Leaving to Disney in two weeks and husband might be loosing his job..........

[musicdude]

bump.............update

 

[vhoffman]

So sorry to hear about your situation. But I really think you should take the trip. We were in a similar situation just this summer. We had a trip all paid for to Hawaii, except daily expenses, like food, etc. Then rumors started that there might be possible layoffs at dh job. We debated if we should take the trip or not. We decided to go. We rationalized that the trip was paid for, most non-refundable, so not going wouldn't put any money in our pocket. Of course, there was the daily expenses there, but living costs here, too. Don't forget, one spends money while at home, too. Groceries, utilities, and just the stuff you do for entertainment all adds up. We figured we really wouldn't accomplish much moneywise by staying home. When we went to Hawaii we were cautious with spending, helped that we had a condo and could cook instead of restaurants, etc.

Bottom line--now that we're facing the economic uncertainty of layoffs, we're glad we have some great memories to look back on. It makes the difficult times easier to bear if we can remember our great trip. Canceling the trip won't get your money back, and you're buying some happiness. Good luck, and I've found many excellent budget suggestions on this board. Go through them for ideas.

LIFE'S UNCERTAIN--EAT DESSERT FIRST!!!

 

[lisaross]

I just keep saying WHY is this happening to us.

Anyway, yes the union will fight for him again next month then it will go to Arbitration.

My husband will be going down to unemployment next week - hope the job does not fight it. Also will be going down to apply for NY health care - we have benefits till the end of the month.

have been shutting off the a/c most of the day -- cut back on directv - i went into the city to do temp work today and will be again tomorrow. My husband will be getting $100.00 this weekend for helping out a friend. Yes, were doing what we can - and i know we can survive this BUT i hate to sound like a spoiled brat but i loved being a SAHM and if i have to yes i'll be back at work - even if that means my husband is home during the day and he works evenings. I know many do this but i feel like the rug just got pulled out from underneath me.

Anyway, thanx again for caring and praying for us.

Lisa

 

[DiznEeyore]

Oh, Lisa, hang in there!! I know what you mean about not wanting to give up being a SAHM, but hopefully if you do end up having to do that, it will only be temporary!!

Please keep us posted ... a lot of us have BTDT and our thoughts are with you!

 

[kfeuer]

Also, i'm going to call up my car insurance and drop the insurance down lower - i have alot of insurance out i think 100/300? also, my homeowers policy maybe try and lower that.

What do you all think? I don't want to get into debt - i do have an outstanding credit card balance of about 3000.00 - should i pay it off or call to delay payments. Also pay 140.00 month on a car loan should i just take the money from the mutal accounts and pay that off as well?

I also work for an insurance agency and would only recommend reducing your liability coverage as a last resort. Having inadequate coverage puts your home and all your assets at risk. Raise your deductibles as high as you're comfortable with, though.

As for the credit cards, I wanted to pass along what Clark Howard (consumer advocate) says--in a crisis, credit cards are your last worry. It's unsecured debt, so while it can mess up your credit they can't take anything away from you (unlike the threat of losing your home or car). If I was in your shoes, I would charge everything I could and just make minimum payments for now. Save your cash for things you can't charge, like your mortgage. Hopefully this will be a short-lived bump in the road and then you can work on paying off that credit card.

 

[Our2Girls&Disney]

Lisa:

Since you really do not want to give up being a SAHM, have you considered taking in other kids for extra income? If you could take in a couple kids that would be at least $300 per week or more extra income. I don't know what the going rate for day care is in your area. Since you live in NY, I would think that you could get more. You could easily put an ad in your local library or newspaper. Even watching kids before or after school. I would love to have someone who would be willing to watch my kids after school, instead I left with sending them to the Boys & Girls club. It might not be something that you want to do, but I thought I would throw that one out there.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Lisa,
So sorry! I was really hoping we'd see a happier update. Just hang in there and do whatever it takes to keep things going as smoothly as possible. Try to keep DH from getting too depressed about this as that demeanor will carry over to the interview process and any prospective employers will be looking for someone that is confident and sure of himself. Be sure and show the person you are working with at the unemployment office any special awards/recognition/performance reviews, etc. DH received prior to this incident indicating he had consistently been considered a "good" employee. It might help if the company does try to fight the claim for benefits. Also, be prepared that this probably will happen as most companies always try to keep their rates down by contesting claims for people that have been taken off the payroll (it's nothing personal...it just business ). Please keep us updated on this...we're all pulling for ya!

 

[Dianewes]

Lisa... I was hoping things would be going in another direction for you.... I really have been down this road, had to stop bieing a SAHM and go to work full-time now that my kids are 14 and 19, I am still working full time (At the time of my financial crisis they were 6 and 11) The two of you seem to be working together to find a solution, that is a great thing.... stick together and a solution will present itself.... I wish you all of the luck in the world Here is some pixie dust to help you on your way

Take care

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

I just keep saying WHY is this happening to us.

Anyway, yes the union will fight for him again next month then it will go to Arbitration.

My husband will be going down to unemployment next week - hope the job does not fight it. Also will be going down to apply for NY health care - we have benefits till the end of the month.

have been shutting off the a/c most of the day -- cut back on directv - i went into the city to do temp work today and will be again tomorrow. My husband will be getting $100.00 this weekend for helping out a friend. Yes, were doing what we can - and i know we can survive this BUT i hate to sound like a spoiled brat but i loved being a SAHM and if i have to yes i'll be back at work - even if that means my husband is home during the day and he works evenings. I know many do this but i feel like the rug just got pulled out from underneath me.

Anyway, thanx again for caring and praying for us.

Lisa

He's union? I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that you probably don't need to worry half as much as you are worrying. I was a management employee at a union company for years, and honestly, we couldn't fire HORRENDOUS union employees, nevermind good ones who did something wrong once. Trust me...there are SO many provisions for protecting union employees. I would venture to guess that he will either be brought back or else he will be offered a very nice severance package and then STILL brought back like 6 months later.

I can't tell you the number of people in our union group who were "on suspension" at any given time, and I also can't tell you of ONE SINGLE TIME when one of them was fired. I'm talking about people who did BAD stuff, too (drugs at work, reading porno mags on the job, consistently drunk at work, massive safety violations, etc.) My dad was a manager at the same company that I was, and he had a union employee bring pot to work, "lose" the bag of pot, and actually come to him (my dad, the boss!) asking where his pot was!! No point in firing him...the union would have gotten him brought back. The ability of the union to protect their membership at all costs is the reason that I left my job. It was not pleasant to be management at a union company.

 

[SLM]

Lisa,
Hope things start looking better for you-in this economy and today's world I think alot of us could share similiar stories-I know how stressed you must be feeling. Please take care of yourself and get some much needed rest on your vacation.

 

[dzneprincess]

Lisa
YOur OP was on 0810 and if it was exactly 2 weeks that means yal lwont leave untik 0824..I was just wondering if you have heard anything new and how things are going?

 

[kinntj]

I'm so sorry you are going through this right now. DH was laid off 3+ years ago and I now have that permanant panic that it will happen again. I'm also a SAHM, so I feel your pain of suddenly being jolted into finding some way of making money for your family to survive.

It's so unfair what's happening to your DH. I hope they get it resolved and he gets his job back or finds a better one (I think he'll find a better one). My DH has been having trouble with someone he works with also and makes his job much more stressful than it needs to be. So my mind is back in panic mode that we'll have to move or I'll have to look for a job before I planned on it. I plan on working in 4 years anyway. I'm looking to going back to school though.

Things will get better and you have to get through this really hard time.

 

[lisaross]

Well things are just as stressful -- my husband was terminated so now we have to wait till the middle of September for his 3rd grievance process - hoping he'll get his job back then or if that does not turn out to our advantage we'll have to wait for arbitration and that can take months.

He just applied for unemployment - hoping the company does not fight it, but if they do, the union will go down and fight for it.

I have been doing some temp work, and my husband just got something off the books for now - only 10.00 an hour but its still $$$.

Have not been spending any unnecessary money - just gas and food! I told the kids about the situation - just that daddy will be home a bit more now because he needs to look for another job - it did not phase them at all. We leave to Disney in 3 days - and just seeing how excited my kids are puts a smile on my face and i'm glad we are still going. My kids are not so much into buying things when we are away so my older son is going to do the pennies and collect them so i told him i'll buy him the penny holder and my younger son will pick something else out. I'm hoping not to spend much else since we are on the dining plan and it seems like more then enough food.

lisa

again, thanx for all who care and for the good tips.

 

[Stein]

Good luck, it seems that you have planned well and have a good collective head on your shoulders. I am sure it will turn out just fine, many people who have been laid off from my company have found better paying jobs they like more than their job here.

 

[Minnie's Mate]

Your family is in my prayers.

 

[Dianewes]

Hope you enjoyed your vacation and that it was an escape from reality for you guys........ Good Luck with everything

 

[lisaross]

i have a trip report posted on the trip report boards.

lisa

 

[dzneprincess]

just wondering how you all are doing?

 

[lisaross]

Nothing much has changed - the union meetings keep getting pushed back so the next meeting is set for the middle of October. I've applied for the NY Health Care for the family - thinking only the kids are going to get it - since for the parents they want you to have not money in the bank and this includes 401K - but as long as my kids have health insurance for now i'll be OK. My husband did get approved for Unemployment and that was great news but now it just seems like a band-aid for our bigger problem but that with my husband working off the books is good - but i'm not OK with the here and now i keep thinking months ahead. Everyone my husband speaks with from his Company say's he'll definitly get his job back its just a matter of "when" but until it happens i'll be a wreck! I am working 1 part time job from home which i've been doing since the beginning of the year, and i just got another part-time job 3x a week when the kids are in school - which i'm happy with and it would be great if or when my husband gets his job back this is a good p/t job that is flexible with ours etc!

We still have been not spending any money - actually since Disney the only time we actually spent $ was to take the kids to mcdonalds the other night for family night - we use to go everyweek so i figure every month or so. The kids are happy - they both play soccer so in additon to school that keeps them busy - we started a family game night 1x a week which has been a great hit at our house! Um what else - my husband is still looking for another job, but its so hard with him working everyday etc.

Again, i will definitly keep you all up to date - i've just had no real news - oh and the Disney trip we took was the best for all of us - my kids talk about it everyday - about the different rides etc - its great great memories and i hope if all works out that we'll have another family trip in 2-3 years!

Lisa

 

[mylightshines]

Lisa:

I know exactly how you feel. My husband was laid off in March and we went to Disney when school was out in May. The trip was paid for and there was no way I was going to tell my daughter that we weren't going.

He's been working for a landscaping company just to pay the bills until he could find something. Well, he's finally starting his new job tomorrow. The pay is the same as before, but it has great medical and retirement benefits. I think he'll be able to continue to work Saturdays for the landscaping company, which will be a nice to add to my Disney fund. I am optimistic that this is his company "for life."

Hang in there. I know it's rough, but in the end, things will work out.