Unemployment

[Pinata Monkey]

I'm degreed, have 10 years experience in my field, making over 80K a year (salary + commission)...and I get laid off.

Unemployment benefits: $250/wk

I went from over $1600/wk to this shit.

:mad::grr::banghead:WTF AM I GONNA DO WITH $250/WK???:mad::grr::banghead:

[GOPBasher]

1. I'm sorry, Pinata.

Welcome to the Bush economy. There are plenty of jobs -- flipping burgers.

I'm sorry that happened. :-( But welcome to DU! :hi:

[Pinata Monkey]

3. Thanks

Thanks...the real bitch is that I was 'let go'...and found out 2 weeks later from my spy that the boss hired an old friend of his.
My wife-to-be keeps telling me I need to talk to a lawyer...but "at will employment" means: "We can crap you out, and flush the toilet for the hell of it".

[meegbear]

2. Do what I've been doing for the past 3 years

piss thru your savings and live paycheck to paycheck.

[Pinata Monkey]

5. I did

I've moved across the country the last few years...so the savings lasted 2 months...

$250/wk...I can drink THAT much!

[meegbear]

8. Hang in there ...

I'm slowly but surely getting myself back. You can do it.

And ... :party:WELCOME ABOARD!:party:

[HereSince1628]

4. It's bad

Best of luck on finding another job.

[cassandra uprising]

6. yikes

stay strong, use the force and welcome to du.
:hi:

[bif]

7. I feel your pain

I'm about to get laid off too. Last time I even got food stamps. They sure don't give you much though. I got $80 a month and I've got a wife an two girls to feed. Best of luck.

[Pinata Monkey]

9. DAMN!!!

Kinda puts it in perspective...I probably sound like an ass hole bitching about it...sorry.

BTW: what part of the Mich ya in?
(I used to live in Ann Arbor...and LOVED IT!!!

[bif]

14. I live in Grosse Pointe

And you're right. Ann Arbor is a great town.

[Pinata Monkey]

15. Agreed

I moved there from Texas a few years ago, thinking...man these people are gonna hate me. Michiganders turned out to be some of the best folks I've ever met...they're very friendly and accepting.

[dddem]

10. Can you stand a little advice from someone who's been there?

My husband got laid off 3 years ago, and after 6 months of being out of work and watching our 401k lose value, we decided to close it. We used the money to pay down debts and live off, because he was out 18 months, and only collected for 9 months. Our kids had no health insurance for a year (we decided the money would be better used for mortgage payments, not COBRA). We just took out a 2nd mortgage to finish paying the taxes we ended up owing.
Although at the time, the money from the 401k kept us from falling behind on our debt, it ended up costing us too much (although we still have our house because of it).
Do what ever you have to not to use that money, and remember, everything happens for a reason. We are poorer but wiser (and happier) since my husband lost his job. He had been there so long, I don't think he knew his value in the real world. Even though we aren't making the same money we used to, he's a whole lot happier in his new job.
I wish you luck, and try not to get discouraged - you are not alone!

[susu369]

11. For one thing: You are going to pay income tax on the $250/W

thanks to the Tax Reform Act of 1986 under Saint Raygun....someone please explain the logic behind that.

BTW: I'm in the "unemployed" boat as well. Good luck!

[Misunderestimator]

12. Wow, have they reduced the benefits? $250 a wk after $80K a year?

Many, many, many years ago, I was on unemployment for two weeks... my salary at the time was half of yours, and I got $300 a week. :wtf:

(Welcome to DU, by the way :toast: and sorry about our shitty economy.)

[Pinata Monkey]

13. Get teh calculator

I can't figure it out...they were taking it off my base pay...I think...that was only like 36K/yr...but when you make a decent living, you live like it...and now THIS.

I'm "working" now...perhaps under the radar a bit...:evilgrin: