i am rooting on you and lighting a candle from ST. JUDE...

Just know you are not alone. America is in deep chit. We just got to hang on the best we can

i haven't worked since may 2008. my IRA is gone, i'm lucky to have a mother that loves me as much as she does. otherwise i'd have nowhere to go. can't get a job anywhere. can't even get a job doing fastfood. i'm "too qualified" or "over-qualified" and they think i'll get bored with a job just deep frying chicken fingers. WHEN THE HELL HAS EMPLOYEE JOB SATISFACTION BEEN A FACTOR THAT AN EMPLOYER CONSIDERS BEFORE HIRING SOMEONE?!?!? WTF?!?!? SERIOUSLY!!

i don't get it. i dunno, nobody likes me anyway. so whatever.

I deal with truck drivers everyday because I work in shipping.

If your son has experience, have him apply to a company called Heartland Transportation.

I know, from having talked to their drivers, that they pay very well.

Most trucking companies will pay between 30-40 cents a mile.

The heartland guys I have talked to are making upwards of 45 cents/mile up to 50/mile if they do runs on the East Coast.

The depression,affects everyone.
I have a few ideas that I am using to cut back.Till better days ahead.

Shop thrift stores,buy only if you really need it.

Food shopping,Buy only lead items,or some time they have reduced,produce,meats,day old breads..if you can't use them in a few days freeze them, they are still fine.

Electric..I use LED night light(s) in all rooms in my home I use daily, you don't need to turn lights on at all.


Heat.I keep my therms at 66 all winter.and use one of those fireplace heaters in the family room when watching TV....abd give up cable etc.
Buy a matress warmer..better then electric bllanket.Or put it on your christmas list.(ok I know some of you are thinking get a warm body next to you..lol)

If you don't cook, learn how, and freeze meals.Cooking for 5 and freezing 4.If your online you have internet someplace..look for quick recipes.
Also we have 2 stores called bent and dent, for can goods with dent that local markets won't sell,usually about 1/2 price.And I been shopping there for over 10 yrs.Good for stable items.

Get a roommate,if you can find someone whos responsible,and you can trust(i'm still looking)lol

If you have a car,make your drive worth while,plan ahead for many stops..make a list.

Post on want boards, for things you can do,cleaning,garages,storage sheds, basements,attics...I like that one you tend to get useful items that the owners throwing out.

And you know prayer helps everyone.... we all all get threw this.

I'm sure there are many of you that have other suggestions...thats what this is all about.....

I haven't really noticed it

I live on a fixed income. when times are good I dont make any more. and when times are bad I dont make any less

EDIT: but I also grew up in the oilpatch. Its an inherently boom-bust economy here. When we are booming everyone is thinking about the bust and preparing. and when we bust (right now) everyone hunkers down and doesnt spend and waits for the boom to come back

The Oilman's Prayer, "Good Lord give me just one more boom and I promise I wont piss it all away this time"

Ahh good plan....always save for tomarrow.

I think after the start of the year and everyone gets their budgets for the year, a lot of people will be hiring

if you're having too much trouble, come to Texas. The oilfield will be firing up and there'll be lots of jobs

every time the boom starts down here, we have thousands of people from Michigan and Pennsylvania and Wyoming who come down for work. They stay a few years and voila suddenly they are Texans and never want to leave

I use to live in Texas!(San Antonio) And yes I did like it. But was under contract there for a yr.So i'm back here in Wis.

I think your perspective is broken.

Heck, Take any crap job you can get till something better comes along.
At least it pays the bills for now.. We do what we have to do.
Better will come along.

In my worst times, I threw all of my yard tools into the back of my truck and just drove through the ritzy part of town,,see hedges that need clipped, I make them an offer, house trim need painted.. make them an offer and so on..
Hell, i was working a full time job and ended up quiting it because I made so much doing odd jobs full time.
Did a great job.. so they told their friends.. then their freinds and on and on.
made a killing and had so much work that I had to turn jobs down.

Sorry Patsfan hope you find something new very soon

My mother told me
'Fore she passed away
Said son when I'm gone
Don't forget to pray

'Cause there'll be hard times
Lord those hard times
Who knows better than I?

Well I soon found out
Just what she meant
When I had to pawn my clothes
Just to pay the rent

Talkin' 'bout hard times
Lord those hard times
Who knows better than I?

I had a woman
Who was always around
But when I lost my money
She put me down

Talkin' 'bout hard times
Hard times
Yeah, yeah, who knows better than I?

Lord, one of these days
There'll be no more sorrow
When I pass away

And no more hard times
No more hard times
Yeah, yeah, who knows better than I?

Very nice MichiganM

It is difficult to get an R.N., you have to pass many courses in biology, math, anatomy etc. You have to be accepted into nursing school and pass all courses, including your hospital clincal courses. When you graduate you then have to pass the state boards.
You do not work your way towards an R.N. by becoming a C.N.A. this is all ridiculous.

Hey Pats

after the start of the year I can get you on with a drillin rig

somewhere around $60k

Hello from across the pond in England. I have many friends in the U.S who are struggling in the current downturn. I wish everyone all the best in these difficult times.

We are also feeling the effects over here. Unemployment is at an all time high and no one is hiring. Strikes by unions are taking place as some large companies are slashing wages and cutting jobs, charities are suffering, the one I work for has been hit hard with donations down to a trickle.

And worst of all, people are losing their homes because of mortgage and rent arrears. The system is at breaking point and many cities and local authorities can't cope with the pressure. I work for a housing charity and my workload is crazy.


In previous recessions in England, my family has suffered the loss of our home. I was too young to really remember the devastation it caused, but I know it's tough out there.

G

Hello to you G from the USA It sounds like the work you are doing is helpful even if for only a few. I think the recession/depression is worldwide May better times start soon

Indeed you are right, it is a worldwide problem we are facing. Surprisingly (even to me) my work is helping many dispite the difficulties and pressures in the country. However, it doesn't mean all can be helped and some of those we speak to are beyond the help we can offer and have to look on how to start a new life. Sadly a fellow charity in my city has had the plug pulled and more people are losing their jobs.

it's alot more broken than just my perspective.