What are the effects of the Economic Recession on you?

[rjky1986]

Additionally, new house construction is slow, but occurring at least. Currently existing factories and even numerous retail places in the city have been laying off workers and are slow to hire. Some don't hire anymore at all. I have put in over a dozen applications in this city and all places either turned me down or I never heard back from. I've applied to more than that in Louisville, and I'm still getting rejected. The meth problems and crime rates are getting worse in Owensboro as well...

[watuwaitn4]

@rjky1986 ... Good luck to you! I hope you find something soon. Just keep pounding the pavement and prepping. You and all those looking for work will be in our prayers tonight.

[rjky1986]

I am in northwestern Kentucky, and like many parts of the Midwest [especially the Ohio River valley and the Great Lakes Rust Belt], the economy here is horrid. In my city [Owensboro] tons of the original factories [including the General Electric plant] have gone under in a 10 to 20-year period. Our "grand hotel" downtown was lost and then demolished. Another former great high-rise hotel in midtown has been abandoned.

[MsCnote1984]

I've been on unemployment for almost the 99 week limit now. The job market in California is horrible, and it seems like employers are taking advantage of it. They will offer $8 or $9 an hour with no benefits. That would barely cover the cost of rent, and gasoline, not to mention taxes, bills, food, ect. I now am strongly considering moving to another state with a lower cost of living. If the economy doesn't change soon we'll have a SHTF situation.

[watuwaitn4]

@MsCnote1984 ... Man, I wish you all the luck in finding a good job (I know they are getting harder and harder to find). I know it's hard to pick up and move, but I have heard Cali. is one of the worst (cost of living wise). But, it seems to be bad everywhere now-a-days. Keep your spirits up and remember to prep when you can. I know times are tough, but you will get through it. May God bless you.

[lisaloolibell]

Hi over here in the UK were starting to see some changes my husband works in the nuclear industry and has taken a 5% paycut as well as losing a retainer payment, all overtime has been stopped. We get something called child tax credits which we are probably going to lose. I home educate and am looking for part time work but there isnt much about. VAT is going up to 20%, petrol and diesel is getting more expensive and food prices are on the way up too. Its only going to get worse in 2011.

[watuwaitn4]

@lisaloolibell ... I agree, I think 2011 will be the year that the gov't and media can not cover up the facts any longer. It will be getting so bad that even the skeptics will realize what is going on. By that time, it will be hard to prepare and the people that finally decide that they need to prep... will be in big trouble. Do what you can to prepare for the worst. But lets hope that it will get better. Good luck!

[xlagirl]

We've lost everything over the last couple years! We relocated from the midwest to the west coast and their is still no work here. In California it's horrible. Millions are homeless here. People are sleeping in their cars, They are parked in the WalMart/Kmart/Parks/and Beaches at night so they can sleep. Children are in these cars too. The other things that is hundreds are camped out in Tents here. They call it tent city! The city provides them out houses to use and water hoses. That's it. Sad.

[Msakaalbany]

I would love 2000.00 a year, We sold our old house the taxes there were 6500.00 12 years ago now that house has over 11000.00 in taxes this house is rural and no services hit 3600.00 this year. And these are cheap

[watuwaitn4]

@Msakaalbany .. i know it doesn't seem like much for the taxes, but you have to realize that we live on under $20,000 a year (last year $16,000) for a family of 5 (last year 8).We live very frugally and the expense of taxes takes a big chunk out of our budget. That is one of the reasons we live in this area, cost of living is much cheaper than other parts (but the wages are less too)

[Msakaalbany]

@watuwaitn4 well your income higher than ours. So your taxes seem like a bargain. But on a lighter note. I dont know how far from Dallas you are but they will be getting a Christmas Tree Shop Great place to get dehydrated Vigo Bison Canyon Soups 2/3.00 makes a gallon a pack and Really great tasting. I really love the cheddar broccoli and chili. Also spices and many other treats that have become holiday staples Also many clothing and bed/bath bargains. CHEAP

[watuwaitn4]

@Msakaalbany ... Sounds Yummy!

[Msakaalbany]

all of a sudden the area Im living in is opening up. New stores and 100's manufacturing jobs noted recently,  We also got a couple of phone centers opened jobs brought back from India.Things not great but improving.

[watuwaitn4]

@Msakaalbany... that sounds encouraging, hope I can say the same from here in a few months. My fingers are crossed. LOL

[danratsnapnames]

hello, its horrible here is vancouver, wa, much of the same that your seeing.. i'm in a bad situation myself, my son needs a heart and lung transplant, and things couldn't be worse, he's stuck in the hospital, and really needs people to help him.. he was aired on kptv channel 12 in my area, i posted his video, check it out. watch?v=VfiYqs42ov8

[watuwaitn4]

@danratsnapnames ... You and your son will be in my families thoughts and prayers tonight. I hope that you can find the money and that everything works out well for your family. I will be watching the video as soon as I post this message. Good luck to you and your family and Our best wishes to you'all.

[jknacasual]

In Tennessee, things are very slow in most sectors of business. I am self employed, tied to the furniture industry. The furniture industry absolutely is in the pits. I have lost nearly 15% of my customers in the last 2 years to Bankruptcy. It is keeping the bills paid for now, but there are no bright lights on the horizon. Thankfully, we have been living very lean for the last 10 years, so no huge bills out there to haunt us. Best of luck to all!

[watuwaitn4]

@jknacasual ... I would say it will turn around, but truthfully I think it will get a heck of alot worse before it gets better (if it gets better at all). Living the prepper lifestyle and living lean is sure paying off now. All those that are mortgaged to the teeth who tryed to "keep up with the Jones" are now losing their house and getting their cars repo-ed. Good Luck!

[jknacasual]

@watuwaitn4 Amen. I hope you are right about the turn around. Gov spending, debt, and policies are certainly not helping the business environment improve in virtually any industry. Oil... Manufacturing... they are the backbones of the economy and the Economy is in Traction with a full body cast!

[thersaholycow]

They tell us that unemployment is down. They only way the government knows who is unemployed is who is getting unemployment bennifits. After they run out your off the governments radar and as far as they know, your working again. Im outside a small town in rural KY. There is no more work here unless your family has a business. The 2 houses on eather side of me are vacent. Repos thats owned by the bank. Ones been vacent for 3 years. I went back to college just to live off student loan money.

[rjky1986]

@thersaholycow Its true; they manipulate and even lie about the unemployment numbers [the govt and mainstream media that is] in order to keep the people calm. After factoring in people receiving unemployment benefits, those unemployed NOT receiving unemployment benefits, all of the college graduates [like moi] who can't find work even after applying to numerous places, and all "discouraged workers" who have given up, then unemployment more realistically ranges from 17 to 22 percent.

[tinsnanna]

south llousiana. its bad here, we fish and shimp and have grow kids and family in gulf working on boats in the oil bis houseing not as bad but u can see it coming husben was out of work 18mouths untill the spill its the only thing keeping most of us going

[watuwaitn4]

@tinsnanna ... Lousiana, the BP was a double edge sword. Created new jobs, but for how long? Now I've been hearing that the seafood might not be safe. Hope it makes a turn for the better.

[jplerwill]

Is that due to Obama's hold on the oil production?

Our income is fixed, so financially were the same. Although we are spending more on prep's. Even though it is often more expensive I have been trying to use the local small shops to make my purchasses so that I can help keep a Neighbor in a job and in their home. I know we have only picked up prep spending by 3-600 a month but maybe that will make a difference. 

[watuwaitn4]

@jplerwill ... Keep going as long as you can. The more you prep now, the better. Your making the right choices and you will be glad in the long run.

[TheNewRight]

watu,

I live in a town of about 4,000 in an agricultural area and since the crops are looking good, the economic freefall is slowed here. Agriculture is returning as the kingmaker here, as it once was decades ago. Theres a house one block away thats a fixer upper but ready to move into thats on the market for 14,000 $. Wow,half sized lot, garage, 2 story, three bedroom as well. I rent a place and don't plan to buy for atleast another year, almost debt free now. Will buy a house in cash only.

[watuwaitn4]

@TheNewRight ... That is what we did 3 years ago, we paid cash for our house. But now everything is in our house and if the market doesn't pick up, we might not have money to build on our land. At least I know that noone can reposess it :)

[katzcradul]

@watuwaitn4 There's no such thing as owning property outright. Even if it's completely paid off, it can still be seized for failure to pay taxes. It's just wrong.

[watuwaitn4]

@katzcradul ... your absolutely right. That is one reason we want to get out of our current house. The taxes are over $2000 a year with a homestead exemp. It might not seam like a lot, but to us it is a small fortune. Our land is in another county and the taxes are not as bad. we will also beable to get an agriculture exemp on the land that will also lower it even more. Darn taxes!!

[liabatud67]

@TheNewRight I was born in a town that is now at 8,000 for population. Now if that house was in the country possibly with an abutment against state or federal land and that would be ideal setting for many things.

Most preppers would break their neck for such an offering.