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Tess Vigeland: One of the questions we’re asking through the Wall Street meltdown is what are you doing? Yes, you. And other people who are deciding whether to change the way they save and invest. In this installment of the series we check in with one of our listeners.

Robert Latson: My name is Robert Latson. I’m 69. I work for General Motors. And here’s what I’m doing!

I’m presently sitting around, waiting for my retirement checks to come in. General Motors is talking about bankruptcy and a merger, I hope there will be a retirement check. It seems to me that all these people who are in power have gotten their money, and all us middle class people, us poor people, we’re the one’s suffering and paying for all this.

I had invested in investment plans through General Motors and I’ve found now that as I take money out, eternal revenue wants to tax my retirement money. I’m afraid to touch it anymore, so I’m just moving along — I might have to get another job.

I don’t think nothing’s going to change for my lifestyle. Of course, I’m a fighter, I’m going to be able to go out and do whatever it takes to survive. Last year I was riding high, I was able to go out to movies. Now I have to watch my pennies.