When your man (or woman) gets laid off

As usual, there are no articles about single people being laid off. Who supports THEM emotionally and financially? Single people have just as many worries as marrieds or couples. Just because we aren't attached doesn't mean we don't have mortgages, car payments, etc and often have no one to lean on. Couples should be happy they have each other to make it slightly more bearable.

For my husband and I, the job losses we've gone through have been a blessing in disguise for both of us. For me, the end of Arthur Andersen (my employer at the time) was the kick in the pants I needed to change careers. For my husband, the financial crisis and subsequent bankruptcy of his employer was the kick in the pants he needed to pursue his writing career.

We both learned early on that corporate jobs are not secure so we've made it a point to live under our means. We live in a smaller apt than we could afford and travel more cheaply than we need to, etc. but it's so that we don't have to both be working all the time.

We're not alone in this one income living approach. I have several friends who do the same and it's afforded them great flexibility esp when kids enter the picture.

Being that I'm a career coach, maybe I have a more positive perspective on things. At the same time, I can tell you that taking a job to pay the bills alone is not a recipe for long-term job satisfaction or success. It's time to plan for the changes to come so you can take advantage of them from a position of strength not struggle.

My husband lost his job three months ago, and we are living hand to mouth. Fortunately, he has enrolled in online classes towards his BA. He just found an evening job as a waiter, and we will be able to save money originally put to daycare when the baby comes Jan 1st because I will work days.

We agreed early on that two months would be allowed for him to search in the field of his BA, but unfortunately he has no experience. It became frustrating, and a week ago I asked him to go back into the restraunt industry for the time being because we desperately needed the money. He was just glad to get back to work!

My spouse was just "let go" yesterday, and I was out of work for 8 weeks, so we were behind already, not good! I just started an in home daycare which will be the main income, we may not be able to cover bills, which is a big change because one of his paychecks used to cover all the monthly bills, the rest was fun money, can you say lifestyle change? It is going to be interesting how things play out considering he will be sitting on the computer all day while I am working my butt off! I am sure some of his time will be spent job searching, but I also know he is busy playing mafia wars on Facebook... he must forget that I can see the updates every time I get on! He does have side jobs that will bring in a little money, but we can't last long if he remains jobless!

My husband got laid off in June. We are scraping by, on my income mainly, but he also is receiving unemployment and a few side jobs here and there.

I would love to read that column this article refers to, because I have to admit I'm feeling kind of crowded in this house, lol! I have four days off a week, so we are both home all day together now. It feels like he is constantly in my shadow! I could be cleaning the toilet, and he comes in and asks me, "What are you doing?" What does it LOOK LIKE I'm doing? Either offer to help or go find something to do, will ya?

And don't get me started on the TV remote! Oops! Okay, I started. I am used to the pre-layoff days, when I could watch the home decor shows in peace all day, or just play them in the background as I clean house, read or work with my paints. When he got home from work the TV was all his. Now, he justs walks in, sits down, grabs the remote and changes channels! AHHHH!

Then, there is the sleep thing. I go to bed at 10 pm every night, particularly on the nights before I have to get up at 5 am for work. He's been staying up until 1 am more frequently, with the TV loud enough that I can hear everything. And on my days off, I like to sleep until about 8 am, but he's up pacing the house or rattling the cupboards at 6 am. Sigh!

I really do understand and sympathize with what he's going through right now, so I don't say anything negative. I am trying to be supportive, but it is definitely taking a toll on my sanity!

I AM A PAINTER AND AM GETTING UP IN AGE. WE ARE CURRENTLY WAY BEHIND ON OUR BILLS BECAUSE I CAN NOT FIND WORK. MY 17 YR OLD SON IS ON ADERAL.MY WIFE HAS 5 PETS AND KEEPS BUYING PLANTS,AND WHEN I ASK HER TO STOP SPENDING MONEY SHE TELLS ME TO GO GET A JOB.LIKE IT IS THAT EASY.I JUST SPENT MY LAST DOLLAR ON PET FOOD. WHILE SHE IS WATERING ALL HER PLANTS I AM WONDERING WHAT THE HELL IS SHE THINKING.BAD MARRIAGE,UNEMPLOYED IN DBT UP TO MY NECK WHERE IS THE NOOSE?

i think that a job loss is one of the toughest events i na relationship, and it takes a large amount of character to see forth and
let god prevail...

I am the laid off spouse. And I am just about to go nuts having my routine work week sized up to the tv line-up. Its been 5 months of hell. Looking for a job.. is a job!! Its sucks really hard. I cant wait to get back to work at whatever it is! I never thought I be the one to say this...but, I'll take the long commute, traffic jams to and fro, the crappy pay, the smelly feet in the cubical next to mine you know the one with all the finger-nails on the floor, and the team-lead/supervisor with the smelly breath who insist on having one more thing to say after his/her coffee shot! over the unemployed big red comfy couch right about now. heaven help me... I need another valium !

so what do you do when the sole bread winner loses their job but your spouse doesn't make enough to support the family