signs of the times where you live

[Terry]

I am also shocked by the person that said their medical field is down. I also thought that people in the medical field, car maintenance, education, etc weren't going to be hurt that much. I also talked to my local grocerier the other day and asked him about the economy, thinking that folks will still buy food. Not so true. Folks are buying less, creating down sizing in employees in grocery stores.

I am hopeful. Folks before us drove wagon trains far west to hopefully own land. I'm a believer that we put ourselves into this mess. We need to get back to basics and our strengths. We can overcome this. But we have to submit as team.

Okay, I'm off the rock now...

[promoguy]

regarding food, I would suggest buying pasta futures.

[XOXO]

I work for Unemployment and we are so busy we're working overtime 7 days a week including holidays. The average wait on the phones to file is probably close to an hour.

Well, that is good and bad news. I am happy for you because you have job security!! But just feel horrible for the people on unemployment. SO SAD! I bet the people you talk to are just lovely after an hour wait. I feel for you!

Gina

[Eric in NJ]

Well, that is good and bad news. I am happy for you because you have job security!! But just feel horrible for the people on unemployment. SO SAD! I bet the people you talk to are just lovely after an hour wait. I feel for you!

Gina

Actually most are so glad to finally talk to a person they are not too bad. It's just very confusing and frustrating to most.

[loria]

Well, that is good and bad news. I am happy for you because you have job security!! But just feel horrible for the people on unemployment. SO SAD! I bet the people you talk to are just lovely after an hour wait. I feel for you!

Gina

Actually most are so glad to finally talk to a person they are not too bad. It's just very confusing and frustrating to most.

I have heard that NY, NJ and CA (at least) are at the limit of what they have for unemployment benefits--what are these states going to do when this runs out (assume that CA has already run out???)

[P-600]

My husband has been out of work since November. He is a builder/GC and the phone isn't ringing. He is self-employed and doesn't get any unemployment. Luckily he has saved for this.
At one strip mall near our town. We lost a JoAnn fabrics last year, this year Linens and things went out of business and they just announced that Home Expo is going out, leaving only a supermarket, bank and a Bugaboo steakhouse in this mall. There was a Decathalon sports behind those buildings which has been vacant for probably three years. It's super scary around here! Anybody need an addition?

[chicagoans]

The builders who just did our addition are finding some work doing additions and finishing basements, but no more new spec homes. It's just too risky right now without having a buyer lined up in advance.

Our work got done really fast - the cabinet makers, tile installers, framers... all the subs were available to come in whenever our builders were ready, because they weren't at all busy. It was good for us, but these are great guys supporting their families and you really feel for them.

On a very personal note: DH owns a small business - just him and 5-7 seasonal employees. His clients are banks. One of them, a large multi-national, is now 90 days past due on a $50k job. HELLO?!? Talk about screwing the little guy. When I read about their bailouts and executive bonuses I get sick. What they owe us is a pittance to them, but very important to us.

[promoguy]

Well, that is good and bad news. I am happy for you because you have job security!! But just feel horrible for the people on unemployment. SO SAD! I bet the people you talk to are just lovely after an hour wait. I feel for you!

Gina

Actually most are so glad to finally talk to a person they are not too bad. It's just very confusing and frustrating to most.

I have heard that NY, NJ and CA (at least) are at the limit of what they have for unemployment benefits--what are these states going to do when this runs out (assume that CA has already run out???)

Ah, California. If you expect a state tax refund, save the IOU they send. If you're coming to California, keep in mind that government is closed two Fridays a month. You want to move to a state with a good bond rating, move to MS. California is now in possession of the lowest bond rating in the USofA.

Remember that they say it starts in California and moves East. Well, for all those east of here, I hope that isn't true.

[XOXO]

Isn't the stimulus package going to extend unemployment??? I sure hope so!!

Our business is expanding and I am so nervous!! Like you, Chicago. we have just a few employees (12). I am confident that we will make payroll and we will be ok--profits will not be good but we will survive. I just am nervous about putting money into an expansion that I will take a really long time to make back. I guess another way of looking at it is that when the economy comes back we will be ready.

Chicago, has there been communication about the 50k? Are they giving you any indication that they are going to get you paid??

I use to get really irate when people didn't pay their bills. I have softened a little because I no longer assume that it is due to irresponsibility. It all trickles.

Anymore I think contractors have to ask for a little money up front. I don't think it is out of line to at least get their costs up front. I guess that wont work either. My husband says they can't do that--I say why not?

I just deleted this paragraph--my brother is in a business where traditionally a handshake was all that was needed. I know last week he almost got stiffed for 28K. So, I wanted him to start getting a signed contract. I called him and he has already been talking to his attorney about preparing a contract for him. So, now I can relax.

Gina

[Berlingirl]

Hi Promo...nice to hear that there are still other office depots open in the US. Here sadly the office depot was brand new next to the Linens and Things that was brand new also...and Linens and Things closed recently also...that is two big boxes empty sitting side by side..across the street from a new grocery store parking lot that was tarred and was supposedly gonna start construction last summer...so empty lot...no grocery store building, but lights and parking lot. Yeah, the lease ended on the "old" grocery store and all those 20 year employees were laid off as they had no where to go. PS...we're way east of you and our area is struggling...(however I'd take your 78 degrees today...it's 2 degrees this am )

This was in the newspaper this morning...

http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/99077.html

check out the "living" salaries these jobs will pay.


P-600 We're about 4 hours north of you...not pretty here either...guess we're lucky they call Maine "Vacationland". That's about all that we have going for industry at the moment...

I'm still remaining optimistic and when people ask how business is...(mine and DH's) I say it's great...honestly, it's the truth. It's great we still have paychecks...

[loria]

berlingirl,
my brother is in a marine oriented business up your way (he lives in bucksport) and things have been REALLY bad for him-

[chicagoans]

Chicago, has there been communication about the 50k? Are they giving you any indication that they are going to get you paid??

Oh, lots and lots of communication! But almost all of it one way, from us to them of course. After a couple of in person visits from DH, the local contact has called their accounting office in AZ. Suddenly they needed a contract to be filled out. hmmmm. They sure didn't need that when they sent us a work order last September! But it does look as though, finally, the wheels are in motion to get us paid. Thank you for asking.