Anyone Else Feeling The Wrath Of The Economy???

[Jen_in_NH]

DH and I are both pretty safe job-wise. We both work as firefighter/paramedics, so odds are, we won't be cut anytime soon. However, we both have noticed that our departments are much busier than normal. As far as medical issues, people wait longer to seek care until things become an emergency. In terms of fires, more people are cancelling their fire alarm monitoring, and burning some really strange stuff in their stoves to avoid using oil. Everyone around here is predicting really bad numbers for chimney and building fires next winter.

 

[C.Ann]

I graduate today with my respiratory therapy degree. The past 3 years we have lived with the bare minimum. I mean bare....I haven't had a full time paycheck in 3 years, working as a bartender or waitress to supplement my child support and student loans...

In a month, I will be making close to 6 times what I make now...BIG change for this family let me tell you. I can not wait to have to NOT rob peter to pay paul, and forget about Mary....thats the way I have lived!

I will say that in the past 5-6 months, the gas prices have seriously hurt given that i have done my clinical rotations 100 miles away from my house. My durango gets 12.5 mpg, but I'm so upside down, I cant trade it in, and nobody wants it anyway due to the size of the engine. The month of march, my truck 'cost' me $1500 to own, with a $300 payment, and $100 in insurance, that was $1100 in fuel costs.

Thank god DBF is an owner/operator and can make up the difference in my check book...not sure where i"d be without him...

I am so thankful that i decided 3 years ago to go back to school and enter the medical field! Yes, I am now in debt that i wasnt then, but its student loan debt, which to me is pretty good debt to have

Brandy

------------------------------

Congrats to you!!

I know you have had a rough time over the past few years, but you took the bull by the horns and forged ahead to a great career - regardless of how hard you had to struggle during that time.. You should be very, very proud of yourself!

 

[micksterlee]

I know one thing for sure and that is that I will never believe in company loyality again. I recently lost my job as a retail manager for a company I worked for over 10 years.I took a transfer with this company to a store here in NC because it was doing poorly and needed to be straightened out.To make a long story short the store is now on the plus side and doing fine and I am looking for a job.I was told my salary was to high for the location and I could move at my own expense to another store or take about a $20,000 a year pay cut.So much for working 60 hours a week tying to make other people successful.

 

[momto2girls]

I know one thing for sure and that is that I will never believe in company loyality again. I recently lost my job as a retail manager for a company I worked for over 10 years.I took a transfer with this company to a store here in NC because it was doing poorly and needed to be straightened out.To make a long story short the store is now on the plus side and doing fine and I am looking for a job.I was told my salary was to high for the location and I could move at my own expense to another store or take about a $20,000 a year pay cut.So much for working 60 hours a week tying to make other people successful.

I'm so sorry. And I agree that it is misguided to have company loyalty anymore. My DH started his own business two years ago and it has been the best thing. I used to worry that him being laid off before and I sleep so much better now that I know that it isn't a danger anymore.

 

[Mophia'sMom]

We are very blessed that DH works for a major Oil Company and received a promotion and very substantial payraise recently. Even with that I still feel the pinch of the economy. My mom passed away 6 months ago, and we moved in with my father to care for him. There is no way he could do it alone, financially or emotionally. We were fortunate to sell our home in January, not for a huge profit but atleast we didn't owe at closing (we made $1800). Even though my dad's mortgage is less than ours was, we now have increased expenses elsewhere. I lost my job in Feb. so we no longer have that income, but we also don't have the extra gas cost or daycare expenses. Our grocery bill has more than doubled, light bill increased from being home all day, but it's all worth it. My dad is emotionally improving from my mom's death every day (they were together for 44 years and her death was unexpected and preventable....she died from MD stupidity). He thoroughly enjoys having my family here with him, and there is enough space (2500sf) that we are not in each other's face all day. It's hard at times, but I wouldn't change it for the world. I am very blessed that I have an understanding husband who suggested we move in with him, and who wants to make sure my dad enjoys his time left on earth. It's hard not having a place of our own at times, but I know what we are doing is the best possible solution, and that my mom is very proud of me. Sorry this turned out so long, but sometimes I started talking about it and can't quit. Oh yeah, one way we are saving money is my dad's new little "farm". We have 3 acres of land, and he now has 18 chickens...thanks for the eggs. He planted a garden that is doing fabulous: variety tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, radish, string beans, jalopeno peppers, banana peppers and okra. Just since Mother's Day we have picked 13 squash, 5 cucumbers, tons of radish, and peppers. The tomatoes look great and those should be ready to pick shortly. Good luck to everyone feeling the pinch, and with time & a little patience we will recover from all of this.

 

[EthansMom]

Oh yeah, one way we are saving money is my dad's new little "farm". We have 3 acres of land, and he now has 18 chickens...thanks for the eggs. He planted a garden that is doing fabulous: variety tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, radish, string beans, jalopeno peppers, banana peppers and okra. Just since Mother's Day we have picked 13 squash, 5 cucumbers, tons of radish, and peppers. The tomatoes look great and those should be ready to pick shortly. Good luck to everyone feeling the pinch, and with time & a little patience we will recover from all of this.

DH had a vegetable garden last year and enjoyed it. This year, in addition to the vegetables, we're planting a lot of fruit and berry trees/bushes. Although most of them won't bear fruit for a few years, I don't expect food prices to drop much during that time. We've bought a 4-in-1 apple tree (has four kinds of apples grafted to one tree), a pear tree, strawberry plants, pie cherry bushes, and blackberry bushes.

We're also having a woodstove installed tomorrow. With oil prices at $4+/gallon, it makes sense to do everything we can to reduce our useage. We live on a wooded lot so fuel for the woodstove is free.

 

[Kathi OD]

I hear that people don't eat out anymore but there is still an hour wait for most places if we go at dinner time. I had to wait an hour and fifteen minutes for Outback last week We eat out at least 4 or 5 times a week and I don't notice a slow down.

I've noticed the same thing! DH and I usually eat out 2 times during the week and there are always crowds. I wonder where all these restaurants are that people are no longer patronizing? It surely isn't around here, that's for sure.

 

[mudnuri]

Good for you Brandy! That's a huge swing financially for your family and that's a great feeling. With a much bigger salary you'll pay those student loans off in no time!

Thats my plan, none are private, all staffords and I'm pretty happy with the terms thankfully.... thanks for the good wishes

Congrats to you!!

I know you have had a rough time over the past few years, but you took the bull by the horns and forged ahead to a great career - regardless of how hard you had to struggle during that time.. You should be very, very proud of yourself!

That I did, but it's almost over now, just set up my 2nd interview at the 2 hospitals im interested in, taking a month off due to license issues (the board meets 3rd Thursday of the month in this state)....

Thanks for the wishes!

That is crazy and I thought that was bad..

it is- but i put on about 35K miles last year, well January 2007 thru April 2008, I'm keeping the Durango, but DBF has promised me a Jeep Wrangler for my graduation gift....it gets about 25mpg...so I"ll drive that in the summer and keep the gas hog parked till snow flies..

Brandy

 

[mudnuri]

We are very blessed that DH works for a major Oil Company and received a promotion and very substantial payraise recently. Even with that I still feel the pinch of the economy. My mom passed away 6 months ago, and we moved in with my father to care for him. There is no way he could do it alone, financially or emotionally. We were fortunate to sell our home in January, not for a huge profit but atleast we didn't owe at closing (we made $1800). Even though my dad's mortgage is less than ours was, we now have increased expenses elsewhere. I lost my job in Feb. so we no longer have that income, but we also don't have the extra gas cost or daycare expenses. Our grocery bill has more than doubled, light bill increased from being home all day, but it's all worth it. My dad is emotionally improving from my mom's death every day (they were together for 44 years and her death was unexpected and preventable....she died from MD stupidity). He thoroughly enjoys having my family here with him, and there is enough space (2500sf) that we are not in each other's face all day. It's hard at times, but I wouldn't change it for the world. I am very blessed that I have an understanding husband who suggested we move in with him, and who wants to make sure my dad enjoys his time left on earth. It's hard not having a place of our own at times, but I know what we are doing is the best possible solution, and that my mom is very proud of me. Sorry this turned out so long, but sometimes I started talking about it and can't quit. Oh yeah, one way we are saving money is my dad's new little "farm". We have 3 acres of land, and he now has 18 chickens...thanks for the eggs. He planted a garden that is doing fabulous: variety tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, radish, string beans, jalopeno peppers, banana peppers and okra. Just since Mother's Day we have picked 13 squash, 5 cucumbers, tons of radish, and peppers. The tomatoes look great and those should be ready to pick shortly. Good luck to everyone feeling the pinch, and with time & a little patience we will recover from all of this.

wow.......your post......just wow-

Brandy

 

[mpls_mm]

I graduate today with my respiratory therapy degree. The past 3 years we have lived with the bare minimum. I mean bare....I haven't had a full time paycheck in 3 years, working as a bartender or waitress to supplement my child support and student loans...

In a month, I will be making close to 6 times what I make now...BIG change for this family let me tell you. I can not wait to have to NOT rob peter to pay paul, and forget about Mary....thats the way I have lived!

I will say that in the past 5-6 months, the gas prices have seriously hurt given that i have done my clinical rotations 100 miles away from my house. My durango gets 12.5 mpg, but I'm so upside down, I cant trade it in, and nobody wants it anyway due to the size of the engine. The month of march, my truck 'cost' me $1500 to own, with a $300 payment, and $100 in insurance, that was $1100 in fuel costs.

Thank god DBF is an owner/operator and can make up the difference in my check book...not sure where i"d be without him...

I am so thankful that i decided 3 years ago to go back to school and enter the medical field! Yes, I am now in debt that i wasnt then, but its student loan debt, which to me is pretty good debt to have

Brandy

Congrats, it will be such a change for you. But prepare yourself, there are a lot of adjustments. It is hard to go from penny pinching to success. I went overboard at first, I had been living out of consignment shops and thrift sales for ages. I wasn't poor, but I have been a single mom for so long, I felt like I couldn't buy myself anything nice. Then I was so afraid to spend because I may get laid off or something. It's hard to find a nice medium and get money put away and to pay off bills and still treat yourself a little.

 

[nicolemomof4cuties]

Right now my DH is working 2 full time jobs about 75 hours a week. And has 2 hours of travel time a day 6 days a week. That is just how our economy is right now. I hope that we get out of this slump soon

 

[CarolA]

DH and I are both pretty safe job-wise. We both work as firefighter/paramedics, so odds are, we won't be cut anytime soon. However, we both have noticed that our departments are much busier than normal. As far as medical issues, people wait longer to seek care until things become an emergency. In terms of fires, more people are cancelling their fire alarm monitoring, and burning some really strange stuff in their stoves to avoid using oil. Everyone around here is predicting really bad numbers for chimney and building fires next winter.

I was reading in the paper just last week that the number of suspected arsons is up as folks try to "burn down" thier house to avoid foreclosure. That's just scary, not to mention that it endangers folks like you and your DH!!!

 

[nicolemomof4cuties]

We are planting a garden this year too. Food and gas are just outrageous. I just do not drive anywhere anymore. I am a homebound person if you have ever saw one.....

 

[MrMarv]

$3.85 a gallon for regular unleaded gasoline here in LA---my answer is yes!

 

[Mrs.Reese]

We were just notified that we will not be getting our step increases this year. "Cost cutting" I am so glad that we bought a house WELL under what we could afford. I teach Special Ed so I'm pretty safe. DH is pretty safe since he has tenure. I would hate to be a new grad looking for a teaching job right now!

 

[tasha99]

I just swallowed my pride and put out some feelers towards getting my old job back at Royal Caribbean. Hopefully I can still keep my current legal assisting job too (it's only part time--the hours were supposed to grow but haven't in almost 2 years). I just really need more money, not to mention benefits. Cheap cruising wouldn't be bad, either.

Of course, I'm thinking that's a long shot even though I was one of the best agents in my department. The same things that are making me desperate (rising gas and food costs) are probably really hurting the cruising business.

 

[kimluvswdw]

I feel it. I am (soon to be was) a real estate agent and I am going to get a full time job. The market is so bad that it is too hard to make a living. I interviewed for a job last week that I would love to have and am hoping to hear aout it this week. It will really help us pay the bills if it comes through.

 

[Solomonsmom81]

gas is now up to $3.97 here in MI

 

[wdwfanatic80]

We were planning on getting a second car and haven't because even though we can afford the car payment I am not sure we can afford the gas for a second car!! Well we can, I am just not sure I want to! I would rather be housebound (helps to save when you can't go anywhere) and not have to gas up two cars!! Something has got to change!!!!!

 

[Haley154]

Sorry about your DH job, My DH has also lost hrs & had to be moved to 3rd shift or get layed off! He workes for a rubber plant that make alot of thing for GM, Well GM arn't doning to well so it has a ripple effect on everyone else.. I prey we can still make it to WDW this year..