dave,

It is realistic just live on less than you make it is not fantasyland.  Just like Dave Ramsey says "Live like no one else, so later you can live like no one else".

Ted:

What do you mean buy American? Our company is paying oversea workers so you could buy them cheaper. If you are going to blame someone, please blame it on the owner and CFO. They are the one that made the decision to ship job oversea for profiet.

In the US Merchant Marine, in is common to accept a lifestyle of 90 days on and 90 days off. While signed on articles to a vessel (crew) work this schedule. For times off on the "beach" while "looking for a ship" (a great book) it is very important to put the word out there that you are looking and ready. Establish a low key lifestyle that allows you to live BELOW your means and you come out way ahead. Once you adapt to this and put your mind to it, being between gigs really isn't that hard. When it looks murky, hang in there, you'll be back at the work place again before you know it! Then you'll be remembering the time you had off.

Doug: Hotel, motel and a fewer number of apartment  jobs are still available on a part time or full time basis; most but not all are willing to accept trainees under 70. Not very much money but worth checking out and can lead to management positions with time.  Start by registering with as many temporary employment agencies as possible. Temp jobs often become full time jobs, and age is not a barrier if you are dependable, honest, hard working, etc.   Another job often overlooked is transporting rental cars

between cities or states. Hertz and other rental car companies routinely hire people in your age bracket with safe driving records. Don't overlook national park jobs if available in your area, and smaller hardware stores. I remember one local hardware store about a year ago located in a heavily populated senior area that was actively looking for senior employees.  

I've been laid off too many times.....life must keep going, going and going (just like the battery ads),' till it die...

Dave, everyone earns money that keeps them in their classes if they live within their means. I live within my means and I save for rainy weeks and months not just a rainy day. I save 20 to 30 percent of my net income just for that. I do not go to movies, or buy my coffee at a drive up window, I eat home cooked meals and drive a car that is 13 years old and my kids do not have cell phones. I am working now but expect a layoff in the near future. I am fully prepared for a layoff for more than 12 months but I plan on having another job shortly after the layoff if it does happen. I say this because I will do whatever it takes to support my family, no form of employment is below the line that I will cross for employment. It is survirval of the fittest in this climate and those that are prepared will survive.

My advice to all of you is to live on what you earn not your credit limts.

Best of luck to you all.

I would like to get advice for people who are married with kids. I here eveyone saying they lost their job but it is just you and anyone could live off of unemployment if all they had to do was feed 1 mouth. My husband and I are both in the construction business I make a fair wage he has been laid off. We were barley able to make ends me with him working. We also had insurance through his job so that is no gone and my premuims at my job are way to much. I have a 4 & 1 year old with no medical insurance. I know they have state assistance out there for food stamps, medical insurance and daycare. We don't quailfy for any help since the unemployment is consider an income we make $100.00 to much a month. If we pulled my kids out of daycare we loose their spot and my husband has to be available for work or he can't receive his unemployment. I have read several blogs about how to live on a little but every piece advise is for single people with no kids. My work has down sized to nothing I feel my job is some what safe for now. We will just have to see what the future holds for us.

Moe, Take it easy my friend. I was laid off twice 1981 and 1995. Both were excellent well paying jobs that really set me back. One thing you must remember you will recover and so will the dollar. Right now we're going through a very difficult time and with a Dem. President coming into office it's going to take longer to recover but we will.

Tracy,

There are many programs that you and your family qualify for but you need to contact the correct agencies. You can contact the chamber of commerce where you live and they will have numbers you can call and put you in the right direction.This should get you through this difficult time. Hang in there AND GOOD LUCK.

Being unemployed I discovered that buying the cheaper kinds of food actually taste better.

And I no longer buy fast food especially at McDonalds because I cannot afford it and when I can afford it here there at times I now get sick when I eat that McDonalds stuff.

For my vise, I no longer drink beer. I drink yellow tail merlot now because it's cheaper.

With my automobile I used my reserve cash and my insurance is now paid up until July 2009.

Now Christmas is coming and I'm going to tell everybody not to buy me anything because I'm poor myself.

I hope the world ends soon.