Americans Open Up About Their Struggles to Afford Basic Needs Amid Economic Crisis

The affordability crisis in the U.S. is prompting many Americans to speak out about their financial struggles. A CBS Evening News feature reflected the experiences of citizens dealing with the day-to-day challenges of maintaining a basic standard of living. According to a recent poll by CBS News, nearly two-thirds of the American population feels financial stress, with 75% reporting that their incomes are falling behind inflation.

Michelle Boisjoli, a 37-year-old teacher in St. Louis County, Minnesota, exemplifies this issue. Earning a modest $37,000 annually, Boisjoli loves her job but stresses that many teachers are compelled to take on additional work to support their families. To cope with rising expenses, she has started delivering for DoorDash in the evenings. Boisjoli emphasizes the necessity of budgeting carefully, often prioritizing her children's meals over her own. She reflects on the traditional American dream, expressing concern that homeownership and prosperity seem increasingly unattainable for many, particularly as decision-makers, whom she views as disconnected from the average person's plight, continue to enact policies that fail to address their struggles.

The case of Anthony Bartolini, a 29-year-old police officer in Waterbury, Connecticut, further illustrates the challenges faced by American families. Bartolini and his wife aspire to buy a home for their growing family but find themselves priced out of the market. With high down payment requirements and a lack of affordable listings, the couple feels discouraged. Recent statistics reveal a dramatic drop in first-time homebuyer sales, highlighting the shrinking accessibility of homeownership in the current economic climate.

Similarly, Olivia Moreno Carlson, a 70-year-old widow from Santa Fe, New Mexico, is grappling with the harsh financial realities of aging without sufficient retirement savings. After losing her retail job, Moreno Carlson is actively seeking employment but faces numerous obstacles, including limited financial resources. Many older Americans find themselves in similar situations; data indicates that a substantial number of seniors still work out of necessity rather than choice. She expresses frustration over the lack of empathy shown by policymakers who can influence change, wishing they would engage with the real-life situations of those they govern. Carlson’s story embodies the struggle many face to survive, as she finds solace in her faith while contemplating the bleakness of her financial circumstances.