AP IMITATES THE ONION

Joblessness fuels tough decisions: Many forced to move home, deplete savings to survive (Alex Veiga, July 6, 2003, Associated Press)

Unemployed and running out of money, Brad Hoegler is back where he never thought he would be -- home with his parents.

The 26-year-old lost his job last year as a financial consultant for Charles Schwab in Austin, Texas. His severance package dwindled within weeks. Jobs were nowhere to be found, and the few hundred dollars he collected each week in unemployment benefits didn't make ends meet.

Hoegler, who left home eight years ago, said his only option was moving in with his parents in Southern California.

"It puts a little crimp in my social life," Hoegler said. "But it certainly helps me, there's no two ways about that. I couldn't have made it paying rent somewhere."

Hoegler is part of an unhappy trend -- frustrated job seekers forced to move in with relatives and friends because they can't pay rent. Others are depleting savings or maxing out credit cards before taking minimum-wage jobs.

Precisely what do they think savings and families are for if not to help you get through tough times? And note that there are jobs available, just not ones they want. Every other society in human history would be overjoyed if these were the worst problems they faced. Posted by Orrin Judd at July 7, 2003 10:07 PM