I Already Live In A Post Peak Oil World.

FourOfSwords

Not sure if this is the correct part of the forum to post this in, so please move it if not...
Yes, I do live a post PO lifestyle right now, not through any choice of my own. Let me give you a brief run down, and you decide if this is what a post PO life may be like...
Firstly I'm 50 years old wth a serious health issue, diabetes(health and sanity will be the 2 most important things to keep in a PO world).
I have lost my TOO specialized job, and am unable to find work in my field. I've been out of work for 6 months and have run out of money 2 months ago. I do not qualify for employment assurance, as I was self employed. I do not qualify for any welfare/social assistance as my spouse's job pays too much for us to claim. Even though my spouse has a full time job, it pays poorly and as we are a family of 4(two kids) we are technically under the poverty line.
I have tried to fall back on my previous work experience(mailroom clerk) but let's face it not too many folks hire 50 year old mail clerks. I have experienced 'age' bias in job hiring although I carry many years of 'work experience" with me.
Now I'll get to the stuff that seems to me like what most people may experience once things start to get bad.
I have had to declare bancruptcy, lost or sold all my assets(not a totally bad thing, as we got rid of our car, which no matter how you slice it is a huge drain on finances, and just plain bad for the environment).
We rent an apt, and if any of you live in a large urban center, you will realize just how enormous rents are comparative to wages earned. We have so little money left over after rent, the following are examples of how lifestyle is impacted when there is no money(and possibly what any of you may experience soon):
-no money for my diabetes medicine(currently running around $ 200/month) you can guess how my health will be impacted all too soon...
-no money for food for my kids. just ate our last tin of noodle soup,some potatoes left, some pasta also...my family has not eaten meat or fresh veggies for months...and thank goodness we have a local food bank nearby that we avail ourselves of, but it doesn't nearly cover what we need...
-my kids teach are literally rotting in their mouths, not from too many sweets (as modern kids teeth are) but from lack of proper nutrition. No dentist will look at their teeth 'gratis', and social agencies don't seem to cover this problem here.
- my wife and I both wear clothes that are very old(some of mine are 10+ years old, worn but still servicable) I worry about winter boots and coats for my kids this winter as they have grown out of their old ones.
-most disgusting to my wife (but not to me) I've now become a confirmed dumpster diver. It supliments at least 2 of my meals a week(my wife refuses to eat any, and I don't tell the kids where this food comes from). I go through other peoples refuse to find servicable items, and some even to sell.
-I have sold all of my possessions other than a small collection of DIY, survival,primitive skills books, and our bicycles, for money to get by on.
-Luxuries do not exist any more, although, out of a profound sadness, I do wonder if I will be able to get our youngest one(5yrs old) some small gifts for Christmas..she is too little to understand what's happening to our family at that age, and maybe that's a good thing. Thanks to the help of a family member, I have this computer I'm typing on, and internet access for a while longer, to look for work.
I could go on and on about what we are living through, but I just wanted to give you an idea of how things may play out for folks in the near future...
On the up side, I am teaching my kids useful skills(primitive and modern)and reconfiguring their attitudes about wants versus needs...
I know, 'sucks to be me' right now, but let me tell you, I am not complaining, or whining. I am certainly not looking for sympathy.
I have been through just as bad times previously(and came through them). What hurts is what my kids will have to live through as they grow older once a post PO world arrives...and for this I occaisionally shed a tear.
Alex.

gwmss15

Sorry to hear of your miss fortune.

This kind of thing i suspect will become even more commone accross the whole world in the near future.

My partners mum is in a very similar kind of situation.

She lives in a small 4 room house that has only had eletricity since in 1991 the power only provides light. The rooms are small and nothing but a few blankets and clothes on the floor. There is no aircond or fans to keep the place cool. the place leaks in the wet season. There is no Landline phone service in the area this is a other suburban area of a major city. there is no running water in the house at all and the bathroom is shared with 8 other families there is only one toilet for 40 people in the area. in the hot season water supply problems are common drinking water needs to be rationed. Food is a problem at time as white rice and vegitables is the only food around most of the year. She gets no income support from the govt No medical care support and the hospital is 50 mins away. There are very few local jobs and they dont pay much anyway around USD$1.30 per day.

My partner grew up in this kind of environment he suffered greatly from this today when he was 18years old he only weighed 35kg he is 170cm tall he should have been around 55kg he often had to go without meals and had to walk 5 km each day just to get to school as he had no money for the truck bus to school each day.

When he was young he is now 34 yo

he had no electricty or lighting at night in his home just small oil lamp gave light at night.

No phone No TV NO radio NO computer.

Very little study material such as books.

and allways had old donated clothing

He normally if lucky would only eat one simple meal a day.

at the end of his schooling he could not get any employment other than farm work on edge of city 6 km walk each way aday. he saved for 3 years to get some money head for the capital to find better work.

when i met him in 2003 he had never watched a TV or listened to Radio or used a microwave oven , washing machine or an iron things that are taken for granted in the US and in the citys people like my partner just had never even seen when they where young.

anyway my background was alot better than his as i didnt have to suffer but i have seen frist hand what post peak life is going to be like and what he went though i will most likely end up going though as well.

I understand where your comming from with this and the way things are we will all end up in a similar way.

What2DO

Interesting story, can I ask where you live ?
also how do you afford the internet ?

seahorse2 · Expert Joined: Oct 18, 2004 Posts: 1818

How old are your kids?

FourOfSwords

I live in Canada, in a large city just outside of Toronto. As for the interent, my brother who gave me the computer, is paying for it for the next couple of months.
All of these things that have befallen my family are not ALL for the worse. I get to bicycle everywhere, which overall improves my health. My family walks everywhere as oppossed to taking the car, so again it improves our health.
If nothing else this situation has changed my thinking in a profound way, inasmuch as I can and do view the world as a place to 'be' and enjoy, not just mindlessly working for 'the man', a place where I as a dad can positively influence and nuture my childrens lives.
Alex.

FourOfSwords

Kids are:
16 yrs-boy
5 yrs-girl

seahorse2 · Expert Joined: Oct 18, 2004 Posts: 1818

Alex,

Expand your horizons on your job search:

(1) work daily if you have to doing, literally, anything - many jobs in help wanted adds for day laborers;
(2) go to an employment agency;
(3) Many fast food places have hire turn over and appreciate older more reliable workers. Same with Wal-Marts etc. Minimum wage jobs will at least cover your medicines, vitamins, and some basic food, better working minimum wage than dumpster diving;
(4) Consider also long haul trucking. Many trucking companies have 70+ year old drivers.

As for government assistance - You say you do not qualify for any assistance. Have you actually applied? You may qualify for Medicare, which would help cover your medical expenses for you and your family. If you have applied and received a rejection letter, then don't assume you don't qualify. Consider also SSI. With your age and diabetes, you should also contact an attorney about filing a SS Disability claim.

Now, if you can't get a job and you do not qualify for Medicare, SSI, or SSD, and you are still dumpster diving with kids who have rotting teeth, you need to consider doing something more extreme like divorcing your wife (paper only, keep living with her) so that her income will not be considered your income for purposes of Government assistance.

WildRose · Light Sweet Crude Joined: Jun 21, 2006 Posts: 1018

FourOfSwords,

Your situation sounds quite difficult. What is the job situation like in your city, for just any kind of job? Is it a tight market? Where I live in Alberta many businesses are crying for employees; some restaurants have to close because they can't keep enough staff to remain open. However, the problem for newcomers is that affordable accommodations are hard to find.

Seahorse2's suggestion to expand your job search to help wanted ads for day laborers, etc. is a good idea. Sometimes these temporary jobs lead to full-time employment - an employer may be happy to hire you after observing that you're a hard worker, dependable, etc. Also, there are some advantages to being a more mature employee; you've got a family to support, you're not likely to quit work to go and travel, you may have more skills dealing with difficult co-workers. If you present yourself this way, you could increase your chances of gaining employment.

I was thinking that there may be some low-cost or no-cost alternatives for meeting some of your kids' needs. You live in a large city, where perhaps a technical college might offer some free dental service (at least a check-up and cleaning) and also free haircuts (esthetics program). For the coming Christmas season, you may be able to register your kids in some type of community gift registry, through a department store or maybe a church group. I know Sears has offered this kind of program. For clothes, something I've been thinking about doing is arranging a clothing swap for people in my community, especially because winter clothing is more expensive and many people can't afford brand new stuff all the time. A clothing swap could be held at a school or a community hall, and everything from boots and snowsuits to sweaters and pants could be donated by community members and just adopted by whoever needs them.

I don't know if any of these suggestions will work for you, but I just thought of putting them out there. I can relate to having more difficulty making the family income stretch, as I have three teenagers and they do become more expensive as they get older! Our family has been working very hard lately at paying down some debt, and the expendable income is dwindling, to say the least. We have been enjoying as many free activities as possible and have literally been "reborn" as far as our appreciation for the outdoors is concerned. I wish you and your family well, FourOfSwords.

seahorse2 · Expert Joined: Oct 18, 2004 Posts: 1818

I may be too ignorant, but I thought Canada provided a public health system? medical care?

WildRose · Light Sweet Crude Joined: Jun 21, 2006 Posts: 1018

turmoil

Lots of good suggestions so far but now to the rent factor: Why not split the rent with more people? You give up space but have money for food, etc.
_________________
"If you are a real seeker after truth, it's necessary that at least once in your life you doubt all things as far as possible"-Rene Descartes

"When you have excluded the impossible, whatever remains however improbable must be the truth"-Sherlock Holmes

FourOfSwords

Thanks guys for the tips. Seahorse2, I do the daily labor thing, and yes literally anything. I have a 5yr old in kindergarden half the day, so I limited to work in the evenings and weekends.
Funny thing about McD's and Walmart, I've applied several times to both of them, and it seems my 'too specialized' job I did for the last 5 years makes me too 'high end' for them, and I can't 'fudge' on my Resume, because previous employers are always checked...
As for Govt assistance if you were self employed like me, under the employment laws you are not entitled to any employment assistance. In Ontario if you make over $ CDN 1,252 in household earnings(even one penny) you do not qualify for social assistance.
Yah, been thinking of divorcing my spouse...for other reasons, just kidding Wink

...gallows humor.
And no you're not ignorant the 'public' health system is a scam. 15 years ago it was in a fairly good state. Today there is tremendous pressure to 'convert' it to a private 'American' style system...we here are already far down that path...but that's another rant.
WildRose, good name from the 'Wildrose Provence'. Smile

The job situation here is not all that unique, many low paying minimum wage jobs mostly part time, few full time well paying one's, like in the U.S. they've all been shipped offshore to India, China, etc.
I used to live and work in Calgary and Edmonton back in the '70's. There's always work in Alberta, till the oil sands dry up I suppose.
Your idea for technical colleges for dentistry is a great idea, didn't think of that. Also churches for gift registry's is a great idea.
All is not lost, I'm hoping this is a small to medium sized bump in the road. And who know's this will give me and my family great experience for that really large bump in the road up ahead.
The only reason I even started this thread was to let people know that this is what it's going to be like, only worse, and for much longer. I believe there are many families in North America that are already in our position, and even worse...
I guess I'm getting prepped for what's coming, the hard way. Wink

Alex.

traz · Tar Sands Joined: Jul 11, 2006 Posts: 26

OMG, that is so sad to hear about your troubles. I am on the verge of tears. Those poor kids, especially your 5-year-old. It's just not right what you're going through.

What type of diabetes do you have? I'm assuming it's type II?

Can your son get a casual job at one of those places after school? I know it's not the ideal situation but I'm sure he would help out if he knew you were trying as hard as you can to find work yourself. Ultimately it would help his quality of life too, with extra food on the table and what-not.

Do you have to live in this part of Vancouver (I think you said it was)? Are there cheaper places you could possibly consider - places close to public transport for your wife to get to work?

I'm horrified to hear that you, or your family, can't get any sort of benefits from the government, JUST because you were self-employed? That's totally fXXked up. I just cannot believe it.

There's nothing wrong with dumpster diving IMO... society is so capitalistic and incredibly wasteful... by necessity you are also fighting against it.

FourOfSwords

Traz, no tears please, its hard yes, but everyone's well wishing is comforting.
It's a great shock to the system when you find out that the govt that is supposed to be there when you fall, just sort of drops the ball. things like not qualifying for assistance initially made my jaw hit the floor, now I see things much differently. I used to think that oh it is some type of mistake, I mean I had been paying into the unemployment system in Canada through my pycheque, since started working when I was 17 yrs old. Now at 50, continually employed since I was 17, never once collecting unemployment insurance, I am denied it, when I, and my family are truely in need.
Like I said I used to think it was a mistake, now I am aware that it is all a facade, just a form of lip service. How many Provincial and Federal programs really service citizens? I'm not syingit's a conspiracy, just a calculated effort to misinform the citizenry, I mean how many of us are really going to need these services? I think the govt banks on very few needing them, unless something like PO comes along, and then they say wel, sorry folks not enough money in the kitty..and on it goes... really should be no surprise.
It's interesting to be able to see things from this perspective, kinda liberating...
Alex.

blukatzen · Heavy Crude Joined: Apr 11, 2005 Posts: 476

Hello Alex,

Just wondering, if you could contact a social worker through a church or hospital or community health care area. Also in the US, some townships do have community health situations where children of the poor do NOT fall through the cracks like this, sometimes you do have free clinic services for them, however, they may be on specialized days and some of them may be across town.

I know falling on hard times is especially stressful on a family, I did go through this awhile back when my parents had a housefire, and we were out of our home for 2 years..long story, but it did take a toll on my parent's marriage and their health and sanity..as well as our extended family, which put us up for that time.

I don't know about Canada, but I wouldn't imagine it to be that different from the US, where social workers, especially the still dedicated ones who haven't been burnt out by the system (yet), would and could move mountains to help you, and send you to the right people.
They usually know of little-known programs, scholarships, etc. that grant money or benefits to the poor. Case in point, I had a family member that lost their only kidney, and she was a college student, and had to undergo (if she was going to survive) kidney dialysis. The way the program is set up, unless you have insurance that will play for it, there is a public program that underwrites the cost of dialysis (whichever system you get set up for, peritineal or full-blown dialysis for which you must go to a dialysis center for). If you don't have insurance, essentially, you must become "poor" to qualify for the program. And stay that way, unfortunately. If you are a diabetic, of which many dialysis patients have started out being, I would see if you could go to a dialysis center, as there are social workers there at many of the places. They took wonderful care of my family member, and gave us a lot of good advice and avenues until they got a transplant.

Another avenue to approach is a local chapter of your national Diabetes foundation, I am SURE they have them in Toronto.

Other folks have been through tough times, and I am sure many people will go through them. It certainly does build character. Please let us know how you are doing from time to time, and there are quite a few good folks on this list that care. Please let us know if there are progress reports.

The best of luck to you, if there is anything more I think of, I will PM you. I've done elder care, and other care of sick relatives, and I am a bulldog at finding information. Keep in touch.