tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Jul 3, 2014 12:03:32 GMT -5
Just need to vent a little and this place is as close to a social outlet as I have right now. Today, July 3rd will be my last day of work before a lay off. The company has no set call back date and this could last the rest of the year. I'm not angry, it's just business in a down year. I am very apprehensive, I hate looking for work and despise interviews. I also hate being on unemployment. Hurts my pride. Not to mention it doesn't pay the bills. Luckily I'm a saver so we have a little bit of a cushion. Again I hate dipping into savings, having it always gives me a sense of security. Just hope I don't end up going too deep into it.
Two years ago I got caught up in a plant closing. Got work after only a month but had to cash in a 401K. My salary went way down and we couldn't make our payments. One of the most stressful times of my working life.
We will have health care insurance for one month. Then I can keep it if I want under COBRA. Problem being that it gets very expensive. That's going to be a tough decision. The bottom line will be the budget. Gotta eat and pay the mortgage.
Adding another wrench into the works ... My former employer is offering an early retirement withdrawal program. This is so tempting right now that I'm fearing the worst. I understand I'll be short changing myself if I take the money now. I don't really know that I'll need it and hate the idea of the tax penalties. Still I need to decide what to do with it and don't want to make the wrong choice out of fear.
There are more job listings in our local papers than I remember seeing in quite some time. Lots of nursing and tech stuff I'm not qualified for. Staffing services that I don't want to be a part of. Low paying service jobs that again won't pay the bills. Haven't started trolling the internet yet but from my last experience don't have high hopes.
I'm thinking I'll take two or three weeks to do some rockhounding and some minor projects around the house. After that I'll be too bored to just wait it out and will have to seriously look for work. Not looking forward to this at all. Don't care what any one says ... people like me, in their 50's, are at a disadvantage in the job market. Hope all this worry is for nothing ...............
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Post by phil on Jul 3, 2014 12:39:32 GMT -5
Having been thru that, Here are a few lessons I learned the hard way.
1. Unemployment is never enough, but once it stops, any job, even a low paying one, is better than nothing, and at least pays some of the bills. 2. Don't be too proud for help. Local food pantries can make a big dent in grocery bills. Service agencies like goodwill, salvation army will help pay utility bills. 3. You say you're over 50, so check with your senior centers, etc for what help they can provide. 4. Don't get lulled into "taking a vacation", Start looking yesterday for a job. newspapers and etc don't work. put on your suit and go visit all the business contacts you have where you will be qualified to hold a job. 5. If all else fails, take a look at more education... retraining, etc. They provide grants which keep you warm, fed and dry. 6. Immediately tell your utilities you have been laid off, and ask if they have any reduced fee programs or reduced billings,that will help keep your expenses down. They usually do, and yes, you'll have to pay up once you get a job. 7. Learn austerity while you still have the choice. Once you hit the bottom, you went right past austerity and into poverty and possibly homelessness, like I did. 8. If you have kids wife, etc, sit the family down and tell them that for awhile, there will be no unnecessary expenses, just the basics. No cable TV, no internet, no itunes, give up the cell phones so you don't get hit with texting charges, etc, etc. Stop all frills! It does make a difference in the long run. Better to be fed and housed than living with relatives or worse, in a car.
Hope this helps, been there, done that, lost everything except what I could fit in my vehicle. Never totally recovered. How do you replace a lifetime of accumulations and remembrances? You can't, it will hurt forever. 9. Are you a veteran? PM me if you are... I might know of some help.
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cardiobill
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2012
Posts: 879
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Post by cardiobill on Jul 3, 2014 13:31:42 GMT -5
I have no great words of advice but I just want to wish you good luck. Sending good karma your way.
Bill
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Post by rockjunquie on Jul 3, 2014 14:32:51 GMT -5
Sorry, man. That sucks and it is worse the older you get and the more responsibilities you have.
Having been down, I can vouch for everything Phil said. I would add, if you are contemplating gong back to college, start looking into it now because of enrollment times. You can get grants and student loans. But, they take time to fill out and wait for ahead of enrollment for the semester.
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droseraguy
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 426
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Post by droseraguy on Jul 3, 2014 16:12:53 GMT -5
Sorry to hear about that, all the advice that has been given already is pretty sound. Make it your job to find out exactly how much you can earn and still collect unemployment. It stinks but it's your money to collect instead of someone less well meanng. What kind of work are you looking for ? Doesn't hurt to have extra ears out there. Unless your the tax collector that's another story
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jul 3, 2014 17:26:57 GMT -5
Ken, I'm sorry about your bad luck. My wife and I just took a 10% pay cut that we've been complaining a lot about. When I hear stories like yours, I'm reminded that I should just be happy that I have a job at all. Good luck with your job search.
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Post by iant on Jul 5, 2014 11:41:11 GMT -5
Good luck in your search Ken. I'm sure something good will turn up. Wish you all the best!
Ian
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,154
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Post by jamesp on Jul 5, 2014 18:43:01 GMT -5
May want get cheap assisted Obama insurance. Enrollment for a lesser salary starts Nov. 15 for next year. Study the levels of income to see how you qualify for assistance. To me, it is like cheating, but he is spending tax money on stupid things. Why not put your hand out too. I make money doing all kinds of ways as a self employed person these days and it is a struggle. Times are difficult. I feel for you. Gov. mismanagement and useless citizens have made earning money difficult. How did this happen ? It should have never happened.
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Post by 1dave on Jul 5, 2014 21:57:28 GMT -5
Unfortunately been there, done that. I worked construction most of my life. Feast or famine. With Obama purposely forcing the economy there are lots of people in your shoes scrambling for scraps. It seems to make him happy out on the golf course.
I traveled from Provo Utah all the way to Boston Massachusetts and worked for over a year. There are other states with low unemployment. The longer you wait the less funds you will have for moving (I had to leave my family behind) and renting a room etc. Prayers and best wishes headed your way.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,681
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Post by Fossilman on Jul 6, 2014 9:17:47 GMT -5
Depending on your age and if you want to travel for work,North Dakota is the place to be.....Oilfield,construction and mechanics... Did 22 years there,treated me pretty good..Money is great too..Just a thought.. Great place to raise a family too...
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Post by phil on Jul 6, 2014 12:01:31 GMT -5
Yep, ND has zero unemployment! If you can handle the winters. $90K in the oilfields....
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,340
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Post by quartz on Jul 7, 2014 1:26:38 GMT -5
My wife's cousin lives in Bismarck, ND, housing has gotten off the chart high. Best advice, bring your own living quarters.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,681
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Post by Fossilman on Jul 7, 2014 8:49:36 GMT -5
Do as I did,move to a Mom and Pop little town and travel to your work......Rent was good (if you rent),no crime,kids had to be bussed to school,but that wasn't a big deal either.... Traveling 50 to 100 miles in North Dakota,is an everyday thing... Working on the drilling rigs,you live on site at the camp,two weeks on,week off...Roust-a-bout,travel to shop,same has work over rigs.. They always need trk drivers and mechanics too...
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Post by phil on Jul 7, 2014 11:01:04 GMT -5
Yep ND's governor was on the radio the other day, saying how they need workers, and that if you came up to find work, he guarantees you'll find it.
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Post by drocknut on Jul 7, 2014 11:48:55 GMT -5
Ken, so sorry to hear about your situation. Here's to hoping things work out for the best for you.
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bentiron
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since September 2011
Posts: 85
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Post by bentiron on Jul 8, 2014 18:33:26 GMT -5
Try Walmart, they always seem to need people on third shift to unload trucks and stock the store, both my sons work there now after many fits and starts at other jobs. They now seem to have pretty stable jobs and are doing well.
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roundrock
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Holding on to the Stone of Destiny
Member since June 2014
Posts: 91
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Post by roundrock on Jul 8, 2014 19:33:05 GMT -5
Sorry to hear the unfortunate news, Ken. I wish you good luck in the job search and let's hope that something actually better turns up.
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ash
spending too much on rocks
Prairieville, Louisiana
Member since July 2012
Posts: 361
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Post by ash on Jul 12, 2014 12:28:41 GMT -5
Sorry to hear about the lay off buddy. Been there and done that, like losing a family, but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Are you degreed? If so, you should look into teaching. They fast-track here two weeks and you are in the class room. Also, you should look into substitute teaching, those are always needed...anything to get by for now, doesn't have to be forever. Good luck buddy, hope you find something before you need it with an easy transition.
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Jul 14, 2014 13:00:39 GMT -5
Now that the initial shock has worn off (only got 48 hours notice) I'm feeling much less negative. Have even been able to find some silver linings. I actually get to spend some time with my wife as we have been on opposite shifts for quite some time. There is way more work available around here than there was two years ago. I'm positive I'll find something.
Thanks for all the suggestions and well wishes. A lot of what was said I already knew but needed the reminder. So it's on to the next thing whatever that may be.
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