Woe is me :(

First they took our PTO (paid time off) days away. Meaning we have no vacation or even a sick day!  Next they cut our hours and finally.. they cut my pay by 25%.  I can not support the family on this and have been searching for another job but there's NOTHING out there.  I'm so stressed and haven't been caring what I eat for the past two weeks. On top of all of this I think my son has whooping cough and has spread it to the rest of the family.

I should be thankful that I at least have a job and that some money will be coming in but really, what's the difference when I won't be able to pay the bills anyway.

If someone doesn't stop the economic slide then we will all be in a world of woe.   ()

oops! haha  Let me fix that spelling error...

Sorry you're having a tough time.  Seems like so many are out of work and finding anything is rough.  I'd applied for everything I could before my husband found a good job so just stick with it and something will pick up.  Do you have any hobbies like quilting or something that you could try selling on etsy?  I have a friend that does well there so I figured I'd toss that out.

If you can, start cutting out extras now to cut back on bills and if there is a "budget" bill option with your power, do it.  I wish I had sooner after I lost my job because going from a $160 bill to a $400 one was a nightmare when we Needed a/c in summer.  I live in FL (we're electric only for the most part in my area) and the house was so unbearable even with a fan going that a/c is a requirement.  Not being able to pay that bill and borrowing from family was awful. 

I'm not crafty but I am planning on having a huge garage sale in May.  I wish I could quilt.. it's something I've always wanted to do.. I love patchwork quilts!

I just paid off my credit card so I'm debt free.  My home and car are paid for but the house needs so many repairs and I just got my car out of the shop (which cost me $300). 

I'm just so pissed off and hurt. I've worked here for 5 yrs and have never had a bad review. In fact, my reviews are always glowing!  When I started here they said that the good thing was that once you made x amount you could never go lower.. ha! Liars.  I just can't believe that after all this time going above and beyond to do a really great job and volunteering to be a mentor and trainer, etc.. that this is what I get.

It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have the old folks (mom and grandma). Most of the money that goes out is on meds. In fact, they think grandma might have Pneumonia AGAIN and are taking xrays.. the last time she had it the meds and breathing stuff cost over $400! WTF

Hey, it gets hot as hell in Texas and I've heard that the humidity in Florida is even worse.. there's no way I could do w/o AC there!  I'm glad your husband found a job.. I should get me one of those (a husband). haha

so sorry to hear, maybe try picking up a second job like selling avon?

Original Post by jenny8484:

so sorry to hear, maybe try picking up a second job like selling avon?

 Don't you have to put money down to get the products and then make it back by selling? At least, that's what I'd assume.  Nah, almost all of my friends work where I work and were either laid off or have their hours reduced.  I wouldn't want to risk selling Avon in this economy.  Unless they give me the stuff for free?

I feel your pain.  I had all my PTO taken away and my health insurance, and then got cut to 4 days instead of 5.  Had to go back to punching the clock and We are still expected to get the work done, which there is plenty of.  To make matters worse, my boss passes my office at least twice a day and asks me what I am working on so I feel like I may be the next one to go and I have senority!  Phewww.  Sorry didn't mean to steal your rant.  I hope something will change for both of us soon.  This is a very scary time for us all.  Take Care.

I just paid off my credit card so I'm debt free.

I am sorry you are going through this with your job and money issues. But the fact that you have your credit cards paid off and are pretty much debt free, well that is FANTASTIC!  I know you mentioned lots of expenses coming up, but just imagine if you still had huge credit card balances on top of that! So, at least you've got a bright spot going for you. That should help a little. Alot of people (my family included) need to deal with pay cuts, expenses, and huge credit card debt. Good luck on your new job search!

Jennifer - Sorry to hear about your job.  I don't have any words of encouragement.  Hang in there, good times have to be out there somewhere????

Jennifer, could you post a little about what you do, job skills, etc?  Maybe one of our friends on CC might be able to refer you to a new opportunity.  Never hurts to network. :)

Original Post by betzc:

I feel your pain.  I had all my PTO taken away and my health insurance, and then got cut to 4 days instead of 5.  Had to go back to punching the clock and We are still expected to get the work done, which there is plenty of.  To make matters worse, my boss passes my office at least twice a day and asks me what I am working on so I feel like I may be the next one to go and I have senority!  Phewww.  Sorry didn't mean to steal your rant.  I hope something will change for both of us soon.  This is a very scary time for us all.  Take Care.

 No! Feel free to rant away!  We need to vent and to know that there are many other folks out there going through the same thing.  You take care too and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you!

That just sucks op hang in there it will come right eventually!

Original Post by lulufit:

I just paid off my credit card so I'm debt free.

I am sorry you are going through this with your job and money issues. But the fact that you have your credit cards paid off and are pretty much debt free, well that is FANTASTIC!  I know you mentioned lots of expenses coming up, but just imagine if you still had huge credit card balances on top of that! So, at least you've got a bright spot going for you. That should help a little. Alot of people (my family included) need to deal with pay cuts, expenses, and huge credit card debt. Good luck on your new job search!

 Thanks! I've worked on paying it off since last year when things were starting to sour and dumped my whole income tax refund into it to help pay it off.. I knew things were going to get rough but stupid me didn't really think it would happen to me. 

I know there are a lot more folks worse off than me but it's still so stressfull!  Thanks for the good luck wishes. :)

Original Post by theresa5656:

Jennifer - Sorry to hear about your job.  I don't have any words of encouragement.  Hang in there, good times have to be out there somewhere????

 I sure hope so!  :D Thanks Theresa!

Original Post by stephaniethornton:

Jennifer, could you post a little about what you do, job skills, etc?  Maybe one of our friends on CC might be able to refer you to a new opportunity.  Never hurts to network. :)

 I don't want to put that info on here! You guys know too much about me as it is! haha 

I do have a network of clients, friends, family who are keeping an eye out but so far no luck. 

Thank you and thanks andie-jo.. for well wishes.

Anyone else going through rough times.. please feel free to vent!

spirochete is a recruiter for a living- instead of putting it all out here, maybe you could pm her and she is she specializes in one type of jobs or if maybe she could help you.

Also, the local council on aging sometimes is able to help with medication costs so check with them!  We were able to get help there with them while waiting on insurance red tape with my dad's chemotheraphy so it's a good avenue to check in with.  Hang in there and i fyou ever need to vent more I'm just a pm away!

if your mom and grandmother are with you and collecting social security, it is not wrong to ask them to help out with a few of the expenses. It's reasonable and fair.

Is it legal to take away sick days?

Yes as long it is a change to company policy that effects all employees of the same status and there is no signed contract.