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It's bad out there

September 25th, 2010 at 12:24 am

Just dropped off a box of food goodies for our unemployed neighbor only to find out our other neighbor and friend just got laid off.

I read business and financial news every day, and it sounds as though things are pretty grim economically. Now, I've got at least 4 out of work friends struggling. My own income has taken a hot (down to 1/3 what it was in 2008) and I'm just praying hubby doesn't get laid off.

It's hard to remain upbeat.

Anyway, on the goals front: I had a bumper crop of tomatoes this year. It was ridiculous. My goal was to can 24 quarts of pasta sauce. It has been surpassed. I have 31 quarts of pasta sauce and tomatoes. Today, I canned another 24 pints of red salsa and 9 pints of dices tomatoes for cooking. I still have to make green tomato salsa and can the stragglers in the next two weeks. I actually have to buy more jars. I never thought this would be possible!

13 Responses to “It's bad out there”

  1. Jerry Says:
    1285371732

    Apparently your neighbors didn't get the memo that the recession ended in the summer of 2009? (Ugh.) That is terrible! It is the same here where we live, businesses are closing and it leads to people looking for work all over the place. Even the very educated and qualified people are unable to find positions here. There is no insurance against it in most industries, either, which is scary. I am glad that you are helping out neighbors, that makes a huge difference.
    Jerry

  2. NJDebbie Says:
    1285377933

    Every time I start complaining about the trials and tribulations of my job, I remember that at least I have a job.

  3. baselle Says:
    1285390164

    It is hard to remain upbeat. I'm finding it easier to be meh. Don't get me wrong - I'm working hard and I'm grateful that I have a job, but to expect to remain upbeat when you should be hunkering down during the financial storm is a waste of energy.

    I think our situation is a bit like a ship sinking. If you have a job, you have a life vest in the middle of the ocean. Best tactic is to save your energy, take stock, conserve your advantages and tread water. Not the time to swim hard!

    Congratulations on the canning! Treasure those tomatoes.

  4. LittleGopher Says:
    1285414896

    We've been hearing more lately of layoffs and financial difficulties than earlier on. At my house, we've remained gratefully employed and untouched by those difficulties, but the stress of uncertainty of our situation and for others gets weary. Looking forward to an economic turnaround for all!

  5. campfrugal Says:
    1285416727

    We have people unemployed all around us it seems. A lot of homes in our area fell to foreclosure and then sold for such a low price. We never used to lock our doors, but now we do because theft is up. Just a couple weeks ago, our lawnboy bagger was stolen, and then I read in the paper that another lawnmower was stolen the same weekend right in our area.

    As for us, my income was cut in half. My husband has had fairly steady work, but he is having to take jobs that are an hour or so away. A lot of driving. I have also found that we are trying to fix everything ourselves, like our well, instead of paying the professionals. We have definately changed; and trying to live on a cash only life.

  6. ThriftoRama Says:
    1285421714

    Well, baselle, I think you're right. Survival mode. We need to be storing nuts away for the winter.

    I've been beating myself up for not doing better with our savings goals, but now I realize the economy has a lot to do with it. I set and accomplished some steep goals before--but that was 2008. We were making a lot more money then. Now, all of our freelance work has dried up. We still have one steady salary, and I just pray hubby doesn't get laid off.

    And, the money we did save this year-- $5,ooo of it went to bail out a friend about to lose his house. I'm not thrilled about this, but hubby felt strongly about it. So, I'm extra hoping we don't gt laid off, since we have two kids to take care of.

  7. Petunia Says:
    1285423243

    I have noticed for the first time homes that are clearly foreclosures in our neighborhood. Enrollment is also suddenly down at Daisy's ballet school. For the time being we are spared a downturn in our own personal economy. I am envious of your tomatoes. Smile

  8. dmontngrey Says:
    1285443262

    One of my neighbors asked to "borrow" $20 yesterday. I know I wont see that money again and I'm ok with it. Yup, tough times for too many.

    So JEALOUS over your salsa!!! I wouldn't know where to begin canning my own, but I sure would love to do the same some day.

  9. PatientSaver Says:
    1285443723

    I always said that the recession wouldn't truly be over until I found a job. I started it this week, and sure enough, I'm hearing in the news that the recession is over.

    Seriously, I'm thrilled to have this job, although for now it's a contract only job, so my long-term security is not yet that secure.

    I am extremely fortunate that becus I have a modest lifestyle (and modest home), I didn't have to dig into personal savings to get by during the year I was out of work. I'm not sure many people can say that.

    But now, knowing this job may not last beyond 12/31/10, I hope to sock away substantial $$ in savings and mortgage prepayments, just in case. But ease up just a bit on my frugal ways.

  10. crazyliblady Says:
    1285456848

    Things have not been easy for us since we closed on our house in July. My hubby apparently did not give specific enough information to the gas, electric, and water suppliers about when to cut off service at our old address, so we had to pay one more month on each. He said he told them something like that we are moving out on x date and need a few days past that. I told him later that you can't say that. You have to say to turn service off on x date. I don't think they care when you are moving. We had level payment plan on gas and electric, so they were basically just what remained to be paid on it. The electric is basically just based on usage, but they also have these weird fees that you have to pay just to have it turned on. The gas and electric bills amounted to over $600. Ouch! How can they do this? Anyway, with the two water bills to pay, I will probably have it all paid off with the payday on Oct. 1.

  11. crazyliblady Says:
    1285457178

    For the reasons you talked about, I have been trying to pay off debt as quickly as possible, while also saving as much money as possible. I also stock up on staples like toothpaste, toilet paper, cat food, canned good, etc. when I have a little extra.

  12. ThriftoRama Says:
    1285457828

    Well, this has been weighing heavily on my mind and I am really glad I shared it here. It is nice to know I'm not alone, and that we at least have each other to talk to.

  13. ceejay74 Says:
    1285515014

    My circle of friends got hit really hard by layoffs; I'm happy to report that almost all of them have found jobs in the past couple months (although now there's another one who fears he may lose his). I think different regions and industries are feeling the recession in different waves, and for some reason the people I know got hit two years ago and then all got jobs just recently.

    (Just to add one bright spot of news. Though it's still not great around here.)

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