How has the economy affected YOU?

[Daisygirl]

A few years ago, when I was in a more stable position, I used to watch the news and hear everyone talking about the economic downturn and think to myself, "Personally, I really don't see it." Although I understood the statistics and numbers, I felt shielded.

Fast forward a few years and some bad decisions later. I've lost my house and my car, had a business fail spectacularly within a few months, and spent over a year unemployed.

Initially I figured it was my own poor judgement that caused my circumstances, but reading everyone's stories on here, and hearing customer's say, "Well, I'd like to get that work done but my husband just got laid off...", well, maybe there is a whole lot more to it. We've had many large industries in our region close over the past 5 years, leaving thousands unemployed.

For me, the economic difficulties in North American have meant that I wasn't able to bounce back like usual from bad decisions or some irresponsible spending. Before, I could have just gotten a job quickly - this time it took forever to get any job, and longer to find a decent one.

How has it affected you, or your particular region?

[sinopa27]

I'm a nurse and who would of thought a nurse couldn't find a job??? I have a job but no option for advancement and no other job options. My mother was a nurse and could start the same day of wherever hospital she applied at. Now, so many factory closing and people without health insurance and the inability to pay medical bills have affected my workplace. We work short staffed, short supplies, and extra stressed. Long hours, no raises, sicker patients, and a bad economy has made it very difficult. U must watch every cent and hope to not lose your job.

[sueh]

In Oct 09 I lost my job as it closed down. For the next year I applied for job after job and only had a handful of interviews which resulted in no job. A few of my friends are HR and they were saying that for 1 job they post they got over 1,000+ resumes. Yikes. My ex has lost his job and was on UE until his UE ran out.
I finally got a job and have been there a couple of months but I am in such a financial hole that I don't know if I will be able to climb out of it. They just started taking out of my check my health and dental insurance for me & my 2 girls. It's pretty much 1/2 of my check. I am not getting any childsupport as my ex's UE ran out and he still doesn't have a job.
It just frustrates me as I have come along way since have my daughters and me & my ex splitting up. And now I feel like I am reliving a whole part of my life when I was struggling with $$ years ago. Everything is due and about to be shut off! Ugh


All I can do is take it one day at a time.

[ladykemma2]

in texas not so bad, but my department chair has already warned us that , for my classroom, there is no budget for next year. state shortfall. maybe hundred bucks.

i have to teach "cheap"

[The Muse]

My company started cutting travel budgets and centralizing my job function in their European offices. I saw the writing on the wall and took an overseas contract when it was offered.

Sure enough, last month, they re-orged and laid off everyone in the US with positions similar to mine. Had I not moved, I'd be laid off right now. I work in an extremely competitive field and would've been up a creek without a paddle if I'd found myself out of work.

At first, I was stressed out about the high taxes, but better to get 50% of a salary than none.

The economy here is better than in the US, so it's a good place to wait out the recession.

[dancemommy]

We own our own business and for the past couple of years have had a lot of "slow to pay" clients that we've had to work with. it is a pain and has caused us to be "slow to pay" on some of our bills sometimes, but honestly the past year has been MUCH better than the previous year. From our viewpoint we are on an economic upswing. Not quickly, but we are steadily getting better.

[arnie]

As sinopa27 has stated.. I am also a nurse and while fortunately I have a job, I would like a different job. Not many places are hiring- after about 6 months of applying for different jobs, I finally got an interview. The pay cut to transfer to another facility is too huge for (16 per hr) me to make although the facility is much closer to home. My point in all this is, that yes jobs are harder to come by, and if you have one, you need to suck it up and deal with it. Jobs are just not out there the demand outweighs the supply.

[monkeywrangler71]

The recession here has been more or less permanent for the past century, so I haven't really noticed any impact.

[nodmicks]

For us it has meant a 2 year wage freeze for hubby and less income for me as I'm full commission based wage and clients are doing less expensive services or doing what they can themselves. Dh is working like a dog as they really need more employees. Instead of hiring the employees are doing more work as fast as possible. They can't afford to loaf because if the numbers drop their jobs will go to subcontractors.

The prices have went up and the cash doesnt stretch as far but I am VERY grateful we are employed and in ok shape.

[Syn D]

The only time I ever know we're (the country) is in a financial crapper is when I hear it.... Personally, nothing has really changed, low income is low income, we're always in a financial crapper, but we get by and we're very content with what we have...

My learning to frugalize is more so that my hubby can do more.. He is a rock hound and just doesn't get to do it enough, but thanks to this great site, 2011 will offer him more ~ example, he is going to Arizona to go to the countries biggest rock show next month, in part thanks to things I learned to alter or reduce on here

[Greebo]

Alternative question:

How have YOU affected the ECONOMY?

Turning the question on it's head - what creative things have you done to adapt to the changing economic climate?

[frugal is fun]

my answer was going to be that although nothing bad has happened to me, I still have my job, I still received a raise, etc. I look at my personal finances very differently.

Having a fully funded 8mo EF is my top financial priority right now. Murphy recently showed up for me and although it hurts, I'm very thankful that I have the money to cover the unexpected costs.

[Contrary Housewife]

We learned our lesson in the slowdown of 2001-2002 and had become debt free by the time this latest recession hit. So while there were bumps (DH has been out of work a few times since then) we were able to cope pretty well. Our area did not have a huge housing boom so the collapse has not been as evident here. And for whatever reason, there is still high demand for what DH does (unlike in 2002) so we're not worrying (too much) about his job security right now.

We're still being cautious with the spending, though there have been some big ticket expenses like the car (paid cash) painting the house (paid cash) and a new lawnmower (paid cash) but I think that is likely to be a long term methodology.

[madjen]

My DH finally saw a very small raise after 2 years of no raises at all for hourly workers at his workplace... Which happens to be a Fortune 500 company... Go figure!

I became a SAHM 2 years ago by choice and have done what I can to provide for the family... coupons, sales, cutting back, etc. Thanks to the clearance racks, my DD has a full wardrobe for the next 1.5 years waiting for her to grow into. I'm currently working on the year of food supplies.

[Nishu]

my answer was going to be that although nothing bad has happened to me, I still have my job, I still received a raise, etc. I look at my personal finances very differently.

Same with us. Our income and job security haven't been affected but my view of the world has been affected severely. I consider myself lucky to learn from other people's mistakes.