Visit to unemployment office this AM. Very discouraging talk.

[Paper Roses]

Like millions of others, I was laid off last winter and have not been able to find a job. The time came that I had to reapply for benefits. I had state benefits for 26 weeks, then the federal extended benefits. Today I had to reapply. Simple enough procedure but during my conversation with the unemployment representative today, I was given the information that elder workers are having the hardest time of all groups trying to find work. This certainly did nothing for my moral. I guess I knew it but when you are told that your peers are having such trouble, it certainly does nothing for your self-esteem.

I have been looking for jobs on my skill level and reviewed others for which I would have been overqualified years ago. I have received very few responses to my on-line applications and those few have been negative and also, the replies have been a long time coming. I know I have to take a cut in pay and probably find a part time job instead but there does not seem to be much out there in any category. My unemployment check is not large but is more than a part time job would would generate.

Anyone else found this to be the case? I'm trying to keep the roof over my head but it sure is hard. Never thought I'd see the day.

A quick edit: I am 68.

[barbtries]

1. good luck,

and don't give up. i was 52 when last hired almost two years ago. making more money than in my life to that point. now my co-worker, who is only 33, has taken a cut in pay to work here. but jobs are scarce and we do have a better situation than probably 75-90% of the folks out there.

craigslist has been very useful in my experience.

temp agencies might be a good start.

[Alameda]

2. You are a kid...compared to some of us....

52 is middle aged............

[Alameda]

3. Yes.....I was only recently laid off...it's been less than 4 weeks

.........but I have noticed in looking at Craigslist, and other places, the pickings are pretty thin..and the compensation is low low low. I can't believe what they are asking for such low wages!

I'm still waiting for my first unemployment check. My interview isn't until October the 6th...and I was laid off August 28th. I will have to wait until after the interview for a check.

I am lucky to have put a little away, but it will be two rents, before I get any check.

[thecrow]

4. I have 40 years experience and am a master at my craft

I'm a master wax modelmaker. When I was 50 I had a stroke.
Rehabilitated myself... still have a lot of issues... driving, standing, speaking, balance issues.
For the past 9 years I have worked at home but for my employer...
I have worked for him for 15 years. The business turned south last december.
No work was coming in.
When my unemployment runs out I will most likely lose my home
and go into bankruptcy if I have any debt.
I will have no credit, and no money to rent as rentals around here
are more expensive than my mortgage.
There are NO jobs here or anywhere for me.
We are going through our stocks and life savings at this point.

WTF am I supposed to do?

Get me a sugar daddy? (My SO is also jobless.)
Pitch a tent?

Commit suicide?

To have worked all these years and now carry this despair around with me
is just awful.

[barbtries]

8. i'm really sorry

you're having to go through this. all my best wishes for a happy outcome.

[thecrow]

9. Thanks for your cheer

[thecrow]

13. Six months later now

and I'm still here in despair.
I'm thinking of opening a soup kitchen/bakery
where people can get good food cheaply.

But... which bank would spot me the startup money?
Damn it's hard to get through the day.
I've stopped even going outside now because
all I see is people driving to and from their JOBS.

[squiffer]

15. six months later

You've probably already tried, but if you have not, I think you should try applying for disability. It's not much but it can help you keep the roof over your head.

Oh and suicide not an option - to quote Dorothy Parker:

"Gas smells awful,
Nooses give,
Guns aren't lawful,
You might as well live."

(-:

[newlib]

11. the most sincere form of self-criticism

suicide -----------don't even, don't ever even think about it or talk about it. get a sugar daddy.

[Zotz123]

17. Committing Suicide?

Dear Crow,

Please don't kill yourself. That solves nothing. I know because I've been there myself, for a long time and very seriously. How would it affect your SO? Can you get SSI? It comes with Medicare, you know. As for your house, you ought to be aware of several serious federal programs to modify the mortgages (downward) of unemployed people. I know this because my business died. I'm 65 and facing the same things you are. Went through savings, went through assets. Wife can't work. Are there any jobs available in the local supermarkets? I think we all have to forget our substantial training and experience. It's just irrelevant now. If it comes to that, I'd be willing to work in one of the Publix departments. But suicide is just not an answer to any question you have.

[Speck Tater]

5. My last job phased out gradually with hours getting reduced for several months running.

Since I was about to turn 62 and had no prospects in sight, I applied for early SS retirement. It's tight, but I manage, and not worrying about finding a job is rather liberating. My stress level is down and so is my blood pressure. I spend a lot of my free time now growing fruits and veggies in my garden and mini-orchard.

FWIW: I have a masters in comp sci and I made good money coding aerodynamic simulations. But the job got outsourced to Poland. There is nothing out there that's comparable for somebody my age. I don't envy people who are "older" but not old enough for retirement. It's a tough spot to be in.

[phantom power]

6. That's my worry. I'm 40 -- old enough to be expensive, but way too young to retire.

:woohoo:

[barbtries]

7. you're 68

can't you get SS?

[Paper Roses]

10. Yes, I get a SS check and it is not much. I have to save $400.00

a month from that check for my house taxes and live on the rest for all my other expenses. The unemployment check is a big help as I look for another job. If I do not find one soon, I will be living on less than $1000.00 a month for everything. Have cut down to bare bones living just to pay bills like utilities, insurances, taxes, necessities. No luxuries here.

The conversation at the unemployment office was very discouraging. Lots of us face the same thing and are trying to cope. I knew that I could never really retire but certainly never expected things to be as they are for so many of us.

[graywarrior]

12. Mr Gray and I applied to National Senior Network and found jobs with non-profits

The pay is shit, but it gets you in the door of a non-profit with the possibility of getting a permanent slot. I set my own job up with a local cable station. Look around for a non-profit you'd like to work with and approach them with the idea after talking to NSN.

Senior Network is federally funded and has been around since Johnson. They pay your salary and workman's comp, so the organization you work with pays nothing. You only work 20 hours a week, but it's a good networking opportunity.

Let me know if I can help by sending you information if you are interested.

[squiffer]

14. Senior Network

Hi,

I'd like as much information as you have about the NSN. I've
been looking for them online but can only find references to
their programs.

I'm 68 and was just turned down by a Kentucky Fried Chicken
franchise. Dunno' how much lower I can sink. ):

I need a job and this NSN sounds possible. I'm a free lance
writer but I don't make much yet so a part time sort of deal
would work well for me.

Thank You in advance for any information you can share with
me.

Kathy

[raccoon]

19. Do you mean they wouldn't let you buy the KFC franchise because of your age? nt

[Zotz123]

18. National Senior Network

In your March 16 post you offered to send information on the NSN. I would most appreciate receiving it. How do we do that? I'd prefer sending you my email address in a private message but I'm new here and don't qualify yet for PM's. Any suggestions? Thanks for your offer!

[Zotz123]

16. Reply to Paper Roses

I sympathize with your problem and agree with the general situation evaluation you came up with. I'm 65. For 25 years I had a private practice of mediation only (though I do have a law degree). It wasn't making me rich, but it kept my wife and self alive. Then in 2008 and 2009 it just died. My gross income went down by 85%. One doesn't get a "job" as a mediator; one opens a practice. And law firms aren't hiring, they're firing. We can't live on social security alone. Shall I be a bagger at the supermarket? Have you found any decent advice?

Take care,
Zotz123