I hate days like this... layoffs

[Machinesworking]

Funny how all this stuff works. Just finished up working for the union again on the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation building planted directly across from billionaire Paul Allan's Experience Music Project. Two Microsoft billionaires and their vanity projects. IMO it's very obvious that Gates is literally through architecture and philanthropy flipping the bird to Paul Allan. No other reason to build the project across from the EMP.

I've been self employed for about 5 years now, and it's great. There are distinct disadvantages to it for sure, no unemployment checks when work slows down, no safety net, or medical and dental, but I'm fully addicted to it. Being around all these construction workers who spend too much time evaluating each others work and pushing and pulling for position so that Winter lay offs don't hit them again, hearing the stories about lost houses and watching my foreman attempt to "privilege" me with a few more weeks worth of work... a day before my "lay off" was to happen, not knowing I had already lined up a sweet job paying twice as much.

I get a kick out of the fact that I'm this anarchist/socialist at heart and I'm a better capitalist in rough times than my anti-commie coworkers.
It comes down to this, live well bellow your means, don't buy a house and new car at the limits of your budget, otherwise somebody will end up owning you, and discarding you when they've drained the last of your blood. My dad at this point owns the mortgage on four houses, two are sold and one will be rented out, he drives a rusty 20 year old Toyota truck.

[alice208]

We usually heard that the most important thing is that you are happy, actually, it isn't possible that every thing will be good, this is the life(c'est la vie).

No matter what happens, we should cherish every day!

[Forge.]

We usually heard that the most important thing is that you are happy, actually, it isn't possible that every thing will be good, this is the life(c'est la vie).

No matter what happens, we should cherish every day!

Great! and will a Chanel Black Caviar Bag make me happy?

[Tarekith]

If you don't buy one the people at Chanel will get laid off.

[beats me]

Funny how all this stuff works. Just finished up working for the union again on the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation building planted directly across from billionaire Paul Allan's Experience Music Project. Two Microsoft billionaires and their vanity projects. IMO it's very obvious that Gates is literally through architecture and philanthropy flipping the bird to Paul Allan. No other reason to build the project across from the EMP.

I've been self employed for about 5 years now, and it's great. There are distinct disadvantages to it for sure, no unemployment checks when work slows down, no safety net, or medical and dental, but I'm fully addicted to it. Being around all these construction workers who spend too much time evaluating each others work and pushing and pulling for position so that Winter lay offs don't hit them again, hearing the stories about lost houses and watching my foreman attempt to "privilege" me with a few more weeks worth of work... a day before my "lay off" was to happen, not knowing I had already lined up a sweet job paying twice as much.

I get a kick out of the fact that I'm this anarchist/socialist at heart and I'm a better capitalist in rough times than my anti-commie coworkers.
It comes down to this, live well bellow your means, don't buy a house and new car at the limits of your budget, otherwise somebody will end up owning you, and discarding you when they've drained the last of your blood. My dad at this point owns the mortgage on four houses, two are sold and one will be rented out, he drives a rusty 20 year old Toyota truck.

I always thought construction would be a cool field to be in, still do, but at 38-years-old it’s not really feasible to get started in. But at the end of the day you must get a huge sense of accomplishment because you did something tangible.

The whole self employment thing would freak me out. I know several people that do that and it’s a never ending cycle of feast or famine, and just forget about long term future. The savings and investment mentality or ability of most people in their 30’s or below is almost nonexistent. We’re going to have a serious social welfare problem in a few decades, if not sooner.

I’m also with the people who don’t need to buy a house or nice new car. The sad thing is these have almost become luxury items when it wasn’t too long ago that they were considered a right that was easily obtainable if you had a decent job, and you could do it with a single income household.

[Styles Bitchly]

Funny how all this stuff works. Just finished up working for the union again on the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation building planted directly across from billionaire Paul Allan's Experience Music Project. Two Microsoft billionaires and their vanity projects. IMO it's very obvious that Gates is literally through architecture and philanthropy flipping the bird to Paul Allan. No other reason to build the project across from the EMP.

I've been self employed for about 5 years now, and it's great. There are distinct disadvantages to it for sure, no unemployment checks when work slows down, no safety net, or medical and dental, but I'm fully addicted to it. Being around all these construction workers who spend too much time evaluating each others work and pushing and pulling for position so that Winter lay offs don't hit them again, hearing the stories about lost houses and watching my foreman attempt to "privilege" me with a few more weeks worth of work... a day before my "lay off" was to happen, not knowing I had already lined up a sweet job paying twice as much.

I get a kick out of the fact that I'm this anarchist/socialist at heart and I'm a better capitalist in rough times than my anti-commie coworkers.
It comes down to this, live well bellow your means, don't buy a house and new car at the limits of your budget, otherwise somebody will end up owning you, and discarding you when they've drained the last of your blood. My dad at this point owns the mortgage on four houses, two are sold and one will be rented out, he drives a rusty 20 year old Toyota truck.

I always thought construction would be a cool field to be in, still do, but at 38-years-old it’s not really feasible to get started in. But at the end of the day you must get a huge sense of accomplishment because you did something tangible.

The whole self employment thing would freak me out. I know several people that do that and it’s a never ending cycle of feast or famine, and just forget about long term future. The savings and investment mentality or ability of most people in their 30’s or below is almost nonexistent. We’re going to have a serious social welfare problem in a few decades, if not sooner.

I’m also with the people who don’t need to buy a house or nice new car. The sad thing is these have almost become luxury items when it wasn’t too long ago that they were considered a right that was easily obtainable if you had a decent job, and you could do it with a single income household.

The state of savings...or perhaps "dis-savings" is a better term, with most of all but the wealthiest of Americans is terrifying. On top of that, the divestment rate of 401K plans over the past three years due to the economy and job losses is in the billions and billions. Back in the 80's when most employers did away with pension plans and suckered their employees with lame 401K contribution matching programs, the big fallacy presented was that the average rate of return on stocks and index funds was 10% per year. Guess what....the Wall Street boyz have routinely let employees pour 401K money into these funds only to periodically siphon off vast trillions via contrived disasters to "correct" over-valuations. It happened in 2000 and it happened again a few years ago...and it will continue to happen. The real rate of return over 2the past 20 years or so has been 2% at best...adjusted for COL. I sincerely predict and expect domestic social unrest and chaos like never seen before within a matter of 10 - 15 years, especially once the baby boomers discover they can't pay their bill;s or even afford a cheeseburger.

[beats me]

I sincerely predict and expect domestic social unrest and chaos like never seen before within a matter of 10 - 15 years, especially once the baby boomers discover they can't pay their bill;s or even afford a cheeseburger.

I see this as the case too and it’s blatantly obvious that the government isn’t going to do a damn thing about it and there’s no such thing as a good or patriotic “corporate citizen”. It will be an exciting time to live in and since we love importing goods into this country so much I say it’s time to place a large order for guillotines from France.

[AceLuby]

I sincerely predict and expect domestic social unrest and chaos like never seen before within a matter of 10 - 15 years, especially once the baby boomers discover they can't pay their bill;s or even afford a cheeseburger.

I see this as the case too and it’s blatantly obvious that the government isn’t going to do a damn thing about it and there’s no such thing as a good or patriotic “corporate citizen”. It will be an exciting time to live in and since we love importing goods into this country so much I say it’s time to place a large order for guillotines from France.

10-15 years? I bet we have $200-300 per barrel of oil by then, possibly more due to a decrease in supply and exponentially increased demand. Those cheap overseas goods will triple in price due to this. Couple that w/ the looming financial collapse that is bound to happen since nobody has the balls to do what is necessary and raise rates like the late 70's. I bet it costs $50 for a loaf a bread by 2025 due to stagflation.

I've already started turning my backyard into my own personal farm because the writing is on the wall. Makes me glad I own land... I just hope we still have things like municipal police and fire.