Is the economy picking up at your house or your area?

[Kathi OD]

It's a mixed bag for us. DH was out of work for just over 2 years. When he finally found a job, it was for 25% less than what he was making prior to being laid off. Fortunately, I've got a pretty decent job and with his UE & our savings, we were able to weather the 2 years.

Our home has lost about 1/3 of it's value since we purchased it.

So while we're grateful he is back at work, can afford our bills, and are able to take a vacation, our net worth has taken a hit that we haven't yet recovered from.

We have several friends who have been out of work long enough to have exhausted their UE benefits with no job prospects on the horizon. I guess things aren't that great around here yet.

 

[shirleyb]

I've kept my good job but DH lost his in March, although he's worked part time since then bringing in about 75% of what he was making, so that part hasn't hurt us too bad.

What has hurt is the cost of everything going up. Gas now at $3.25 and climbing, propane over $3 to heat the house, my health insurance costs going up another $200 a month, electricity deregulation, food is getting outrageous...

 

[DawnM]

This area? No, the unemployment rate is the same as it was a year ago (I think it is 9% right now). Our personal economy is fine. Dh has a stable job (knock on wood!) and even got a raise last year.

Dawn

 

[marie1203]

The economy here never slowed down we lived off a military base where no one lost their jobs so everything is the same. Now in the main city of the military base we are starting to see the real estate market slow down now that the military i downsizing. There is so many new houses that are not going to be needed. Thankfully were we lived is a small town where this is not going to happen because of our location .

 

[mom2t]

We first felt it 3 years ago. My husband works in furniture industry. We left to go to Disney (He had consistently been working 60-70 hours a week.) and came home to 40 hours and some weeks not that - he is paid hourly. Just in the last 4 months we have began to see overtime come back - nothing like before 5 - 10 hours a week. It is hard to adjust when you are used to much more money. I have seen cuts in education and not raises in our state. We are returning to Disney because we have saved for 3 years. Paying all cash and feel the discounts are going to be less in the next few years. I also want my parents who are in their 70s to experience Disney with their grandchild. My Mom made me sad when she said it would be there last trip probably to Disney. I have been blessed to make many trips with them as a child and one as a adult 10 years ago.

 

[punkin]

DH's salary is frozen, but we are making do.

 

[bear_mom]

We have not been affected and things seem to be improving in my little area of Michigan. Dh's company is also improving the ecomony in part of TN (significantly!).

Emily