I don't feel a bit guilty about my financial issues. I worked hard, got an education, honed my skills, accepted responsibility and did my best. The result was, at my absolute peak, a measly $40K per year working as editor of a daily newspaper (working 50-60 hours per week). It's really hard for someone my age with a long career in newspapers to find something else. I've done lots of things. None of them have paid very well. I keep trying, but it's demoralizing AF.