Dear recession:

[Kathi OD]

I would say there is an underlying message to this thread.

YEP. OP is afraid that if he says what part of the country he lives in he'll end up with stalkers.

Oh, and if you don't agree with his assessment of the world, you get put on ignore.

 

[sahd2one]

I would say there is an underlying message to this thread.

Yes. It is that I see everyone I know and people I don't know with 50% more to live on they were just this past summer. A drop in gas prices in some places OVER 50% is a HUGE economic boost to everyone's wallet.

There is a message of hope that underlies this thread. There are people out there who have said that a recession is not going to change how they live their lives to the point of curling up in a ball and just letting the naysayers have their way. Maybe those who want to let everyone know how bad it is could start their own thread and let those of us who are not participating in the "recession" could keep our positive attitude going!

 

[GoldieSaysMeep]

Around here things are good.

I work in car insurance so my job is secure. People are horrible drivers lol and yesterday every adjuster in my office got 24 claims EACH to handle (in one day). I'm not worried about layoffs. We are at full staff and getting this much work.

My boyfriend had a few layoffs at his company but he was not amongst them. He is a mid level employee who has been there a few years. They laid off a few new employees and one upper manager. They announced there would be no more layoffs.

I don't know anyone else personally who got laid off. (Well, I heard from a friend that my nasty, mean ex bf was laid off the week before xmas but I really had a hard time caring about that. He had it coming, karma is sweet... )

Malls around here have been packed. No parking space. Restaurants have long waits. Smaller stores crowded. Even after Christmas, the places have been packed.

I'm glad gas prices are down.

 

[VickiVM]

We have decided not to participate. The parking lots of the shopping areas are full so are those around the restaurants.

The local community banks are lending money for small businesses and for home buyers.

You may be trying to bring down our country's mood, but we are not going to fall for your tricks. We are supporting those in need and giving business to those who are in our community.

Go find another area to blast on about, because we are not listening to you or your friends in the media.

Dear OP:
We did not make a choice whether to "participate" in a recession or not - it took us unwillingly. Don't want to be a downer, but when you're among the statistics of losing job, losing home, losing savings, etc., "The Sun Will Come Up Tomorrow" just isn't gonna undo all of the damage we've endured.

 

[Colleen27]

The house was worth 174K and you offered 10K and expect to get it for 20K? What kind of property taxes will you pay?

I might want to buy a few myself. What part of Michigan are you in?

Roughly $2500/year. Our tax rates are fairly low here - about $1600 on a house valued at 100K. The house does need some work - carpets need replaced, there is some drywall damage, a broken pipe in the crawlspace, and the kitchen is in desperate need of an update - but since DH is a contractor, renovating is no big deal. And it is a fairly nice sized home at 2000 sq feet, 4 bedrooms, 2 with attached sitting/dressing rooms, 2 full baths, formal dining room, etc.

We're in a semi-rural town at the very outer fringe of the Detroit metro area, and our town is actually one of the more expensive markets in our county. We've looked at houses with asking prices as low as 15K in neighboring towns/townships, but ultimately decided we want to stay in our top rated school system. High unemployment (11% and climbing) and record foreclosures (220 at the moment in our town of 4000) make for a very weak real estate market, especially for buyers who are willing to deal with a fixer-upper.

Our total budget for house + repairs when we started looking was 50-60K, and we're not looking at anything smaller than 4 bedroom/2 bath because we've outgrown our 3 bed/1.5 bath ranch. We should be coming in under budget by almost half, which means a Disney trip may be in the works for 2009 after all!

 

[sahd2one]

I hear the Jets, Lions and Browns are hiring.

 

[Kathi OD]

Yes. It is that I see everyone I know and people I don't know with 50% more to live on they were just this past summer. A drop in gas prices in some places OVER 50% is a HUGE economic boost to everyone's wallet.

Just because gas prices declined 50% since the summer, doesn't mean that people have 50% more to live on. None of our other expenses have declined that much; and our incomes sure haven't increased that much either.

I hear the Jets, Lions and Browns are hiring.

Yes, I'm sure they are looking for laid-off auto and construction workers to coach their football teams. If you want to offer help on where people who need jobs can find them, then do so. To make absurd suggestions is not only unkind, it's cruel.

I'm beginning to agree with C. Ann about the real reason you won't reveal your general location.

 

[sahd2one]

Dear OP:
We did not make a choice whether to "participate" in a recession or not - it took us unwillingly. Don't want to be a downer, but when you're among the statistics of losing job, losing home, losing savings, etc., "The Sun Will Come Up Tomorrow" just isn't gonna undo all of the damage we've endured.

So then do the one thing you CAN do. That is change your reaction to the event and you WILL change your outcome.

Or

you can sit around singing "Poor, Poor, Pitiful Me" which isn't going to undo all of the damage you have endured either.

 

[IDoDis]

A recession and a depression are not the same thing. A recession of today looks vastly different from recessions of yesteryear before people had their retirements in 401K plans.

There are people out there who obviously aren't being hit like others are. DH and I are teachers so our jobs are pretty recession proof (as far as losing our jobs), but with the economy and money being down in the coffers, there will be no money for raises for a few years, I'm certain. In the meantime, our health care insurance premiums continue to rise, as do our co-pays. Our hospital co-pay just doubled from $250 to $500. That's after paying $450 a month for health insurance. Also, food prices are very high and the packaging of food products continues to shrink.

I did choke out a nice bit of change on Christmas gifts this year, but all of my money is not tied into 401Ks. The one we do have (actually a 403b) did lose a bunch, as did our stock, but that money is not detrimental to our well-being.

My mom, on the other hand, is retired and is living off of her 401K which is now next to nothing. She's gradually taking money out of the bank and hiding the cash. A little extreme, but if you were 70 years old and saw your money disappear like she did, you might think about doing the same thing.

I guess all I can say is if you have a recession-proof job, that's great! Just don't make it sound like nobody is suffering because that is simply not true. Ask my friend whose DH has not been able to find work and with each day she checks her driveway to make sure the car hasn't been repossessed and then checks to make sure there's no sticker on the front window saying the house is in foreclosure. They are selling things from their garage on ebay, including some very nice pieces of their jewelry just to say afloat.

 

[eliza61]

Dear OP:
We did not make a choice whether to "participate" in a recession or not - it took us unwillingly. Don't want to be a downer, but when you're among the statistics of losing job, losing home, losing savings, etc., "The Sun Will Come Up Tomorrow" just isn't gonna undo all of the damage we've endured.

And I think that's the big difference. Sure I keep a positive attitude but to say that anyone is "participating" in a recession is insane. I loved the post that would say if we all turn off our TV's and stop watching the news this recession would go away. How insulting is that? Like I'm imagining the 3500 people who were laid off at my company. I am very happy that folks here are not being effected, I would not wish job loss, pension loss, retirement saving loss or foreclosure on my worse enemy but to insinuate that we "buck up and sing zipp-a-dee-doo-dah" is asinine.

 

[VickiVM]

So then do the one thing you CAN do. That is change your reaction to the event and you WILL change your outcome.

Or

you can sit around singing "Poor, Poor, Pitiful Me" which isn't going to undo all of the damage you have endured either.

...How insulting and insensitive.

 

[kydisneyfans]

The entire point of this thread though is that things are not as bad as they are being portrayed by the media. People are losing their jobs, that's a fact. Today's USA Today reports that more companies are going to hire in early 09 than lay off, and that 27% of companies in this country have open positions that cannot find qualified candidates to fill the job. Several companies in the Cincinnati area have turned down contracts as they do not have the people to lead the project.

My family did not roll up in a ball and cry when I was laid off 5 years ago, we buckled down, used our emergency fund, and finally was led to an area with work. We made the move running and have not looked back since. That is not for everyone, but it can be done.

I feel bad for those unemployed, trust me, I have been there, but to go "whoa is me" because of your circumstances will get you nowhere.

 

[sahd2one]

And I think that's the big difference. Sure I keep a positive attitude but to say that anyone is "participating" in a recession is insane. I loved the post that would say if we all turn off our TV's and stop watching the news this recession would go away. How insulting is that? Like I'm imagining the 3500 people who were laid off at my company. I am very happy that folks here are not being effected, I would not wish job loss, pension loss, retirement saving loss or foreclosure on my worse enemy but to insinuate that we "buck up and sing zipp-a-dee-doo-dah" is asinine.

Well I am one of the ones who believes if everyone turned off TV's, things would not be as bad as they seem. Everyone's perception has become their reality and it just feeds off itself.

The reality is there is a glut of homes, there is a glut of automobiles in this country and as such there is a glut of employment. Well the reality is some people are going to lose their jobs. It is just a fact. If there is more supply than meets demand, some are going to suffer. But there are jobs out there and new opportunities.

However I see silver linings everywhere. I see new opportunities everywhere. Look at interest rates. For the MAJORITY of people who can, refinancing is a very attractive proposition right now. You won't see sub 5% again, IMHO. It is just easy to watch the news about how DIRE everything is and allow that to sink one into further personal depression. Or you can look at history and know this is nothing compared to true DIRE straights of the past.

Again, I say if those want to wallow in their own circumstance, why not start a thread about it and allow those of us who see the positive to continue our message of hope.

 

[Colleen27]

And I think that's the big difference. Sure I keep a positive attitude but to say that anyone is "participating" in a recession is insane. I loved the post that would say if we all turn off our TV's and stop watching the news this recession would go away. How insulting is that? Like I'm imagining the 3500 people who were laid off at my company. I am very happy that folks here are not being effected, I would not wish job loss, pension loss, retirement saving loss or foreclosure on my worse enemy but to insinuate that we "buck up and sing zipp-a-dee-doo-dah" is asinine.

Exactly! I don't need the news to tell me about the recession. I just have to look around me. My son basically lost his best friend, because after repeated layoffs they lost their home and had to move in with family 9 hours away. My DD's best friend's family is living week-to-week and scrambling to find a home because layoffs left them with poor credit and their landlord is losing the house they're currently renting. My kids both have friends who didn't get any Christmas gifts from their parents this year because there was just no money for presents, and we bought a tree for one of DD's friend's family because the mother wasn't going to get one this year to save the $30. DH is in construction; most of his friends are currently unemployed and doing handyman work here and there to try to make ends meet. Nearly 10% of single family homes in my town are in some stage of the foreclosure process. Unemployment in my county is expected to top 11% for December. I'm not hearing about recession on the news; I'm living it, and just thankful that we can still afford to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table. No amount of pretending everything okay is going to make that go away any time soon.

 

[Kathi OD]

Participating in the recession is not always a choice you want to make. Sometimes it's a choice that is made for you. Sad that some people refuse to see that side of it and can only see the positive things that become available for those who can take advantage of them.

 

[eliza61]

The reality is there is a glut of homes, there is a glut of automobiles in this country and as such there is a glut of employment. Well the reality is some people are going to lose their jobs. It is just a fact. If there is more supply than meets demand, some are going to suffer. But there are jobs out there and new opportunities.

However I see silver linings everywhere. I see new opportunities everywhere. Look at interest rates. For the MAJORITY of people who can, refinancing is a very attractive proposition right now. You won't see sub 5% again, IMHO. It is just easy to watch the news about how DIRE everything is and allow that to sink one into further personal depression. Or you can look at history and know this is nothing compared to true DIRE straights of the past.

Again, I say if those want to wallow in their own circumstance, why not start a thread about it and allow those of us who see the positive to continue our message of hope.

Ok I'll bite. If there are so many wonderful jobs out there why is unemployment crawling quickly to 7%? Didn't we lose some thing like 500,000
jobs in November and isn't unemployment in Michigan creeping up to 9%? Where oh where are these wonderful job opportunity? Wasn't the state of
the economy the #1 issue in the last election?
And just why is the interest rate so low? could it be the feds are dropping the prime to unheard of levels because no one is getting loans for houses or spending any money? They're now pulling out any and all stops to jump start the economy. You mean instead of all these bail outs all we had to do is "stop wallowing in our own circumstances" ? Who knew!

You're absolutely right, I need to leave, I just can't inhale any more pixie dust.

 

[eliza61]

I guess now is not a good time to mention that the value of exisisting homes fell 18% in over 20 states to the lowest levels in decades. keep smiling.

 

[tinker&belle]

I can see both sides of the coin with this thread...

Yes, some of us are very fortunate that we have not had to deal with the recession through job loss. Yes, gas has gone down (for now.)

But if you lost your job, it wasn't a choice. Yes, you can look for work, keep your head up, pull up by your bootstraps...etc.

But the condescending nature some posters are using is insulting to the people who are down and out. These are not people who live off of welfare to scam the system. These are your friends, neighbors, people at your church.

Some people have said they work hard and take their responsiblilities seriously.

I'm sure that there are many working mothers and fathers who would have said the same months ago.

Yes, there are shoppers at the mall. Yes, there are people in the restaurant. I'm sure there were after 1929 as well. Instead of conveying an air of smugness, consider an air of humility and gratitude. Yes, we are a blessed nation struggling. Remember your fellow Americans at this time of suffering. Donate food to your food bank. Still have the funds to shop at the mall? Make an extra donation of old things at your local thrift shop.

Off my soapbox....

 

[MyManGoofy!]

Ok I'll bite. If there are so many wonderful jobs out there why is unemployment crawling quickly to 7%? Didn't we lose some thing like 500,000
jobs in November and isn't unemployment in Michigan creeping up to 9%? Where oh where are these wonderful job opportunity? Wasn't the state of
the economy the #1 issue in the last election?
And just why is the interest rate so low? could it be the feds are dropping the prime to unheard of levels because no one is getting loans for houses or spending any money? They're now pulling out any and all stops to jump start the economy. You mean instead of all these bail outs all we had to do is "stop wallowing in our own circumstances" ? Who knew!

You're absolutely right, I need to leave, I just can't inhale any more pixie dust.

Yeah - I am pretty sure that ain't pixie dust you are inhaling.

 

[Pinnie]

And I think that's the big difference. Sure I keep a positive attitude but to say that anyone is "participating" in a recession is insane. I loved the post that would say if we all turn off our TV's and stop watching the news this recession would go away. How insulting is that? Like I'm imagining the 3500 people who were laid off at my company. I am very happy that folks here are not being effected, I would not wish job loss, pension loss, retirement saving loss or foreclosure on my worse enemy but to insinuate that we "buck up and sing zipp-a-dee-doo-dah" is asinine.

Then we all better hurry up and turn off the TV, close your eyes, bury your head in the sand because the local news just reported that TENS OF THOUSANDS of retailers are going to go out of business this year.

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Retail-Wreck.html

I find it insulting, too, when there are 3 homes on my block in foreclosure. All three of these families were professional automotive engineers who lost their jobs within the last 18 months. They thought they would be able to survive on what they had saved, but with insurance, health care issues, they couldn't keep up.

Those of you in recession free jobs, get down on your knees and thank the Lord tonight. We just had a dentist in our area who thought *HE* was recession proof, but guess what? He doesn't have enough patients with good insurance to keep his practice open.

I am in MI and I can see what this is doing. It isn't a CHOICE to participate or not. It's our reality.

pinnie