Released: November 04, 2007

Struggling with less

Source: Janet Kidd Stewart, Baltimore Sun (Free Registration)

Layoffs and subsequent lower-paying jobs have taken a toll on Terri and Kevin Beirne of Orlando, Fla.

Four years ago, they both were laid off briefly within a few weeks of each other. They missed fewer than a month of paychecks, but their income took a big hit.

Her new job with another employer paid just 5 cents more per hour than what she would have received in unemployment benefits. His pay has progressively returned to his old rate, but several jobs later she makes about $8,300 less per year than she did before the layoff.

Now the couple has $16,791 in credit-card debt and combined car payments that nearly equal their $800 mortgage bill each month.

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