OT - How is the Recession affecting You?

[cscott]

In the past few days the news has been rife with people going off the deep end and committing atrocious acts of desperation. While Im' sure that there isn't anybody on the board that is looking to commit suicide or go on a murderous rampage, I wouldn't be surprised if there are those who are nonetheless suffering in some way through job losses, mental and financial stress, loss of their homes etc. I realize that this has nothing to do with Journey as a band, but I'm also of the belief that there is a sense of caring and community here and have witnessed it on several occasions when members here have experienced trials in their lives. Not to turn this into a big group thereapy session or anything, but is everyone here doing okay? I own a business and these are incredibly stressful times for me. This board is a great little portal of escapism and I hope all of it's members are faring well.

[Voyager]

My business has slowed down and I was forced to lay off two employees. It sucks. That is the one thing I hate about being self-employed... I don't take it lightly when someone loses a paycheck. Fortunately one of the guys got some temporary contract work and I hope to be able to get him back. The other guy was lazy anyway, and he hasn't even looked for a job. He's content with unemployment. Things are tight.

We are now paying the price for all of the manufacturing jobs that were exported to China. Whoever allowed that to happen should be hanged.

[Vladan]

MMm yeah sorry to hear that mate. Must be tough time for sure.

[cscott]

I've had to let 5 employees go in the last year and a half. I hate to do it, but it is one of the necesssary evils to keep an enterprise afloat sometimes. I also had to give myself a significant pay cut as well. The silver lining is that as a company, we've grown to be a much tighter knit family as we are all sharing the stresses and pains of running and working for a small business. I'm very blessed to have such dedicated and understanding employees who realize that times are tough and are willing to stick it out and give 100% simply because they love thier job and the people they work with.

[jrnychick]

I lost my job. So did everyone else I worked with, because our parent company (RR Donnelley) decided to close our division. Education publishing is really struggling right now. My last official day was April 1st, but I've been home for a month now. I am working on freelance projects, which I should start getting paid for after my last severence check. I just had a final interview for a new job yesterday that looks promising. I really liked my old job and worked with some great people, but everything isn't as gloomy as it could be. I'm trying to stay positive and build my freelance business back up in case I don't find another full-time job.

[SusieP]

Our diary started to empty when the smoking ban hit the UK in 2007.
We got an average of three gigs a week before that. And we limped along getting just enough gigs to pay the Bills after the ban came into force. We were ever hopeful that things would pick up.
Then the credit crunch bit.

I did our accounts at the end of December 2008 and our income has halved.

We have enough gigs in the diary to the end of this month and then for May we have ....................two.

So I am busy typing a CV for us both and looking round for day jobs.
Nobody seems to want a covers band or easy listening/jazz duo at the moment. Nobody can afford it.

I must admit I am scared.

My partner has been a pro muso since the 80's and I've been a pro singer for ten years. That's a long time to be out of the day job market - and it's a bad time to be job hunting because everyone else is out of work too.

It's a very scary nightmare.

[Barb]

Everyone in my company had to take a paycut. Other than that, we are just being careful what we spend money on and saving more.

[artist4perry]

I was laid off a few years ago, and went back to school to learn a trade. I graduated in May of 08 with an art teaching degree. I did not get my license to teach till almost August, so by that time all the jobs are taken.

I am subbing now but I hope to be hired as a teacher by this fall. Schools are not hiring as much due to budget cuts, and they try to get by on a shorter staff. To make things harder, the teachers who would have retired are not, due to the economy.

I hope things improve by this fall. I am also getting started as an artist. My sig. says it all!

[jrnyman28]

My wife lost her job when she was 6 months pregnant. She couldn't look for work even if she wanted to. So less income, a new mouth to feed, my step-daughter moved back home so there is another mouth we didn't have before. Bills are stacking up, behind on the mortgage. Now the mortgage company is pulling a fast one from a program we completed 10 months ago so I don't know what my 'homeowner status' is going to be in the near future.

[S2M]

ooops

[ProgRocker53]

I got let go from my job last week. woo.

[Tito]

My business has slowed down and I was forced to lay off two employees. It sucks. That is the one thing I hate about being self-employed... I don't take it lightly when someone loses a paycheck. Fortunately one of the guys got some temporary contract work and I hope to be able to get him back. The other guy was lazy anyway, and he hasn't even looked for a job. He's content with unemployment. Things are tight.

We are now paying the price for all of the manufacturing jobs that were exported to China. Whoever allowed that to happen should be hanged.

I'm all for that. Lets hang politicans. This goes back to the last 30+ years.

[Ratgirl]

As of right now, I'm counting my blessings. I work for the County and they have had ALOT of lay off's in other departments but
ours is holding fine so far.

All the employee's across the board are not getting any raises for the next 2 years and no cost of living increase. They are also
looking at what they contribute to our health care but that has not yet been determined. If things dont look up, they may also look
at making us shorter work weeks without pay.

[Rhiannon]

It's actually not affecting me. And I'm very blessed to say that. I'm in a fantastic position right now, more financially secure and independent than I have ever been. Not to say it isn't a struggle, it is. But it's one I'm managing with ease. Of course, I do realize that could all change at the drop of a hat.

[jrnyman28]

All the employee's across the board are not getting any raises for the next 2 years and no cost of living increase.

Cost Of Living increase? What's that?? My full-time job does not give out COL increases and I haven't had a raise or review in over 3 years. Not to mention restructuring and lateral moves that have actual reduced my pay by 30% (which is why I also have a part-time job with UPS). At UPS they have taken away the 401k match and now you don't get benefits for 1 year. Plus the lay-offs...

[Peartree12249]

I'm luckier than many folks. I work in health care. Although us corporate people didn't get a raise yet, I did get my bonus. and I have a company car. We've cut back spending and my husband and I are just saving money so we now have about 6 mos. worth of house payments in the bank. However, we're nervous about what Congress will do to Medicare and Medicaid programs. I work in the long-term-care industry and about 90% of our revenue comes from government programs. So if they decide to cut our reimbursement or not give nursing homes cost-of-living increases, I could be in trouble. Fingers crossed. Good luck to everyone out there.

[yulog]

Healthcare is the place to be right now its practically recession proof , there will always be sick people and money to pay because what they dont get from one pt they will rip off from another its all a system of checks and balances

[StevePerryHair]

Healthcare is the place to be right now its practically recession proof , there will always be sick people and money to pay because what they dont get from one pt they will rip off from another its all a system of checks and balances

That and law enforcement. Sadly the worse things get, the crime rate will rise, and law enforcement is needed more than ever.

[jrnyjunky]

I lost my job. So did everyone else I worked with, because our parent company (RR Donnelley) decided to close our division. Education publishing is really struggling right now. My last official day was April 1st, but I've been home for a month now. I am working on freelance projects, which I should start getting paid for after my last severence check. I just had a final interview for a new job yesterday that looks promising. I really liked my old job and worked with some great people, but everything isn't as gloomy as it could be. I'm trying to stay positive and build my freelance business back up in case I don't find another full-time job.

Hey Jrnychick, if ya don't mind me askin', where is your RR Donnelley? I live in central Ohio and ours is still up and running but I have heard there have been massive layoffs. I know of another Plant in Seymour, IN. Don't know whats going on there, but my uncle used to be the manager of that plant. Just wondering.

Things are OK here with us. Not great, but OK. My hubby works for a vocational school and they are not getting their scheduled raises, their insurance premiums are gonna go up, but he still has a job.

My job has stayed the same. We are just trying to watch what we spend

My thoughts are with you all that are having tough times.

[Peartree12249]

Healthcare is the place to be right now its practically recession proof , there will always be sick people and money to pay because what they dont get from one pt they will rip off from another its all a system of checks and balances

Not necessarily, as people lose their jobs, they also lose their health and dental insurance so people may not be able to afford the health care they need. Resulting in cutbacks in hospitals, labs, doctors and dentists offices & insurance companies. In order to get Medicaid, you must be indigent, so if you're unemployed or underemployed you're screwed.

In long-term care for example, Congress released extra money to help States with major budget deficits by sending them money to help meet their Medicaid obligations. Unfortunately my State, Wisconsin took the money from the Feds, and then took other state Medicaid money allocated to the long-term care industry resulting in no cost of living increases for nursing homes. That means it's harder to give people raises. We employ mainly nurses aides many of which are single mothers who live paycheck to paycheck. It really hurts them when they don't get a raise.

[Saint John]

I got smacked with a 12.5% pay decrease, but I easily adjusted. I can honestly say that it really hasn't affected me at all. But I would like my fucking 12.5% back!!!

[stevew2]

My business has slowed down and I was forced to lay off two employees. It sucks. That is the one thing I hate about being self-employed... I don't take it lightly when someone loses a paycheck. Fortunately one of the guys got some temporary contract work and I hope to be able to get him back. The other guy was lazy anyway, and he hasn't even looked for a job. He's content with unemployment. Things are tight.

We are now paying the price for all of the manufacturing jobs that were exported to China. Whoever allowed that to happen should be hanged.

I'm all for that. Lets hang politicans. This goes back to the last 30+ years.

Have you lost you quota on snicker bars you dick lover?

[stevew2]

My shit has slowed down,I tune and move pianos, people dont give a fuck about their pianos,the only movin jobs i get are from people that are gettin kicked out of there house, thats they never should have bought. to begin with,once I give them a price, they choose to throw the fucker on the back of a pick up and do it themselves,ive done 4 insurence jobs where they fucked up their piano. Things are pretty bad.To make it worse it is 38 degees in April,another gas bill to pay.

[cheekymonkey]

I am so sorry to hear about all of you that have posted here. What is also very unfortunate is that it doesn't look like things are going to improve in the near future either. I have been very lucky, as I just sold my house and made a good profit, upgraded into a new home at a very good price, and have rented out my basement to help with the mortgage. I am self employed, so I have been careful with my money for a few years now. I am lucky that my business is not affected, ( a mobile spa service) as my cliental is generally of an income that is not affected. My income has not increased in the last few years, (but the cost of doing business has) but I am OK with that as I am very grateful for the work that I do have. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Hugs,
Cheeky

[separate_wayz]

What "recession"??

Hate to be the bearer of (more) bad news, but we're on the cusp of a global depression.

It's commonplace to say that "things are bad, but they're not as bad as the Great Depression". I'd be careful with this comparison. If you look at the global economy, and not just the U.S., the picture is far more grim. World industrial output has fallen faster during this downturn than during the Great Depression. Global equity markets have fallen far faster now than in the Great Depression. Global trade has fallen far faster now than during the Great Depression, even with the Smoot-Hawley tariff then.

Here's a piece by two economists, Barry Eichengreen (formerly of the IMF) and Kevin O'Rourke. The takeaway quote: "Focusing on the US causes one to minimise this alarming fact. The 'Great Recession' label may turn out to be too optimistic. This is a Depression-sized event."

http://voxeu.org/index.php?q=node/3421

All that being said: I went to cash in my retirement account by October 1, 2007, and totally missed the stock market slide.

[yulog]

Healthcare is the place to be right now its practically recession proof , there will always be sick people and money to pay because what they dont get from one pt they will rip off from another its all a system of checks and balances

Not necessarily, as people lose their jobs, they also lose their health and dental insurance so people may not be able to afford the health care they need. Resulting in cutbacks in hospitals, labs, doctors and dentists offices & insurance companies. In order to get Medicaid, you must be indigent, so if you're unemployed or underemployed you're screwed.

In long-term care for example, Congress released extra money to help States with major budget deficits by sending them money to help meet their Medicaid obligations. Unfortunately my State, Wisconsin took the money from the Feds, and then took other state Medicaid money allocated to the long-term care industry resulting in no cost of living increases for nursing homes. That means it's harder to give people raises. We employ mainly nurses aides many of which are single mothers who live paycheck to paycheck. It really hurts them when they don't get a raise.

But they still have their jobs.... and nurse aides dont have to have a degree to work, considering they dont have a degree no raise is better than no job, there have been so many other areas where people with no degrees, or with degrees lost their jobs . Right now having a job whether with a raise or not is a good thing(relativly speaking) and healthcare is still hiring left and right. Presently , healthcare still pays for schooling for their staff to better themselves(this still is happening despite the current economy) I don't know of many other areas that are still doing this.Healthcare is one of the safest places to be right now as far as job security.


Just an aside, the low man on the totem pole in any field always has to worry about their job, and raises. A nurse aide position unfortunatly is at the bottom of the food chain in healthcare.

[Carla777]

well, i must admit that the economic crisis haven't affect me directly, or my family, i been lucky untill now...but i have seen many groups of people lost their jobs (close friend cases), is awful, hope it won't last so long =/

[ForceInfinity]

So far I'm surviving this recession relatively unscathed *knocks on plenty of wood*. About the biggest effect on me has been working alot more lately, which compared to the alternative is not something I'm about to complain too loudly about. I've seen so many foreclosures around me, so many shops close (many of the mom and pop shops) that it's kind of depressing. Lately I've been making a point to shop at the mom & pop shops (like the pet store PAWS in south Reno) just because I know they got to be struggling and I don't want to see them disappear.

The way I see it, if I come out of the other side of this mess in relatively one piece, I'll be very greatful

[Escape Artist]

Recession = Depression.

I got laid off in December and have had no luck finding work so far. I work in inventory control / production and I also do gigs as a Magician / Escape Artist. The gigs have stopped coming in and one job interview after 150 applications...so it's not looking good.

Most of the jobs I have applied for I am either too old, overqualified, or asking for too much money ( which is a joke)
I have 3 girls a wife and a mortgage, as well as a boat load of experience and these employers would rather hire Illegal immigrants and teenage slackers for nothing while having to re train every month because of the high turnover.
I would go back to school, but if you do they yank your unemployment out from under you...

[Ehwmatt]

Survey: Ohio hospitals plan layoffs

The Associated Press • April 7, 2009

COLUMBUS — In a survey, more than a third of Ohio hospitals say they plan to lay off workers within the next six months because of the poor economy.

The survey released Monday by the Ohio Hospital Association also shows the cuts will hit hardest at hospitals serving rural areas.

Hospitals say the new layoffs could affect nursing, radiology, physical therapy and outreach programs such as dental clinics.

The survey results were accompanied by a fresh warning from the hospital association that a new fee proposed for Ohio hospitals would lead to additional job cuts and reductions in services.

Gov. Ted Strickland has said the fee, included in his two-year budget plan, is needed to help shore up the state's Medicaid program that insures 1.8 million Ohioans.

"Surely, we are as smart as the goose"

- Governor Ted Strickland, State of the State Address

lolll