Yes, I did use my unemployment as an opportunity to learn new skills. I enrolled in an online university and earned an Associates degree in Criminal Justice.

Yes, we had 2 incomes for most of 30 years, but our expenses were almost as much as our incomes. We always paid our bills on time or early, but there was not a lot left over. Childcare expenses that allowed me to work were in excess of $6000/year for 5 years. We also helped my mom out with some of her expenses when she ran out of money several years after my dad passed away. Maybe it was just bad luck when our cars broke down or had other unexpected expenses, but every time we had "a little extra", it never had the chance to build into anything. With a mortgage of over $1500/month, 2 incomes totalling $90 doesn't go very far.

How is it possible that people that have had two incomes for 30 y or so run out of money after 18 months???

Look at it as a chance to learn new skills. 1. How to live on next to nothing -skill translated: you know how to move a company from red to black on the books. 2. Negotiating with bill collectors- skill translated: Hard negotiating skills that help a company navigate to a win/win 3. Dealing with frustration- skill translated: how to cope with frustration in the work place. 4. Writing/ interview for different job opportunities- skill translated: Improved communication skills verbal, written and visual.