Xam, chocolate-shop worker
How has the recession affected you? “Well, yesterday I was completely broke and out of food stamps, so I had to borrow some food from a neighbor.”
What are you doing to deal with it? “I just got a job, at Kilwin’s Chocolates. I’m living as cheaply as I can, finding the best deals and the best prices. I’m trying to volunteer at the French Broad Food Co-op to get a better deal there, and as soon as I get enough money I’m going to try to buy a membership there to get some more money off my groceries.”
Jessica Carreon, restaurant server and group-home worker
How has the recession affected you? “It really hasn’t hit me a whole lot, because I have two jobs. And I’m not a homeowner and I don’t have any stocks or anything like that.”
What are you doing to deal with it? “I am trying to save money more than ever before, because you never really know.”
Heather Palaski, restaurant manager
How has the recession affected you? “Honestly, not so much. I may scale back some travel plans—instead of flying, driving when I go back to visit home in Pennsylvania.”
What are you doing to deal with it? “I’ve been more careful with spending, and trying to squirrel away as much as possible. … I’m just trying to fly under the radar as much as possible and limit my luxuries.”
Chris Wileman, self-employed
How has the recession affected you? “I lost my job; I’ve been unemployed for about two months. I was in construction: I’ve been looking for work, but there’s just not anything going on now in terms of construction.”
What are you doing to deal with it? “I make and sell natural soaps and skin-care products. I put my last little bit of savings into this—my company is Blue Ridge Apothecary.”
Timmy “Jukebox” McGlynn, musician
How has the recession affected you? “People just don’t seem to be tipping as much, especially when we go out and play for bars and play for tips. A lot of people bring credit cards with them; they don’t bring actual cash.”
What are you doing to deal with it? “I’ve gotten side work here and there just to manage a little bit. I’m able to work enough to get a room for the night every night. I’m managing the best I can.”
Angelique Emile, co-owner of Eagle Street convenience store
How has the recession affected you? “Not really. The store’s doing pretty well, but I’ve noticed the downtown Asheville area hasn’t been packed as it was the previous few years. Sometimes it looks like a ghost town.”
What are you doing to deal with it? “I haven’t really had to adjust. The recession’s not really doing anything to me personally.”
Thomas Joyce, owner of Smooth’s DO Drop In barbershop
How has the recession affected you? “Through the strain of people that have more access to people that don’t really know what to do with people. Recession is an illusion. The preachers that have control of everything and can create jobs to eliminate recession—I just read in the paper where they had to go and talk to people to figure out how to come back and talk to their people. … So who’s in recession: the people or the people in charge of the people?”
What are you doing to deal with it? “Get away from people that don’t have ideas in how to combat the situation of today.”
Mickey Mahaffey, operator of small painting business
How has the recession affected you? “Money never has been a real important part of my life, and so a recession doesn’t really affect me at all. I think those of us who are poor or live with very little, it’s the same as it was before the recession.”
What are you doing to deal with it? “No real adjustments for the recession. It’s a little harder to get jobs, but really, I’ve been as busy as I’ve ever been.”
I haven’t felt a negative impact. We’re saving more, almost out of debt, and still tithing. I support local food growers as much as possible.
Mr. Joyce – What the hell are you talking about?
“Recession?” It’s the Republican 2nd Great Depression! The heist of 9+ trillion is more than a recession!
Mr. Joyce – What the hell are you talking about?
That’s exactly what I was thinking.
[b]So who’s in recession: the people or the people in charge of the people?” [/b]
I think that sums it up quite clearly. It’s the rich people effected by this, not the poor.
I work for the City, the recession affected me by seeing my position being cut by the City. So now I will be unemployed.
I do wonder if my position was cut on purpose since I am the employee that filed the complaint on the mold conditions at City Hall..
Regarding the person who said that it is the rich that are affected, I don’t wholly agree. While I do not have any stock to lose, I am a high school teacher with a Master’s Degree, yet due to cuts, I cannot find a job (not to mention that teacher pay for those still employed was also reduced). I was nominated for Teacher of the Year this past year and I am left now with school debt and my waitressing skills.