Help! Well the economy finally caught me...

[coastie72]

John,

I am very sorry to hear about your news! My 28 year old son is also out of work! I don't understand the news I hear about the recession is over?
There are very few place that have not been effected and probably still more to come.
I don't know your beliefs, but I am a Christian and will pray for you and your family. God has brought me through many crisis in my 59 years.
My advice would be to hold on to your gear!!!! It possibly can become a source of income, but if not the money you would get from it would be in your hands and gone before you knew it.
I don't know many people that can honestly look down their noses and say for certain their job is secure right now, myself included. I have worked for the same company for 34 years, no retirement to speak of, its just a small private owned business.
Keep your chin up, and if you believe and I hope you do, look up, you will find strength from above.
God Bless!!!!
Don Fetner

 

[steve f]

Sorry to hear about your troubles John. Keep your gear!
The small amount you'll get for it won't go far, you could make more than that in a relatively short time by using it.
Best wishes for a quick recovery!

 

[Busterkilrain]

Sorry to hear about your job. I would keep your bass and rig if you can. Keep your chin up!
Brent

 

[AnthonyD]

Sorry to hear - hoping for good things for you soon.

Lots of good advice in here!

Hang in there and stay positive.

 

[RitchieDarling]

Hey there! I was in the exact same position a while back.

Hang in there and hold on for all you got!

It will get better!

And you never know, you might find a whole new career while you're at it.

I did!

Ritchie

 

[adouglas]

Big bummer!

Only sell your gear if you absolutely must in order to survive. Your gear has value in that it keeps you sane and hopeful.

Make sure you take a cold, hard look at the situation and decide rationally.

I got laid off in 2002, and didn't get a job at my former level for two and a half years. In the interim I was reduced to proofreading the fine print on grocery store coupons, among other things.

I learned some lessons.

- STUFF like your rig will not make a big difference when it comes to survival. The money you'd get from it would not keep you afloat for long at all, and re-acquisition would only cost you more in the long run.

- Those you know are going to be the ones who get you out of this. Every worthwhile job change I've had in my entire life came in some way, shape or form from somebody I know.

- Do not despair. Things have an amazing way of working out. I've been exactly where you are and I know all about the sleepless nights, panic, etc. etc. There were nights when I did not sleep at all and just kept sending out resumes. I sent out hundreds of resumes. I didn't get a single interview from any of it.

I got work through those I know.

Before I got laid off I did the responsible stuff... had enough money in the bank to survive, etc. I fully expected that getting laid off would wipe out savings and such.

To my utter astonishment, it didn't. In between unemployment benefits, temp work, my blessed wife, and a radical change in how I allocated my money, I got through it all unscathed.

You can do this.

Believe it.

 

[RaginRog]

Big bummer!

- Do not despair. Things have an amazing way of working out. I've been exactly where you are and I know all about the sleepless nights, panic, etc. etc. There were nights when I did not sleep at all and just kept sending out resumes. I sent out hundreds of resumes. I didn't get a single interview from any of it.

Douglas, I'm with you. Times can certainly get tough, but you can't give up hope. I'm an ex-autoworker...My plant closed in 2005, so I went through change in career, a divorce, and the housing crisis all at once. Mid 2006-through early 2008 were some pretty tough years for me. A little prayer, some good friends, and family helped me get through it all.

It just makes you a better person in the end.

 

[AnthonyD]

Similarly, been there as well (discussed here almost 2 years ago).

I left work the day I was told and may plans to take the family to Disney World. Wanted to ensure the kids did fear what the changes might bring.

I was fortunate in my circumstance and ultimately landed a better job with a brighter future - but still went through the process and struggled to find the right opportunity.

Stay positive - look for what's going right and stay focused. Better days ahead...

 

[drTStingray]

Jlepre - back in 86 I sold my 1979/80 sunburst Ray cos I was broke and we were moving house. I also sold my Acoustic 371 (for a pittance as well!!)

I really regret selling the 'Ray now, and have done for some years - the worst thing is I now realise there were other options at the time. I suggest you don't sell unless there's absolutely no other option.

 

[jlepre]

I have been away from the forum for a few days, and must say the words I am reading brought tears to my eyes. I have been in a kind of funk, and know what is now important. I have had alot of support from close family, and that has kept me positive. I even got a call from an old bandmate, that they might need me to do some fill-in gigs in the coming months. So, selling is out of the question!

I wanted to thank you all who have answered with positive feedback. I know everything happens for a reason, but it is hard to see it at first.

Again many thanks!