People losing jobs a lot more now?

This is really scary but a lot of my family members are losing their jobs lately and being cut back. My nephew who is an train engineer here in Tx just was laid off yesterday, my brotherinlaw in Calif was cut back on his work 5-to 3 days now he is trucker has been working for same company for years. My other brotherinlaw that does construction was laid off too last week.

A few friends that I know around here too are losing their jobs. I have never seen it like this way before I worry for my family because they dont have much of a savings account always going on vacations having a lot of debt too.

Are y'all hearing the same thing people losing their jobs more then normal?

Sam

 

they cut most of the workers over time out at the place where my DH works (machine shop) .... but yesterday they gave him a few extra hours.... but the past 2 weeks were tough.

 

I have not been hearing much, but I am concerned. DH & I discussed it, and we are pretty sure he's okay. As long as he keeps his job, we'll be fine. But, we are going to release (the word "fire" isn't really right, but that's how it's gonna feel) the company that does our lawn. I will be cutting our lawn, at least for the next 6 months. I'm just dreading telling the owner...it's a small company - him, his son and his son-in-law. I hope they'll be able to pick up another job.

 

Well, we're one of the ones hit. My dh was let go 2 weeks ago along with about 300+ others. He works for a very large, global company. No one is safe. He has severance until Dec. 31, so he's scrambling like mad to get a different job.

Yes, we're scared. We do have somewhat of a nest egg to live on if needed, and I've started tutoring in the afternoons again (grocery, piano lesson, and gas money). If I have to, I can substitute teach. But in NO WAY are my kids going back to public school.

We have always lived frugally, so that helps. It's just the uncertainty of it all, couples with the high cost of covering your family with health insurance, topped with the just awful economy

I feel for all the others out there having sleepless nights.....

Carol

 

Although my dh's job seems secure I pray he does not loose it. I know a man at church with a chemical engineering degree who has been out of work for over 6 months. Scary.

 

This seems to be happening a lot now. I am hearing more people talking about losing their job or possibly losing it.

 

Yup, I'm hearing it daily around here. Yesterday my mother-in-law called my husband to let him know that her husband will more than likely be laid off in about a month or so. He's in construction. My mil asked if it's alright not to really exchange gifts for Christmas. She's planning on getting my kids some little items, but not exchanging with the adults in the family, which is fine with me. Also, my step father-in-law's son has just been laid off at a bed making factory.

The other job loss news around here has been bad since this summer. In July our city lost a company that I used to work at. Also, in July a major factory laid off a shift of workers. That major factory just announced on the 13th that they are shutting their doors. Right before Christmas 1,280 workers from that factory will be out of work. Just today it was announced that the other 3 factories in our city that depend on that major one will be closing their doors as well. That will be another 558 people out of work.

So far my hubby's job is ok for now. A few weeks ago I posted about Wall st. issues and job losses and talked about how my husband had to leave lunch early to attend an emergency mandatory meeting at his company. His company and their parent company are going to try to work together and streamline some operations to save money. We are not quite sure what this means to people's jobs though.

It is kind of scary and depressing around here lately. It seems there is an anxiousness in the air (or it's just me ).
I did notice that the stores aren't as busy as they usually are except for Walmart and the Goodwill.

I hope and pray that all of you get through these tough times alright! Hang in there!

 

I just want to say that even in the current economy there are opportunities to work. My dh just picked up a 2nd job cashiering at Wal-Mart in the evenings. We're trying to get out of debt as quickly as possible. When he was looking for his second job he was offered 4 separate jobs for different companies!

It's not glamorous but it's always better to be working than not and most of the retail stores are hiring Christmas help right now. I know it's scary, I pray every night that my dh doesn't lose his engineering job, but we always try to be proactive instead of reactive.

 

I remember I dreaded listening to the news because of the crime reports, or death toll in Iraq. Now, it's the economy. There are many families I know who are being hit hard ... Things are getting pretty scary. My hope is in the God of Heaven, that he will sustain all of us!

 

What's also sad is how many people are in need of food, clothing and shelter these days. A lady that I know is running a coats for kids campaign. As of last week she said that they were down 50% in donations and she figures the need was going to be 30% greater this year! Hearing that I went through my coat closets and gave a few that we don't wear. The other night I was listening to my police scanner. There was a call into police about a mother with her young toddler knocking on doors asking for a place to stay.

I plan to donate to the local food shelter more than I did last year. I hope that helps some.

 

Carol I hope things work out ok for you and your family your in my prayers.

I heard in the news last night the food bank here in San Antonio is getting hit with more new familys so they are getting extremely low on food.

I see jobs out there still but they are min wage jobs you work a lot for min pay but at least its something. I would scrub toilets if I have too.

Sam

 

Sam:

Thanks so much for your kind words. It IS a scary time, but things will work out. We have a supportive family and very good friends looking out for us. It makes you realize just how good those connections are.

Carol

 

I pray that this helps families and people in general, get back to basics, if you will. Back to the necessities and what really matters.

As a society, we are spoiled.
(Speaking in generalities)
When we have people in line at the food bank with spinners on their cars and cell phones in their ears..... they are not the same people we stood in line with in the 70's and 80's when my mom and I were homeless.
No, cell phones were not available then, but back then, we would not have had the money for $129 gameboys, while waiting in line...
We actually took carboard boxes and drew out our own games.

Those of us with no savings live above our means.
This is something my mom taught me....
Although I am still learning it....

My mother is on SSI.
She raised me mostly on disability. But first....She left her drug adicted husband and put herself through college as a divorce with a child with no help from family,... then when she was struck with illness and a stroke she was once again back on government assistance. The whole family is poor and she had broke out of it once...

Her answer...
"I was spoiled and had lived above my means, while not saving when I could... I assumed there was enough time to save... I assumed there would always be work, or time to work... I always assumed that I would always be healthy..."

So she actually takes responsibility for not having a savings, even being in her position.

I love my mom.

 

Your mom sounds like an incredible lady.

I pray every day that this doesn't get any worse for people. We have been unscathed thus far and we give as much as we can to try to help others out. I don't know what else we can do.

 

Jennifer your mom wow! What a woman you must be so proud.

Yah thats what I dont get sometimes they can't afford food but they can afford a cell phone or internet connection. I remember one person asking in a homesteading site what can they do to save some money for a six months and they explained the money they had an what bills they had it didnt leave much room. I guess they were looking for a miracle. I told them get rid of your internet for those months till you can catch up...oh noooo they didnt even acknowledge what I said.

I hear on Dave Ramsey all the time people whining about being in debt but they dont want to give up their life style they think Dave will have this miracle cure that they have never thought of ...some get out of debt scheme

I feel so for my family they dont know how to budget. I have tried over and over again asking them to listen to Dave Ramsey I have even gave them free copys of his books out of our pocket, but I can't force them to listen or read and now that bad times have hit for them I hope they open their eyes.


Sam

 

Ugh...more layoffs announced in my city already today (Oct. 28th). Another company said it is closing it's doors and laying off 117 workers by Christmas.

Yesterday a research study came out on our news about the area that I live in. Apparently, we have the slowest income growth in the nation! I think the study was from 2003-2007. The income growth only went up 2.2%.

Ok...enough of the doom and gloom.

I hope all of you are doing well.
Take Care,
WIMom

 

Another 44 job losses announced in my city today.

At the end of last week there were 9 people's jobs cut at our local newspaper and radio station.

 

Handsome's company has let go of 150 men. They are bidding on 14 jobs so hopefully they can put at least half the men to work. Everyday Handsome gets calls from these guys asking for work. He feels bad telling them there really isn't any work at this time. He looks forward to the day he can get the men back to work.

 

How come no one notices job cuts at any other time of the year?

Round these parts (The fourth largest city in the US) Job cuts are announced all the time. But there are also job fairs going on all the time.

The days of 20 year jobs at one place are ancient history.

Heck, Continental airlines seems to do so wild huge jobs cut every year. (They are based here). Same with many companies based here....But, the malls are still full.

The answer is that today you cannot be a specialist in any one job, you have t be diversified.

This is why, this month (Yea I know we are slow) DH and I have made it a priority that the children WILL be fluent in Spanish. (To the best of our ability to facilitate that)

Because around here you have to be fluent in Spanish to guarantee a job. (Not to get one, but to pretty much make you the top of the hiring list because you are flexible)

And if they want to be a plumber, then need to also need to possible be certified as a home inspector, or get a real estate license as well.. WHY?

Because it is no longer the 1950's.
We are in an international world, now and we need to be flexible from one year to the next with our local neighbors, not just on a national scale, for sure.

My DH is having trouble doing the jobs he has. His accident left him with metal in his hips and we just spent $300 yesterday on an uninsured dr appointment to confirm this...
So he is seriously considering trying to build up a consulting business.. less walking is the key here...

And learning some Spanish, of course..
Adapt or die..
We must learn this and be as flexible as we can manage, because change will happen and it is NEVER expected.

 

I do notice job cuts at different times of the year. It's just that in my little city 2,926 people have lost or are about to lose their jobs in a 7 month period of time. It's just a shock around these parts.

JenniferErix-You're right...people do need to be diversified in their skills and knowledge to get jobs. The days of a job at a place for 20 some years are over...I agree. I wish you and your family all the best with your husband's hips and the possible consulting business.


Emma's#1fan-I'm sorry to hear that your Handsome's company has let go of 150 workers. I hope everything works out well for them.