Raoul Osario used to earn $2000 a month; now he tries to support himself and his nine-year-old son, Jonathan, with just $130 a month.

“I could afford anything for the first 45 years of my life,” said Osario, 50, a superintendent of a building in Jackson Heights, Queens. He started working in this building in 2003 for $130 per month and a basement apartment for which he doesn’t have to pay rent or utilities. Osario supplemented the small income earned there with contract construction jobs, such as putting up and repairing air conditioning and refrigerators, which brought him a monthly income of up to $2000.

Raoul struggles to cope

“I did the big grocery shopping for the first time after five months,” said Osario, describing his visit to the stores last week. “First, I bought things for my son, what he needs for school.” Osario bought groceries with $238 he received in food stamps last month. The last five months, he only shopped for basic items on credit from the local store. For dinner, Osario often took Jonathan to his grandmother's house.

“I try to teach him the value of dollar now,” said Osario about the way he explains his financial difficulties to his son. He could not afford to buy Jonathan Halloween costumes this year. “I told him this year you should go as a combination of characters,” he said.