C4f5, keep your chin up. Bad times roll around and smack people when they least expect it, but the key is getting back up and keeping on going. Can't you imagine how much worse it would have been for you and the family if you DIDn't scrap? Knowlege is power, and the kids are learing from you. No shame in welfare if you need it, but scrappers totally have a huge edge over others who meet hard times.
Scrapping can really keep the hope alive, and you are in the game going the right direction if you're lining up for a 20K payday. Whoo-hoo all the way to the bank!