What is your personal situation?

[OKDem08]

We've been receiving a lot of rosy reports lately that the economy is improving yet it doesn't really seem like that for our family. What about you?

[SDuderstadt]

1. Because, unfortunstely, economic recovery...

is not uniform as to geographic region, industry and a whole host of other criteria.

[davidthegnome]

2. Not great, but not terrible yet.

I live in a rural part of Maine - and fortunately I have great parents who are willing to put up with me far beyond the call of duty.

Without going into too much detail, I can't get health insurance and I can't find work. Can't get into school even with federal aid yet... but perhaps that will change by the next fall semester. Personally I've spent the last seven years searching for opportunity and treading time. I turn 27 on the 10th. I have one sister who is enrolled in school and works two part time jobs, one as a waitress, the other at a cafe (she's still young enough that our parents insurance covers her). I have another sister who works a full time job and a part time job, a radio station sales person and a waitress (she also can't get health insurance, earns too much income for state or federal aid, can't afford to buy a plan and her work doesn't offer one yet). They both commute a fair distance every day.

My parents have been stable middle class throughout my life, without them, my sisters and I and a number of others would have been out on the streets long ago. They are struggling - but they're surviving. We are very fortunate compared to many others living in this part of the Country. Still, things are getting harder. As the prices for everything go up we can't do quite as much as we used to. Nonetheless... I think we'll be okay, barring any major disaster or life threatening illness.

For the time being, I have a safe, comfortable place to live and parents that love me. I don't yet have to worry about whether I'll have enough to eat the next day. I know how fortunate I am in that - and I'm very grateful for it. Nonetheless... I don't see my chances of independent success as being particularly high. I don't think the future looks particularly bright and I suspect things will get far worse in the years to come.

For now, I'm grateful just to be safe and to have a place to live. It's more than so many others have.

[safeinOhio]

3. Retired for almost 10 years

and got a part time job last month. Minimum wage. Started out with 16hrs/week and that has turned into 32hrs/week. Was not really thinking about the $ when I got it, just bored to death. Now I'm finding that it pays about all of my bills for the month and the work isn't too bad. The hours suck, midnights. I had move a lot of savings into high dividened stocks and am getting another $600/month income from that. The mutual funds I've owned for years have done little other than tread water. Thinking about moving more into utility stocks as they have gone up faster and I'm getting an average of 5% in income from them and NO FEES.
I'd say my say it has improved a lot in the last couple of months for me.

[cutlassmama]

4. I've heard estimates of unemployment/underemployment at 50%

[Ghost in the Machine]

5. Not too bad, all things considered... I have been a lot better off, but also a lot worse off

I'm on disability due to a work related accident, so I know how to budget my money. Luckily my monthly bills aren't very high and, living out in the sticks 15 miles from town, I don't drive much right now, either. When I "go to town", I try to combine everything and get it all done so I only have to go once a week.

I have a couple of e-commerce websites where I try to supplement my income through dropshipping sales and google adsense. I did fairly well with it a few years ago, but just kind of let it all slip away when I got busy with some other interests so I am just now in the process of trying to get my "online presence" built back up. It only takes a couple of sales a month to make the sites pay for themselves, then I start making a profit. I'm giving it a couple of months to get off the ground, then decide if it's going to fly or not. With all the talk about cuts to Social Security and all, I'm trying to get something going to fall back on.

Unemployment in my area is at about 16% right now and a lot of people are struggling. I am helping a young couple out right now. They lost their jobs, then their home and had nowhere to go, so I am letting them stay here until they can get back on their feet. I don't charge them any rent, but she helps keep the house clean and he helps me around the yard and stuff. He also loves to cook, and is very good at it, so I caught a break there too lol. It's nice, and different, to have someone else's cooking for a change.

Life is very hard for a lot of people out there right now. I hope things start getting better for them soon.

Peace,

Ghost

[Edweird]

6. It's complicated. I just gave notice today to my current emmployer.

April 11 I start working somewhere else.
I'm switching from the power side back over to
traffic signals for the time being. Better money
and no night shift. I'm till waiting for the IBEW
to call and put me to work. I was accepted by them,
but they have been laying off instead of hiring.
Soooo........
oh, I've been living in my truck for almost 4 months.
Again, it's complicated, but basically I was
trying to save money while keeping myself flexible
for the IBEW call out. I can afford an apartment
I just chose not to. I'll be returning to the
world of apartment dwellers soon.

[Harmony Blue]

7. Where I live...

the economy is worsening. People with resumes are coming into grocery stores just to find a minimum wage job as a grocery clerk, or even as a cashier. Many of the homeless in the area have stopped begging for money, but now are asking for food or jobs. I am seeing also an increasing amount of stray kittens, which I found to be unfathomable, but it is very true. The number of people using a Food stamps debit card has soared to unthinkable levels. A good indication of this, is that, many of these new users of Food Stamps cards do not know what they can buy, and must be educated upon.

The only infusion of capital for the area is coming from outsiders that visit from Northern states (retirees), and Canadians, but that will all end after April as they head back North. There is improvement for entry level jobs for graduating students, but that is an implicit admission that the unemployed with many years of experience may be forced to start at the bottom again (eg. Going from 75k, to 30k per year salary). It is not unheard of to hear many with masters degrees now having to work two jobs. And there is no way to make a living with a minimum wage job, so two is pretty much the norm now when you talk with anyone (Yes we have reached the point that two jobs is the norm now...so sad). The number of full time workers in minimum wage jobs has shrunk drastically.

Oh, by the way, this is Florida which I am describing, and it doesn't help that the new Governator is leaving a trail of destruction to an already fragile state.

[Edweird]

10. I'm in Florida, too.

The economy is bad - if it was better I would be
pulling down 6 figures with the IBEW.
I do have a job that will provide me a reasonable
middle income living wage - BUT I got hired by
people I used to work with at another company.

People here are still begging for money like always.

[justabob]

8. could be worse

Unemployed for a while, but able to keep afloat (barely) doing odd jobs and temp work with people I have worked with over the years, lots of scrambling. I will be going to work at a new restaurant n a few weeks. Beyond the job situation, my tax refund lasted half as long as last year's refund(same amount of money), I feel like the money literally evaporated when I wasn't looking because I didn't make any large purchases, didn't go out to eat or for drinks, no events.... I have been living very lean: peanut butter, pasta and eggs, minimal driving.... and still the money is gone. (But there is no inflation, right?) I am 17 days behind on my car payment and the bank is acting as if I owe them for six months of payments, blowing up my phone from 815 in the morning to 945 at night. I am fortunate in that family helps with housing, or I'd be on the street.

In my circle of friends/acquaintances, there *have* been some improvements. Several people have gotten slightly better jobs (better than waiting tables), or second jobs that had been elusive until recently, and I know folks who were able to secure financing (but was difficult) and are opening a new restaurant.

[givemebackmycountry]

12. Well, let me put it this way. Things have improved dramatically.

I live in that flaccid penile like state of Florida.
Orlando area to be exact.

We just hired 13 new people at an average salary of about $54k.
Full benefits and 2 weeks vacation right out of the box.
As a manager I picked up 4 new people so now I have 14 headcount, and that makes my position more secure.
Week before last, I got to sit down and give everyone on my team (with the exception of the new hires) a raise.
That's right, I handed out raises that averaged 3% with a high of 5% to 7%.
That's huge.
Plus, it looks like I will be getting a raise as well.

So, things could be a whole lot worse.

[justabob]

15. cheers!

That is great to hear! I am so glad for you and the folks you've been able to hire. I wish I could get hired someplace that gives raises, and offers benefits. Even the one GOOD job I had didn't offer any vacation, insurance etc. <Sigh>

[Le Taz Hot]

9. Unemployment in my county is 18.2%.

End of our 99 weeks ends in August. No prospects. Next question.

[Modern_Matthew]

11. I'm 23, living with my parents and working in a store of the world's largest retailer.

I also have no car, and just recently re-enrolled in college taking all online classes.

[Faygo Kid]

13. OK. Good job, but living situation changed.

I have a well-paying job, but my girlfriend lost hers at the end of 2009, and after a year of looking, I moved in with her in December to assure she keeps her house. I liked my freedom, but we get along great. She will never get hired at her age, so she's building a business, and it's coming along slowly but quite well. All in all, we are OK; hoping to retire in five-six years if we can hang in there.

[bluestate10]

14. I have a science based education and live in a state that has technology pools.

My state is doing well. So am I.

[Shagbark Hickory]

16. Can't complain but then again I'm in a business that can do well in many instances when the

economy is doing poorly and people are desperate.

I actually worry a little that times will get tough for me when the economy improves.

[live love laugh]

21. What business is it that is thriving now--if that's not too personal? nt

[hobbit709]

17. Sucks and getting suckier.

If I can hold out for another year, I can apply for SS.
Thank god my medical is covered by my VA benefits.

[MissB]

18. There's a fair amount of folks struggling on this thread.

I went back to work three years ago after staying at home and raising kids. I was fortunate to step back into my engineering career without a lot of effort. A position opened up, I applied and got it. I've received small raises each year, except this year I took on a bigger role and received a substantial bump up in salary.

Dh's engineering job has been steady. He's worked there for nearly 25 years, and it's very likely he will retire from there in the next 10-15 years. His salary has steadily gone up, with smaller raises in the past few years. The company gives out bonuses and stock options to their top 5-10%; he's always in that category.

We just refi'd down to a 15 year with a 3.25% interest rate. I felt oddly guilty about that - getting a ridiculously low interest rate. Seems like it's going to folks who don't need it rather than the folks who could use a break. So backwards.

Unemployment hovers around 10% here.

[CrownPrinceBandar]

19. In school as an adult..........

as a result of not being able to find meaningful employment. No money, and praying I can keep a roof over my head until mid-May when I start working for the summer. In short: not too good.

[live love laugh]

20. Got caught up in housing crash. Paid three years for a mortgage of a house

I no longer lived in. House value deteriorated by 1/3 still on market I had to literally walk away. Still trying to move on--literally.

[supernova]

22. Unemployed for 18 months but

am just now getting interest and interviews.

Now, I've been applying for jobs this whole time, and nada. Not even a "yes, we got your application." No response whatsoever.

But I went on an initial interview this week, that I hope might change my life very much for the better. And I have a couple of other irons in the fire. I've come to realize that I need more than one job, even if it is a very good job. I want to have my own side business that I can build for myself and my future.

[bluestate10]

26. I love your side business concept. Wish more DUERs would go that route.

The key to taking control is controlling money flow. Starting and growing ethical businesses provides the opportunity to control money flow.

[LWolf]

23. Not just me, but my entire region, my state, is struggling.

State revenues continue to decline.

My students' families continue to lose their jobs and homes, to transfer out because their families can't find work and are moving in with other family members in other places to survive.

My job is on the line again this spring. I don't know if I'll be one of the teachers that gets a pink slip in this round; I know I'm getting closer and closer to the cut off.

We will ALL take another pay cut next year; estimated 6%.

My oldest son just got hired back after 2 years of unemployment. The same company that laid him off 2 years ago hired him back...for an entry-level position, not his former management position. He's making about 1/3 what he made before.

My youngest son DID finally get some of the hours they cut 18 months ago back; he had to take a graveyard schedule to do so, which my grandson is unhappy about; he's not seeing as much of his dad as he'd like.

[Obamanaut]

24. Doing good. Retired. Enjoying it. n/t

[RebelOne]

25. I can't complain yet.

I was laid off in January 2010. I had been considering retiring, but wanted get some more money into my 401K. So when I was laid off, I just retired. I had been collecting social security along with my salary. Fortunately, the company gave me 6 months severance pay. But now with that salary no longer coming in, I have had to cut back on any unnecessary spending. If need be, I have enough cash in the bank last me a few years before I have to eat cat food.

My expenses are low because I live in a mobile home that I own and only pay lot rent of only $364 monthly. I do not have any credit cards because I had declared a Chapter 13 bankruptcy several years ago and paid off all my debts. My car, though far from new, is paid. So my only other expenses are electric (water is included in my lot rent), car and home insurance, cable and Internet. And I have Medicare to cover most medical expenses, though I have not had any because I am in fairly good health.

[pinkkillersheep]

27. I was very lucky

I got hired right out of college to a well paying job with benefits. My mom is underemployed, but she appreciates the smaller things in life now. She has no retirement money though. Her year of being unemployed pretty much demolished that. My dad is paying off debts, but is doing alright. He shares a place with his underemployed brother and unemployed nephew who don't pay any rent. That would be less of a problem if the nephew was at least trying to find a job, but he's not and doesn't seem to have the motivation to. I have a number of friends who have graduated and are having a hard time finding work. Their degrees range from English to Engineering.

But all in all, I can't complain. We're all healthy, and my older sister and I make enough that we can help out our family and friends. The biggest question mark will be my best friend/roommate who is 7 months pregnant.

[northernlights]

28. hanging by a thread

I am in my last 2 months of school before I graduate with lab tech degree, assuming I make it. (Hiding out here avoiding homework is not good, but I also know I'm sick to effing death of the piles of "make work" they bury us under. And I now know I'm not alone in considering much of it "make work.")

I dislike the hospital where I'm doing the bulk of my clinical training -- I did not work this hard, this long, or take on this much debt in order to be a glorified "factory robot" in yet another "pink ghetto." Training there has destroyed my homelife and is wrecking my health. Working there, even if there were a position, is not an option I will consider.

The I love small county hospital where I did one rotation. They may have a per diem opening, so some time today I'll quit goofing off, bite the bullet and fill out the application. And then get on with the homework.

If by some miracle I can sell my house, I'll be in much better shape. If not, and I don't get enough per diem work, I'll be up shit's creek.

I no longer have any expectation or hope of retirement, having burned through my retirement savings during extended unemployment and low-income following the high tech crash.

[in_cog_ni_to]

29. Looking for a job...after 18 years out of the workforce.

I was lucky I had the choice to be a stay-at-home mom for 18 years. I had an online business for awhile, became certified in jewelry repair, and was a stained glass artist in a friend's studio, but being an Optician for 15 years was my main job before I got pregnant. My son's heading off to college in August, so back to work I go to help pay for it.

I was lucky to be called for an interview on Thursday.

OMG, have interviews changed! I was a Manager in an Ophthalmologist's dispensary, and I NEVER interviewed the way I was interviewed the other day. I guess experience, a good resume and good references just doesn't cut it in today's workplace:

"What do you not like about yourself?"

"If you could change anything about yourself, what is it and how would you change it?"

"Tell me exactly how you would greet a patient when they walk in." I told the woman, she kept saying "and?", "and?", "and?"....I had no fucking idea what she was fishing for!

AND MORE of those questions.

How about: I have 15 years experience, was a Illinois Licensed Optician, know the job inside out, was in management, hired, fired, met with sales Reps, did all the buying and dispensing, did all the patient care and I did all the bookkeeping?

WTF is with these stupid fucking questions that have nothing to do the the job at hand (except one)? I, as a manager, pretty much knew, within minutes, if a person would fit in well in the practice. What's with these new, probing (idiotic, IMO) questions?

I've decided I REALLY don't want to go back to what I was doing before. I'm looking for something new, but being 55 years old, it's not gonna be easy to do and may end up doing what I don't really want to do again....for 8 years until I can retire. :( In this economy, beggars can't be choosers...more than likely. :(

For anyone reentering the workforce after YEARS away from it, BE PREPARED FOR QUESTIONS LIKE THE ONES POSTED ABOVE and good luck.

[Blue_In_AK]

30. We're doing okay.

I bought my duplex back in 1990 when there was a real estate crash here, so my mortgage is low and the renter pays a good portion of it. My husband is retired and has a defined pension from his UNION, MEBA, and we are both getting early social security (I'm 64, he's 63). We also have some savings in IRAs. We really can't complain, but I don't take any of it for granted. The way things are going, it could all be snatched away in an instant.

[lumberjack_jeff]

Pretty good. Better than any time in the last 8 years, anyway. n/t

[neverforget]

31. Barring a miracle, I expect to be laid off in July or August.

[backwoodsbob]

32. personally good

my shop has hired about twenty so far this year.Rumors of coming mandatory 10 hour shifts are flying.Got a 65 cent cola raise.Boss was heard raising hell with HR because the last hiring was only three people and he wanted ten.

Wife's job is doing great..she is officially the lead tech at her location and just got her yearly review and a 1 dollar 35 cent raise.She is one of three being considered for a southeast USA trainer promotion..HUGE if she gets it...a 25k to 30k a year raise.

Looking into swapping the 400cc engine in the 4 wheeler for a 650 if I can get the right price.It's a bolt on without mods

Life is good on the mountain

[blueamy66]

33. Doing well.

My fiance has a job that provides a car, gasoline, car insurance and cell phone.

I have a nice job, although stressful at times. I have a degree from AZ State, but am not putting it to use.

My fiance will be paying child support for about 6 more years. Then life will be great! But, the kid is doing well at the U of FL and we are both very proud of him.

[Populist_Prole]

34. Doing alright but knocking on wood

We took BIG wage/benefit concessions during two Ch 11 BK's in the early-mid 00's and the emplyees themselves were not doing so good at all during a time the economy was good. Now my company is doing better and out situation is ironically good compared to the overall situation of the country.

I'm glad to be working, and have low debt.

[madmom]

35. A little on both sides. We are living day to day on hubby's pension. Went

grocery shopping yesterday and was outraged by how much food prices have gone up in the last month. My son just started an new UNION job with benefits, but my daughter can't find a job at all even without benefits.She is living at home again which means stretching the food dollars even further.:scared:

[dajoki]

36. Hanging on...

by our fingernails.

[AlabamaLibrul]

37. Better than a year ago, worse than, say, the mid 80s

30 years later, and making $5 less per hour.

[hack89]

38. Good - recession never effected us

I consider my self very lucky.