I'm being totally serious. I know almost as many people out of work as those working

[Crazy Dave]

But to clarify, these are close friends, acquaintances and/or neighbors that I see and speak to daily or on a regular basis.

It's not EVERY single person I know or people I see or speak with from time to time.

[Demobrat]

1. I got invited to a pink slip party.

Out of 30 people on the list I was the only one with a job. And I'm far from secure.

[Warpy]

2. Nobody feels their job is secure right now

Even hospitals are letting people go as the ranks of uninsured people swell with the loss of job provided health insurance.

That's why nobody's taking on debt right now, especially long term debt like car payments and mortgages.

[Crazy Dave]

3. Yup

Last week I talked to a friend who has been with the same company 25 years, only missed three days of work in those years and even he is worried about getting axed for someone less skilled and who will work for half of what he's currently paid.

[KharmaTrain]

4. Everyone Is Affected Differently...

Sadly I know too many people who have been laid off over the past year...it's hard to see how they're going to make it...or even worse, what I can say or do to make them feel better and that they're not alone. That doesn't go very far with people who are proud and frustrated.

Then there are those who are suffering through having more of a job load due to downscaling or consolidation...doing whatever they can to stay employed and be a "team player". They see what's going on around them and a stagnant economy that is making them hold onto whatever they can save.

Another group are those on fixed incomes...many who've seen their savings and pensions fritter away over the last two years and have had to adjust their lifestyles accordingly. Less vacations, if any...fewer nights out...hunkering down with only what's necessary.

Seems like everyone I encounter fits into one or more of those catagories....

Cheers...

[TwilightGardener]

5. My work hours were chopped down to nothing, with no foreseeable

increase in sight, so I finally quit--and have decided to be a stay at home mom for a while. We're managing to live on one income now, but it's tight. We're fortunate, though, that my husband can't be fired from the military (unless he really effs up, LOL!), and we have health/dental/pension. Many don't have that safety net.

[raccoon]

6. Jeez, Crazy, where are you?

Course I know things are hard all over.