by Ellen P » Tue Jun 30, 2009 1:03 pm
The reality is bad.
That's why I didn't take early retirement when my company offered it recently. I gambled that I would have this job after the money ran out. Glad I stayed. I bet I would be volunteering somewhere indefinitely, which isn't a bad thing, but you can't live on volunteering.
One friend, a nurse, lost her job 1 week before Xmas. Still looking. (Alot of places have posted medical jobs, but are still in a hiring freeze.)
One friend, 'laid off' recently, has responded to 25 positions (administrative type). Not one response.
Food server friend, who lost his job a few months ago, can't find the right position.
Lawyer friend, business down. Looking for additional work.
Auto sales friend, lost her dealer car and insurance. Huge pay cut.
Some parts of town, it doesn't seem like the economy has affected the restaurant business. People in Louisville enjoy eating out. But we're eating out less and definitely ordering alot less when we do go out.
I remember in the early 80's. I went to 9 different restaurants looking for a server job, before I took the steam table job at the Tumbleweed on Mellwood. Bad times then and worse now, I think, because people are use to more material things and more complex times. (No, I didn't walk to school barefooted, but for almost half my life, we only one tv:-)
Have I been too negative? I think if you have a job, you have made adjustments and the quality of life is probably going to be better. But if you don't have a job...