I quit a job in 1978 with no job lined up: I'd had enough. I called a girlfriend 100 miles away she came down with her sister for a local vacation. I had a small emergency fund, spent some of it, and had money left when I found a similar, slightly lesser job a few weeks later. Thinking back the vacation was good but having the emergency fund to try some restaurants I kept driving past but never tried was the best part of being out of work. Downside: my father had all the armed forces recruiters calling me. The upside: a few years later I enlisted of my own volition and learned a trade.

You had best be sure that you have plenty of cash reserves because unemployment compensation benefit requests are taking a long time to process, even if there are no issues raisd by an employer. My understanding about the process in Missouri is that it is taking 4 to 6 months or more to process a new claim because the numbers are increasing at the rate of about 1000 or so a week. You had best have good friends with good business contacts if you want to find a new employer sooner instead of later.Nowadays employers do not worry about finding good workers at the outset, because they can always fire a bunch and get another bunch because there are so   many to choose from. In addition this practice allows them to keep wage and benefits costs down.

I am in construction and have been laid off more than my share in 30 yrs of it. I used to panic and stay low profile without any one knowing. Like I said I have had my share. So other words I am used to it now. I have come to grip over the past years that no one out there will gaurantee me anything. I had to LEARN to take care of my own needs. That means I had to start learning to live within my own means. I have learned over the years to live with a lot little. I don't shop at department stores that even includes Wal-Mart. Even that is to expensive for me. I do do thrift stores but that is even getting to expensive.

 Anyway nowadays alot of humility I had to learn. Remember we do have to have our basic needs. Food, shelter, clothing. Everything else is extra. I live a very good life. I have my own house. Have a good retirement, annuity, well whats left of it, hehe. I am laid off againnnnnnnnnnnn. Oh well. I even anticipate this could be a rough one, possibly years. I keep my ears and eyes open to work needed. I know it is hard to compete with the Home Depot Illegals. But we do have to learn humility. Not saying I had to go that far yet. But would I. YESSSSSSSSSSS

I got the pink slip in late September from a company merger.  I am now a temporary employee until 12/31/08.  I have been listening to Dave Ramsey talk on the radio about paying off debt, building the 3-6 month emergency fund, and living on cash -- boy is he right to live on cash only and have some money stashed away.  I was on my way to having all debt gone but 1 credit card and just my house when this happened. I had only a small emergency fund started (about $1000) except for my 401k which is now worth about 1/2 of what it was last year.  Between severance, stay bonus, final vacation payout and a small annual bonus, I will have about 3-5 months of income -- enough to pay the house payment, car and life insurance.  I hope to be able to use unemployment for basic necessities such as heat, water etc.  I am not a big spender and don't take elaborate vacations.  I have never been without a job since 1974.  But this time, with my age, level of job skills that I have, I can forsee that a new position may not be easy to obtain.   I am hoping for the best and networking with about everyone that I come into contact with, but the prospects are low.  Hopefully, I won't lose my house as those aren't selling either.  

Geno I have also been in construction for 30 some odd years and I know from where you speak.  The hardest part is comming home to tell the family.  I've been lucky i've been working steady for the last 23 yrs.  I'm with a company now that seems to be poised for the coming lack of work.  Right now everybody is just keeping our heads down and our mouth shut.   I heard of Dave Ramsey when i was doing traveling construction in the south.  I listened everyday and have tried to take his wisdom to heart.  We have about a four month emergency fund which in this construction/lending climate is no where enough.  If I get the old pink slip I belive it will take years to find work  as a superintendent or project manager again.  Even the old fall back of doing the self-employed contracting is less of an option.  Nobody else wants to part with their cash either.  The only bright spot is my wife she makes a very good wage as a nurse so we won't starve. As long as we like beans and rice.  What do they say this builds character.  

Great timing! This comes the very day I hear out department is getting downsized! Unbelievable! It's the worst thing in the world to get laid off! It's depressing... but you know what? You just have to get up and keep moving.

The idea to talk to everybody you know is SUCH a great idea. I am going to start sending some emails tomorrow to see what I can come up with!

Thanks for the info.

http://www.financialnut.com

There is not much a person can do where I live except move somewhere else where they can find a job.  Things were looking slow but still liveable until today when anouther Major Employer in this area announced today they would be closing their doors soon for good.  Temporary Jobs here are going away at a very fast pace now, so much for a life saver till things get better.  Anything a person needs to do should have already been done before this Economic Crisis started by saving and setting up plan B and C, I think that most people could see this coming years ago, I know I did.  This Crisis looks like it may be around for at least a couple of years and even with a recovery things will not be as good as they were before.  

The Empire is crumbling....... The Dollar is dead...... Its all an illusion......... so dont worry about whether or not you have a job...... The green paper is a dead paper walking...... Dead Paper Walking!!!!!!!!!!

Who has money in the bank, especially enough to last 12 months.  Your stories are unrealistic!  So why do you even print them?  I don't know anybody in the real world that has enough money to save any.  Get real please and quit printing stories from fantasyland.  If you want to give us tips for being laid off, at least offer tips that can realisitically be used.

I was laid off 1 1/2 years ago and it took 4 1/2 months to find another job.  I didn't tell anyone.  DUH!  Now I know I could have been back to work in a matter of a of weeks instead of months had I mentioned it anyone.  

This was my first time being unemployed... EVER!  On yeah...I was also turning 50 years old.  I was so shocked I didn't know what to do.  I know it wasn't my fault that I was unemployed but it was still painful.  I've worked hard my entire life and I'm good at what I do so I  didn't think I would ever be unemployed.  Once I got over the shock of it all, I knewI would be ready in the unlikely event this happened to me again.  I'd be ready and not have to worry about money.

Well...In 2 days my company will be laying off a several hundred folks.  Though econmic times everywhere.   If I'm one of those that gets laid off, you can count on that I will let everyone know that I'm looking for work.  

The last 1 1/2 years we've been working on paying down debt and putting ourselves in a position to live on one income.  We're not quite there, but in less than a year we'll be debt free except for our house.  Fortunately my husbands job is pretty secure so I think we can make it.  Now we're in a position that I can accept a job that pays far less that what I'm used to making.  

This last year I've also worked on getting trainined and certified in my field of work. I've made sure to volunteer to help anyone at work and learn new skills and more about the company.  I gave a speech at a local chapter of certified leaders in my field that has helped me network. I was terrified at the thought of giving a speech.  I didn't barf or pass out and it went well.  To my surprise, I've been asked to speak at the University and teach a couple of classes.

I've been trying to continue to workout, not only to reduce stress but it will also help me stay in shape and hopefully younger looking.  I am confident everything I've been doing this past 1 1/2 years will help me get another job sooner than later.  

If I'm one of those that get's laid off, I know I'm as ready as I can be to move forward.  I'm trying to look at it as a new adventure.  I'll admit that I'm still concerned about being laid off (just my nature), but I'm not afraid.  I know I have a plan.