What?
The sun did all this!
In this story the sun sends out a massively strong CME that strikes the earth. Similar to the one that struck in 1859 that is now known as the Carrington Event it did some damage back then but we did not have electricity back at that time. With all the electric wires running everywhere and our total dependency on electronics this time the human population took a catastrophic hit. Follow the new life of a single man who tries to unite with his family who unfortunately live in different states and the hardships he faces on his journey.
Surviving in Trying Times
When the recession hits an older man loses his job and can not find another. His wife and him try to cope by starting a simple home-based business but the economy continues to deteriorate. Able to read the signs of the road ahead the couple does what they can to prepare for what they think will be similar to the Great Depression. When the economy totally falls apart their preparations provide them with much greater comfort than the unprepared souls living around them.