Just saved up a nice Emergency Fund .. and then...

[PaKettle]

Here is a quote for you, A smooth sea never made a skilled mariner.

That's a good one!

I am also trying to remember "The Five Things We Cannot Change... and the Happiness We Find by Embracing Them" (from that book by David Richo):

1. everything changes and ends,
2. things do not always go according to plan,
3. life is not always fair,
4. pain is part of life, and
5. people are not loving and loyal all the time.

Of course this is one of those things where "knowing" this is one thing, but living it and really embracing - or even accepting - it is a different story; not so easy. But I do think the premise is a good one, that we will be happier if we accept these things completely.

[Cali]

Here is a quote for you, A smooth sea never made a skilled mariner.

[PaKettle]

Thanks for the encouragement.
I'm trying to be optimistic and not let it get me down, but after 12 years at a place it's hard to take. I'm trying to just move foward and not dwell on the negative, like the song says "Accent-u-ate the Positive"...
"It doesn't do any good to cry over spilled milk" and "Life is about how you play the cards you are dealt" are what I am trying to remember.

[Cali]

Sorry to hear the news, I will keep you and your wife in my prayers.

Because of my job loss, I decided to get another degree in a field that isn't going anywhere anytime soon. I going for my BSN.

[rfassett]

PaKettle, I too am sorry for your situation. But dwell on the positive things, my friend. Those that survived the Great Depression did so by not walking around kicking themselves in the butt about things they should have done. You can never "should have done" anything. So find the positive and dwell on that. OK, the software is old. Computer skills are not necessarily software brand oriented. You know more than you give yourself credit for. Find those things and market those. Employers are looking as much for work ethic as they are for specific skills. Best of all things good and wonderful to you and yours.

[JRScott]

Hey Pa sorry to hear. At least you have that emergency fund. You should be proud of that. I hope you find something soon.

[MomIcantFindmy]

I am sorry Pa. Keep your chin up. You were very wise to immediately build a cushion. We can learn a lot from you. keep us posted.

[DisneyGirl]

I am so sorry! I hope something comes along quickly for you!

My husband is a database guy here in Southern California. When he first applied for the job he has now it was working w/a system he hadn't had any "on the job" experience with. Well oddly enough they hired him knowing he really needed time to adjust to the new system and not only that they gave him a signing bonus to boot just to get him in there fast. So don't let it get you down that you're not working with the latest and greatest. There is a place out there just looking for someone like you, I just know it!!!

All the best to you and your family!

[morallyBR2]

IT field is booming in Houston. Head south my friend!

[PaKettle]

So after being discharged in March, I started getting more hours at work and my wife got a little bit of work, and between that and the tax refund and the stimulus check, we were actually able to save up $4000 in our Emergency Fund.

I was so proud and happy to have a "cushion"!

Then, 2 days ago I got the news:
They are closing the dept. I work in, and from what I know I don't think there is anywhere they can put me in this company, like another dept. or anything, and frankly their modus operandi is to not give a damn about their employees anyway, so they are likely not to try very hard to do anything for me anyway. No severance pay, nothing, just "see ya later, we'll call you if something comes up".

Worse, I have been working using a software for the past 12 years that no one else uses, so I am completely a "dinosaur" in my field. Anywhere I would apply they would expect me to use a newer program which I do not know and which would take me months to learn and even if I learn it an employer will say "But have you used it ONTHE JOB?" to which I must say "No, not yet." Which will prompt them to most likely say "Don't call us, we'll call you...."

I did not learn the new software because there seemed no need to. Everyone in my co. thought my dept. was one of safest, stable and secure places to work. So I did not want to invest the time, money or energy in buying the program (expensive), and learning it on my own time. And even then, as I say, I thought "what's the point? Any employer will want on the job experience and we don't use it at my job.

So, anyway.... I am just going to start sending out resumes, talking to people, see if I can get some cheap, quick training, etc.. But frankly I think I am going to be in for hard times, probably working temp agencies, doing "anything" and making half what I make now. And my wife is going to look for full time work too but she is only qualified to make $8-12/hour so we couldn't live on her wages, anyway. (Southern California cost of living!) But it would help, IF she can find a job or jobs and get 30-40 hours at that rate.

So here I am just whining to you guys because maybe it will make some of you feel better about your situations. You can say, "Well, jeez, at least I still have a job!" ;-) ...And it makes me feel better to talk about it...

At least, my wife and I do have our health! (Knock on wood!) So thank goodness for that! I'd rather lose my job than my health!

Wish us luck!
p.s. I've heard it said, something like "It's a recession when people all around you are losing their jobs [true by the way!], but when you lose YOUR's it's a Depression!"