[Poll] Eeeeeeekonomy.

[thefourthvine]

So, the other day I took the earthling to the mall for walking-around purposes, and every single store except the Cinnabon was having a sale. It was a little scary. And we're looking for a desk right now, and half the local furniture stores are having a sale. The other half are out of business. Friends of mine have been laid off. California's budget looks like it's been hit by asteroids.

I am alarmed. And so I'm wondering about y'all: how are you doing? Poll time!

And, by the way, if you're thinking now might be a good time to get your finances in order, I highly recommend the services of jarrow, who does custom budget spreadsheets for fellow fans (and, I assume, others). The spreadsheets are a) really, really pretty (they look like Monopoly!) b) easy to use and c) cheap. It does not get better than that, people. (Except it does: he also provides instruction and tech support. And emotional support, too, if you need it, like if you find budgeting just way too scary ever to face, or if you hyperventilate every time you think about your bills.) We had been trying to use Quicken for two years, and basically only achieving an ever-growing hatred of Quicken. John's spreadsheet, on the other hand, is totally working for us.

And now, let's talk about you.

[Poll #1425209]

Comments

[sanj.livejournal.com]

jarrow is a GOD, no lie.

I have a job that enables me to more or less scramble through paycheck-to-paycheck now, but I'm about to quit it and go to grad school, racking up enormous amounts of debt -- but hey, the health care will be good.

I will need to have a part-time job for expenses, but I should muddle through.

[jarrow.livejournal.com]

A god! My goodness, I don't think I've ever been called that before outside of bed. ;-) You are too kind! *blushes*

[mecurtin.livejournal.com]

My husband and I and another person have a very small business together. We have to juggle health insurance with money to pay other business expenses with money for life. We are very worried and want a ROBUST PUBLIC OPTION NOW. We're trying to get the Stimulus Fairy to give us money, but it's hard.

I've been grinding my teeth, and one piece of advice is "reduce stress". As if. And the cost for fixing my cracked tooth is not covered by insurance.

If we were experiencing this by ourselves, we'd feel like total disgraceful failures. Now, though, we're "just" caught in the gears of dysfunctional capitalism.

[norah.livejournal.com]

You can get a bite guard that can be custom-molded to your teeth for ~$20 at Target. I recommend the DenTek brand - they always lasted at least a few weeks for me and I crack the custom ones from the dentist (which are supposed to last ~4 years) in about a month, so...

http://www.dentek.com/shop.php?target=products&product_id=84

I know when money is short prevention is a hard thing to think about paying for, but this helped me a lot in terms of reducing headaches and better sleep, too, so maybe worth it?

[megstuff.livejournal.com]

I can't really complain about my finances, since I am about to quit my job voluntarily to travel for a few months, but I am not optimistic (which is to say, I am freaking out) about what the job market is going to be like when I got back. Timing, why so bad?

[thefourthvine.livejournal.com]

Have fun on your trip! And maybe the magic fairies will come and fix the economy while you're gone! *hopes hopes hopes*

[bluevsgrey.livejournal.com]

Okay well I kinda of quit. By that I mean I didn't actually quit, but I stopped going to work because team performance was shit and I was going to get fired(probably) unless my boyfriend started working with my team. But he got a different job. One that pays half as much. And I don't have a job. At least I get to see him for more than two days of the week?

Also, I clicked situation is the same financially as two years ago. This is untrue, however I was still living at home two years ago and didn't have bills, but also I had a job and saving so I guess technically I would be doing worse. However living there was eating at my soul and the way I see it soul >>> actual currency, others may have a different perspective.

[thefourthvine.livejournal.com]

*nods* Sometimes getting away from home is the best investment you can make in terms of your actual sanity. I see that!

[margueritem.livejournal.com]

I have no idea how well I'm doing because a) I'm still living with my parents until I move into my condo in October (then we will see) and b) people take fewer language lessons in the summer, so I'm getting less hours. Hopefully, it will pick up again in September.

I live in Canada and no one I know has been laid off. *crosses fingers*

[thefourthvine.livejournal.com]

*crosses fingers with you*

(And, oh god oh god, moving. We are doing that right now, and it is HORRIBLE. For your sake, I hope your stuff amounts to two boxes of precious metals.)

[lapillus]

Well, I've been happily temping for about a year. The last day of my current assignment was Thursday (it went on for six more months than I'd really expected) and I'm taking off for a couple of weeks to go visit my parents up in Maine and so don't have anything lined up immediately. We'll see what happens when I get back.

I have private insurance that doesn't cover much but doesn't cost much either (and does save me more than it costs me - it has a good drug benefit and with my fibro I'm on a LOT of meds.)

As for attitude, I do think that things will improve in the immediate future, however I think that it may be start of a distinct downward trend as climate change, peak oil and other pressures on finite resources start kicking in with a vengeance. Our current system is up against pressures it cannot, ultimately, last against and the shift in mode is not going to be pleasant.

[thefourthvine.livejournal.com]

We'll see what happens when I get back.

*wishes you luck*

Our current system is up against pressures it cannot, ultimately, last against and the shift in mode is not going to be pleasant.

...Yeah. *winces* I hear that.

[elucreh.livejournal.com]

My dad's business has gone under--it was based on a market of people building new buildings, which NOBODY IS ANYMORE--and it's kind of really terrifying. We'll have three kids in college next fall and we have a lot of expensive medical issues that our insurance doesn't cover. I'm quietly freaking out on the sidelines...there isn't much I can do beyond what I'm already doing, working all I can and sending good vibes into the universe. *sigh*

[thefourthvine.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm sorry about your dad's business. (And the medical issues.) And three kids in college, holy SHIT.

I'm quietly freaking out on the sidelines...there isn't much I can do beyond what I'm already doing, working all I can and sending good vibes into the universe.

I will join you in both the quiet freaking out and the good vibes.

[pocketmouse]

Two years ago I was still in college, so I don't know if that counts as the same, but I'm not worse off since I'm able to pay my loans off. Basically at the end of the month I either have no surplus after bills or under $100. My pillow is graduation money from grandparents, and I try to ignore it and pretend it doesn't exist, as I can't really rebuild it.

I work part time at a library and the rest of the time I do overhire work in theatre tech. There's definitely been less job opportunities, but the pay's the same, and I've got my regulars, so I'm still doing fine, but it's harder to find new stuff and extra money. I get by, but that's it.

[thefourthvine.livejournal.com]

Basically at the end of the month I either have no surplus after bills or under $100.

Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen pounds nineteen and six, result happiness!

My pillow is graduation money from grandparents, and I try to ignore it and pretend it doesn't exist, as I can't really rebuild it.

Wise! (And, um. I assume pillow money is savings? I have never actually heard the term before.)

[china_shop]

I'm self-employed so while I haven't been laid off, my last contract ended in April and I haven't found the next thing yet.

As for the health insurance? Umm, complicated. New Zealand doesn't have government health insurance, per se: we have a public health system (ie, public hospitals and partially subsidised GP visits and prescriptions). However, for various reasons which don't need exploring at this juncture, I also have (fairly expensive) private health insurance which gives me access to specialists and services which I could get through the public health system but I'd have to wait longer and/or have less choice. /far more info than you wanted, I suspect :-)

Wrt attitude: I still have visions of Anne stealing apples at the beginning of King Kong, but I've also had vague murmurings and possibilities of work in the last week or so, so it's hard to tell whether we're still plummeting downwards or things are looking up. *shrugs* In the meantime, I have plenty to keep me busy.

[thefourthvine.livejournal.com]

I'm self-employed so while I haven't been laid off, my last contract ended in April and I haven't found the next thing yet.

Oh, god. I remember the joys of being self-employed - for the most part, actually, it was really good, but not having anything was not so good. (Now I do some freelance stuff, but mostly I am employed by the earthling, who does not actually pay anything. But he gives great intangibles!)

New Zealand doesn't have government health insurance, per se: we have a public health system (ie, public hospitals and partially subsidised GP visits and prescriptions).

To someone in the US, trust me, this looks like government health insurance. And, actually, I'm always fascinated to hear how these systems work in other countries, and I wish more people would talk about them on LJ and elsewhere; I think it would help clear up a lot of confusion and get people comfortable with the idea. I would LOVE to see lots of posts from people talking about what the health care/health insurance situation is like where they are.

I still have visions of Anne stealing apples at the beginning of King Kong, but I've also had vague murmurings and possibilities of work in the last week or so, so it's hard to tell whether we're still plummeting downwards or things are looking up.

I will hope for looking up! *hopes hopes hopes*

[j00j.livejournal.com]

I've just graduated, so unemployment is immenent when my assistantship (and health insurance!) ends, unless I get a job. It's a wonderful time to be on the job market... whee!

[thefourthvine.livejournal.com]

I wish you luck! (And also, hey, congratulations on the graduation!)

[melannen.livejournal.com]

I have catastrophic insurance: basically, it covers any medical bills over 10,000 dollars in a six-month period, not counting pre-existing conditions. So if I get in a plane crash or have a stroke or something, I'm not *totally* screwed, but other than that - yeah, all out of pocket. (It costs a couple hundred per six months, and then I have to renew, though if a particular injury/illness carries over the renewal date, I am still covered. So not horrible, and at least it functions the way insurance is supposed to. Now if only I had money coming in to pay for routine doctors' visits with...)

I was subsitute teaching, which is basically temporary seasonal work, until they cut funding for substitutes and I stopped getting paid. Not exactly laid off, but the effect is the same.

[thefourthvine.livejournal.com]

I have catastrophic insurance: basically, it covers any medical bills over 10,000 dollars in a six-month period, not counting pre-existing conditions.

OMG. I mean, on the one hand, I'm glad you have that! On the other hand, only having that must be scary.

I was subsitute teaching, which is basically temporary seasonal work, until they cut funding for substitutes and I stopped getting paid. Not exactly laid off, but the effect is the same.

...But then what do they do when the teachers are sick? Cancel school? I'm not entirely sure how they can cut funding for subs.

But, in any case, I hope the funding picks back up again. Or that you find a new job that you like. *crosses fingers for you*

[ladysorka]

I've been a full time student, but I'm graduating at the end of this month and I'm not looking forward to the job hunt.

[thefourthvine.livejournal.com]

I wish you luck in the job hunt! And, hey, congratulations on graduating!

[(Anonymous)]

I left my job voluntarily in May of 2008 (due to the nature of the job, it was a decision I had to make in September of 2007, considerably before the U.S. economy went into a tailspin) and haven't found work since. I'm living off my retirement account and my credit card. I can probably make it another year, but if I haven't found some kind of decent work by then I don't know what I'll do.

[thefourthvine.livejournal.com]

Eep! I hope you find decent work very, very soon.

[blackletter]

I think one's sense of economic reality is skewed when one is a grad student.

I said that I'll definitely be laid off--what I *really* mean is that I'll finish my PhD Exams, my funding will run out, and I'll go hide in a hole somewhere to write my dissertation.

I think my finances are OK. I pay my bills, occasionally let myself have a treat, have enough in savings that I can make it through the unemployed days of summer. Yet when I tell people I earn $9800 a year (and don't take out loans) no one's quite sure *how* I manage this. For that matter, *I'm* not sure how I manage this. (I suppose I have simple tastes?)

But I do have great health insurance. Totally free. (Hurrah for TA perks.)

[thefourthvine.livejournal.com]

I think one's sense of economic reality is skewed when one is a grad student.

Yup!

I pay my bills, occasionally let myself have a treat, have enough in savings that I can make it through the unemployed days of summer.

I'm insanely impressed that you can do that on 9800/yr. Perhaps growing up in the Park Service has taught you secret survival skills!

[dancinguniverse.livejournal.com]

I just graduated college, and I have a job, though it's only a one year position. Hopefully I'll be at grad school after that, and I'm in a field where I get paid to go to grad school, as long as I TA or do research, both of which are expected anyway, and guaranteed positions.

But my Mom was out of work for a few months, and her new job is not nearly as nice as the old one, and of my friends who graduated and didn't go to grad school, only one of them is currently employed. And I went to a nice college, so that's pretty scary.

I feel like I'm doing quite well, but I've also been living in dorms for the past four years, so living above the ramen-only diet seems like high class living. And I have no dependents, and no expenses beyond rent and food and some student loans, so I think I have it pretty easy. I'm not making that much (not minimum wage, but certainly not beyond what I've known cashiers at somewhat nicer stores to make), and I think I'm living both comfortably and below my means, which feels good.

I get insurance through the college I'm doing research for, and it's a pretty nice package, so that's ok. At the same time, I'm only going to hold this position for a year, so a lot of the policy stuff I just didn't care about. Long term disability? It's only a year long position. That really shouldn't make a difference to me. I really only cared about whether I could get my prescriptions cheaply. I doubt I'll even see a physician in the next year.

*shrug* I'm optimistic, as long as I get into grad school. I didn't, last year, and that was crushing, but I also applied to pretty competitive schools. I'm good for now.

[thefourthvine.livejournal.com]

I just graduated college, and I have a job, though it's only a one year position. Hopefully I'll be at grad school after that, and I'm in a field where I get paid to go to grad school, as long as I TA or do research, both of which are expected anyway, and guaranteed positions.

This sounds cautiously awesome, if such a concept is possible.

I feel like I'm doing quite well, but I've also been living in dorms for the past four years, so living above the ramen-only diet seems like high class living.

*snickers* Yes, I remember the days when purchasing mac and cheese seemed like a great luxury. Oh, ramen; where would the American education system be without you?

I'm optimistic, as long as I get into grad school.

I hope you do. What field, out of curiosity?

[troubleinchina.livejournal.com]

To be frank, we're well off because my mother-in-law could party with JKR and not look out of place in terms of money. One day, when she found out that I was working full-time while trying to write my honour's thesis and take full time classes in the first semester of last year, she decided to start giving us a "small" allowance that was more than I made a month working f/t. She also gave us a lump-sum payment that was not insignificant, for "necessities".

I do not understand her money stuff.

Right now I'm working because we want to travel in August, and I'd feel better if our money was paying for that, not hers. It makes talking about money right now very very strange.

[troubleinchina.livejournal.com]

Oh, and now I'm in the MA program and am looking at TAing in the new year. Which will equal very little money, but will be supplementing this strange "allowance" thing.

[angevin2.livejournal.com]

I'm a doctoral student who's been on an adjunct contract for the last couple of years (my department only gives PhD students three years of funding even though the university allows for five), which generally means doing the same workload as a full-time faculty member (I taught a 3/2 courseload this past year) for none of the benefits and a quarter of the money. So I was pretty broke even before the economy tanked.

Where the tanking economy makes things scary is that a lot of programs have had to cancel their tenure-track job searches. I was on the market last year, and a good many places cancelled (including fucking Harvard). And the academic job market is a forbidding place at the best of times -- in my field (Renaissance lit), for instance, 50 job openings nationwide is insanely good, and it's even worse if you're, say, a medievalist. By the time I go back on the market in the fall, my dissertation will be finished, which I do think will improve my chances, but...I don't know. Right now it's even hard finding adjunct work -- I'm teaching at several universities, and my home campus spent most of their budget on two high-profile new hires, one place seems not to like me and doesn't want me back, and the place that really likes me doesn't have any classes available.

[thefourthvine.livejournal.com]

You're doing a dissertation AND working as an adjunct? Holy shit. Do you sleep?

And, wow, this is indeed a scary scary time to be looking for an academic job, although I suppose it's a vague comfort that it's never precisely a GOOD time to be looking for one. I wish you luck!

[nestra.livejournal.com]

I think, if I were unmarried, I'd still be pretty stable, because I'm naturally frugal and was lucky enough not to have any college debt. But given that I got let go from my last contract job in March, the fact that I have insurance and the amount of savings that I do is primarily thanks to my husband and his job. Which, thank god, is probably safe.

[thefourthvine.livejournal.com]

We're in similar situations, sounds like. I'm employed now mostly as a parent to the earthling (who does not pay well, but gives great intangibles), and stable due to BB's job, which I hope is safe. So, yay for partners with jobs! (And no college debt. Starting adult life without student loans: the best gift my parents have ever given me.)

[bibliokat.livejournal.com]

My sister just finished high school, and her opinion is that the economy doesn't exist. I'm not sure if I wish it didn't or it's on its way to extinction anyway.

Here's where I clarify my answers: I'm an elementary school teacher. I graduated college and was hired two years ago (hence the I'm in the same place as two years ago answer). At the end of this year, my principal told me I wasn't being rehired (continuing contracts/tenure start after your 3rd year). So now I'm reapplying, YES even at that SAME SCHOOL, for jobs. I do have a part-time job at Kohls Department store with limited hours. And one of my friends hooked me up with a tutoring job at that SAME SCHOOL for this fall & spring. I have quite a bit of savings, but to keep them (possible grad school, less wornout car, emergencies, etc.) I'm living at home for the THIRD year in a row. Which I'm *extremely* grateful for, but I really thought by now I'd be growing up and striking out more on my own (I love living at home, but seriously, I can't stay here forever!).

Le sigh. At least my friends all got to keep their jobs.

[bibliokat.livejournal.com]

Ha, I'm pretty sure my health insurance goes through this month, and then if I don't have a job, I'll be looking for something to cover me for emergencies. Any suggestions?!

[jarrow.livejournal.com]

I wish you could've seen my face light up when I saw this post. You! With the awesomeness! Thank you so much for recommending me! (And yes, I do service non-fans. Uh, with budgets. Right. But that, too.)

*big squishy hugs*

[thefourthvine.livejournal.com]

I wish I had seen it, too! You do happy extremely well. *g*

Sadly, I don't think many people will listen to my recommendation about budgets. If you'd written a story, now - that would be easier to persuade people on. But I hope people do take you up on it, because this is so much easier than Quicken I am only sad I did not do it when you first offered.

*big squishy hugs back*

[scarletladyy.livejournal.com]

I don't work for two reasons - 1) Because of my SA and 2) Because I don't feel it is my place.

Money-wise we are fine because of my disability allowance and my fiance's job, and I live in a country where healthcare is free [as it should be everywhere]. We don't need insurance.

I'm happier now, financially, than I was two years ago, most definately.

[thefourthvine.livejournal.com]

Social anxiety is haaaaard, especially in the workplace (and especially when it comes to getting into the workplace, via interviews or whatever). I'm curious about what you mean when you say you don't feel it's your place, though. (But feel free not to expand on that if the idea of doing so makes you uncomfortable.)

I live in a country where healthcare is free

*sighs* I envy you. I mean, I have good health insurance, but I know so many people who don't, who can't go to the doctor when they need to, or who struggle to pay for it. And I know people - lots of them - who simply cannot get the kind of insurance they need. It's distressing.

I'm happier now, financially, than I was two years ago, most definately.

Yay!

[melpemone.livejournal.com]

I was working as a temp in a government department for just under a year until January, and seeing how the job situation was becoming I decided to leave that for full-time work and better job security, which I found. That new job retrenched me in late March, and it took about three months to find another job, which in retrospect is actually not bad, although at the time it was harrowing. The new new job is actually pretty great, and I'm doing well in it, and the pay is slightly better, so apart from my truly astonishing credit card debt and the not-amazing state of my teeth, I'm doing okay. But I am paranoid. There's no indication at all that anyone at the new firm will be laid off, in fact it's doing quite well, but I worry.

Two of my brothers were also laid off, although as they're quite young (21 and 17) they were unfortunately disposable anyway. The 21 year old started a business course, and couldn't find work for around six months (he's just started at a bowling alley, and he likes it, which is unheard-of, but his debts are also impressive), and I have no idea what the 17 year old is doing. Sleeping, presumably. :)

Thankfully, my partner is a rare talent in a niche industry, so no matter how many pranks he pulls on his boss (don't ask! *eyeroll*), he's very secure.

[thefourthvine.livejournal.com]

The new new job is actually pretty great, and I'm doing well in it, and the pay is slightly better, so apart from my truly astonishing credit card debt and the not-amazing state of my teeth, I'm doing okay.

I am glad for the new new job! And, um, I hope for improvement in the areas of teeth and credit cards. (Oh my god, teeth and credit cards sounds like the content of the WORST DREAM EVER. Or possibly a good name for a band.)

Thankfully, my partner is a rare talent in a niche industry, so no matter how many pranks he pulls on his boss (don't ask! *eyeroll*), he's very secure.

I will not ask, but know that I am curious. And, wow. I wish I could be a rare talent. *envies your partner*

[aidara.livejournal.com]

I graduated with my Bachelor's in December '08 and haven't been able to find a job since. Like, any job, let alone one related to my degree. D: I'm getting to the end of my rope.

[thefourthvine.livejournal.com]

Eeep. I'm so sorry - getting into the workforce is hard enough in good economic times, but being a new graduate now - well. Obviously, it's a new definition of hard.

[janet-carter.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure where my health insurance falls on other people's scales of "costs a lot", but it's my single biggest expense after rent and I'm mostly healthy, so I'll say it's expensive.

[thefourthvine.livejournal.com]

That, in my opinion, definitely qualifies for "costs a lot." Wow.

[norah.livejournal.com]

You know what my situation is like, so I won't expand. But God, this economy is terrifying.

[thefourthvine.livejournal.com]

It is! *clings to you*