(member)

05/01/2009 14:56

What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their job?

It's the prospect a lot of us are having to consider. Would it be a catastrophe?

Maybe you are financially prepared and feel confident you will ride the storm. It seems the divorce rate is set to rise as a result of the credit crunch. Would having no money be the last straw or the opportunity for you to pull together?

If you have been out of the workplace for some time, how would you feel about going back to work to supplement your income.

I got myself into serious debt during the last recession with a mortgage I could hardly afford to pay as the interest rate rose. I hope I will be okay in this recession but never say never. We would have to look at our position very carefully if my OH lost his job.

Hope you don't find this question too intrusive. It's not meant to be.

(member)

05/01/2009 15:08

Re: What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their job?

Hi MT
Well it could happen to me and H anytime soon, but no not a catastrophe as long as our children, us and friends and family stay healthy. I would move to a rough part of town and take 3 jobs to keep us afloat.
When 3rd child was born, before he was 6 weeks old, I went out at night to work in the out of call dr's surgery, the only shifts I could sometimes get were the midnight till 7am. Come home see to oldest two who were 4 and 2 take them to school/nursery, go shopping with the baby, or try and get housework done, pick up nursery babe, amuse him pick up little girl, get through tea time and collapse when H walked in the door. That was around 15 years ago and glad to say have savings this time around. Wondering how some are going to cope and worrying for them, hard times ahead, just hope that people can be helped instead of b****y greedy bankers, read bankers with a capital W!

(member)

05/01/2009 15:15

Re: What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their job?

Without tempting fate, I think we'd manage for a while financially and probably manage emotionally too. Like you, MT, I was hit badly in the last recession and had always struggled financially until I married this time round, so I think I'd be ok coping on a shoestring. How Mr A would cope without a job is another matter...but he has a lot of resources so I hope he'd find something eventually. I could return to work but it might not easy as I've also been out of the workplace for about a year and at 51 there are a lot of younger women who could do what I do. Although what I could earn would be a fraction of OH's earning power it would be a start.

So, it wouldn't be the end of the world but it would be a challenge...

(member)

05/01/2009 15:20

Re: What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their job?

I am the only breadwinner in our family so yes it would be a disaster. Luckily I work in nursery education, which is a growth industry at the moment and I think my job is fairly secure. Having two children living with me I would be entitled to benefits, but as already said, I would take any job going if I had to.

(member)

05/01/2009 15:20

Re: What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their job?

As Mr Chilla technically works for me, i suspect if one were to lose their job, the other would as well. (Could you tell your O/H, 'you're fired'?!).

If we were to decide to give up working and we are thinking about it, we would have enough to keep going for quite a while with the sale of the assets.

(member)

05/01/2009 15:26

Re: What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their job?

Catasrophe, absolutely, as I am the breadwinner, would most probably lose my home unless I could find another job quickly

(member)

05/01/2009 15:27

Re: What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their job?

Hi Mange,well my OH did loose his job approx 2 yrs ago, well made redundant, whichever way you want to put it. Because he was a Director of the Company, he did get a 'handshake' as they say and they also had to pay him his pension so we were not destitute by any means. We had gathered, two years before that things were not going so well for him, and so we had a contingency plan, part of that was downsizing, and we sold our old family home and moved to a newer detached house on a smaller plot. But it meant we were able to clear our mortgage, so that when the crunch came, it wasn't quite so bad. But we did look at our finances and get rid of any unwanted direct debits that we could do without, and we started looking at our food bills, and sourcing cheaper places to buy food like farm shops. All in all not a lot has changed, because he started to work again after a year off, back with the same company on a consultancy basis, but only 3 days a week at the mo.
I know we are very lucky and that some are not as fortunate as us to have a pension, and savings too.

(member)

05/01/2009 15:46

Re: What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their job?

Hi MT, I've been thinking about this as my husband is 58, works abroad and his job is not stable. I suppose we would move to a smaller house, get rid of the mortgage. He has no pension which is a worry. I work but he is the main bread winner. Hopefully he would find work locally, but we live in a high unemployment area with not much available at the best of times. Just hope that we would pull together and work things out.

(member)

05/01/2009 15:54

Re: What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their job?

it would be a total disaster for me and my family. I hope it never happens.

(member)

05/01/2009 16:04

Re: What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their job?

I hope it never happens too, Beachbabe. I sincerely hope everyone manages to get through this credit crunch.

It's a great concern isn't it.

(member)

05/01/2009 16:21

Re: What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their job?

I agree MT.
What I can`t understand is how people afford to divorce as then you have 2 houses to pay for, 2 sets of bills etc.
I have already lost my job at the end of november, my OH works as an IT contractor so could lose his at anytime, its frightening.

Suzie88

(member)

05/01/2009 16:24

Re: What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their job?

I'm so sorry to hear that, suzie. I hope your OH stays in a job. It must be a worrying time for you both.

(member)

05/01/2009 17:11

Re: What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their job?

Wouldnt be too clever as son lives in my house back in Cambs and I could hardly turn him out. Retail is such a precarious business these days but so far bucking the trend. Have my state pension and a small private one: would be scary though and this thread has only added to my woeful mood.... roll on the cocktail hour when I can legitimately swig a g&t

(member)

05/01/2009 17:23

Re: What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their job?

Mr Cuppy hasn't worked for over 3 months. Nothing to do with the credit crunch but due to ill health. As he is self employed this means he has had no income at all. Luckily we have savings and I work. We don't have a mortgage and have never borrowed so have no debts.

He has, this last week finally received his lump sum from his personal pension, which he has taken while he's still able to enjoy retirement.

So he is now retired...partly, he can still do a certain amount of work, just nothing like the heavy and very hard work he has always done.

(member)

05/01/2009 17:31

Re: What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their job?

As some of you kind ladies already know, my OH's employer recently announced a period of consultancy with a view to making around 25% of the staff redundant by the end of this month. The latest news is that he is NOT one of those affected this time and we are keeping everything crossed that no further cuts will be required and that the company order books start to pick up again soon. He is actually very busy at work, long may it last.

OH was redundant for about 5 months in 2001 and it was tough; we lived off our savings and something turned up in the nick of time. That experience put me off ever getting a bigger mortgage or any new debts and we are now in a better position financially, although we couldn't keep going indefinitely. My salary just about covers the mortgage, but little else.

Financial troubles are bad enough, but I think the psychological implications are possibly just as bad - I remember those few months, when OH said it was a full-time occupation just applying for jobs and attending interviews. At least there was hope, but it was still draining and demoralising. I dread to think how long it might take a man in his late forties to find another job in this current climate of doom and gloom.

(member)

05/01/2009 18:01

Re: What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their job?

There's only me in this house, and if I lost my job it would be difficult, but not disastrous. My mortgage is paid off, so at least I'd have a roof over my head. I've got a couple of small pensions, and I'm sure I'd be able to do something to earn some extra money.

I worry far more about my children than myself. I remember that our first mortgage was for 11,000 - and I worried because it seemed so big! When I look at the mortgages young people have to take out these days, it terrifies me!

(member)

05/01/2009 18:20

Re: What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their job?

we have been here 3 times and now OH has his own business. Each time it was very scary and very stressful but at least once the decsion was made we knew where we were. On each occasion we battened down the hatches and tightended our belts. Now our approach to finance is very cautious and we have prepared for periods of no income but it would be hard and in truth it took its toll on us both individually and as a couple but here we are still together and coping with lifes ups and downs. We are not extravagant people and reasonably happy with the lifestyle we can afford and so do not yearn for more spending power (but of course it would be nice!)
My attitude to redundancy is that any financial gain is worth saving as much as you can so that when the time comes and things are on the up again you can use as much as you were able to save to make a significant difference to your life and this then becomes the reward for all the stress and anxiety caused by the whole experience.
I also bolster myself with the thought (which I am trying to imprint on my brain) that as one door closes another opens and the new door just might bring with it more satisfaction, success and pleasure than the one that has closed - of course it takes a while and a lot of heartache sometimes before you see the new opportunities before you.
Lets hope for us all this is a theoretcial discussion and for those for whom it is not I truly hope the anguish is replaced by relief very quickly
lady G

(member)

05/01/2009 18:55

Re: What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their job?

Panic, to be honest!!

(member)

05/01/2009 18:55

Re: What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their job?

..eat cake.

Sorry, couldn't resist that one

Will reply more seriously once I've finished cooking the dinner as it is a serious post and no joking matter.

(member)

05/01/2009 19:07

Re: What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their

It happened to us about 13 years ago. It was a complete shock and I was really pole axed initially. But, we took stock and Mr F. had several short term jobs before getting his present job. I had been a full time housewife and mother and I went to work initially part term but then full time.

Being in this situation really motivated me and I climbed the career ladder as fast as I could. I don't have a degree, but I went on every course and gained qualifications. If I didn't know who to do something, I soon learnt! When you have to, it is amazing what you can do!

Now everything is up in the air again. Every time you read a paper or listen to the news there is doom and gloom. This time round, I truly believe the recession is deeper and will last longer. Mr F. losing his job was one of the most stressful times in my life and we could have to face it all again, only this time we are more tired and older!

(member)

05/01/2009 19:15

Re: What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their

Foxie you have my admiration for what you have achieved.

We also experienced this a few years ago. It's not just the financial loss though, the emotional strain is as bad, sometimes even more difficult to deal with.

(member)

05/01/2009 19:25

Re: What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their

Glitterqueen
You are so right, it is not just the financial loss, the emotional strain can be just as bad. When you are going through a difficult time you don't know how long it will last or what the outcome will be, that is the real problem.

You just have to dig deep and call on your inner reserves.

Take care
F x.

(member)

05/01/2009 19:38

Re: What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their

Sorry about my flippant post above but I'd just got in from work having spent all afternoon with the number crunchers who were telling me what budgets had been cut and what I can't spend this year and.......well, you don't want to know.

Fortunately I think OH (who doesn't work with me) should be ok although money is already tighter definitely. I'm more likely to lose mine which wouldn't be a catastrophe financially although it wouldn't be good news by any means, but emotionally it would be a bigger blow. And at 53 in a rural area, with no chance of moving the chances of finding something similar would be zilch and I'm not ready to do anything else yet. Despite my thread last night about not wanting to go back to work today after the break, I don't want another job, I want the one I have.

I really, really feel for everyone faced with the prospect of redundancy. Each time I put the news on my heart sinks.

(member)

05/01/2009 19:49

Re: What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their

I cannot really respond to this thread as both myself and my OH don't work. My OH has 3 employment pensions and has benefits because of his MS but..........he has got us into a bit of debt. I don't work because of my arthritis and heart problem. So - god forbid - but if anything happened to my OH and I lost his income I would have to move almost immediately in order to pay the debts and the mortgage we had to take out.

So slightly different to other people on here and I realy feel for all of you. In these hard times it seems noones job is secure. Glad to see that you are all making provision already either physically or mentally in case it should happen.

I sincerely hope that you all come through the hard times and see brighter times ahead.

(member)

05/01/2009 20:17

Re: What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their

I have heard 1 in 10 shops on the high street could go.Then all the small businesses would come back again.Surely thats a good thing.I think its wrong that so many big chains have a monopoly on the high street and have driven small companies out of business.

Suzie88

(member)

05/01/2009 20:33

Re: What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their

I am the main, and only, breadwinner. I work in a School though, so I think I'm fairly safe. But, I don't count my chickens - no-one knows what's round the corner.

(member)

06/01/2009 09:22

Re: What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their

The company I work for relies on business from independent schools so there is a risk that there will be financial cuts but hopefully my job is safe. If I was out of work it would mean stopping payments to pensions and other savings until I found something else - I'm the main wage earner but we need both incomes to cover everything. Luckily apart from a relatively modest mortgage our only debt is an interest free car loan which we've got enough money set aside to repay if necessary and we've always saved something every month.

In the early 90's with mortgage rates at 15% I was in the position where the only way for my employers to not make staff redundant was for everyone to take a 25% pay cut until cash flow improved. Everyone agreed to the pay cut (it was voluntary) and our employers took a far bigger cut than the staff. It was difficult but we all survived and I'm sure if the worst happened we'd find a way to survive.

That said we are being very careful about what we spend now.

(member)

06/01/2009 09:36

Re: What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their

Up the creek without a paddle. I was made redundant in 2005 and have not really worked since. At the moment we have our house in North Shropshire and live in Oxfordshire during the week so OH can carry on working. He is already on a 4 day week. OH is nearly 61 and I'm 59 so chances of getting another job are quite remote. We had planned to get part-time jobs in B&Q, Tescos or somewhere like that for a couple of days a week but even those jobs have dried up.

(member)

06/01/2009 09:40

Re: What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their

We might be finding out tomorrow! THE meeting has been called.
BB, the new you is sensational.

(member)

06/01/2009 09:43

Re: What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their

Thanks Ozzie, thought I'd go for a complete change. I hope it's not bad news tomorrow. How's Bruce, any signs of improvement yet?

(member)

06/01/2009 13:42

Re: What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their

I heard someone say the other day that we're all just three paychecks away from being homeless. This has really stuck with me and my plans to work less suddenly feel on hold. I'm not enjoying the fear this credit crunch is inducing, much prefer feeling free to take risks.

(member)

06/01/2009 16:26

Re: What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their

it's very difficult to achieve the recommndation of having 6 months living expenses in savings in the bank. I'd probably manage for ab out 3 months.

(member)

06/01/2009 23:14

Re: What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their

Chilla,
I saw a great display of belly dancing stuff in an Oxfam shop yesterday and thought of you!
Bruce was informed yesterday that there is a meeting today at 10 am (1 hour's time) - regarding the "direction of the workplace".
We shall know by the afternoon, if he still has a job. He works in IT.

(member)

07/01/2009 00:28

Re: What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their

Hi Everyone,

I've posted about this before, but OHs company is in limbo at the moment, due to a take-over, cum rescue by another company, which fell through just before Xmas. No one knows what is going to happen and there will almost definately be reduncies of which OH could be one. In fact, it's started already, and today he had to fire someone on his own team who is now not needed. OH has only had to do this a few times before in the past, but every time he nearly makes himself ill over it, as he feels so bad for the person involved. This poor guy today thought he was coming in for his annual review, instead he was told he's not needed anymore. Luckily he got a good pay off, but it was still hard for OH to do.

If it happens to us, we will probably survive as we are for a few months, but we would immediately put the house on the market and look to downsize and clear the mortgage, although in the current climate, whether we would sell is anyones guess. To be honest I am worried sick, and we have made cut-backs, but OH is very much of the attitude that we're not going to panic until it happens, and we should carry on as normal a life as possible until we know what we are facing.

One thing that comes through on this thread is that we are all very frightened of the unknown, and that so many of us are in the same boat.

Good luck to Bruce for today Ozzie, I hope that you get the result you wish for. Lisa. x

(member)

07/01/2009 00:40

Re: What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their

Good luck to all facing job losses, hope it doesnt happen, but should it do so lets hope we can all get through it and come out the other side. Roll on 2010!

(member)

07/01/2009 00:52

Re: What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their

Good luck Lisa,
I hope it never happens.
Bruce just called. They have been told that each person who is going to be retrenched will get a phone call individually and we should know at the end of the day. It wouldn't be the end of the world for us. Bruce still needs some time to heal and the situation for those who are left will be pretty horrific.

(member)

07/01/2009 01:41

Re: What would you do if the main breadwinner in your home lost their

Just heard,
Bruce has 5 weeks notice! He is stressed but I truly think it's for the best. He has gone into HR - I think when he gets back that several of the guys will "have his guts for garters" if they don't get one too! lol!
All will come good!

Contact Us | Privacy statement

Woman and Home homepage