miles1
Active Member
We haven't even discussed another trip for next year. That's currently the least of my worries. We've made at least one trip per year since 1999.
My primary job is real estate related (we do building inspections and homeowner environmental services). We were grinding along slowly until two weeks ago by cutting overhead and taking reduced pay. Once this crisis hit the press, the phone stopped ringing entirely. People are either afraid to buy a home now, or cannot obtain mortgages.
I haven't drawn a paycheck now in three weeks. I spent time on the phone today canceling the insurance on our spare car, writing a letter to DD's school that her tuition would be late (if paid at all), and negotiating with our electric company to avoid a shut-off. I've made it up to this month, but the mortgage may be in doubt next month.
Like others have said, this didn't just start last week. In the last year our electric bill jumped 40%, our propane bill 30%, gas for the cars rose 60%, and my kid's tuition jumped 10% for one and 15% for the other. At the same time my income fell considerably because people can't buy houses.
This crisis was a long time coming, but it is hitting a lot of industries hard, very quickly. When these folks loose their jobs, they won't be spending any money either, jeopardizing more jobs. I am really praying that the Senate approves the bail-out bill today to at least keep everyone afloat until some serious economic recovery can begin.
I'm here today purely for escape from reality for a few minutes. Thanks for listening.
:animwink:
My primary job is real estate related (we do building inspections and homeowner environmental services). We were grinding along slowly until two weeks ago by cutting overhead and taking reduced pay. Once this crisis hit the press, the phone stopped ringing entirely. People are either afraid to buy a home now, or cannot obtain mortgages.
I haven't drawn a paycheck now in three weeks. I spent time on the phone today canceling the insurance on our spare car, writing a letter to DD's school that her tuition would be late (if paid at all), and negotiating with our electric company to avoid a shut-off. I've made it up to this month, but the mortgage may be in doubt next month.
Like others have said, this didn't just start last week. In the last year our electric bill jumped 40%, our propane bill 30%, gas for the cars rose 60%, and my kid's tuition jumped 10% for one and 15% for the other. At the same time my income fell considerably because people can't buy houses.
This crisis was a long time coming, but it is hitting a lot of industries hard, very quickly. When these folks loose their jobs, they won't be spending any money either, jeopardizing more jobs. I am really praying that the Senate approves the bail-out bill today to at least keep everyone afloat until some serious economic recovery can begin.
I'm here today purely for escape from reality for a few minutes. Thanks for listening.
:animwink:
