Are times depressionesque in your corner of the Earth?

[Seraphim]

I live in the US. Here in the US a section of our population are in denial that times are hard and go as far as blame those that have hit hard times for not paying their mortgage, violating their mortgage contract, and causing the current housing crisis. But if you do a google news search on job fairs lines you see the real picture of the hardships this era poses. Oprah did a show about the American Recession which attempts to put a face on the statistics for the out of touch and monetarily insulated.

So that got me to thinking about the rest of the world. Sure I've seen the news and read a few articles but there's nothing that beats a first hand account. We've got a worldwide member base that's why I post the question here on the TrekBBS.

Are times depressionesque in your corner of the Earth?

Let's share experiences.

 

[Venardhi]

I've applied to every likely place in town and do not currently have any real job possibilities. Another couple weeks and I'll probably have to settle for fast food 'til something comes along. I'm feeling it.

 

[Mallory]

My job is secure, my mortgage has two years to go, one of my daughters has already graduated from college and gotten a job, my other one is entering her third year and my son will be joining the service in a year and a half. So, my from my standpoint, no depression in my household.

 

[Michael Chris]

Not depressionesque, certainly. But not good.

 

[Lindley]

My job is secure. The real test will be come employee review/raise time in April, of course, but so far the impact of the current situation has been limited to lower gas prices.

 

[Amaris]

I have been out of work since July of 2008. I have now placed more than 500+ applications online and in person. Businesses here are going under quite rapidly, and downtown is becoming a ghost town. Our once large and popular mall has lost 30 of it's 90 stores, and the downturn continues.

J.

 

[Kryton]

There is an almost palpable aura of fear wherever I go these days. Personally, I don't feel that my job's in danger...but I do worry about the rising costs of energy, food, and other creature comforts that help one get through such times.

I've known at least two people (co-workers) who've been cut loose and I sense it either happening or about to happen all around me. The handful of closed businesses that seemed to be doing okay just 5 or 6 months ago only amps up the tension.

I did my bit last month to support the economy (pretty large HDTV purchase), but not anymore. It feels more like belt-tightening, money-saving time for a while.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I think the word 'depression' is overstating it a bit. Things are bad, but it's not exactly as hopeless as the fear-mongers seem to want us to believe. I admit, I can't really judge how bad it might be, since I have a job that's as near to recession-proof as can be, but I've seen what's happened to my portfolio lately. A bit sad, yes. But that's the nature of the market. What goes down, must come up - eventually.

 

[Kelso]

Due to the drop in business, my pay-scale was "altered." So, I'm making a little less. The real pain in the ass is that I have to wait longer to get it. So, we've started getting behind.

It'll work out in the long run, though. My wife has just gone back to work to compensate for the recent turbulence in our finances. That has been the biggest adjustment for our family. When Momma's schedule changes, everybody's schedule changes!

Hopefully, we'll be back on track before too long and things will settle down.

 

[Mallory]

I have been out of work since July of 2008. I have now placed more than 500+ applications online and in person. Businesses here are going under quite rapidly, and downtown is becoming a ghost town. Our once large and popular mall has lost 30 of it's 90 stores, and the downturn continues.

J.

Time to move J. Don't be the last one out.

 

[Kelso]

^ No kidding.

Come to GA! It took my wife less than two weeks to find a decent paying job. It won't make us rich anytime soon... but she'll easily net enough to cover the mortgage and monthly grocery budget.

 

[Amaris]

I have been out of work since July of 2008. I have now placed more than 500+ applications online and in person. Businesses here are going under quite rapidly, and downtown is becoming a ghost town. Our once large and popular mall has lost 30 of it's 90 stores, and the downturn continues.

J.

Time to move J. Don't be the last one out.

We're out in August. Until then we're locked in a lease.
We'd love to leave, but we'd have to pay 5 months rent plus they get to keep the deposit and we pay for all expenses incurred, so we're sitting right here until then.

Once that gets here, we plan on moving to a town about 5 miles away. It's much nicer, is prospering where our town is failing, and the cost of living is only a touch higher than what it is here.

J.

 

[JuanBolio]

I can't find a part-time job right now to save my life. Should I offer head?

 

[Kelso]

^ Are you any good?

 

[Hoser]

Michigan's nasty. I'm back to work after about five months layoff, and glad for it, but I'm moving when I get the chance.

 

[auntiehill]

Things in Texas are pretty good--at least around here. Houses are still being build all around us---but not nearly at the speed it was 2 years ago. I have noticed a lot more FOR SALE signs in my neighborhood, but they are at least being bought by someone. My job is secure (far as I know), Hubby's job is secure, we are over-paying our mortgage--which is a FIXED rate 30 year mortgage. We have no car payment, no school loans and zero credit card debt. We're getting a big tax refund and are thinking about buying a new hardwood floor, and another used car.

Yes, our money-market account lost a good chunk, but we plan on waiting it out, since we only had a few thousand invested to begin with.

Things aren't too bad, actually.

 

[Peacemaker]

Let's see..

Winston-Salem City Gov't is going to offer a $20k package for qualified city employees who qualify for early retirement if they retire by Aug. 31.

NC has said that they are considering legislative action to get state govt. employees to take time off w/o pay.

My gym has, as of today, announced it is cutting its hours of operation.

My Mom is having to take a p/t job, and she's 71, been retired from nursing for almost ten years.

My Dad is contemplating early retirement now, as the glass factory he runs is having a bad time financially.

The farmers are talking about slaughtering milk producing cows on NC dairy farms because they can't afford to keep them giving the cost of maintaining the herds vs. the market price for milk.

Over 1000 people are showing up at small job fairs around the area. Recent graduates, college and grad school, are having a hard time finding jobs.

The community colleges are filling up enrollment rosters with people who've lost their jobs.

Wells Fargo has taken over Wachovia Bank and Trust.

Bank of America's stock has plummeted.

Yet...the Republicans that dominate the politics in this area continue to insist things aren't bad at all...

 

[Amaris]

^ No kidding.

Come to GA! It took my wife less than two weeks to find a decent paying job. It won't make us rich anytime soon... but she'll easily net enough to cover the mortgage and monthly grocery budget.

Sorry Kelso, I missed your post first time around.

I appreciate the idea, but we love/like/tolerate/are sticking it here in Ohio.
Our town is a cesspool with an ineffective and immature council, high tax rate, high crime rate and poor infrastructure beyond the city building.

However, a few miles away is a lovely town with about the same population, but a better council, better infrastructure, reasonably low crime rate and the tax rate is lower. Plus, it's closer to the interstate.

J.

 

[Hoser]

Shelbyville.

 

[Amaris]

Shelbyville.

Are you kidding? This town makes Springfield look like the eternal Kingdom.


J.