What Recession? Fooey! (analysis, 2009, jobs, selling)

[subsound]

What was that old quote? "Recession is when your neighbor loses his job. Depression is when you lose yours" (I like the first part, more relevant then Carter). People will exaggerate claims based on how they are affected by situations, if they lose their job it's a depression...if they are a victim of crime it's rampant. It's a bad recession, but the world economic structure is not going to collapse leaving people in a post apocalyptic nightmare. From what I can see things are turning around, given no more big shocks, but I am waiting to see through the end of the summer what the indicators say.

I can say in my own situation I have no threat to my job, and being in health care people still need it. My wife has been having trouble with positions because it's more closely tied to consumer demand, and tied to things people need but they won't die if they don't get it...but she still has a job, just not one she really wants. Our income has increased significantly, with recent liquidations I can say we have increased our spending a bit, our savings increased, most of our investments have actually increased in value (I got out of banks/housing in 2005, but some indexes in 403(b) lost a good amount of value), and we have paid off one car loan...working on one more and my student loan (not big payments or interest, so no danger). We live in one of the hardest hit economies as well, Portland Oregon.

We certainly have a number of contingency plans and large savings to tide us over. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

[skaternum]

Originally Posted by desertsun41

First it is not a recession, maybe for a few isolated areas but for the most part this country is in a depression.

Um, no. Technically, it is a recession, according to all economic indicators. Nationwide, we are not officially in a recession.

[thegirlinaz]

I am 22 and I can't find a job if my life depended on it.. I have a bachelors degree and I mean I can't even find entry level jobs at fricken grocery stores..

[futureperfect5]

IF I were you ...and I know that this might seem, very hard -- I woul look into moving on into a Master's degree
unitl things get better. You may as well.

The situation was the same when I left college, I should have goe for my Master's. Instead I joined the military ..which was good, yet it delayed my entery into civilian workforce.

Look into a FAFSA and other student loans ...if you wait, people (family "friends"), employers, etc will discourage you. They will tell you that you need the graduate degree to get better opportunities, good luck if you get ANY support from anyone to achieve it.

It might look like a bad situation right now; yet SEIZE this opportunity ...only 18months. Yet, take a part-time job now, even some volunteer work so you will hve experience, too.

You can do it!

Originally Posted by thegirlinaz

I am 22 and I can't find a job if my life depended on it.. I have a bachelors degree and I mean I can't even find entry level jobs at fricken grocery stores..

[futureperfect5]

Nothing is lost, unless they sell: the problem is to avoid selling until the market comes back.

Yes, the peceived equity has diminished greatly and banks would sell for less. That problem is that the markets were priced beyond their true value. Now people suffer.

Originally Posted by desertsun41

You are insulting about 4.4 million Americans who have lost their job. Many of those jobs are educated professional jobs. You are actually bragging and acting blind to what is going on around you. If I were married to an Accountant I would have no money worries either.

Recession my azz. Much of the country is in a depression by all respected definitions. Places like Vegas, Detroit, Miami and Pheonix are in a deep depression. These people have lost more then half the value in their homes. I am certian you have lost some too though probably not half.

I just feel you are bragging in a hurtfull way even if that is not your intent. Why dont you open your eyes and look outside. Read the paper, look at the posts here. Things are real real bad out there and we ain't seen nothing yet. Dont say no. Every month and every year that goes by the experts say it cant get worse but it does...and does....and does again. Dont say it cant get worse. This year is going to be a blood bath.

[subsound]

Originally Posted by thegirlinaz

I am 22 and I can't find a job if my life depended on it.. I have a bachelors degree and I mean I can't even find entry level jobs at fricken grocery stores..

That same thing happened to me when I got out of college, I was out of work for a year. It has been a massive motivator for me since then in my professional experience. I had some support from my parents, eventually got a contract position, and then went back and received my MBA...gratefully things have been fantastic since that year of utter crap.

[thegirlinaz]

Originally Posted by futureperfect5

IF I were you ...and I know that this might seem, very hard -- I woul look into moving on into a Master's degree
unitl things get better. You may as well.

The situation was the same when I left college, I should have goe for my Master's. Instead I joined the military ..which was good, yet it delayed my entery into civilian workforce.

Look into a FAFSA and other student loans ...if you wait, people (family "friends"), employers, etc will discourage you. They will tell you that you need the graduate degree to get better opportunities, good luck if you get ANY support from anyone to achieve it.

It might look like a bad situation right now; yet SEIZE this opportunity ...only 18months. Yet, take a part-time job now, even some volunteer work so you will hve experience, too.

You can do it!

Actually I am going for my masters degree, lol. I am starting this August. However, I still need to work a job while going to school..

[desertsun41]

Originally Posted by thegirlinaz

I am 22 and I can't find a job if my life depended on it.. I have a bachelors degree and I mean I can't even find entry level jobs at fricken grocery stores..

"If" your life depended on it? Your life DOES depend on it. That bachelors degree ain't worth the paper it's written on in these economic depression times.

I have people come into my store looking for work everyday. They dont even know what they are applying for. They dont care, they are desperate. And many will brag about some advanced degree which does not impress anyone anymore.

Things are real real bad out there and I see it getting worse. I so feel for you. I wish I could help everyone.

Good luck to you.

[ocnymonty]

Originally Posted by desertsun41

Now your post is pretty hard to swallow. First it is not a recession, maybe for a few isolated areas but for the most part this country is in a depression.

You said you have not been affected yet your entire post listed all the downsizing, cancelations, percentages off the norms, closings, not meeting budgeted goals, no bonuses, no commissions, reductions in workforces, opportunities that have drifted away and on and on.......did I get them all?

And you are not affected. Mister I want a bottle of what you are drinking. I do applaud you on being a surviver. I do question though if you are a surviver or just very very lucky to not have been part of the company ax. As the saying goes.......dont speak too soon. You may be next so be prepared. This economic depresssion has much more falling to do before any change blows with the breeze.

I guess you missed the 'hint of sarcasm' sprinkled throughout my entire post. My point was really... "well I could assume that there is no recession or economic depression just because I am still working, not in tons of debt, still able to make payments... but that would be foolish of course."

Yes there is a major downturn, recession, or depression... whatever the economists want to call it and it affects nearly every American directly or indirectly. So I agree with the majority here... this is certainly the worst economic period I have experienced while living 41 years on this planet. And I hope it's the last.

[desertsun41]

Originally Posted by skaternum

Um, no. Technically, it is a recession, according to all economic indicators. Nationwide, we are not officially in a recession.

Um yes it is a deep depression. I beg of you not to listen to your govt. They lie even more then cops.

The news also likes to say recession but nothing can prove that.

Lets see what you say in short order as we fall even deeper towards hell.

I dont think we will see an end to whatever we want to call this economy in less then a dozen years but I hope I am wrong but I doubt it.

I wish ya luck anyway.