Last month, producer Megan Burke and I were trying to figure out how we were going to tell the story of the local job market for this month's episode of our newly revamped public affairs show, Envision San Diego . We knew things were tough out there -- the unemployment rate is the highest it's been in more than a decade. The challenge really was to make all the statistics meaningful. We decided we would profile unemployed people -- it seemed like a no-brainer.
But finding unemployed people, (there are 100,000 of you in the county), is harder than it sounds. I put an ad on Craig's list, our web team sent out a message on Twitter , and Megan asked KPBS program director John Decker to air something you don't often hear on KPBS, radio announcements asking for your help. Decker agreed and for nearly a week we asked you to email us if you were unemployed and wanted to tell your story. You responded. You'll meet one of our listeners this Thursday, Sept. 25, at 8 p.m. on KPBS Television as she courageously describes her nearly year-long unemployment struggle. She was a casualty of the mortgage meltdown. The radio announcements worked; we found interview subjects, but it achieved something else. It gave you, our listeners and viewers another level of ownership in public broadcasting. You are reflected in our storytelling.
Our goal for the new Envision San Diego is to reflect our diverse community in the stories we tell. So often we the media, turn to the same experts, the same community organizations, the same politicians, to attempt to make sense of the news of the day. It is at times, unavoidable on daily and even hourly deadlines. We're lucky at Envision San Diego . We are given more time to find and tell stories in a different way. And so, here's where you come in again. We hope to include you on a regular basis. From time to time, you will hear us on the radio asking for your help. And now, you will even see us on this website asking you to tell us your story. I truly believe everyone has a story to tell. Here is your chance to get involved in the journalistic process and know that you are helping to shape the stories you'll see on KPBS Television. You'll still get the facts and analysis from the experts, but you'll also see how the statistics affect real people.
This month, we're asking you to tell us your story about how you are managing in these difficult economic times. Rent, gas and food are all more expensive this year than last, but wages are stagnant. How are you getting by? You can post your story here in the public comments or send an email to gettingby@kpbs.org . So, join the conversation. We really do want to hear from you.
Alexia from City Heights
September 23, 2008 at 06:38 PM
Hi,
I'm a single woman, renting, and living on $30K a year. (Before taxes)
I do a lot of smart, smart shopping. I use a website to help with my groceries - www.thegrocerygame.com - I put in my zipcode, pick my stores, and it tells me what the good deals are. I cut coupons from the Sunday paper that we get at work (so I don't pay for the subscription), and buy groceries based on my list from the website.
For clothes - I go to places like White House Black Market clearance store - I get great, quality clothes that are way, way discounted. Often times less expensive than clothes from Target and Walmart! I also shop at Steve and Barry's stores - everything in the store is less than $10. I like the clothing line from Sarah Jessica Parker - I get everything from jeans to peacoats to shoes all for $10!
For gas - It's one of my biggest expenses because I live in City Heights (where I can afford) and work in Solana Beach. I spend about $200 a month on gas. I buy gas usually on Tuesdays because it's cheaper during the week than on the weekend. And I'm being smart about running errands all at once so I don't waste gas going back and forth a lot. I also try to make a lot of right turns so I don't wait at lights or try to turn left into traffic. That saves gas and time. :-)
Hope this helps!
Roy Libby from Clairemont
October 01, 2008 at 04:56 PM
Hi,
I've always worked in construction. During the Gulf War, I was out of work a lot because of the downturn in home construction and the economy in general. I got behind on my child support payments and the state reported this to the credit reporting agencies. It was the best thing that could have happened to me, although I didn't think so at the time. My car broke down and I tried to get credit. No dice. For days I stewed and brewed. Finally, I decided to live on cash in the future. I stopped buying many things, paid off my bills, got caught up on my child support, and opened a savings account. The rest of the story you can guess. Now that I don't need it, everybody wants to extend me credit.
We all live in a society inundated with opportunity for instant gratification through credit. The burden we pay for competitive pricing is a barrage of advertisement. And for the instant material gratification, a burgeoning debt.
We are ADDICTED to credit.
There ain't no such thing as a free lunch.
