Florida family lives the simple life
Beth and Scott Greenlee were living the middle-class life in Connecticut. But after Scott was laid off, the family was forced to change their lifestyle. Katie Ball reports on how it's the simple things that matter for the Greenlees now.
Beth and Scott Greenlee at their home in Orange Park, Fla. (The Greenlees)
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TEXT OF STORY
TESS VIGELAND: It's that time when many of us look back on the past 12 months and try to figure out how to take some of those lessons into the new year. And oh how many, many lessons are available to all of us from the financial cataclysm that was 2008.
Today and tomorrow, we're visiting with two American families to see how they're reflecting the new economic realities. Today we go to Orange Park, Florida, where a family with four kids was already struggling before the crisis hit. Now, with the country in a deepening recession, they're barely hanging on.
Katie Ball has our report.
KATIE BALL: The Greenlees were a middle-class couple living their version of the American dream in Waterbury, Connecticut.
BETH GREENLEE: My husband was the first person in his family to ever own a house... we refinished the wood floors, we redid the kitchen.
Scott had a good job as a warehouse truck loader for a Stop and Shop supermarket. His wife Beth says "they were doing well." In fact the Greenlees even managed to buy a second house that they rented out for extra income.
GREENLEE: Julia was born in December of 2005. That's when it all really hit the fan.
Their third child Julia was born 3 months premature. While his newborn was still in the hospital Scott was laid off from his job of 7 years.
GREENLEE: And he got laid off with 400 other guys - so when they all looked for jobs it was slim pickings.
In addition, Beth found out she was pregnant. Again. The Greenlees were sliding fast. They attempted to sell their homes before foreclosure but no offers, no bites. They lost both homes and moved to Florida.
GREENLEE: We figured we would move to a warmer climate in case we had to live in our tents.
She laughs but she isn't joking. The family did manage to get into a rental house and Scott got himself a new full-time job, but at a fraction of his old pay they still need financial assistance but their request for food stamps were denied this month.
Beth says people look at her differently now that she needs financial aid.
GREENLEE: You know, just to go and apply for benefits they embarrass you and if you really need it you don't care how much you're embarrassed -- you've gotta feed your kids.
What major changes in your lives have you made to keep your head above water?
GREENLEE: In 2006 during the holiday season I had to call all my... it was very embarrassing - all my family and friends and say that we couldn't exchange gifts.
Times are so tight that Beth can't even afford her blood pressure medication, and the family ditched cable and other non-essential expenses -- but Beth's still a smoker. She's trying quit but she says their financial stress makes it hard to kick it. And yeah, she does see the irony in that line of thinking.
Beth's a stay-at-home mom and thinks about getting an outside job but she faces the same challenge a lot of parents experience.
GREENLEE: I've been out of work for nine years, so for me to go to work I've got to take something entry-level and it wouldn't even pay for daycare for one of my girls never mind two of them.
How much do they know about what's going on?
GREENLEE: My 8 year old, he's with me a lot so there's been a few times where... I try not to cry in front of him, so he probably understands a little more emotionally than the other kids.
But he's still an 8 year old and Christmas is coming up.
GREENLEE: Because he's been able to grasp some of our financial woes he actually only asked for two things this year and I think my mom and my dad are going to be able to pull it off.
Support from family and friends, well-worn toys, old cars in the drive -- in a lot of ways it all looks like normal everyday life and it only hits home when you really think about what this family has lost.
But still...
How has it changed your relationship with your husband?
GREENLEE: I think it's made it stronger. We know one another better. We respect one another more. We've simplified and you know we've found our blessings in that.
From Orange Park, Florida I'm Katie Ball for Marketplace.
Comments
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From Cape Coral, FL, 01/02/2009
I am the sister of Katie Ball.I know that Katie's intent was to present the story of the Greenlees with respect and care. She had to work within guidelines and an obvious time constraint, but I feel that she achieved her goal. I find it unfortunate that Mrs. Greenlee believes that the 'media spun this story to make them look pathetic and foolish.' I know that that was not the intention of the piece, the program or Katie, nor do I believe that that is what happened. I believe that the Greenlees looked human- like a million other families would look if they allowed themselves to be interviewed about their lives at this time.
I understand that some of the comments were hurtful.It is my sincere wish that Mrs. Greenlee will reflect upon this experience at a future date and realize that people are just people- everyone has an opinion and we all have the right not to be affected by someone else's opinion. I also hope that she finds an editor and publisher for her books. I hope good comes from this- in fact, I'm sure it has.
From Overland Park, KS, 12/30/2008
I first met Beth years ago when she was attending school in Kansas. She's one of the most upbeat, positive people I've ever known and a real contribution to this planet.
I've heard stories on the radio, and I've read the comments left by strangers, and while I've always been astonished at the vindictiveness and cruelty the comparative anonymity of the internet makes possible, it IS genuinely different when it's MY friend.
The internet changed for me today.
There aren't a lot of people who are as creative, generous, kind and uplifting as Beth. To me, she's always been the first to smile, the last to cry and sometimes the only one to stand up for what she believes.
There is nothing anyone on the internet can say that will change who this woman really is. It's so easy to pass judgements: we all come with an opinion of course, so we must be entitled to instruct others in the proper way to live life.
That's lovely for all the perfect people out there, the ones who never slip, never fall, and so have never had the experience of having to get back up and try again, and again, and again...
Seeing as how I'm not perfect, I guess I'll just have to keep trying, and enjoy my friends for who they are, and not what they aren't.
From Orange Park, FL, 12/30/2008
Ok, I am the woman in this story.
My intentions in doing this interview were NOT to evoke sympathy and saddness from strangers. I wanted to give people HOPE for the holidays, because, as I told Katie, for the past few Christmases I worried myself sick that we wouldn't pull off Christmas and we always did. Every thing was always alright. I wanted to reach others out there who are going through some similar problems to let them know that it is going to be ok. But alas the media spun this story to make us look like pathetic, stupid fools. I haven't listened to NPR since and don't plan to.As far as my smoking goes my kids have never gone without so that I could have a cigarette. I have gone without cigarettes so that they could and would have what they need. They ALWAYS come first. I'm sure none of you have any vices you'd like to change huh? Let he or she who is without faults continue to throw stones, otherwise knock it off, please. This story was enough of an embarassment for me and my family we don't need any more silliness from all of you. Thanks though to those of you who defended me, though. To SJ Phred ,though, I am not a failure, thanks, I am right where the universe needs me. I also told Katie that I've written and illustrated seven children's books and a Diary with this real story in it amoung others and am currently writing a cookbook, a diet book and an Arthurian Legend. I am seeking publication for my work, not any of your handouts or sympathies. I also told Katie, that we are standing right now, for the first time in a long time. We were one of the first families to be hit by the housing crisis and some of you sad rich people might take notice, our standing could mean that things are on an upturn for the better, also a message I wanted to convey to marketplace as it's a money show. I think we need to look to the media's negative spins for the lack of confidence on walllstreet, and stop looking at my family as the pathetic slobs that we are not. I agree that the media should be taking a closer look at real poor poeple, but maybe some of you should as well. Go to a homeless shelter, go to a foodstamp office, go to a wic office, go to a VET hospital or social security. Our poor aren't all homeless pathetic drunks running around on the streets talking to buildings and looking for handouts. If any of you truely want to help me and my family go to one of these places and help someone who really needs it. Or give your coat to a cold person out on the street even if they are talking to the buildings, because no matter where you are now that could be you one day. How would you want to be treated?
12/23/2008
I was simply saddened by this family's circumstances when I heard this interview. I came to the website expecting sympathetic comments and was shocked to see the judgmental criticism thrown at this woman and her family. It must be nice finding fault with these people so that you can pretend it can never happen to you. I really must swear off reading comments online, the format really brings out the worst in people.
From Tucker, GA, 12/23/2008
It is amazing to me the number of comments from people judging this woman because she smokes. That was not the point of the story. Everyone has a part of themselves and their lives that they would do differently. While I'm not condoning nor advocating her smoking, at the end of the day, she is a woman struggling with many things and we should listen and learn rather than judge.
12/23/2008
Especially in times like this, its easy to be critical of the failures of others', just to mollify yourself that you will not follow in their footsteps. You tell yourself you won't make their mistakes, and thus you are safe from the same horror they now face.
From san antonio, TX, 12/22/2008
More sympathy for the devil. So we're supposed to feel sorry for these poor people who don't have enough money to continue their shopping spree lifestyle, but yet have enough money for cigarettes? Here in Texas, no thanks to the do gooders, my smokes costs $6.00+. If she smoked a pack a day, due to the unbearble stress of new found poverty, thats $180.00 or more a month. When the boat starts sinking, the load must be lightened. Common sense would dictate that any unnecessary luxuries and expenses are to be eliminated, such as cable, sat tv, smoking, beer, eating out, Ipods, DVDs, etc. But it is nauseating how your program and the rest of the NPR ilk constantly portray the stupid and the criminal as victims in need of compassion and a free handout. Why don't you interview REAL poor people, living out on the street or in homeless shelters. At least their stories would evoke REAL sympathy. But then again, NPR = fantasyland.
From MA, 12/22/2008
Jeff Garland somehow assumes that Scott should have known he might get laid off and should have immunized himself from the sales pitches he probably got from mortgage lenders.
Lorraine Frank talks like a prohibitionist, despite her empathy. A bit more empathy would help her realize that when you're really down it's that much harder to shed your crutches.
Neither comment helps the Greenlees move forward. They are self-righteous tsk-tsks that blame the downtrodden for their plight. To help them would be to create a moral hazard, I suppose.
If Citibank and AIG can be bailed out, why can't the Greenlees?
12/22/2008
I also felt sorry for these people. But these folks had no business getting a second home to rent. They obviously have poor judgement and no foresight. But a good banker would never have allowed them to get a loan in the first place. Most of their problem can be traced back to the lack of financial education in the USA.
From denver, CO, 12/22/2008
Listening to the Greenlee's story, I am sorry for their troubles, but the fact that Beth Greenlee continues to smoke is very selfish on her part and takes food out of her family's mouths.
Just suck it up and STOP - don't buy any more cigarettes. Don't bum them off of "friends." Just stop. Yes, it is not easy. Yes, it sucks. and Yes, you can do it, no matter what your stressors are -- there will always be a convenient stressor that acts as an excuse. Every time you are craving, think, "I am taking food out of the kids' mouths."
I am an ex-smoker. I smoked a pack a day for 15 years, quit cold turkey in 1992 when my young daughter asked me to stop so I wouldn't die.
Easy choice.
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