Georgia family weathers the downturn, without a bailout

My son and I were forced to close our business. Banks and insurance executives got bonuses; I lost my business. I guess paint contractors aren't in line for a government bailout. Still can't figure that one out.

As Wall Street melted down, my retirement account did the same. I lost 50 percent of its value. My wife opened a storefront for her business, and that has been a bright spot for our family. My daughter married in December, so we had to use the only source of credit for that. We paid down debt, but our home value shrank to half of what it was before this mess.

Our income has been cut in half; our asset values have been cut in half. I am 57 years old, and I don't have a job. I'm not a high school dropout; I am a college graduate. But they're just aren't any jobs.

At the beginning of the year, I helped my wife in her business part-time so that she wouldn't have to hire anyone. This helped to reduce expenses. I signed up for writing classes online and have started a grant-writing and freelance-writing business to help defray some costs.

My brother, a freelance software specialist, called to ask me to do his accounting and marketing. I started that at the beginning of the year, which keeps my head above water and not dependent on public assistance.

My wife and youngest son have health insurance, but my oldest son and I do not have coverage at this time. It's interesting that small business owners seem to get the job done without help from the government, but big business and Wall Street needs are the first in line.

I really am a happy and confident man. I have always relied on my family -- and them on me -- in hard times. We have always managed our expenses and have worked it out without assistance or bankruptcy. I believe that less sometimes is more, so I don't miss anything of material value. And I am pleased we now have a vision and a direction and are managing to make it work.