but for the table settings, and champagne toast. I shared with her the fact that the caterer for my wedding told us we had ordered too much food, which led us to reduce our order, leaving guests waiting while we had to order more food on the spot!

Georgia Roussos Catering has the benefit of having a team with years of experience of working together: Chef Emmanuel Theris has worked for Roussos since 1998 and caterer Mary Myers has worked for the Roussos since 1974.  Georgia considers Mary like a sister; the two instinctively know how to work around the kitchen or room without getting in each others way.  She also has her mother, Zenia’s help, not in the kitchen, but as a primary stockholder! Additionally, she’s very thankful for her husband’s support.

When asked if anything funny happened to her when she first got started, she shared her nervousness preparing food for 6,000 people all day at the Senior Bowl. She called their marketing manager to pitch her proposal.  He accepted since he was already familiar with her family’s service.  Georgia was thrilled but also a nervous wreck. Everything went off without a hitch. Afterwards when she spoke with the marketing manager, he admitted that he was very nervous, too, about her ability to pull off such a big corporate gig! Since then Georgia Roussos Catering has been growing by word-of-mouth, literally from the taste buds of her clients.

Your Blogger,

Sandra Rogers

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Patience by Mark Woodward

February 25, 2011 by Sandra Rogers.

Many people that want to work are having a hard time finding a job, as evidenced by the current high unemployment rate.  Many of the previous blogs have outlined proven and possible strategies for making ends meet and finding part or full time jobs.  All options should be explored and followed to their conclusions, either favorable or not.  One of the most difficult things is to remain positive when facing multiple reject or “check back later” responses.  One thing that has helped me in the past is the fact that anything worthwhile only seems to happen with hard consistent effort. 

Many years ago, I had a job selling books door to door.  Talk about rejection!  It’s hard to keep your spirits up when people keep saying “NO”! and slam the door in your face.  Part of the training I received was the premise that the more people I talked to, the more rejection I got, the closer I was to selling some of my products.  When I came to understand this principle, my mood and attitude improved, I started knocking on more and more doors, and looked forward to each rejection as the more I got, the closer I was to getting a “yes”.

Another lesson I learned from this experience was that I have to be patient, actively striving toward a goal, but realizing that it might take a while for it to come to fruition.  Success and failure are so closely related that one more incident of effort can be the fulcrum that catapults one from depression to achievement.

 

Mark Woodward

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Gift Giving When You’re Broke

December 24, 2010 by Sandra Rogers.

The best Christmas present I ever received was a homemade CD from my brother a few years ago.  He’s a musician, so at first, I thought it was a CD of his music.  Instead, it was a recording of my dad singing songs with the family during the 1960s.  This gift was more than a Christmas present; it was the joy of getting to hear my dad’s voice again because he passed away in 1966.  Several of my family members were gathered at my mom’s house, so we played the CD.  None of us realized that it even existed!  Moreover, my dad’s voice was simply amazing.

My brother had taken the time to transfer the old reel-to-reel tape to a CD.  He said that the tape had been through a flood and misplaced for some time.  This type of tender gift-giving is something to consider if you can’t afford to purchase something new.  For example, I  remember cleaning house for my mom, as a gift when I was a young girl.  Another brother of mine washed and waxed mom’s car for her birthday this year.  This year, I plan to make her a pecan pie for Christmas.

Part of my gift-giving is this nonprofit, something I commit myself to all year long, as a volunteer.  I hope that our website, blog, and twitter account have aided you in the job hunt, or at the very least—some inspirational reading!  In closing, I’d like to offer a list of gift ideas for under $12.  Please add your comments below as to the best inexpensive gift you ever received.

1. Car wash and vacuum
2. Homemade CD (I remember making homemade tapes!)
3. Homemade Pies or Cakes
4. Poinsettias or other Plants
5. Email scanned Photos to family members
6. Novel
7. Framed Picture
8. Calendar
9. Day Planner
10. Basket with treats from the Dollar Store/Family Dollar/99 Cent Store
11. Christmas Ornament
12. Your time: janitorial, landscaping, carpentry, painting, decorating, running errands, or fixing meals

Your Blogger,

Sandra Annette Rogers

sandra@brokebutnotforlong.org

Look for a job on Indeed.com and we get a few pennies for your searches:

http://www.indeed.com/p/index.php?pid=7080813311402333

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Need a Little Inspiration for the Job Hunt?

October 25, 2010 by Sandra Rogers.

As part of our upcoming anniversary with BrokeButNotForLong, Inc., I’m publishing a collection of the best postings on our blog.  During my bouts of unemployment, I remember how Monday didn’t feel like Monday when you don’t have a job.  As a matter of fact, everyday fely like the movie, Ground Hog Day.  You’ve set your routines, and even your deviations from your norm end up becoming part of your routine.

Here is a list of blog post that were written to inspire.  I hope you enjoy them!

http://blog.brokebutnotforlong.org/broke-but-not-broken/

http://blog.brokebutnotforlong.org/may-god-be-with-you/

http://blog.brokebutnotforlong.org/mining-for-jobs/

http://blog.brokebutnotforlong.org/you-just-dont-look-disabled-cnncom/

http://blog.brokebutnotforlong.org/the-broke-diet-exercise/

Your blogger,

Sandra Annette Rogers

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The Hypotenuse of 9-11

September 11, 2010 by Sandra Rogers.

(Note: This essay was previously published in the Havana Herald in 2008.  I took these photos at the make-shift memorial of ground zero in New York City.)

I had just pulled up to school in East Los Angeles when I heard the radio announcement about the attack on the World Trade Center.  Within seconds, I realized that my nephew who worked there might have lost his life.  I went to sign-in at the office and ended up crying.  The assistant principal pulled me into her office and explained that her daughter was at the Pentagon, and that it had been hit, as well.  She appeared calm and professional as always and told me to make a decision on whether to go home or stay and teach.  I did not have a family of my own at that time, so I decided to teach my first grade students.

There was a rumor around school that more planes were headed to Los Angeles.  The planes that hit the World Trade Center were outbound flights for LAX.  Our large inner city school was located directly below the heavy incoming flight pattern for LAX.  In fact, when the government cleared the skies of all planes, walking across the school yard became surreal with the silence.  In times of natural disasters or emergencies, teachers become the wards of the students until their parents pick them up.  I went to teach class and to defend my students and school from harm.

The rumor was so believable given the day’s events that our principal went missing and was later reported to have locked herself in a closet.  Nevertheless, school functioned without her.  A few parents came to pick up their children.  I remember starting the day off by showing a map of the United States to my class.  I wanted them to understand how far away the attacks had occurred in order for them to feel less anxious.  They had many misconceptions of what was going on fueled by the fact that they were limited English speakers.  For example, they thought the continuous instant replay on television that morning of the second plane going into the tower was actually many planes not just one.  I speak Spanish and was able to translate the basic information on the attacks.

In the classroom, we discussed what was going on in New York.  Unfortunately, some of my students had seen graphic images of people jumping to their deaths on the Spanish news channel, Telemundo, that morning.  It was extremely difficult not to cry in front of them.  I had to be strong, so that they could feel safe.  I didn’t tell them about the rumors nor explain what an attack of this magnitude would mean to our country and the world.  East Los Angeles is a tough neighborhood.  Its teachers are prepared for earthquakes, lock downs, and multiple casualties.  As a returned Peace Corps Volunteer, I have more survival skills than the average person; however, I didn’t know how to prepare for war.

Students were actually allowed outside for recess, and I headed to the teachers’ break room to make a few calls to learn about my nephew’s whereabouts. Teachers were watching the latest news on the attacks on a TV someone had brought into the room.  I learned that my nephew was alive because he went to work late.  Later I found out that  he was just getting out of a cab when the first plane hit.  He fled Manhattan on foot along with the mass exodus through the ashes.  He escaped physical harm but bears the burden of witnessing a heinous crime against humanity.

The day after 9-11, the Los Angeles Times printed images of people jumping out of the Twin Towers.  The images on television news coverage kept me in tears for weeks, as more information was given about the attacks.  It sent me into a depression for several months.  The summer after 9-11, I visited my nephew who lives in New York and saw Ground Zero.  The make-shift memorial remained with faded images of the missing.  Fresh notes were messages to those who were missed on their birthdays or anniversaries.  I photographed the memorial to share with future students in my classroom.

In retrospect, I realized that my family’s story created a hypotenuse that connected some of us to the targeted areas.  The hypotenuse of 9-11 began from the targeted areas and ran across the nation and the world.  Later on I learned that another nephew was a first responder to the attack on the Pentagon.  He was a National Guardsman from Alabama who was being trained in Washington for special duty at the Walter Reed Army Hospital.  His duty that day was to place the injured into three areas: the dead, the dying, and those that would survive.  He had not seen war until that day.  My deepest sympathy to all the individuals affected on that day, and my heart-felt gratitude to all of the first responders and unsung heroes.

Sandra Annette Rogers

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Praying Out Loud

August 14, 2010 by Sandra Rogers.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for all that you have done to guide us in the creation of our organization.  I’m so grateful to have been successful at incorporating as a nonprofit, registering as a service mark, and becoming identified as tax-exempt charity.  I have never attempted these tasks before, and you led the way.  Most importantly, I am so happy to be in a position to help others help themselves.

Some people ask me why I chose to be a nonprofit.  The question always prompts me to answer rationally:  to provide free services.  Then they usually ask why? I say because I like helping people.  The real answer is that I am a Christian serving the Lord.  I’m not used to answering first to you, Lord, so please forgive me.  I’m  conditioned, as a teacher, to be cautious with my beliefs when giving explanations.

Thank you lord for giving me this opportunity on this blog  to reach thousands of readers.  Help me to provide the information that they need to find a job and financial security.  Help me to learn more about adaptive technology, as well as to inform my audience of the tools they can use to assist them on the job if they have an employment handicap.

In God’s name I pray, amen.

Sandra Annette Rogers

Note: All photos on this blog were taken by the author, Sandra Rogers.

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Thank You!!

May 4, 2010 by Sandra Rogers.

Dear Readers,

It’s so exciting to see new subscribers everyday!  Thank you and welcome to Blogging4Broke.  Because of you, our Web site receives around five to seven thousand visitors a month.  Last November when I started our organization’s online presence, I thought the Web site, www.brokebutnotforlong.org, would receive the most visits.  However, this blog continues to draw the most visitors.

You’re my inspiration!  In 2009, I had the idea to help others on the job hunt.  I was pleasantly employed when my idea for our organization took over me.  I did some research and online trainings and then wrote our business plan.  The blog was just one small part of the plan.  I hope that you will also visit our 18-page Web site with reliable resources.

I noticed that many new readers are from around the world!  I’d like to extend a warm welcome to you.  You can use our Google translator in the sidebar/blog roll.  I created this blog for us here in the US due to our bad economy; however, I understand that everyone around the world is hurting financially.  We also have international followers on our Twitter account.

Our Twitter account is @Broke4Jobs.  We currently have 500 followers.  I only tweet reliable job postings, job-related resources, and training opportunities.  Take a look at our 1000+ tweets!  Our twitter lists include 92 military resources, 28 disability resources, 185 US job boards, and 61 international job boards! In our sidebar/blog roll you will find a resourceful TweetSheet that gives instructions on how to find a job on Twitter.  In a previous post, there is a list of companies hiring on Twitter collected by Susan Strayer.  April 26, 2010: THE LIST: Companies Recruiting on Twitter

I’ve had some great jobs and usually help my friends and family find work.   I hope I can find you a job, too!  I would love to hear some testimonials on getting hired via social media tools.  Please share our reliable resources with anyone looking for work.  Go to our About Us page to read more about our nonprofit charity serving veterans, persons with disabilities, as well as displaced workers.  You are welcome to retweet this article, post it to your facebook, share with your Yahoo Connections, or simply email it.  Thanks for your readership!!!

Sincerely,

Sandra Rogers

Founder of BrokeButNotForLong, Inc.

sandra@brokebutnotforlong.org 

Look for jobs: http://www.indeed.com/p/index.php?pid=7080813311402333

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May God Be With You

March 14, 2010 by Sandra Rogers.

Thus far, I’ve written informative blogs to help you during your economic hardship such as, “What to Do When You’re Broke” and how to survive on, “The Broke Diet & Exercise.”  Some of my blogs have been inspirational as is, “Broke But Not Broken.”  However, I haven’t mentioned much about Jesus, and what a great friend he has been to me.

In a previous post, “Charity=Love,” I mentioned the love that God shows through charity.  My reasoning for incorporating as a nonprofit, and not as a business, was to be able to speak openly about God and my mission to help others.  Due to the support that he has given me during my transitions in life, I feel compelled to show charity to those in need.

When I was writing my business plan, I came across a presentation by Catherine Rohr, the founder of the Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP.org).  She was talking to the Kaufman Foundation about how she found God’s calling and went from working on Wall Street, as an investor, to teaching inmates.

It’s such a beautiful thing to watch her speak of God so openly to the crowd in a nonreligious setting; I wondered if I could do the same.  I think actions are greater than words and usually don’t speak or write publicly about my closeness to God.  However, I want you to know that he has been such a great strength for me.

For instance, he was there that night when I drove my car the wrong way, down a one-way street in Mozambique, Africa and was immediately surrounded by soldiers pointing guns at me. They thought I was a suicide car bomber headed for their headquarters.  He gave me the strength to talk my way out of the situation (in Portuguese) and avoid jail.

Once again, he was there the night that my credit card was stolen by a pick-pocket at a large outdoor concert in Swaziland, Africa only to be retrieved by my date who saw the whole thing happen, and was able to return it to me, while I was oblivious that a crime had even taken place.

And again he helped me to get, not one, but two jobs from the Los Angeles Times’ want-ads.  Many people know that looking for work in the newspaper is like looking for a needle in the haystack.  That’s why I know that he was with me when I got a full-time job through the LA Times at UCLA and summer work at UC Santa Barbara.

I’m sure that there are many more times that God has helped me out, and I didn’t even realize it.  It’s not luck, and it’s not a coincidence.  I’ve lived the majority of my life by myself.   By God’s will, I met my husband a few years ago, and now I have a partner in life.  As a single person, I often walked and talked with Jesus and pretended I had his hand in mine.  Now God has joined me with a Christian husband.

I hope that God may be with you in your time of need.  Please accept this religious blog along with the informational and inspirational ones, as a way to help you find work, especially if you’re alone.  I’d love to hear how your job search is going, and by all means, feel at ease to comment frankly about God in your life.  The local radio station still plays this great song by Joan Osborne every once and awhile, ”What if God was one of us?”

By Sandra Annette Rogers
Photo source: Sandra Rogers

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The Broke Diet & Exercise

February 22, 2010 by Sandra Rogers.

This morning I remembered that I was much slimmer when I was really broke.  This was due to the cost-saving necessity of not driving the car to save on gas expenses.  Hence, I used to walk to the local grocery store, library, and eateries.  If it was raining, I’d put on a raincoat.   When you have to carry everything home, it becomes like a diet regimen of mental and physical exercise that makes you think about your purchases.  To be specific, you learn to purchase the lighter weight and low cost items like fruit and vegetables.  You could try using a backpack; however, I found that the items, like cans and boxes, poke you in the back the whole walk home.  Luckily, grocers provide those nice, sturdy, eco-friendly bags, so you can save the planet and your back at the same time.  I remember when I came home from the Peace Corps in 1988 and used my backpack instead of the plastic grocery bags.  The cashier snidely commented, “What are you trying to do? Save the world?”  Nowadays, everyone at least tries to save the planet.

I used to have paniers, a saddle bag for bicycles, to take the groceries home.  You’ll need a good lock to keep it safe, too!   It’s essential to have a good working bike in order to use it for transportation and quick maneuvering in large cities.  Unfortunately, some cities are not very cyclist-friendly, as they don’t provide bike lanes or advisory signs. Once I had a parked car open their door on me when I was cycling past; I responded quickly and somehow avoided hurting myself.  When I lived in Los Angeles,  I used to bicycle from UCLA to Santa Monica Beach for exercise.  I’d cut through the Veteran’s Administration buildings near the 405 Freeway and then take a coffee break  at the halfway point.  The coffee break was a real splurge on my broke diet, but it made it taste all the better!  After resting, I’d continue to the beach which was downhill from there.  After relaxing at the beach, it was all up hill to get back home.  I was able to go 12-14 miles on bike with little difficulty because I took breaks.

Furthermore, the broke diet includes using coupons and looking at each high-priced item on your grocery bill to decide if you really need to purchase it next time.  Since coupons are for specific brands, you have to shop/eat different than your normal activity.  I used to be embarrassed to use coupons and would go to the store at odd hours when I thought no one would be shopping.  I usually buy the lower priced store brand than the popular “name” brand products.  After I saw a popular TV comedian using coupons in the check-out line at a grocery store, I had to laugh at myself.  This was when I lived in LA.  It reminded me of the time I saw Johnny Cash shopping at Kmart in Nashville (I used to live there, too).  Saving money with coupons is smart, so don’t let it get you down. I use coupons and customer reward cards whenever I can.

Lastly, the  broke diet includes not overeating.  Basically, because you can’t afford it, but also because it’s too depressing to have nothing in the fridge or on the shelves.  Every time I go to my mother’s house to look in the fridge, I think she doesn’t have anything.  She’s a senior citizen who receives Social Security benefits.  When I study the contents of her fridge to make a grocery list, I realize she has it all right there: cheese, eggs, milk, juice, yogurt, bread and butter.  I usually just buy her a bottle of wine, since I know that it’s not a regular part of her broke diet.  My mother’s a vegetarian and generally eats beans and rice along with various canned vegetables.  I’ve gone vegan before due to the broke diet.  Luckily, I had a sibling invite me over for a meat dish and all the leftovers that I wanted.  I realize that many of you may not have that kind of support.  I wish you success on your broke diet and exercise and hope that you find the support that you need during your job hunt.

Your blogger,

Sandra Annette Rogers
Look for jobs: http://www.indeed.com/p/index.php?pid=7080813311402333

Posted in Going Green, Behavior Change, Finance, Inspiration | Print | 3 Comments »

Charity=Love

February 18, 2010 by Sandra Rogers.

This Sunday my pastor talked about the meaning of charity.  His message was about the love that God shows us in the way of charity.   Unfortunately, when we hear the word “charity” we think of hand-outs; the word has a stigma.   In contrast, charity is really about the act of giving to others.

I realize that accepting charity is often difficult for many of us.   The embarrassment of asking for money when you don’t have enough for your bus fare home or using food stamps to feed your kids and yourself.  The next time someone offers you assistance, think about how charity equals love.

The charitable organization that we’re building with BrokeButNotForLong is really about love for one another, especially in this economic downturn.  I spend all day trying to locate useful information to add to the content of our Web site, blog, and tweets, so that you can find a job.

I find that many articles are not really addressing the harsh realities of joblessness.  For example, I read an article about how to save money at the grocery store, but it really wasn’t helpful to “retweet” because it didn’t explain how to shop when you’re broke.  Therefore, I wrote “The Broke Diet & Exercise” February 22, 2010: The Broke Diet & Exercise

I want to hear how you’re surviving during the job hunt.  I created this blog to interact with job seekers!  I have even offered to add four more blogs to this site on various topics related to being unemployed and dealing with economic hardship, so please leave me a comment.

On the topic of giving, I read that the Mardi Gras cavaliers on parade in Prichard, Alabama threw Ramen noodles and popcorn along with the famous Moon Pies.  I wish all acts of charity were as fun to give and receive.

Your blogger,

Sandra Annette Rogers
Look for jobs: http://www.indeed.com/p/index.php?pid=7080813311402333

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Broke but not Broken

November 21, 2009 by Sandra Rogers.

One of my favorite songs of Celia Cruz says, “Alegranse porque nada mas te importa,” which translates as, “Be happy because nothing else matters!”  The melody is quite infectious and strikes the soul like an anthem.  I have been broke before and maybe a little saddened about the situation, but I knew I could rely on the strong voice of Celia Cruz to get me singing and dancing along to her music.  The song is probably an old Cuban classic but I have only heard her sing it.

I have had the great fortune to visit the island of Cuba twice;  once as an emissary of jazz and once as an Episcopal missionary.  While visiting, I could almost feel a sadness in the weight of the humidity but none of them talk about it.  I assume they are not allowed to speak freely to the tourists.  On the other hand, you can also see the pride and determination of the people by the way they walk down the street.

There are many reasons for being broke.  For Cubans, theirs is caused by a dictatorship and a trade embargo with the US.   This is called situational poverty.  They had nothing to do with their predicament (well maybe their ancestors did).

Situational poverty is nothing to be ashamed of, nor any other types of poverty for that matter.  The loss of a parent, a serious accident or illness, or a spouse’s misuse of funds can place you into situational poverty.  The debt or lack of money places you into a lower economic class; but this is generally something that you or your family can overcome in 5-10-20 years.

Being born into poverty is called generational poverty which again is really no fault of yours or your families, as each generation generally only rises to the next economic level.  There are those who are able to climb out of poverty and go right into an upper economic class but this is not common.

As a school teacher, I learned about the strengths and/or skills that come from poverty from a lecture by Ruby Payne.  It was entitled, “Understanding Poverty.”  Since I lost a parent as a child and experienced situational poverty as a youth, I thought I had a fairly good understanding of what it was like.  Also, I have lived and worked in third world countries providing services to the malnourished, illiterate, and destitute.

I was familiar with many hardships faced by the impoverished  but what I learned was empowering; I learned that you can classify poverty into categories and that often no one is to blame.  I also learned that when you are broke, you develop unique skills that the average person wouldn’t know how to do.  For example, she said…Would you know how to move all of your belongings with 24 hours notice if you were facing an eviction or seek shelter every nightfall if you were homeless.  I  do not agree with all of the items Payne addressed in her “hidden rules” but recognized some of them to be true for me.

I wanted to share this insight with you in case you are facing difficult financial times.  Celia Cruz wrote another wildly successful song titled, “La Vida es Un Carnival,” which translates as–Life is a Carnival. She sings how the bad moments are only for a little while and then they will fade away. Unfortunately, life is full of various travesties ranging from the horrendous to the just plain sad.  Therefore, stay strong and be happy because like the song says, nothing else really matters.

Sandra Annette Rogers,

sandra@brokebutnotforlong.org

Look for jobs: http://www.indeed.com/p/index.php?pid=7080813311402333

Posted in Finance, Inspiration | Print | 1 Comment »