It's been a bad day....

[3boymthr]

My hours were cut 50% today and my pay rate 15%. Because my hours were cut I'm no longer eligible for paid time off. Impact to my budget about $24,000/year maybe more, depending upon how much my kids are sick or if my hours get cut even more.

Tough for me, but I'm dealing with it. I knew it might happen. The company lost it's biggest client last week and most of my work was on their account. I have a plan ready to put in place, but I got to the end of the meeting with my bosses who kept going on about how they were working so hard to keep us all working and all I could think was wow, I'd be making more money on unemployment.

The job hunt starts tomorrow afternoon, right after wook, but really, I'm in a limited industry where I make a lot of money per hour but the jobs are few so I tend to hang on to the ones I have.

OTH - my poor oldest DS - he's absolutely devastated, because unfortunately he's taking the biggest hit. He was going to 5 weeks of summer camp, now he's down to two and those only because they're already paid for. His netflix addiction is being cut in half; no more unlimited viewing on the wii, possibly no more guitar lessons, no more soda, no more take-out.

 

[CarolinaMomOf3boys]

Soooo sorry to hear this...hopefully you'll find your silver lining!

 

[mamo-4-wdw]

I am so sorry to hear this.
Your DS could mow yards to make some extra money,
help you with a yard sale and use the money for extra weeks of camp.
Walmart has sodas for $5 a 24pk,
see if you could barter for guitar lessons.
I share his netflix addiction, I save soda cans and take them to the placce were they buy them,last time I made enough to pay for netflix for two months
The most fun things my boys remember are cooking with their mom, you could look up some recipes for your favorite resturants and try to make them with your children helping.
Think outside of the box, and good luck!

 

[SandrA9810]

We used to scour the neighborhoods looking for cans to pick up. And my g'father made us a can crusher to help. We used to line the cans up along the driveway and make my mom run them over with the car.

Who knows how much we made, but I do remember it being a significant part of something we did together. And always pick up a penny. I opened my first bank account with 50$ in pennies, and the bank thought I was nuts when I came in with a tin full of rolled coins.

 

[redlawyer]

Wow, I'm sorry. My husband's furlough day is coming up and we were upset about that, but we've got to realize that many folks are suffering more than a single furlough day.

 

[Cdn Gal]

Hugs to you- I know that it is difficult. All the best in your job hunt!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

It's happening all over. I work at a school and will be required to take 4 furlough days next year. As a part-timer, it will reduce my yearly pay by around $450. My DH has been out of work for the past year. Luckily, we're good savers and have been doing OK. But many people at my school live paycheck to paycheck and are already looking for ways to make up the shortfall from the furlough days. Best of luck to everyone who is dealing with job loss and/or reduced pay!

 

[Mom2Ben02]

I am so sorry!

I don't know where you are, but here in IL you could get unemployment. My mother did, when her hours were cut. Good luck!!

 

[tinkarooni]

Really sorry about your job. Best of luck to you and your family. I think that PP have pointed you in the right direction. This may turn out to be an opportunity for teachable moments for your kids and maybe this could be one for your 14 y/o son. Maybe he could try to earn some of the money for the extras he wants. It also could be a positive learning experience for your children to see you weather the storm. Kids watch everything and could learn to stick together as a family in tough times. Good luck.

 

[Harmonysmomma]

Can't you apply for unemployment for those missed hours? I believe if your a full time employee and your hours get cut your eligible for unemployment just for the missed hours. You should look into it.

 

[3boymthr]

Thanks for the good wishes.

At least I'm in better shape than some. DH is still working.

I wish I could apply for under-employment but unfortunately I was already working part-time mother's hours - 28 hours/week. Minimum hours worked to apply for under-employment in MA - 32 (FT employment hrs). I took the shorter hours as it actually ended up that I was making more money in my take home as I then didn't have the after school day care expense (for three kids this was at the time I took the job $375/wk compared to the extra $300 I would have been making) but now I am/was 4 hours short.

We'll make it thru - I was a SAHM before I took this job, and we're certainly still making good money - DH hasn't taken a hit on his salary - it's just that we're back to no more extras. I mostly feel bad for my kids because they're the ones who will feel the pinch the most. I spend a lot of money on extras for them - you know, things like Scout trips and soccer, etc. I'm going to be saying "No" a lot.

 

[3boymthr]

Talk about adding insult to injury - I just got a PIN for WDW.

 

[Sadie22]

Thanks for the good wishes.

At least I'm in better shape than some. DH is still working.

I wish I could apply for under-employment but unfortunately I was already working part-time mother's hours - 28 hours/week. Minimum hours worked to apply for under-employment in MA - 32 (FT employment hrs). I took the shorter hours as it actually ended up that I was making more money in my take home as I then didn't have the after school day care expense (for three kids this was at the time I took the job $375/wk compared to the extra $300 I would have been making) but now I am/was 4 hours short.

We'll make it thru - I was a SAHM before I took this job, and we're certainly still making good money - DH hasn't taken a hit on his salary - it's just that we're back to no more extras. I mostly feel bad for my kids because they're the ones who will feel the pinch the most. I spend a lot of money on extras for them - you know, things like Scout trips and soccer, etc. I'm going to be saying "No" a lot.

If it's Scout camp that's affected approach the Scoutmaster and see if the Troop Committee has money in their budget to help out so your DS doesn't miss out.

 

[Leajess99]

My hours were cut 50% today and my pay rate 15%. Because my hours were cut I'm no longer eligible for paid time off. Impact to my budget about $24,000/year maybe more, depending upon how much my kids are sick or if my hours get cut even more.

Tough for me, but I'm dealing with it. I knew it might happen. The company lost it's biggest client last week and most of my work was on their account. I have a plan ready to put in place, but I got to the end of the meeting with my bosses who kept going on about how they were working so hard to keep us all working and all I could think was wow, I'd be making more money on unemployment.

The job hunt starts tomorrow afternoon, right after wook, but really, I'm in a limited industry where I make a lot of money per hour but the jobs are few so I tend to hang on to the ones I have.

OTH - my poor oldest DS - he's absolutely devastated, because unfortunately he's taking the biggest hit. He was going to 5 weeks of summer camp, now he's down to two and those only because they're already paid for. His netflix addiction is being cut in half; no more unlimited viewing on the wii, possibly no more guitar lessons, no more soda, no more take-out.

I'm sorry for the bad day you had. I honestly think it is going around. I hope you can find a good job that pays you well quickly.

 

[lorac4disney]

 

[pilesoflaundry]

I am so sorry . Hopefully you can find a few other areas to pinch things they won't feel as much.

 

[3boymthr]

Thanks again for all the hugs.

We are doing some things that the kids won't notice, like cutting the amount that goes into savings, long term things DH & I will notice, but the kids won't. Like I said we're not in as bad straits as some as DH's pay covers the bills, it just that his pay just covers the bills. There's no room for extras so we use my pay to pay for those things like new clothes, savings, activities, etc.

It was one of those things that even though I knew in my heart it was coming when it hit it was devastating, and telling oldest DS was heartbreaking (he was in tears), but we're recovering and moving on. This morning, factoring in my adjusted pay, I still cleared the bill box (what a relief that was and we still had my adjusted pay left over ) and DS was all excited about going out with Grandpa and earning the money for camp.

 

[TxRabbit]

I feel for your situation. And I have to say that I admire your ability to seemingly know exactly what impact this situation is having on your budget and what you need to do to make adjustments. It is rough business but you sound well prepared.

I don't really have any major suggestions except this: perhaps your son is so heartbroken and upset because he feels a little helpless in the situation. Things are happening beyond his control and he doesn't have any good ideas on what to do to improve the situation.

They say necessity is the mother of invention.

Others have posted about their ideas of little things your son could do to make some money to put towards the things that he desires. This could be a teachable moment for him. A major lifelong lesson. Have you ever showed him the exact cost of all these things? Run the numbers with him?

Not to be weird, but since you will have some extra time on your hands, this could be a great time for your DS to explore an area of his interests and see if he can't turn this into some sort of profit making venture. It may certainly provide the motivation for such invention and this could be the catalyst that helps him define his career interests in the future, opening up horizons that he hadn't considered yet because there was no need.

You'd be amazed at what kids can think of, given the opportunity. Summer is coming. Kids are out of school. What kind of kid is he? Is he good with other kids? What if he sponsored/oversaw a Mom's Day Out kind of thing? The friends of your other son's could come over, bring their Wii remotes and he could set up tournaments and/or whatever. Charge admission for the Mom's to be able to get away. Or charge the kids and donate a portion to the "winner" of the tournament. Whatever.

Does he play a sport? Or know something else? You said he does scouts? He could give classes in how to do something. Parents are always looking for something for their kids to do during the summer. I don't know...just thinking and typing.

to you. I hope the situation as it is now turns into opportunity.

 

[DisneyNutMic]

Guitar lessons aren't exactly in my budget either. We have found some beginner lessons on You Tube for free. You might look into that because I'm sure there are some for every stage of learning. They might not be the greatest but it will help ease the pain.