Getting laid off in july

[TPanther920]

15 minutes ago, NanuqoftheNorth said:

Yeah, the trades electrical/plumbing/HVAC are desperate for new blood as the younger generations are gravitating towards computer related fields.

Pay is pretty good once the training is completed.

Absolutely. A certified tech or licensee can make in access of $25.00 an hour plus full benefits, paid holidays, paid vacation, paid sick time, major medical, and 401k.

[TPanther920]

Not to politicize the OP's thread. The mass exodus of the illegal workforce in the construction industry has resulted in a rapid increase in the compensation for qualified tradesmen. An excellent framing carpenter in the Triangle is the new "rock star". Bidding starts at $35.00 and hour.

[cookinbrak]

1 hour ago, TPanther920 said:

Absolutely. A certified tech or licensee can make in access of $25.00 an hour plus full benefits, paid holidays, paid vacation, paid sick time, major medical, and 401k.

He needs something he can walk in to. Going to school for 6-12 months doesn't pay well.

[NanuqoftheNorth]

I think the good news is the OP has options especially if his current employer is willing to provide a strong letter of recommendation after 13 years of employment.

Seems like they would, since their reason given for termination is a cost cutting move. 

 

[juliosantos]

4 hours ago, ARSEN said:

You cannot let people go for that.  You can sue.  I would.  Attorney is free and takes 30% of proceeds.

not going to sue , too long of a process and theyre giving me a 4000$ severance

[juliosantos]

5 hours ago, PurityControl said:

You been there 13yrs and your being replaced by somebody with NO Degree right out of HS? 

Sorry but that seems odd to me. 

No offense.

But you're salary must be extremely bloated for what you do if you can replaced by somebody right out HS. 

 

 

 

no, im the one with no degree. im losing my job to college kids that have grad school degrees 

[NanuqoftheNorth]

14 minutes ago, juliosantos said:

no, im the one with no degree. im losing my job to college kids that have grad school degrees 

This situation reminds me of someone I worked with over in Korea. 

He had some previous experience working in the accounting world.  He would work his normal day for the military and then get on a computer to take care of his part time job, one that was related to his previous job in accounting.  Sorry I can't be more specific, but I seem to recall the situation that resulted in him joining the military was very similar to your own.

Bottom Line: He was pretty intelligent, did his four years and returned to the civilian world with some college under his belt and the GI Bill to cover the rest of his educational costs.

[NanuqoftheNorth]

On a side note:  I never realized what a powerful word "off" was prior to reading the title of this thread.  It completely ruins what would otherwise be a cause for celebration.

[Ja Rhule]

You can always try to become UPS driver or something similar.  Those jobs pay in $70k ranges

[Jangler]

right now? air conditioning. 

[cookinbrak]

Not HVAC work. You have to have certification to actually work on them, and technicalities can involve electrical certification as well. You could get a job as an "installer", which is just the labor to move units and install ductwork, and then the actual tech hooks everything up. But that pays less than Walmart.

[stirs]

HVAC work is pretty lucrative

 

I sent a kid out of high school that direction and he made close to 70 k his first couple of years.  There is a lot of up selling in that area.

[thefuzz]

First off, I want to say sorry to hear that, it's always tough.

Second, is there a wife/spouse or kids?

 

Now I want to urge you to use the next 3 months to sell as much stuff as you can, start cutting everywhere.  TV, eating out, subscriptions, everything.  Learn to cook for yourself, and start putting as much money away as possible.

Sell the car if you can, buy a beater, no payment.

Are you renting or do you own?  Are there savings to be had there?  No kids, can you add a roommate?

You have some time, look into night classes immediately.  You may can knock out an HVAC or Electrical class or something along those lines.  I would follow @NanuqoftheNorth 's idea and at least look into the guard or Air Force....again if no kids.

 

Also, I want to urge as many of you as possible to stop living paycheck to paycheck, and please put some money away for a rainy day fund.  Start with a week's savings, then a month, then 3 months, then 6.  Once you don't have any CC debt, and you have 6 months living expenses in the bank.....NOTHING is as scary any longer.

 

[NanuqoftheNorth]

1 hour ago, thefuzz said:

Also, I want to urge as many of you as possible to stop living paycheck to paycheck, and please put some money away for a rainy day fund.  Start with a week's savings, then a month, then 3 months, then 6.  Once you don't have any CC debt, and you have 6 months living expenses in the bank.....NOTHING is as scary any longer.

Good advice.

Credit card debt is out of control in this country.

Another downturn in the economy and CC debt may end up making the housing crisis look like a walk in the park.