my husband just lost his job this week ... after 18 years with this company. downsized.
position eliminated. we just lost somewhat over half our income. i am so damn angry (NOT at my husband of course). and there's nothing to do with the anger. of course can't do anything illegal or stupid anyway, but shit. he's supposed to get 8 weeks severance and then unemployment, and that might get us by but it will be tight. then what? the industry he's in is downsizing all around.
they deny it was a factor, but he shouldn't have told them he was going out for a medical to get his hip replaced in July. in hindsight now of course. hmmm, he's the only man in his department, was that a factor?
i was out of work from 2004 through mid-2006, and we are still recovering from that financially. we went into a debt management program with GreenPath. we have 18 months of that left and are paying about $1100 a month. we've haven't been incurring more debt, and just keeping up with everything else and managed to save a little.
we've been getting by with one car for 6 months because we can't afford to fix the other, and the dryer is broken. if we fix the dryer and the car while we have a little money, then if we HAVE to we can sell them later.
i know, i have it better than a lot of people and i am grateful for the good things i have like my family and my husband and, for now anyway, a home and my job.
just feeling very angry and frustrated right now.
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glad to hear you are still making it after your loss. my husband will be 55 this month. he's keeping his feelings to himself, and i'm the one freaking out.
we are going to talk to a lawyer. i do want to ask for more severance. we have to have enough to get us through the time he recovers from his surgery ... i don't know if they will let him collect unemployment if he is laying in bed recovering and not pounding the pavement looking for that new opportunity to succeed!!
he's already been on my medical insurance all year, so we won't have to pay for COBRA.
i figured he wouldn't be able to collect unemployment until after he's recovered from the surgery, so we are definitely going to ask for more severance to carry us through the surgery and recovery, and then the unemployment. i think that's how it works, i don't know. i asked him if the severance was a lump sum or every two weeks like normal pay and he said it would be every two weeks.
we weren't/aren't planning to try to lie about the surgery and unemployment.
we can't really afford to hire an attorney for much more than a review of the proposal, and a counter proposal, if that.
thanks for the advice 
sorry you had to learn it through experience.
it's ok, no hard feelings. i didn't really think you were accusing us of anything, just wanted to clarify.
It's the only thing you can do...
I just finished a 10 month nightmare of unemployment. It will take us awhile to recover, too.
Please accept our best wishes for something FAST! 
PEACE! 
The age discrimination out there is cynical, obvious and BRAZEN!
Please accept my best wishes. Many people give the "I know what you're going through" line of BS, but I really do. My fervent hope is that he finds something FAST!
PEACE!
through this. I will keep positive thoughts for you! 
and was hospitalized. While she was in the hospital, they realized she would need surgery but had to get well enough from the first issue before they could schedule it. She had been with the company a long time and mapped out a leave of absence so she could get the surgery and then return to work. There were a few complications and she had to be out a hair longer than expected. During that time, they found a way to eliminate her job.
It sucks but it's reality. I hope your husband finds work again very soon. Best wishes to you both!
so sorry to hear this! I wish I had some words of wisdom or comfort.
Rest assured you'll be in my thoughts.
i'll go share it with my hubby 
they help.
Take a long hard look at your budget. I would not go to one of those debt places-they are generally rip off. Instead, go to the library and borrow a copy of Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover. Read it cover to cover before you start making decisions. I went that route, made my own calls to the creditors and saved a bundle. Make all cuts based on priorities:shelter (includes:lights, gas, rent, and phone), food and clothing. I know he will try to get a job. Maybe you can think of a part time job to do too.
Take a meat cleaver to the budget. Pay minimum on any credit cards. You are going to need to conserve your cash. Sell the other non working car as is now. Remember, you need to accumulate the cash now-not shell out for repairs. On the drier-I can't say. If I lived in a temperate climate, I would line dry anyway because it is cheaper and sell the drier as is. I would tend to want to fix the drier or go onto Craigs list and look for a cheaper one if it costs too much to repair.
I don't know your total situation but I know you are angry, scared, and feel pretty helpless and hopeless right about know. Don't stop loving on each other-in fact hold each other tighter. I wish the best for you and your hubby. The good news is that your have been down this rode before so you have an inkling. Count you blessing and your friends and family
My deepest sympathy and prayer for you.
we entered a 4 year program with them, and have only 18 months left. we don't have any credit card debt at all, except what we are still paying off to/through GP. we have one "signature loan" that will be paid off in 3 months. the rest of the debt is to family.
not sure about the car ... we need to have two working vehicles if at all possible so he can look for work with one while i drive the other. both vehicles are paid for, so no payments there to worry about. we may end up selling after fixing ... we haven't even had it "diagnosed" yet.
thank you for the advice and the sympathy.
we are going to get an additional 4 weeks severance pay! consulted with an attorney, and we don't feel we'd be better off by taking legal action for wrongful discharge....
at least the additional 4 weeks severance will help, and then after the surgery he can still apply for unemployment.
looking at options now ... get more schooling? if so in what? start a business? look for another "9-5" job (union this time!).
thank you all for your concerns that you posted and shared via PM