ajkula66, I was in the 70 strike and that lasted 7 months. Believe me you'll make it. If I remember correctly the same thing happened then. My wife and I had just moved into our first house with a young baby. I ended up working two jobs of course we never make up what was lost but we made it. One thing to remember there is life after Ma Bell. I'm not pro company but I remember being told way back when that a contract is like a pie you can only cut it up in certain ways but thats all you get whats in the pie . Just my two cents. Good luck to you guys I wish you well.