Another ridiculously skewed myth laden article.  The difference today from the past lies in the foundation of the cause; debt.  But the cause of debt is due mostly to lack of dicapline and the ease of securing credit.  Gone are the days that kids not only worked, but saved their money in a bank.  I am constantly hearing there are no jobs, but that is a lie.  There are plenty of jobs, but for some reason they are "beneath" many.  At age 8 to 15 I babysat.  From 11 to 15 I had two paper routes, seven days a week.  I shoveled and mowed my neighbors yards for free, because my mom insisted we help our elderly friends.  Playing 3 varsity sports all four years in high school I still always had a job or two and they took precidence over sports and social events on weekends and summers.  I'm sure I squawked, but I had a fantastic childhood and was still extremely social.  We all were and we all found a way to manage because our lives were balanced. Unlike today where kids play three and four seasons of the same sport and suffer burn out because their lives evolve around their "elite" schedules that rarely include work.  

I went to a State college because that was what I could afford and I worked three jobs during most of the time in school.  I then rented for eight years out of school while I continued to work never less then two jobs.  I still was out partying with my friends seemingly all the time and having a blast.  My first house was a fixer upper in a community I did not want to be in and my interest rate was 10.5%! ....  yada yada yada.

The theme being I always worked, saved and never bought what I could not afford.  I/we still have no debt other then 7 years left on a home we built in 2000.  Between the two of us we have only financed one car, buying everything else a few years old with cash.   

Our friends who are stretched, are so because they are financing several cars, vacationing and spending fortunes on their kids sports and wims.  They're not saying "no" like our parents did and they are not doing their kids any favors by giving in because when a child doesn't learn the value of a dolar, how to earn it, save it and spend it; they grow up to dissapointment.

I earn a very nice 6-figure income. Have 3 kids and wife stays home with them for now. My car is 6 years old, hers is 5. Haven't had a "real" vacation since our honeymoon. Zero debt, savings in the bank. We watch our pennies. I read this and almost throw up. Who taught these people about responsibility? How do I read about this in the Globe as a story about a dwindling middle class? This is a story about bailing out 2 irresponsible children in grown-up clothes. Going out west to become a wilderness guide with a young family? Are they nuts? $60,000 in debt? How do you bring kids into this? Again, how is this a profile of the American Dream gone bad? These people didn't work, ran up debt, and now feel the pinch. Consequences!

The irony here is that all four of the adults in this article will walk into the voting booth next month and hit the lever for Obama. Four more years of a crappy economy with no jobs will really serve them well. Maybe Randy can get one of those 100,000 new teacher jobs Obama is so fond of offering up to the teachers union. We all make choices in this world and they have made a series of bad ones. They need to learn to be responsible for their decisions and live within their means just like the rest of us. With a larger emphasis on personal responsibility and less of an emphasis on government handouts we will all be better off. Remember what Ronald Reagan said about the nine words that all Americans should fear, "I'm from the government and I'm here to help." Four more years of Obama, free handouts, run away debt and no jobs will do nothing but keep them living off of her parents and their teacher pensions, which most likely burden another school district from being able to hire more teachers.

I am sure they are very nice people; they just have not grown up and accepted responsibility. Have them call me and I will introduce them to WalMart backpacks and making do with what you have  until you actually have more in the bank.

When I was a  kid, the rich lived in the 4 bedroom colonials. You don't expect that kind of lifestyle until after you have worked and saved 20% for a downpayment.

Sincerely, I wish them luck. But this is not a Great Recession story. It is a story of people who got started on the wrong foot and never thought beyond the moment. It does a disservice to those engineers whose jobs were off-shored and to those who are trying to make it at minimum wage.

Randy took a job that offered better hours.  Teaching.  Are you kidding?  I have been teaching for 26 years and it seems every year the hours get longer and longer.  Last week I worked a 55 hour week.  The week before I worked a 65 hour week.  Oh...and I spent over 300 dollars of my own money on school supplies...since the system has budgeted ZERO dollars for me to teach science.  Another example of how the media distorts the teaching profession.

I'm sorry, but it's time for this couple to find other work that pays more than $9.00 an hour. Also, they need to step up and find a second and third job. They have a responsibility to pay their way as adults and for them continue to take and not be seeking further employment or better paying employment is ridiculous. When I got laid off, I cut off all extras. After accepting a job paying $20k less, I looked for part-time work to supplement the loss in income. Now I work 3 jobs, but I do what I have to do to survive. Frankly this couple needs to do more to take care of the children they brought into this world.

The hostility towards the teaching profession in these comments is simply stunning. Considering the poor spelling and composition which is on full display, it is clear that some of these folks have been hostile towards teachers for their entire lives. Sad part is that too much of the education world has the same hostility. It's almost like the education world oftentimes is cannibalistic, eating their own. It comes in the form of truly insane attacks on each other for non-existent grievances which are offshoots of dealing with overly hostile and demanding parents, administrators, and boards. Education and healthcare are two parts of society which Mitt has not figured out how to send offshore, to get better labor rates. That's been creating problems. Many of the consumer goods, like the broadly coveted iPhone, are subsidized by slave labor from third world countries. We can't do that with education and healthcare. For all of the commenters who are piling on, are you living on a charter school salary of about $30K/year which expects 55 hours/week?

Is the Globe so out of touch that this is what is considered a tragic, can't get a break story? That there are families that can't afford to buy organic produce and strawberry soy milk smoothies?

They seem like a very nice couple who love their children, but what is the take away to this story? That everyone deserves a "do-over" after spending wildly in their youth? This is not a government problem. This is a story about personal responsibility and that you need to work hard to fix your mistakes. If you find yourself deeply in debt, you cut spending down to the bare essentials, find an extra job and fix it. (..and no...Nike sneakers and sparkly shoes are not necessities)

Our family drives a 1996 Volvo wagon and a 2009 Hyundai and shops at Savers thrift stores to save money. Do we deserve some kind of government program because we can't afford better cars or organic produce? No. If we want those things, we will cut back on something else or get additional work.

Lets see what do they have going for their family, they pay taxes, they wish to live with as little government help as possible, if they could save money for their children's education they would, drive with a license and insurance. Unlike many non citizens

If the goal was to do a story on victims of this economy, why didn't the reporter cancel the interview after 20 minutes? This is more a story of how many mistakes and really bad decisions can 2 people make in the first part of their lives. Those kinds of choices could doom you even in a good economy.

I'm sorry, am I supposed to feel sorry for people who were so materialistic they destroyed their credit? And even now, they spend  around $160 for two backpacks for pre-schoolers?!?!?!?!?!? My parents bought me a Spadling backpack for $35 when I began 7th grade....not only did I have it through 12th grade, I used it through college and grad school and STILL own the backpack, 13yrs later.  Ha, definitely says something about the quality too :)

I have no pity. You can't live with material goods. You can't tell your kids, no new backpack until middle school. You can't not have your soy smoothies.

Welcome to the American Society, where material goods control all. The only good thing coming out of this is living with your parents...in most other societies, families live together in one house to help each other out. I'm glad my family follows this....my Aunt babysits her 3 grandchildren so they won't need afterschool care.  But I guess that's what happens when youre poor peasants and had a life where you literally starved in the winter. My aunt and father raised their children to be mindful and frugal.

Hopefully you WILL learn your lesson, because you still haven't. Good luck.

this is a pathetic article that the Globe has published.  This is not about middle class, this is about VERY BAD DECISIONS that the couple has made.  The parents are to blame also because they did not teach their children about personal responsibility.  This couple is a sure vote for Obama, because his government will take care of them.

From the comments here - this couple will wish they never did the interview, and SHAME on the BOSTON GLOBE DEMOCRAT for exposing them.    How about an article about people who did things right and can not get a job or support their family.  I challenge the soap opera's writers to do that - oh wait a minute, those people take responsibility and have jobns!

Sell the house buy a much, much smaller one in Malden or somewhere like that. Really get a grip

All the comments here have pretty much laid the blame on Jessica & Randy.   But they got their direction from their parents and it was "follow your dreams".    That's all well & good.....until the kids come along.

The premise of this article is ridiculous but typical of the shoddy reporting out of the Globe nowadays.  I'm about the same age as this couple and as liberal as the next guy, but I never thought to ditch responsibility and a paying job in my 30s with a young child to go live some wildnerness fantasy out West.  Worse they both seemed on board with this.  Look, we'd all like to live a life of leisure but that's not reality.  It wasn't for their parents and its not for them.  A lot of people get into debt during college and while that's not a good thing, it happens.  Both of these people however apparantly didn't bother to try to correct this situation until they were out of school for a dozen years (at their age they should have finished in 1994 or 95).    That's just plain irresponsible and they deserve little synpathy.  You can't choose to drop out of the economy for a decade and then pop back in and expect be firmly in the middle class.   

She amassed her debt in speeding blitz in Freshman year at collage.

Move back into the "Tent" 

Helleva Discontect, (nixing the idea of ski trips, being a wilderness counselor,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,)

Say no more. 

These folks are not victims of the middle class, they need to own up to consequences of their own poor decisions. OMG! I was expecting an article about ill children, aging/ill parents...things out of their control. Globe- look again for the real middle class. And Globe/journalists - do you think the "middle class" has succumbed to the credit card companies? Please stop blaming Discover, MasterCard and Visa (or the banks that issue the cards). People need to face and accept the consequences of their decisions.

The Republicans and Democrats both speak of supporting the middle class.   It is starting to dawn on me.  There are 2 middle classes, the middle class of people making good decisions, being frugal, saving for a rainy day.  These people are an example of the other middle class.  As an exercise, try to guess which of the 2 middle classes each party has in mind when they mention the middle class.

The parallels between the reporting and the subjects in it are not without irony; both are reckless, detached and are a far cry from what once graced the doorsteps around us.

This story is typical of how Americans do not take their financial planning/accountability seriously. Accumulating a big credit card debt while in college demonstrates a lack of self control and discipline in letting instant gratification over come ones financial ability to pay back debt (like our congress). Taking home $4000 plus a month normally would be more than even for a family of four. But the way the money is spent is ridiculously, $180 for a Land's End back up when you can pick one up easily for around $20. Spending $500 a month on utility is absolutely insane. We have a 3500 ft. house and we don't pay $500 a month for heating, electiricity, cell phone (for 4) and cable TV. $1300 a month for child care is rackless spending. No wonder our country's "middle class" is in such a sad financial situation.

It is not how much you make, it is how your spend it.

I echo the sentiments of the majority here who see not victims but reckless people.  I was a teacher and never had a new car, had 2 vacations until I was in my 40s, ate oatmeal many nights and worried if I would have enough gas to get to work before the next paycheck. I regularly worked 2 and 3 jobs.  I finally got a gas credit card; the only one I had for years.  To this day my husband and I can get 4 meals out of a chicken.  It would never cross our minds to buy corn dogs.  I'm sure this couple rue the days they ran up useless debt.  But they still continue to make bad decisions about budgeting.  They need a counselor. 

What is clear by this story - is the young generation is paying for the lifestyles of the older generation. Big pentions for people that got housing super cheap! These grandparents barely paid for college etc! My Parents bought there house in 1970, for $30,000. They had it paid off by the time they passed away. However a simular house right now is about $600,000 (brand new). Who can afford that. College - I graduated with - zero owed in 1990. Zero. Cost me $2000 a semister. I took care of it. Who can take care of current costs - my nephew goes to same college I did - $42,000 a semester. Who could afford that? The wealthy grandparents are the story. The pention they recieve allows them now to live like Kings with a pool & a $1600 Webber Grill & all Steel new kitchen. Teacher were not supposed to get $350,000 to teach one class (See - Elibeth Warren). Retired teachers back when the grandparents were first teaching did not have baby grand piano's -did they! Whith all that being said - this couple are bad with money - they spend like I have never heard of. They act like they are millionairs. Do not buy the $60 sneakers (twinkle toe's that light up). Go to Saint Paul De Vincent or Goodwill and spent 3 bucks. Yes the parents live the good life because of crazy perks they should never have gotten in the first place. In the end - the grand parents will pass away - the couple will inherit the house. Then they will blow it - because the crazy pentions will go away & they will be forced the sell the house. Perhaps then they will reel in there spending. There will be no crazy pention for this couple. The world has wised up.

A couple of points for the trolls out there.  

First, I did not see any evidence in this story that Randy and Jessica were receiving, or even seeking, handouts from the government.  In fact, they were doing what the majority of the commenters have advised them (however mean spiritedly) to do: take personal responsibility for their financial situation.  Instead of declaring bankruptcy and leaving their creditors out in the cold, they have reduced their household expenses dramatically by returning to the parents' house.  This, the story makes clear, is a difficult decision for any couple to make; to trade in the freedom, independence and confidence that adults expect to have in their lives in order to do what they need to do, i.e., pay down their debts and get their finances under control without reliance upon the public dole and the protections of bankruptcy.  Jessica is very aware of her youthful indiscretions and accepts that her current situation is the byproduct, in part, of those decisions.  Still, it's hard for me to believe that their college era credit card debt-- the only debt described here that could be characterized as frivolous-- was that substantial, in the scheme of their overall financial picture.  No credit card company would let a freshman take out so much that it could not be paid back fifteen years later.  Sounds to me like the real driver of their debt was education costs, incurred at least in part at UMass-- a public university, and no extravagance.  In any event, they are taking a responsible course of action to master their financial situation, and the bilious commenters don't appear to recognize that.   

Second, I did not get the sense from anyone featured in this story that they felt themselves to be victims, wallowed in self-pity, or blamed anyone else for their situation.  What comes through, in fact, is the overwhelming sense of family commitment and tenderness that is getting families across the country through difficult times.  Comments that attempt to throw this family in with the "takers" so reviled by the Republican party are off base, as noted, insofar as they are not taking public benefits; but these comments also show a misunderstanding of what this article portrays.  The point here was not to show an economic tragedy, of which there is plenty in the news media, but rather an ordinary family that has made fairly radical changes to accomodate reduced financial expectations-- and is getting by.  That is the picture that should disturb everyone.  Who is in the middle class anymore?  Here, the parents obviously are-- and they earned it with thirty years of teaching.  In the America of the 20th century, it was normal to expect that the next generation would be as well.  Yet the younger couple is struggling to keep a toe hold, and that is the difference between today and yesterday-- real american incomes have stagnated against costs since 2000, after rising substantially during the 1990s (and the Clinton years), while the incomes of the richest in our country have leapt, accounting for virtually all the growth in wealth in our economy over the past decade.  One need not be a radical to view this as a troubling state of affairs, and a dangerous one for democracy.  

Third, regarding specifics, many commenters criticize purchasing decisions-- one commenter even called spending $1300 on child care "reckless".  I'm sorry, but that's mind boggling.  $1300 a month on childcare for two (in order that parents each maintain full time jobs) is a bargain anywhere in Massachusetts.   In fact, when you look at the budget laid, out, the categories ring pretty reasonably-- $1500 for rent, $800 for food (for four people), etc.  Sure, there are probably a few dollars here or there to be saved by going to discount stores or not getting a name brand, but again, that's the point-- why should two people with full time jobs have to wonder whether buying Nikes for their kid at the start of the school year is an extravagance?  

Fourth and finally, there is a lot of criticism about their job choices prior to teaching.  They were youth counselors initially-- an ill-paying, difficult job that (obviously) society disdains but, I suggest, many youths in difficult circumstances would be thankful for the existence of (and for young people willing to take such a job).  We are all familiar with Outward Bound and other like programs, which bring, in some cases, troubled youth into outdoors experiences to build confidence and break the cycles of poverty and violence.  These programs work.  The people that do this work ("another day another peanut" is the motto) should be thanked, not mocked.  In the end, the couple decided that, due to their financial and family situation, this was not an option-- so they returned to conventional teaching and running a restaurant, respectively.  Hardly lark positions, and hardly an irresponsible decision.

So, Jessica and Randy, if you're reading this-- I trust you realize that the trolls are those who are most apt to comment.  There are many, many people out there who read this story and got it, I am certain.  Ignore the noise, keep on.  

I'd like another article where they interview the other siblings so they can vent their frustrations over Jessica bleeding their parents dry with $180 backpacks and soy milk smoothies. Please....

The focus on two individuals who's past has caught up with them does not mitigate the fact that young, skilled adults, many with impressive resumes reflecting years of sacrifice and hard work to earn degrees from reputable institutions...are hardest hit among the long-term unemployed--with young lives on hold.  They are without work, health or dental insurance, and without hope. The few "work opportunites" for recent grads are "unpaid" internships!  That is not opportunity...that is slavery returning to injustices of our past.   

Like many other commenters, I presume that this family is very nice, and well meaning. I do not, however, believe that this is a fair representation of the travails of the middle class. I would have assumed that this was a story about a couple of mid-20 year olds, not mid to late 30's. They wanted too much too soon, and they financed it with credit cards when they could not afford to do so. Surely, they were receiving late payment notices and other indications that they were not able to afford everything they wanted to, but they continued to buy, buy, buy; as long as there was no apparent penalty, they were happy to keep on going. I currently have 2 children in college...both have been told that they will not, under any circumstance, obtain a credit card. If they do, they are totally on their own as far as the financial consequences. If this is what passes as a sad story about the middle class, we are all in alot of trouble.

Wilderness councilor?

WTF is a wilderness councilor? I stopped reading at $140 backpacks.... You have got to be kidding me. I have zero sympathy for these "spend now, think later" people. There are people out there with real problems!

Wow, way to go with the bashing of the (grand)parents here! (not).

The real story is NOT about the people who obviously worked hard, did the right thing in planning and anticipating their own futures, including providing college educations for their three children by taking out extra mortgages on their house, etc.,etc. Why in the world should these people be chastized for doing anything wrong? If anything, the hard issue here is that they've chosen to enable these two mega-slackers who, based on their own comments in the article, never put ANY thought into anticipating their lives down the line, and were still living like crazy college kids almost 20 years into their middle-adulthood, just extremely fortunate for the pity her parents took on them.  Very sad to read that, in continuing to purchase expensive backpacks and clothes for the kids(on Grandma's dime), Jessica doesn't appear any closer to understanding or even attempting to implement a better strategy for ever getting out of the situation. 

Sorry, blaming the grandparents for supposedly not teaching good financial habits is a big fail here, given the example of what they've been able to achieve. Come on, don't we all know lots of families where there's "always one" kid who just refuses to tow the line and live like a grown-up? That's obviously the case here, with the parents helping out because they don't want the grandchildren to live in a yurt in the wilderness...

Loved the previous comment about how interesting it would be to interview the other two siblings on their opinion of their parents supporting the slacker sister while probably using up any inheritance that would have come their way...

Being judgmental is not very nice, whether it's you or me doing the judging, but in this situation, the article purports to be about "how it is for so many today in the financial crisis we're in", but instead profiles a story not about the effects of the US economy, but of one couple's continued bad financial choices and behavior.

I know too many people who REALLY represent the economic downturn, who have consistently worked to their capacity(and more), and have lost their incomes and homes through no real fault of their own. 
Where are these stories?