Originally Posted by
uncle holmes 
Little did I know the Great Recession was going to hit and I got pay cuts of half of what I was making along with missing paychecks (not getting paid), and finally losing my job by getting laid off.
Other than a few nights camping with my sons once a year the past several years, there have been no vacations or having any real fun as a family.
Your story is just like mine. Making 1/2 of what I used to, no bonuses, etc. I'm self employed now so I only have what little I earn. My wife is the breadwinner now and we're doing OK financially.
"Fun" is what we make it. Camping trips are great. A cheap condo rented on the beach is a luxury.
It's been a struggle to overcome my feelings of self-worth, a lack of identity, and a constant sense of inadequacy. But, I've learned to be extremely grateful for what we do have, rather than what we don't have. That lesson has become priceless.