Randolph Watts has had tough times. He was a drug addict. He spent time in jail. But he’s been sober for more than 20 years and has had a steady job for the past decade at a deli in North Miami Beach. He considers himself "blessed."
Still, he's worried.
"What worries me? No health insurance and retirement, because we don't have any retirement. And I'm getting older."
Watts is just one South Floridian who shared his stories of money and the price of life. These stories are from people who are struggling to make ends meet, and the experiences of others enjoying prosperity. These are personal portraits of real people sharing the role money plays in their lives in South Florida.
You can see all of our collected stories so far by clicking here.
If you are interested in sharing your story, please email us: sunshineeconomy@wlrnnews.org.
In this episode, hear from:
Randolph Watts started cleaning up his life more than 20 years ago. He stopped using drugs and then about 10 years ago began working at a deli in North Miami Beach. He still works there today. It is a steady paycheck and he lives with his sister and her family in Broward County.
Nicole Wester moved to South Florida from New York more than five years ago, partly for her health. But she’s had a hard time finding steady work with a rising paycheck. When she spoke with WLRN, she had lost her apartment and was staying at the shelter at Camillus House in Miami.
Jeremy Thompson started his legal career and family in South Florida, but wanted to find a less expensive place to live.
Ron Klein is a lawyer who served as a Democrat in the Florida House and Senate. His two terms in the U.S. Congress representing parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties bridged the beginning and official end of the Great Recession.
Vincent Kuzmicki returned to Miami after serving in the Persian Gulf War. He worked a union job in the convention industry for many years before retiring. He then took up driving for Uber and Lyft, turning it into a new career. It makes describing what Vincent does for a living a little tough.
