Comments on: Troubled Times Ahead: How to Survive a Job Loss or Layoff

By: Mary Hall

Mary Hall — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:40:59 +0000

I realize I might be a little out-of-date (I've been browsing your site randomly) but ouch on the voicemail lay-off.

You might also know about this but I'll share it anyway: you can also raise funds by selling old electronics. It probably won't yield much but it should help :)

By: Lisa

Lisa — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 21:09:33 +0000

Boy, to get laid off by voicemail while your wife is in labor - that does pretty much take the cake. I'm sorry your husband got discouraging news this year, and I'll keep y'all in my prayers, that you'll make it through this round of worries and that he'll find a good job soon. I don't always post, but I do enjoy your blog, and it's a blessing and a help to me and my family. Lisa´s last blog post..Nearly three hours later...

By: Cathi

Cathi — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 01:49:52 +0000

This is a very scary economic time. I know how difficult it must be for you. Your advise is very good and I thank you for sharing. Cathi´s last blog post..

By: SavvySuzie

SavvySuzie — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 15:42:55 +0000

Great post. We dealt with a layoff over the summer and it prompted us to live much more frugally and put many things you mentioned into practice. We've had to keep it up because though my husband did find another job, it was much lower paying....we figured that any job was better than no job until he can get back into his field, but it forced us to keep the purse strings tight. Will definitely keep you and yours in our prayers! SavvySuzie´s last blog post..What snow? CVS calls!

By: sagemom

sagemom — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 05:50:16 +0000

So sorry to hear about this...earlier this year, the 60+ year old company that I worked at for almost 10 years shut down w/a days notice, and 3500+ people were out of a job. It was the biggest layoff in Hawaii's history. And a few weeks before that happened I found out I was pregnant! However, I truly believe everything happens for a reason...and things will always work out in the end.

I'm so glad to have stumbled upon your site and get great advice and tips on saving $. I only wish more of the stores were in Hawaii!

By: Qtpies7

Qtpies7 — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 03:15:59 +0000

Those are great suggestions! I wish we had known a lot earlier that we would have a layoff. It didn't concern us much at first, because we knew it would come with a large severance, which actually included them paying almost all of our Cobra. But the money is dwindling fast as the job search is going nowhere. We are looking at unemployment, and I am so glad that you posted that about waiting until January. One of the first things we did was to sign up for free lunch at school. Even though we made well above what the income level is, we no longer have any income, so we qualified, and it stays in place the rest of the year, even if he gets hired soon. That gives us free sports and extra-curricular activities, as well. I am going to check WIC, even though we just ended it due to our children's age, but maybe with no income we will qualify again, we still have a 2 and 5 year old. Another thing we are looking at is getting our mortgage interest reduced quite a bit. There is a company that will negotiate for us, but it is pricey. I just don't know how to go about doing it myself. They think they can save us $600 a month, though. That would be amazing! I am going to start with the coupons and look more into the Walgreens/CVS thing, too. They are not close, so I hadn't started yet, but now the savings may well be worth the gas to get there. Qtpies7´s last blog post..Drew's home!

By: Paulette

Paulette — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 02:43:55 +0000

Sorry to hear of your husbands layoff. My husband and I have been laid off several times over the 20+ years we have been married. We have always managed to bounce back. Five years ago I was laid off. A few months later my Dad suffered a stroke and was unable to care for himself. With my husbands blessings I was able to care for him. Dad and I found your blog sometime last year. I would read it to him and we decided you were a pretty savey kid. We even sent a few emails to you and you answered back. Dad passed this last October.We had already used many of your tips and had all his Christmas gifts bought. Gifts from Grandpa surprised grandchildren and great-grans. Thank you for all the gifts you have given to all your readers. I am a true believer of what goes around comes around and know in my heart that you and yours will be fine.

By: Just me

Just me — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 21:44:57 +0000

I read with quite a bit of sadness about all the layoff's etc. going on with this "sampling" of America. I am a small frugal business owner, fully personally debt free . Cut my salary first, hubby's second, cut every expense of the company I could -- but I am going to have to lay an employee off in the next few days. Makes me so sad to have to do that. Company has been in business over 23 years but the work just isn't coming in, and despite all the cost cutting trying to avoid this, sadly it's going to have to hit the employees next. It's unavoidable.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 20:19:31 +0000

This saddens me to hear of someone else struggling as we are now. My husband lost his job 8 weeks ago. I do not have a college education and I am now supporting a family of 4. We send our kids to a private Catholic School and now are having to make the choice between sending them to a public school or using all of our savings to pay their tuiton for next year. They both love their friends, teachers, etc. and we may have to take this away from them and start over elsewhere. Because I have been so frugal all my life and used all of my paychecks for their Catholic schooling we do not qualify for need based aid. I have paid all my debt off and I am one of the fortunate ones blessed to have lived my life frugally for 25 years. We have so many blessings and we don't realize how many until our livelihood is taken away. Thanks for all your wonderful postings for REDBOX free entertainment, CVS, and Walgreens. I have learned so much more over the last 2 months reading your blog. Our prayers are with your family and others during this difficult economic times.

By: angie

angie — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 17:00:21 +0000

Hi there,

I saw ur tweets about this the other night and I am so sorry to hear this, but it sounds like u have quite a few good tips here!

You all are in my prayers! I personally cannot believe that someone left a VOICEMAIL laying off your hubby last year?! Wow... it never ceases to amaze me!

Good luck with everyone, and trust the HE has a plan for you!

Blessings,
Angie

By: sally

sally — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 02:27:34 +0000

I was laid off this year, too. Technically, my contract was severed b/c I worked part time (my choice) for a company, but was employed by a temp agency. I had a week's notice, which is better than nothing, I guess. My interest in saving money on groceries was there before this, but I've really picked up the pace since my last day of work (just before thanksgiving). Thanks for all your tips...I've learned A LOT! sally´s last blog post..Merry Christmas!

By: Brandy

Brandy — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 18:39:04 +0000

I'm so sorry to hear about your husband's job loss, especially during the holidays. Thankfully it sounds like you are taking a sensible and positive approach to the situation. And thank you for sharing your tips so that others may benefit from your good advice. Brandy´s last blog post..Merry Christmas Eve

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 16:34:59 +0000

I have been very blessed and encouraged by your posts. So sorry for your husband's recent job loss. It's my prayer for you that all that you've sown into the lives of others (thru this blog and I'm sure in many other ways) will come back to you 100-fold! God bless and prosper you and your family.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 16:13:58 +0000

Thank you for your encouragment and tips for everyone. I will pray for your family thru these trying times.
One tip I thought of was for those that still have job security, no matter how permanent. It goes against our "have it all now" society, but we are paying off debt. We have no savings, although we do have a stockpile of toothpaste, soap, food, etc. (THANK YOU!) Until our debt is paid off, at least all but the house, we won't be saving $$. It has taken 2 years to just be down to one credit card, student loans, and the house mortgage. Once we downsize the house, if that works out eventually to sell, we can be completely debt free. This relief is amazing!! Just 2 years ago, I was debating about asking the local church/shelter for toilet paper or starting to use washrags (I know--gross!). That was the bottom and I can now relate to all those on food stamps, medicaid, desperation to feed your family, etc. I would encourage people to ask the church for help before going to the government. IF the churches did their jobs of caring for one another, the government wouldn't have needed these programs.
Actually, we just don't realize how much we can do WITHOUT and until people start doing without and paying off that debt that keeps them in chains, they can't be financially free.
Sorry about the tangent, I just really wanted to just post and thank you for all you do!!

By: tatum

tatum — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 15:58:40 +0000

i understand about hard times and at all the wrong times in your life too. last year i had my second son and right after that my husband got cancer. he almost died, had really harsh treatment, became a skeleton, had a partial hand amputation and then miraculously recovered. then he went back to work, went crazy and abandoned me and the boys. i was devistated. we are seperated now about 9 months but he was paying the bills at least until his doctors discovered a new growth in his hand and then his job of 6 years where he was a mananger of a cell phone store fired him (probably because they knew he's be gone from work again for a long time). so this was right before christmas, i was seperated, with no money, no husband, in tears and destitute for my little boys on so many levels. i only discovered your website and "couponing" and stockpiling a month and a half ago, and it has given me hope for how to survive things like this better in the future,......because hard times come and go, next time i am going to be prepared. i wish you best of luck, but it looks like you are strong and know how to get through these things. thanks for the hope for my life, it's been a rough two years....................and i am ready to take back the control....even if it's only on a financial level.

By: Wendy

Wendy — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 14:58:43 +0000

First of all I want to see that you are doing a marvelous job helping your family! I check your site everyday! You are helping my family as well. My goal is to keep track of my savings this year to see exactly how much this does help my family.
Secondly, I volunteer at a mission in my hometown. We provide food and clothing based on income. I have never seen anyone come in that was turned away. Most people think they wouldn't meet the qualifications to receive help but they do! We are there to help people for just the sort of situation that you are in. I just wanted to encourage others going through this same situation to ask for help. Its what we are there for!!

By: Kimi

Kimi — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 14:13:16 +0000

Thank you for all your tips to help others who are struggling during this troubled time. My husband just got laid off this past week, and we had just got done buying a new home. Things have been a little rough, but tips from your blog have helped tremendously! I'll keep you and your family in my prayers! Thanks again for all you do!

By: Christy

Christy — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 14:12:10 +0000

I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers. Hang on, hold on tight, weather the storm and together you will come out stronger and closer than ever before.

~God Bless~

Christy

By: Nancy J.

Nancy J. — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 06:58:19 +0000

I've enjoyed all the input to your site. Things are really tough for alot of people. My family is grown and gone but all is struggling. They look to mom and (grandma) to help out. I now have them exchanging coupons and rebates to help them out. I always buy in bulk, it is cheaper. Bought the daughter a meat slicer so she could make the meat go further. It definitely was a cheapy, but will serve the purpose. The other daughter, told her to start taking the veggies out of their bags and line the veg. drawer with paper towels. Put a layer of veg. in and add another layer of towels, then more veg. another layer of towels on the the top. Vegetables will last a couple more weeks than normal. Don't wash them first, only as needed. Mom taught me this along time ago, but had forgotten until times really got rough. Keep the chin up through the rough times, you'll make it.

By: frugalisfab

frugalisfab — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 05:40:19 +0000

I'm so sorry to hear about this. Three years in a row must be so difficult to deal with! My husband is self employed in the construction field so it is a scary time for us as well. These tips are all wonderful, thanks for sharing! frugalisfab´s last blog post..Rite Aid 12/21-12/27