Easy life is gone, business better pick up

[Starshan]

Oh my goodness, I was doing a dog at the kennel I work at part time (1 dog today) when hubby called. So he's saying he needs to talk to me, I need to come ASAP to his work. So I get done drive over there & hubby tells me he's being laid off. Yeah talk about shock. He had to clean out his truck (Comcast cable) so needed a ride home. He's been there 10yrs & last yr was moved up to management. So atleast he has a yr of management under his belt. He's going to see if he can get into Auto Mechanic school so he can management a mechanic shop after he gets certified.

I know I had a really good January because it was more then yrs before at 38 dogs but only did $1700, not enough to cover what hubby did. Feb is looking lighter, I'm still getting the "wow that much" but atleast this client did book with a soft coated wheaten pup. I know this is going to be a good yr for my business but I don't know if it will be that good to cover the house bills. This is just so scary. He can atleast work on my van more as it needs a few mechanical things done. He better do that soon as I want the rig ready to go when the new calls come in

Shannon
The Soapy Puppy mobile grooming

[mylady]

Oh gosh, I have BEEN there! Last year actually. My business was still so new and hubby lost his job. I was doing maybe 4-6 dogs per week back then and he got NO unemployment. Talk about scary, but we made it through! I know you both will too. I'm assuming your hubby can get unemployment at least. That should ease the financial strain a little bit. Here in NY I believe the max is $405 a week, which is what hubby would have gotten had his previous job not contested it. I'm sure it's something that varies state to state, but it's something at least.
You'll be ok. I know the shock and fear can really take it's grip at first. Though I may not always understand why, I do believe everything happens for a reason. My thoughts will certainly be with you and I will pray something wonderful comes out of this whole thing.

[scullysmom]

oh my I am so sorry!!

[borzoimom]

I'm so sorry. I feel for all those out there that have lost their jobs. My husband's income has reallly been cut because of economy, but we try to remember how fortunate we are that he is still working. I will say a prayer for you and your hubby as well as for others going through the same hardship. And I'll also add a prayer that you soon will have a flood of appts. scheduled.

[celebpet]

Sucks doesn't it. The economy has more people then you would ever realize. I was in his shoes back at the end of 09. I picked myself up dusted off my pants and went a different direction. Now I have my own mobile business.

Luckily my wife has a good job, but you never know. I too need my business to really excelerate in the next 120 days. I will make it happen. I'm just going to keep working at it. You can do it too.

[Starshan]

Thanks guys. Ken actually had the choice of going back down to tech work but after we talked we both had a feeling of at peace with the laying off & taking the leap into the unknown. We know the Lord has a plan but What, is scary. He had gone back down to tech work before after a few months of management & didn't want to do that again. With Tech work it would be too hard to try to find time to look for another job. The last few weeks he had been coming home grumpy & frustrated with his work so it was time.

Yes he can get unemployment. The min we walked into our house the phone rang & it was his brother, the very person he was going to call because he had gone through being laid off before, my hubby hasn't. He walked him through the online signing up. Then the neighbor kid (20's) is going through the Auto classes & it only takes 18mos. Ken got alot of advice from him too. If we can make it on the unemployment & my business money then, the unemployment lasts 18mos. Might work. Our mortgage is $1,056.

SHannon
The Soapy Puppy

[stewiedog]

I know it sounds "corney" but things happen for a reason. Hang in there, one dooor closes, another opens". You guys will work it out. My husband, and I have been there wether it was me or him. I was 5 monthes pregnant (who hires that) with 2 kids at home, and the shop I was at closed. We worked through it.

Good luck... Go give him a big ((HUG))

[ferretlov]

I agree , sometimes what seems like a tragity ends up being the biggest blessing! this may be the opertunity for your husband to do something hes always wanted to do.maybe something he wouldnt have been able ot do had he kept his other job.
My husband lost his job last year due to lay offs and its funny but he started selling motorcycle parts on ebay-Im not kidding he made MORE money doing that than he made at his job.and he loves buying vintage bikes and pating them out.we get bikes from all over craigslist, impounds that were never picked up the paper.if your husband is thinking about auto mecanics It sounds like he is probably handy in the same way mine is used car parts sell well on ebay too. youd be surprised. his first month he made 4000.00 and yes I was shocked to tears!

[winterroo]

Been there, done that-this last time was a true blessing. After 9 years at an unimaginably horrible management job, hubby was let go after telling the bossman he couldn't manage and be a salesperson at an already bare bones staffed company...that it had to be one or the other. It destroyed his health and mental well being-working 80+ hours 7 days a week many weeks for many years, and he could never get caught up. Well, the boss didn't want to hear it and let him go...then tried to fight unemployment...then wouldn't give new job any references. He was a real class act! The afternoon he was let go (word travels fast in his line of work), he had many of the people that he had dealt with over the years calling (his boss was too cheap to get him a work cell, so he had to use his a lot after hours at home, so these contacts all had his personal #). Phone calls and job offers a plenty for the next several days! He basically got to pick where he wanted to work, and settled in with an AWESOME company! They are very family oriented, 8-5 M-F-he is salaried (and commissioned sales), but absolutely NO overtime, EVER! So...sorry to ramble, but just wanted to show you how it really IS a blessing sometimes! Chin up, you will make it through!

[mylady]

That is great that you can get 18 months of unemployment! It sounds like he was meant to take that 18 month course. here in NY you get 6 months, that's it. I married a "Ken" myself LOL. Do YOU get called Barbie? I hate that!
Anyhow, glad you are getting things worked out. I know for me it's always the initial shock and fear that is so hard, and then we break down the problem and start taking care of it one piece at a time, and things are better. Best of luck.

[Jedd]

Been laid off since December and I'm still waiting for my new door to open.

Every time the phone rings I hope that it's a job offer. But when it's not, I happen to realize "Hey, my phone just rang. That means that I must still have service. And there's a good chance that I probably paid the bill. So that must mean that I just might still have some money. Yay! Life is good."

(it's the little things)

[doggydivas]

Prior to being a groomer I was a closing officer for a well established Title Insurance Company. I HATED every moment of my job. The stress was unbelievable. My family hated me and I hated me. I was working 12 hour shifts and weekends just to get caught up, traveling all over the state, payed out the you know what for daycare, drank a lot because of the stress, blah, blah, blah.....then the economy took a big downturn. I got laid off It was devastating because we had just finished building our house. It was a mortgage that took 2 people making a good income to pay. I was scared.....very, very scared. But relieved at the same time.
I got unemployment, looked for a job and found nothing. I only knew how to be a closer. Of course no one was hiring because they were all laying people off. So, the unemployment ran out, still no job. I couldn't even get a job at a fast food chain because I was "over qualified"......apparently when you close loans you are too qualified to flip burgers.....lol
So I took the opportunity to find a job in the field I loved......animals. Hubby's parents are very financially secure so they helped us with the house for a bit. I got my foot in the door of a kennel as a bather. That started the "dream job" for me. The pay at first was ridiculous. But after a few months, while interning for a grooming position, I was able to call myself a groomer and made more. After a year or so I started building my salon and I am now, 3 years later, fulfilling my dream. I love my job. My family likes me, I like me and apparently my clients do too
I am telling you this story because you are going through the devastation I went through when I lost my job. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Something better is on it's way to you and your family. It's hard to live through in the process but it will all be ok!
BTW, has hubby ever thought of being a groomer??? lol

[Starshan]

That is great that you can get 18 months of unemployment! It sounds like he was meant to take that 18 month course. here in NY you get 6 months, that's it. I married a "Ken" myself LOL. Do YOU get called Barbie? I hate that!
Anyhow, glad you are getting things worked out. I know for me it's always the initial shock and fear that is so hard, and then we break down the problem and start taking care of it one piece at a time, and things are better. Best of luck.

Lol, I did hear a little as a joke in the family but they stopped a little after we were married, 10yrs ago. I don't hear it anymore, maybe because I don't look like a barbie lol.

I want to see him go through the schooling, so we will see, I think he would be happier. But not sure he wants to wait that long, I don't think my job will pick up enough to cover everything, mortgage being the big one. So he's now thinking about getting his CDL & do truck or bus driving. Every job he has had has involved alot of driving, delivery driver for Auto parts, putting leather in new cars (driving to the dealer, picking up the seats, take to the shop & sewing leather on etc) & then Cable guy. I just don't think it would make him happy other then making some good money, he needs something that really uses his brain. He's so super smart & learns a job faster then most. In the cable he was being drived nuts by all the not smart people asking him the same question about the job over & over. He's the kind that loved those "story problems" in math class. I could never get those.

Although I wouldn't mind him being a stay at home dad lol. My house looks better then when I clean it And he never does the dishes not matter what...he did them today!

Shannon
The Soapy Puppy

[Starshan]

Good news & bad news

Bad news is my business is slowing down for Feb, sucks. I feel myself lowering my price by $5 just to see if I can get the client in (not telling them I'm lowering it ofcoarse), it still doesn't get them in, then I feel stupid for lowering it.

Good news is Ken went to the unemployment class & learned alot. He can take the Automotive classes & the 3 gov programs will pay for it plus help us out a little on top of the unemployment money.

Bad news is he has to come up with $4k for tools, he has some tools but not all.

The stress is getting to him today, he went & took a nap because he was stressing so much he was feeling sick. I wish I could help but I don't know what.

Shannon
The Soapy puppy

[FoxysPet]

Getting the tools

My husband went through school and needed tools some years ago. We found a mechanic that was retiring and he sold his box and tools for a down payment of 1/3 and we made monthly payments. I bet there there other mechanics out there that would be open to something like that. It doesn't hurt to ask. Best of luck to you!