Author Topic: 18 months so far, and counting-19 now but an update!  (Read 1851 times)

Offline JH27N0B

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18 months so far, and counting-19 now but an update!
« on: May 26, 2010 - 04:11:14 PM »
Well my Cobra insurance just expired so I guess I better get off my butt and find a catastrophic health insurance policy that hopefully doesn't cost too much.
I don't think I'll have a job with health insurance any time soon, if ever again.  Earlier this year I was finally getting a lot of calls and job interviews, but that activity has totally dried up now.
You want to be optimistic and think things move in cycles, what goes down must come back up sometime soon.
But this time, the economies of the US and parts of Europe too really seem to be hopelessly doomed, buried in debt and unfunded obligations and with so much of manufacturing moved to Asia.
I wonder if my prospects would be any better if I packed my stuff and my Challengers and headed up to Canada?? :dunno:
« Last Edit: June 21, 2010 - 03:50:44 PM by JH27N0B »




Offline brads70

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Re: 18 months so far, and counting
« Reply #1 on: May 26, 2010 - 08:32:07 PM »
Hummmm sorry to burst your bubble but things here in Canada aren't exactly Rosy!
I have been a mold maker and a machinist for 25 years and watched my job go to Asia.
I have just started my own business repairing lawnmowers, snow blowers etc... No one is hiring, I'd say the layoffs have slowed down but no one is hiring either. I do think the economy is a little better here but not that much to say anyone is prospering. Just getting by at best..... I'd think of a career change? I had to and it's working OK now? I figure if I can survive in this economy then when /if things turn around I should be in good shape!
Keep you chin up and look out for different opportunities!
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Alaskan_TA

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Re: 18 months so far, and counting
« Reply #2 on: May 26, 2010 - 09:09:18 PM »
I canceled my health insurace over a year ago because I could no longer afford it.

If something bad happens, my health plan is bancruptcy. Looking back on it, I should have done that in 2003 when I broke my back. The medical bills not covered would have been enough to buy a small house.

Offline whitesatinmopar

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Re: 18 months so far, and counting
« Reply #3 on: May 27, 2010 - 08:34:02 AM »
The health insurance cost is a joke and this new Obama(myth)plan will only increase it. We are "lucky" in that through Pam's employment she only has to pay $250+ a month for the two of us. My one neighbor who is self employed pays $1400.00 a month. The insurance companys, health care facilities and the government are ripping everyone off as far as I'm concerned. Just bend over and grab you ankles, more on the way.  :stomp:
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Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: 18 months so far, and counting
« Reply #4 on: May 27, 2010 - 10:41:51 AM »
you would defintaly do better here , the oil patch is picking back up & starting hiring again , I hope yuou enjoy the cold they are forcasting snow for the weekend

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Offline JH27N0B

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Re: 18 months so far, and counting
« Reply #5 on: May 27, 2010 - 02:04:47 PM »
Having spent the most of the last 20 years as an engineer for U.S. manufacturers, I am shocked at just how much manufacturing has been shut down and moved to Asia in recent years. I wonder to what extent people are aware of this and the ramifications to this country's future? These jobs (including mine) aren't coming back, and there is no new technology or new industry I see on the horizen that will provide jobs for our unemployed. 
I have a friend (born and raised in the midwest, former Marine, successful engineer) who bought a place in Thailand and is keeping his options open to move there.  A number of other people I know have started to talk about maybe needing to move out of the country because of our economy being terminally wounded in their opinion.  I feel pretty gloomy about our future, which is why I have started pondering leaving.
I am certainly open to training for a new career but not having a crystal ball, I worry about spending a lot of time and money on something that end up having no value in getting a decent job, like my engineering degree and airline transport pilot's license have turned out. 
Fortunately I don't have any health issues or dependents to support, but I do need to find some sort of catastrophic health coverage in case I was to have a heart attack or develop cancer or something, I can't risk losing my life savings when I won't be able to find work in the future to rebuild my wealth!
I've inputted some of my info into the Blue Cross website and have come up with some options that don't seem too bad, like $150-$200/month.  I am wondering what I should be looking out for though, from people who have had to buy their own insurance? I have been spoiled I guess, having had company paid insurance since the 80's, other than part of 2006 when I was out of work and gambled by not getting insurance.  I don't feel safe gambling like that again!

Offline 72hemi

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Re: 18 months so far, and counting
« Reply #6 on: May 27, 2010 - 02:47:45 PM »
That sucks about the insurance. I hope you find something soon.
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Offline hpe600rt

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Re: 18 months so far, and counting
« Reply #7 on: May 27, 2010 - 04:38:38 PM »
yea it is way to much i pay 750 a mounth for my 2 kids and i got none cant afored it wife gets hers free from work.i paid for my kids and still do.i get pissed when i see all these people who are teenagers and lazzy adults getting welfare and helth care for free because they where fooleing around and poped out kids so we have to work and pay for them and there kids to what a load of crap,while they sit on there ass and have a good time.while the hard working folks cant get any.

Offline Rare_T_A

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Re: 18 months so far, and counting
« Reply #8 on: May 27, 2010 - 08:45:08 PM »
I hope it all works out for you. The whole country looks like is in trouble and isn't going to get better anytime soon.
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Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: 18 months so far, and counting
« Reply #9 on: May 28, 2010 - 10:09:26 AM »
Do you want me to post the pix , we have 4" of wet snow on the ground & it is melting , iif it had been colder I think it would have been more like 8-10"

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Offline JH27N0B

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Re: 18 months so far, and counting
« Reply #10 on: May 28, 2010 - 01:03:58 PM »
I'll take your word for it, but where I am from, we get pretty harsh winters too, though we generally don't get any snow after April.  What's an extra month??
Though I am no fan of cold, I prefer it to heat and humidity.  Hot weather knocks me on my azz, I just lie around in front of the fan and sweat, I can't stand it!

Offline barracuda7199

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Re: 18 months so far, and counting
« Reply #11 on: May 29, 2010 - 02:17:29 PM »
I'll take your word for it, but where I am from, we get pretty harsh winters too, though we generally don't get any snow after April.  What's an extra month??
Though I am no fan of cold, I prefer it to heat and humidity.  Hot weather knocks me on my azz, I just lie around in front of the fan and sweat, I can't stand it!
you definately don't want to come to south georgia then it has been in the mid ninety's already with lots of humidity and it technically isn't even summer yet!!
Brandon

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Offline JH27N0B

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Re: 18 months so far, and counting-19 now but an update!
« Reply #12 on: June 21, 2010 - 03:56:13 PM »
Well things always seem darkest before the dawn!  My side work has been really slow since March, congress fighting about how to fund unemployment extensions meant I couldn't expect any more checks, stock market plunging and my life savings diminishing with it.
So I had a phone screen the day after I got home from Mopars in the park, my first nibble on the job front since April. They invited me in for a interview last week.  Another phone interview later in the week, and a call this morning saying they were offering me a job!!
I am supposed to start the week after the 4th.
I will be spending much of the rest of the summer in North Carolina so I had better learn to deal with humidity!
I am still pretty worried about the economy and the state of our country, but at least I will be able to get back up on my feet here for now and hopefully for some time to come!!

Offline brads70

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Re: 18 months so far, and counting-19 now but an update!
« Reply #13 on: June 21, 2010 - 05:04:39 PM »
That's great news!  :clapping:  Congrats!    :woo:   Seems a few "good" stories on here lately!  Maybe things are starting to go on the up-slope!
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline DAYTONA

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Re: 18 months so far, and counting-19 now but an update!
« Reply #14 on: June 21, 2010 - 10:26:15 PM »
...congrats on the job

...as an old guy, I too worry about the future for many of you younger guys and girls...my working days are drawing to an end, but times are certainly different than in my early job search days...when I was a teen in the midwest, all you had to do was be able to breathe and walk at the same time and a job was guaranteed in the auto industry...within easy commuting distance we had several Chrysler plants, Firestone, Dana, Ford, Borg Warner, Delco, GM...just about any skill a kid had or wanted to learn was available...plus our parents and grandparents worked there providing great educations for those who didn't want factory employment providing attorneys, doctors etc etc...kinda hard to put a kid thru college these days flippin burgers

...I hate being old, but I also hate the thought of starting over again as a young person looking for a career, it's tough out there