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Job no more…

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If you are waking up to go to work this morning, you have something my husband does not…

A job.

He was laid off on Friday.

I’m struggling with this not only because of the lack of significant income but more because of how it happened. There were two employees laid off on Friday. The other employee was given three days notice, my husband was given no notice. I could understand if my husband had been at all unreliable or perhaps a bad employee, but he was neither. They simply needed some final projects completed and were worried he wouldn’t put in the extra overtime to complete them if he knew he wouldn’t have a job by Friday afternoon.

My husband has worked at this company for SIX years. I expected better from them.

I’m dealing with it the best way I can. I’m working to reduce, reduce, reduce. I’ll go more into that later.

I’m also trying my best to be something I am not – optimistic. Here’s my new list of reasons it’s G-R-E-A-T he’s unemployed:

1 – He can make all those mid-day calls to businesses only open from the annoying Monday through Friday 8-5 window. I’ve been trying to call my bank for YEARS!

2 – My husband, who is far more talented in the kitchen than I am, will cook more. Sure it will be Ramen, but it will somehow taste better since he’s making it.

3 –We won’t be weighed down by worries about job loss.

4 – We will be more creative in our bill pay process. Perhaps San Diego Gas and Electric will accept peanut butter cookies and hugs for payment? How about if the cookies are homemade?

5 – I don’t have to worry about my car getting repossessed because… I OWN IT!! And, we’re ahead in payments on the truck so we have some glide time.

6 – I will be able to empathize, once again, with some of my readers on what it’s like to not have a job and wonder how on earth we are going to pay the bills.

So here’s to my struggling readers – I’ve been there before, I’m there again, and we’ll survive it.


32 Comments

  • Reply Wren |

    While I don’t think SDG&E takes even homemade cookies for payment (though maybe I should have tried that a time or two :D), they will work with you on payments, if needed. I dreaded dealing with them, but every time I screwed up the courage, they were more than willing to work with me. And now your husband has the time to spend holding for some nice lady to come on the line.

    That really sucks how they did the whole layoff thing, I’m hoping he will be able to find another job quickly. I don’t know how the situation is in the States, but here at least there are more available positions in the papers and online, and I’ve noticed that more and more folks I interact with online are finding work as well. So, the hope is that things are slowly turning around.

    Don’t forget unemployment, either (though I’m sure you haven’t)… it’s not much, but at least it’s something.

  • Reply Wren |

    Another thing… contact your student loan company and look into hardship deferment or a forebearance on your student loan for some months. You might even be able to do it online (if you have it through Sallie Mae at least). Then sock that money away for savings. Every little bit helps.

  • Reply brooklynchick |

    I’m so sorry. I lost my job a week ago – we will both make it through! I am eligible for unemployment, I don’t know if your husband is. Also, there is a federal subsidy now for COBRA if you get health insurance from your husband’s job. A friend offered to hire me one day per week at her store. Its $8/hour but its something!

    I know it is awful, but I’m glad you have each other (and your car 🙂 !!

  • Reply Mysti |

    That is rotten that they waited until after the big project then BAM. If it is a lay off (and not fired), doesn’t that mean they could offer him his job back?

    I am sorry that you have to deal with this. Personally, I haven’t….but the 76k debt we have weighs heavily. I can’t imagine doing it without hubby’s income.

    Interested to learn about your reduce, reduce, reduce!

  • Reply E.D. |

    I’m sorry. My husband was laid off almost three weeks ago and he was not given any notice. We had been expecting something to happen though because he was at a company that made flooring and had not been there for very long.

    They were good with severance and have paid the back pay and vacation pay. He’s registered for unemployment, but that won’t kick in until after the vacation pay comes in. Financially, this won’t have an impact until late November, then unemployment will be enough to get us through.

    He has found many openings (more than 15 months ago when he started the last job) and he has a phone interview today.

  • Reply Bucksome |

    So sorry to hear the news. My daughter-in-law lost her job of 10 years a few weeks ago; also in San Diego County.

    I agree with E.D. about job growth. Two people at my company resigned within the past two weeks and have new jobs. This hasn’t happened for over a year. Turnover represents the economy is getting better.

  • Reply John DeFlumeri Jr |

    Beks, the best to you and your husband! He will get another job, and you two are smart and stable. The emotional pain will lessen. Stay positive.

    Sincerely, John DeFlumeri jr.

  • Reply Saving Savy Pinkey |

    Everything will be alright. You will be get out of the bad phase soon. Try your best and keep rest on the God. Try to decrease expenses and try to search other ways of income. All the Best!

  • Reply Cynthia |

    So sorry to hear that. Wishing you both good luck! Hope he finds another job quickly.

  • Reply Debra |

    I’m so sorry to hear about your husbands job. I pray that the Lord blesses your family with the perfect one soon. Take care and I enjoy your blog…debra

  • Reply Jen |

    🙁 Sorry to hear about your husband losing his job. It really stinks how they did it, but in the corporate world people aren’t given notice, either. They get a call from HR, go to the meeting, and then out the door…

    Do you know if he’ll try to get a similar job? Or maybe something a little different? One thing about losing your job, even as awful as it is, is that sometimes it gives you a chance to re-think what you want to do. Maybe there’s a handyman-for-rent business he could work for (I’m thinking work for someone else so he doesn’t get hit with the libaility if something goes wrong), or teach at a vocational school, or maybe teach non-handy people how to do jobs around the house! Seriously – I’d sign up for one of those courses.

    Maybe he can think about stuff like that while he’s on hold calling Customer Service between the hours of 9 AM – 5 PM…

  • Reply Michelle H. |

    Hi,
    So sorry to hear about your husband’s job loss. What an awful way to get laid-off. I’m praying he’ll find something even better soon!
    Blessings!

  • Reply Andrea C. |

    I’m so sorry to hear about your husband losing his job – the way they did it was unfair and I can tell had no reflection on him as a person. I suspect that if they’d given him a warning but still asked him to finish the projects, he would have. I’ve been reading Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace lately and the first chapters where he talks about having to lose everything to wake up have really encouraged me – almost like no matter how bad I feel my financial situation is, it’s not as bad as his was, and if his family survived and thrived, then we can too. I highly recommend it if you haven’t read it already. Praying for you!

  • Reply Corporate Barbarian |

    I’m sorry to hear about your husband’s job loss. I never underestimate the contempt some companies have of their employees. No matter how good a worker you are, it seems no good deed goes unpunished. My wife was laid off many years ago about two months after we bought our house. She was able to get a job, and that was during a bad economy. I wish you and your husband well.

  • Reply Financial Samurai |

    Beks – Really sorry to hear about your husband’s job loss. Stand strong, and know that the economy is recovering, and I believe 1Q10 will be a hiring bonanza due to the over firing in 2009.

    Hope to see you over at FS, and keep up the good work with this blog. Hope you are making good money from the site to help out in the expenses!

  • Reply Bcello |

    I am very sorry to hear of your husband’s situation. Please be assured the labor market it beginning to open up. Where I work two people have left for better positions in the last two weeks. Hang in there…you guys have come this far…you will make it thru this latest bump in the road.

  • Reply emmi |

    Man, that’s rough. On the upside of his trying for the government job is that his resumé and interview mentality is still fresh. Nothing worse than trying to remember HOW to look for a job if you’be been at one a long time. It’s like dating again after being married for a decade.

    We’re here with you, woman. Keep your chin up.

  • Reply Mrs. Accountability |

    Oh dear! How terrible for the company to not tell him because they wanted him to continue working harder. How icky! I hope he finds something new and better. Are you guys in any kind of position to become self-employed? Your grateful list is a good place to start and trying to stay positive will help a lot. Good luck to you both.

  • Reply momstheword |

    Oh, I’m sorry to hear that! But you are right, you will survive. And what a blessing that you’ve been paying down your debt and your car is paid off!

    My hubby was once out of work for 364 days (don’t get discouraged!) and we survived it without needing state help. We had unemployment, some severance, and our savings.

    That’s when I read The Tightwad Gazette like crazy, told the kids there might not be Christmas presents, stopped buying things like olives and chips (except once or twice we bought the kids chips),etc. and walked through the grocery store with tears in my eyes.

    After the crying thing I made it a game, and tried to save as much as I could. I took it as a challenge, and that helped my attitude.

    A tip for your husband: my husband always wore the same suit, shirt and tie for all first interviews, no matter what the company was.

    Then he wore a different suit, shirt and tie for second interviews, etc. That way, he never had to think about what to wear the second time and didn’t have to worry about wearing the same thing!

  • Reply momstheword |

    Oh, I totally spaced and forgot to say that what that company did was really rude! I can’t believe they’d treat him like that. It’s so wrong and I don’t blame you for not liking how it went down.

  • Reply Shakela |

    I’m so sorry. That’s horrible. I hope the company is paid back for that kind of horrible behavior. If you can’t even be decent about doing layoffs you shouldn’t be in business.

    Kudos to you though for being in a position that you’ll be ok. I don’t think the utilities will take homemade cookies but you might be able to get some help from your local charities. Or maybe he could sell the cookies to pay the bill? 🙂

    Good luck I hope everything goes ok. Don’t know what area you’re in but I hope it’s economy turns around soon.

  • Reply Dogfood Provider |

    Aww Beks, this stinks! I know you were sort of bracing for it, but not for it to happen right now. Dang. I can echo what other posters have said about Sallie Mae being great at forbearances when you are unemployed. I don’t know what eligibility is for food stamps in your area, but look into that, maybe? Cutting the grocery bill would be great. Keep your chin up, and keep us posted, as always.

  • Reply Ned |

    Sorry to hear that… You can find out a lot about your company during a down cycle. Even the folks that remain will look at these actions and flee at their first opportunity.

    Although this may sound like a cliche – losing one’s job may open up other, better opportunities (especially if the lost job was not fulfilling). Years ago I was without a job and those few months were extremely important in my personal development. My current job was born out of this and I hope the same will happen to your husband.

  • Reply Prince Of Thrift |

    so sorry to hear this. My fiance became unemployed on Sept 30, what we found was a nearly 3 month wait for unemployment benefits.

  • Reply Eddie |

    One of the failings of American free-enterprise and capitalism is the lack of honesty and integrity extended TOWARDS the workers by management. If a boss, manager, owner, whomever, cant be straight and honest with me with regards to employment stability (even if to advise over a few months ahead), that is foretelling of where that company will be standing in a year (which means: probably wont be).

    Sucks to be sure, but character is what you are in the dark. The company couldn’t/wouldn’t be honest with your husband, so in hindsight, here’s hoping it opens up a new, better avenue for his employment.

  • Reply Beks |

    Ugh. Yeah, the unemployment has been not great but I really appreciate the support you all have given. I was smiling while reading your comments. What a blessing I have with all of you!!

    Update: My husband has applied for unemployment but we aren’t sure how much we’ll get yet.

  • Reply Nicole |

    I’ll pray he gets the max from unemployment! They are so stingy with that here. The funny thing is that San Diego is getting ready to build a new City Hall at the tune of 437 million dollars and yet they can’t afford to give people a fair unemployment rate. Go figure! I will be praying for you and your hubby!

  • Reply Michelle |

    Good luck Beks! I know you’re going to be OK. You have the tools, you will be OK.

  • Reply My Frugal Miser |

    I lost my job on August 31st. I was in sales and had been at the company for over 6 years, so I really do know how you feel.

    I try not to be bitter, but it’s hard. August was my highest volume month of the year, and that single day I was let go was my best day ever with 5 contracts coming in (big contracts…worth about half a million in revenue over their terms). September was looking good, too.

    So…hang in there. One way I’ve found to make fast money is through mystery shopping. Plus, I cut my food and gas bills significantly.

    I’m still without a job, but so far the bills continue to be paid. I’ll keep you guys in my thoughts and prayers.

So, what do you think ?