All OT is cut

[Marilyn]

So sorry you are confronting this Haley. Hopefully we will have some changes coming that will make a difference and get things headed in the right direction.

Hubby is meeting with another couple who may want to build even though the economy is not good. So far, he's slow, but keeping busy. Still can't believe what happened to our 401K's and IRA's. Just don't want to think about it. Nothing I can do to fix it.

My business is finally beginning to slow down. Many of the projects we were supplying are completing their purchasing, and the economy is affecting the start of future projects, so my commission will definitely drop after the first of the year.

We will be okay, but we are very worried about others and sincerely hope that your work stays steady.

Janet, didn't know your hubby is still out of work. So hope he can find something very soon!!!!

[Tink]

We're very lucky that the effects haven't hit here YET... but i"m sure they will in time. We're always behind the rest of the country in things. At times like this that's not so bad. lol

Our state unemployment rate is 4.7% but our county rate is 3.8%, up from 3.7% one year ago. Luckily so far it hasn't seemed to affect my sales and my husband is so high on seniority with his company that they'd have to go out of business to let him go. (He's about # 20 out of over 250) So for now we're lucky. As we all know though, that can change in a heartbeat.

I hope things pick up for you Haley, and Janet, I hope Rick finds a good job soon!

[HALEY]

thanks everyone, all we can do is pray on this, hopefully my company is big enough that we will survive this, if not i have to look for another job.. At least for now there is still unemployement till i find something else..
But i will be one of the last people to go if we have layoffs, Thank God...

[Ponyup]

They are laying off people like crazy at my job. I just got some new responsibilities due to the recent layoffs which actually makes my job more secure. My husband's job however is not. But he's been looking for other things. Hopefully we hear something back from the 2 jobs he's intereviewed with soon. However, if Logan needs surgery that's going to really hurt. Right now he's doing really good on his anti-inflammatories. I can tell a difference in his gate, but he's using the leg & not limping ever. I think we'll still take him to michigan state to be evaluated, but we'll wait as long as we can to actually get the surgery done. My husband & I have already decided to cut out our big gifts to each other. I was gonna get a new softball bat (which are pretty expensive) & he was gonna get Guitar Hero world tour with guitar. It's really not a big deal because we didn't need any of these things.

[HALEY]

We cut our Christmas giving too, it sucks but, now since i busted the basement door in were going to need a new door i found one steel door for 150 up at lowes so i'm going tomorrow to see if they have a cheaper one.. that will take from our Christmas money also.. just a bad year for giving...

[2tiredmom]

It just amazes me how everyone is coping with this mess. I'm very thankful I have a good job for at least 2 more years. But I work in county government and have for 25 + years. Our governor is trying to do away with our election process
and have only one person in charge of all departments. If that happens I'm sure I will be out of a job because it will be who you are not the job you do. Only time will tell. Keep your chin up..We've all been there at one time or another.

[HALEY]

after the bad times, comes the good times... Were having fun now staying home with the baby... can't afford to go out,,, so this is a good thing ... and he's still young yet, he'll be happy with a couple gifts under the tree this year. when i get my bonuse (hopefully) in January, i'll take him toy shopping again.. Mike will also get a bonus at the end of December, so we will hit the after Christmas sales...

[Janet]

Hubby just left to take an application back. He is so down, but what can you do? He just rec'd his inheritance from his step-mother recently, so that has been the weekly paycheck so far. He has signed up for unemployment, but they told him it would be 6-8 weeks. I don't understand that....what are families, that are in worse shape than us, suppose to do for 6-8 weeks?

I hadn't updated his resume for quite a few years, so this morning that is what I did. I think he's going to take it to all the body shops and car dealerships and see what's out there. The sad thing is that all he has ever done is auto body repair. From the time he was 16 years old...that's all he knows. Oh he is applying to the factories too, but we all know how most the factories are doing. How can you apply and have a decent resume, if you've never done anything else?

If anyone has suggestings, I'd love to hear them. May not apply to us, but maybe a suggestion will lead us in another direction.

Haley, I wouldn't worry about Christmas so much now....it's a perfect time to teach how to give things from the heart and what the real meaning of Christmas is. I know that is what we are planning to do.

[judy]

It will be a lean Christmas. I'm sorry Haley, and Janet. I hope things look up for both of you soon. It's like a house of cards when it comes down to the economy and keeping your income.

I worry because my pension is from NYC, social security is certainly not guaranteed anymore and my annuity - I don't want to know! But, I'm okay for right now. The county I live in is known for its poverty. It is heartbreaking. I can't tell you how many homes are for sale, and businesses stand empty. I worry about these people now that winter is coming. I know they can't afford to heat their homes!

It's time for me to start donating canned goods and any clothing I don't wear.

I just can't stand the idea that people are going to be cold and hungry.

[HALEY]

same here Judy, there some house not even finish building for sale they can't afford to finish them, beautiful house... i wish i had the 20% down for some of them...
I just donated a bunch of clothes that i'll never wear and Micah's old baby clothes to a local church.. i just hope we don't have a cold winter this year, i do feel sorry for the elderly they are on a fixed income, there not going to be able to afford it. last year i remember on the news so many house fires, there trying to find other ways to heat there houses, one man had candles lite in his bedroom trying to keep warm and burnt his house down. so sad....

[DianaB]

Like everyone has said, this is being felt all over the country. We're going to see a lot of unnecessary spending come to a halt so that we can make sure that we have money to pay for the essentials. It's time to tighten the belt. I'm glad that your job is pretty secure.

[Tiramisu]

Haley, I'm really not picking on you, and I do worry about the elderly and less fortunate, but I'm on a fixed income, too. I work for Exxon, but my monthly check is the same, even with increased gas and groceries prices. BTW, why haven't grocery prices started coming down with the gas prices?