Just laid off! How do you cope?

[Simba's Mom]

I just found out this morning, officially, that I'm being laid off. This came totally out of left field. The only reason I was given was purely economic-someone had to go. I just don't know how to cope now. I've got a son in college-how do I pay his tuition? Any tips to save money with our reduced income? I feel like I need a trip to WDW-but that costs money right now!

 

[MickeysMommy]

I'm so sorry to hear this news My dad was laid off in '96 after working for the same company for 35 years! And, he was going to retire the following year anyway but they still laid him off! I was still in college at the time and thank God my mom was working but after a little while he found a great part time job and is still there. I will keep you in my prayers. Just keep your chin up ~ something will come along and remember there could be worse things. Good Luck!

 

[Cthia]

So sorry to hear about your job. I hope you will be able to collect unemployment or something to assist you until you can find another job. I hope your company is going to give you any benefits you have earned or eligible for (vacation time, sick time).

Will keep you in my prayers and sending some PD your way.

 

[Pebblszzz]

I only WISH I were in your shoes right now! but that's a whole other thread...

If you are concerned about obtaining employment, my first stop would be: www.monster.com

Do some searching on the 'net, there's a lot to be had out there. Not sure what you do (did) for a living, but I'm sure you'd find something interesting, or at least something to keep the $$$ rolling for the time being.

Ever consider changing careers? Now's your chance!!!

If it were me, I think I'd take a week off (if I could afford to), and do some outrageous things....sleep late, go to the museum (free places), see a matinee, test drive really awesome cars (but don't buy any), and then go get a job again.

Just think: now you have time to do the stuff you've been putting off, like organizing your closets, cleaning out the garage, visiting friends/relatives, etc.

See it as an "opportunity", not a setback. Soon, you'll be glad it happened!

Sending PD and best wishes for your new career!

 

[marlasmom]

I am so sorry. I have been there and (to be blunt) it sucks. My best advice is to file for unemployment right away. Then sit back and assess your options. Plan a job hunting campaign - newspaper ads, networking, internet boards, personal referrals, etc. Keep us posted.

 

[wdwnutze]

Sorry to hear you have been laid off. I was laid off from my company about 5 months ago. I have been able to collect unemployment and also work a part time job. The job isn't what I wanted but I did need to work and this place has flexible hours and decent pay. I also have a son living at college and a dd that I have to pay for preschool for. Things have been tight but we cut back on some things(out to eat, movies, shopping for unnecesary things etc). I hope things work out for you. The economy is tough right now and unfortunately there are a lot of people just trying to make ends meet. My son knows he will have to work this summer and put some of his earnings toward college. Things just have to be readjusted.

 

[aprincessmom]

I've been there. And I actually did go to WDW the week after it happened -- a long planned vacation but hey, it was cool to say "I just got laid off and I'm going to WDW"

Not sure what you do or did but don't forget to bring your contact names and numbers with you. Do not be shy about asking friends, family, neighbors and colleagues for contacts. And be very straight forward about it being for contact purposes only -- unless they offer up that there is a job at the other end of that name/number they are giving you.

Network, network, network. And don't bypass former employers...you never know what opportunities might be there. I had said I'd never go back to a job because it would feel too much like a demotion but here I sit, working for a company that I worked for previously in a great job that I would never have been eligible for had I stayed here for the 3 years I was gone.

Websites are great but most every job I've found was through personal contacts. Let people know you are out there looking. You never know just who has been waiting for you to become available! Good luck.

 

[Mishetta]

Sorry to hear your news. Especially since it sounds like it was a complete shock!

Absolutely file for unemployment bennies right away & also check into those temporary employment agencies. My DH landed a great job for Blue Cross (the money's not great but the benefits are awesome.)

As Pebblszzz mentioned, clean out your closet, your garage, etc...all those time consuming things you can't get too while working!

I too found myself without a job unexpectedly but that was because my Mother was diagnosed with Cancer & I was unable to return to work due to caring for her, so it was quite a shock to me & to our family financially. I cannot return for now so remember, as MickeysMommy posted "there could be worse things!"

Lots of luck & PD to you!

Mishetta

 

[C.Ann]

Ebay while you're trying to find another job. The money - and the buyers - are out there.. You simply need to be fair in your opening bids and fair with your shipping.. Would you accept $10.27 for 4 used paperback books that you MIGHT get 25 cents a piece for in a garage sale? It can be done - I just did it.. Made a little over $66 this past weekend on nothing more than used paperbacks and a few videos..

If I had more time to list items I could make some SERIOUS money.. Take a quick look around the house and see what you don't need or want anymore..

 

[linny172]

So sorry to hear, I do know what you are going thru, in Feb. I found out that after 35 years with KMart my store was one of the closing stores. It too came totally out of left field as our store was a big money maker.
I am sure things will work out,(I just found out today that I can get into another KMart) It was a big worry and now it is gone, so here is to hoping that things will all work out for you, as they say one door closes and another one opens.

 

[doxdogy]

Sorry to hear you have been laid off. I was laid off a year ago next month. It isn't fun by any means. It is a tough job market out there right now. I hope your job search goes well. Definitely, file for the unemployment benefits.

 

[LindaG4458]

Sorry to hear about your layoff. Been there, done that, and it isn't fun.

I found my next job after the layoff through temping. While still on unemployment I took some temp jobs (benefits reduced by my earnings) and received several job offers. I took the third full time offer and had the best job ever. The best thing about temping is the ability to scope out the office politics. The first two offers were for positions that would have qualified for "job from hell". I knew it because of temping, wouldn't have known otherwise.

Best of luck in your job search.

 

[cgcw]

We went through this a couple years back. DH lost his job and I was 7 months pregnant so there wasn't much I could do to help financially. It took him 5 months to find a job but he did. It was tough to give up a lot of the extra things we take for granted but we did it and it helped saved pennies here and there.

In our case, we now look back at it as "all things happen for a reason". I had a difficult remainder of my pregnant and complications after our DS was born. If DH had not been out of a job, there would have been no way I could have managed to take care of myself, our older DS and the newborn DS. I needed DH's help -- both physically and mentally to get through it. That's why we say it was a "blessing is disguise".

Best of luck to you.

 

[tater bug]

So sorry to hear about your job. PD that something will come your way that's even better than you hoped for. Here's another vote for going with a temp agency.

Easier said than done, but hang in there. It will work out.

{{{hugs}}}

 

[helenabear]

I'm so sorry to hear that you were laid off We were there not too long ago and while it was a rough road, things are much better and my DH is at a much more stable company than before and doing a job that has much more room for growth. For a while though, my DH did temp work and that got us through without having to go in debt. I wish you all the best and hope you find something new soon {{{hugs}}} And I think if you find a job, before you start, you ought to take that trip to WDW

 

[ByTheSea]

So sorry to hear about your lay off. Just remember, it has everything to do with the economy and nothing to do with you personally.

Having had to lay people off, and having lived through my spouse gettting an unexpected lay off many years ago, keep in mind that this is a loss, a loss of your job/career, something that's been an important part of you, and you will probably experience the classic stages of grief. Anger, Denial, Depression, Embarassment, finally acceptance. (I may have missed one or two and gotten the order wrong but everyone experiences grief differently) just don't force yourself too fast, allow yourself to feel each stage and to mourn your loss....

But at the same time you've gotten great advice, file for unemployment right away. Did they offer and career counseling or outplacement services? If so TAKE ADVANTAGE of it, it can be a real source of assistance!

 

[JOC]

Simba's Mom,
I'm sorry to hear this bad news. I know you from the DVC forum...if I remember correctly, aren't you a teacher? I thought that teaching would be one profession that would be pretty safe because of the shortage of teachers nationwide. Best of luck in your job search...I hope something else comes along for you quickly.

 

[goofiesgirlies]

My DH's job was eliminated in November. It is so hard - mentally, financially - you name it. He just started a job two weeks ago. It is just a job, but these days even those are hard to find.

Oh yeah, we did go to Disneyworld in the beginning of March. (We had the hotel/airfare already paid for before DH's job was eliminated.) I don't regret that trip one bit.

Hang in there. Apply for unemployment. Don't get down on yourself. Get the little things done around the house/yard that you don't have time to do and even treat yourself nice once in a while too.

Pinch pennies and know there are a lot of others in the same boat these days. It has to get better! Good luck on the job hunt!

--Jn

 

[MAC3]

Sorry to hear that Dorothy! I know it's scary but it will work out in the end. Keep Faith.

 

[apagano]

I was laid off in May of 2001 and have worked only p/t jobs since. The first thing you need to know is this:

YOU WILL GET THROUGH THIS!

As others have pointed out, file for unemployment benefits right away. Find out if you can get financial aid for your son's tuition.

Also, do an immediate inventory of your spending habits. Cut out everything you can live without. Magazine subscriptions, dining out, etc. Start clipping coupons and buy store brands when practical. Get good financial planning software like Quicken and use it to track your money. You might be astonished to discover where your money is going. And you'll also be astonished at your ability to adjust to a reduced income.

When I got laid off, DW and I agreed that the best thing to do for our future was for me to go back to school and get a Masters Degree. She works full time to keep us clothed, fed and housed. I work part-time to pay for my education. It's been working out great and we haven't suffered any financial meltdown as a result. Of course, we managed this because we set aside a nice cash reserve over several years just in case. Everybody should do that.