Surviving The Season Of Spending

Life on the financial edge is never easy. During the holiday season, though, fiscal balance can seem next to impossible. Gifts, decorations, parties, travel, kids off from school — the challenges mount almost as quickly as the bills. Meet folks trying to keep their financial footing during the most trying time of the year.

A KERA News Digital Project by
Courtney Collins, Molly Evans and Eric Aasen

Shutterstock.com

Resources
November 14, 2015

Here Are 6 Ways To Spend Smarter During The Holidays

By Eric Aasen

Abby Hernandez, 2, shopped with her mother and grandmother at Walmart in Dallas. Photo/Lara Solt

The KERA Radio story

Think
November 14, 2015

How Nonprofits Help North Texans During The Holidays

By Courtney Collins

The Rosenheim family has moved into an apartment in North Richland Hills. Photo/Lara Solt

The KERA Radio story

Chapter 4
November 15, 2015

After Job Loss And Eviction, A Family Starts From Scratch

By Courtney Collins

Tosha Hightower, a postmaster who lives in Arlington, shopped at
Old Navy with her daughter, Danielle. Photo/Courtney Collins

The KERA Radio story

Chapter 3
November 15, 2015

A Tale Of Two Shoppers: Making Tough Decisions At The Register

By Courtney Collins

Customers Tara Hairston and son Tyler Kennedy, 14, order lunch at Quincy and Sheri Brown's food truck, Ain't No Mo! Butter Cakes.

The KERA Radio story

Chapter 2
November 16, 2015

For This Small Business, The Pressure Is On During The Holidays

By Courtney Collins

Thomas and Friends Trackmaster Motorized Railway display at Walmart in Dallas.
Photo/Lara Solt

The KERA Radio story

Chapter 1
November 17, 2015

How Shoppers Racked Up Debt Over The Decades

By Courtney Collins

Shoppers walk through Christmas aisles at Walmart in Dallas. Photographed on Monday, November 16, 2015. Photo/Lara Solt

The KERA Radio story

KERA Radio Special
December 28, 2015

Listen To The ‘One Crisis Away’ Special From Texas Standard

By KERA News

Share 'One Crisis Away At The Holidays'

About

One Crisis Away puts a human face on asset poverty and the financial struggles of people in North Texas. One in three North Texans can’t weather a financial storm that lasts 90 days. The problem's known as asset poverty, and it doesn't discriminate. A job loss, health emergency, even legal trouble is enough to plunge a third of our friends and neighbors into financial distress.

One Crisis Away At The Holidays is funded in part by Communities Foundation of Texas and Texas Women’s Foundation.