Author |
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Kitt
Member
09-06-2000
| Wednesday, March 18, 2009 - 11:00 am
This seems to be the Illinois State webpage about it, Julie. Sounds like Cobra but for nine months not three and you pay 100% of the premiums, but I know nothing about it first hand. I really hope by then your dh has found a new job and you won't need it. http://www.idfpr.com/DOI/HealthInsurance/continueil.asp
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Sugar
Member
08-15-2000
| Wednesday, March 18, 2009 - 12:30 pm
Years ago my position was eliminated and I was on the Cobra program for quite some time. I remember the rates went up the 2nd or 3rd month I used it. It was expensive, but not having insurance is simply not an option IMO. Other things went first. Fortunately, I had various forms of help from family and friends a few times during this period. I got really behind in cc payments, always sent something, even of only $10.00. Took awhile to get the cc debt under control. Have been completely debt free for a few years now and am very thankful. I have been unable to find a job for over a year. My husband has a good job and his company is pretty solid so that helps. I feel badly that the financial burden all falls on him right now. We used most of the stock from my previous co for the down payment on our house so I at least had that to contribute. My personal funds are very low right now as not having a paycheck for a year would indicate. I worry about ever finding a job.
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Denecee
Member
09-05-2002
| Wednesday, March 18, 2009 - 12:37 pm
My son and his wife are in the Air Force but are both up for either renewal or getting out. My son definitely wants out but my dil is not so sure. I was so excited about them coming back here to live(they want to) but now they are not so sure. The unemployment is 10.8% in Oregon, same as it was when I moved here 26 yrs ago. My heart hurts.
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Holly
Member
07-22-2001
| Wednesday, March 18, 2009 - 12:44 pm
<Basically cobra or nothing (or find out what public aid may be offered.) That 35% thing is good, but runs for a limited amount of time. Just hope we can find gainful employment before those 9 months are up.> JB, could you explain what you mean by "that 35%" thing and "before those 9 months are up?" Are you saying that if you continue your present employment, you only have to pay 35% of the premiums under Cobra for 9 months and then it will go to full price? TIA
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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Wednesday, March 18, 2009 - 1:54 pm
My head is hurting. I *think* it means we may 35% of the total (I forgot what % we pay now, but I think it's like 20%). So the cost will go up, but much more manageable than if it were 100%. And because his company is affiliated with a non-profit, it does not follow the ARRA thing, but one close to it, but the company does not have to pay taxes... (something like that) I also think insurance is a must have. But it is sad/scary to think that we may have to choose (in the near future) between paying our insurance payment OR our mortgage payment. Hoping it never comes to that, but we have to think about all the possibilities. Oh and ARRA makes the 35%/Cobra mandatory for 9 months after one is laid off. THough HR thinks Obama may end up extending it to 18 months. God help us if we still need it for 18 months!
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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Wednesday, March 18, 2009 - 1:56 pm
I seriously woke up with a migraine today and the meds are not working. But the side effects are! Sweet. So I have a splitting headache (I think the med took enough of the edge off so I am not puking my guts out), the shakes and I am loopy.
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Jimmer
Moderator
08-30-2000
| Wednesday, March 18, 2009 - 2:17 pm
I'm so sorry you are having such a rough time, Julie.
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Holly
Member
07-22-2001
| Wednesday, March 18, 2009 - 2:32 pm
What's ARRA? Sorry you're going through this JB.
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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Wednesday, March 18, 2009 - 2:44 pm
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which Obama recently signed. Thanks.
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Wednesday, March 18, 2009 - 8:49 pm
Hang in there, Julieboo. It is going to work out.
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Ktbb
Member
08-10-2003
| Thursday, March 19, 2009 - 3:39 pm
I feel for you. I was laid off in Nov and still haven't found anything. I had a migraine the other day and could do nothing to stop it. The only thing I could do was go to bed. At least being home I could do that
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Nancy
Member
08-01-2000
| Thursday, March 19, 2009 - 3:43 pm
I've been laid off since nov. as well--Nothing even in the pipelines--no interviews--nada(and i made good salary!) Luckily i live with my brother who has a good job but i hate to depend on him--got 5 more weeks of severence.. started networking like crazy!
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Happymom
Member
01-20-2003
| Friday, March 20, 2009 - 7:32 am
Julie, have you checked into getting private health insurance? Here in CA there are several companies with many different plans and a huge range of prices. (family coverage from $3?? all the way up to over $1000 per month, I may actually have seen, recently,some in the high $200s, I'm shopping for new health insur right now, husband is self employed so we have no other option but private insurance) Maybe there are some where you are? I just remember Cobra being absolutely unaffordable for us 17 or so yrs. ago. Hope you feel better.
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Babyruth
Member
07-19-2001
| Saturday, March 21, 2009 - 11:11 am
Here's a good article about ways to help folks who've been laid off: LINK--Not Laid Off? How to Aid the Less Fortunate
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Dogdoc
Member
09-29-2001
| Saturday, March 21, 2009 - 12:00 pm
I went out to the local mall last weekend. It was jammed. When I sat down to drink a chai latte and watch the people passing by I saw many of them with purchases. I have not seen a slow down in the number of appointments at work. Owners are willing to have blood tests etc done. I prefer to look on the positive side and don't let myself be brought down by negative economic news. There are people at my church that say each week "Look, there is nobody here." Well, there are people there and I tell them so. There are a lot of employed people. There are faithful church members that come every week. You see what you look for.
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Denecee
Member
09-05-2002
| Monday, March 23, 2009 - 8:54 am
My dh ended up not being part of the shut down, which is a good thing. He doesn't know if he will be a part of the next one yet. Counting our lucky stars!
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Supergranny
Member
02-03-2005
| Monday, March 23, 2009 - 9:19 am
Our grandson, Bachelors in Political Science and on Dean's List every semester at University of Washington, is supposed to start Law School. Our dear Governor wants to put a $800 surcharge on college fees. He is working at the desk of a gym...isn't that something?
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Karuuna
Board Administrator
08-31-2000
| Monday, March 23, 2009 - 9:29 am
Dogdoc, you must live in an area that's doing very well. Heska (a company that makes veterinary supplies and pet supplies) just announced that their sales are way off, and that nationally the veterinary business is suffering. Heska Swing to Loss in Q4, Revenue Down 23% - Update 3/16/2009 12:05 PM ET Heska Corp. (HSKA: News ), a provider of veterinary products, reported loss for the fourth quarter, hurt by lower revenues directly reflecting poor economic environment. The Loveland, Colorado-based Heska posted a net loss of $1.87 million or $0.04 per share for the fourth quarter, compared to a net profit of $30.37 million or $0.55 per share in the prior-year period. Total revenues declined 23% to $15.43 million, from $20.0 million a year ago. Core Companion Animal Health segment generated product revenues of $13.4 million, down 22% from $17.1 million last year. Product revenues for other Vaccines, Pharmaceuticals and Products segment declined 34% to $1.7 million, from $2.6 million last year. Robert Grieve, Heska's chairman and chief executive officer, said, "The poor economic environment had an impact on our fourth quarter 2008 results in addition to the anticipated revenue shortfall in our Other Vaccines, Pharmaceuticals and Product segment." Global Financial NewsWire
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Mack
Member
07-23-2002
| Monday, March 23, 2009 - 10:03 am
Interestingly my wife and I had the same experience as Dogdoc this past weekend. San Antonio is kind of a funny place. We've been hit fairly hard by consolidation of banks as this was a large call center location, some retail closings like Circuit City and Toyota, after building a truck factory here, has cut back on production but the mall was packed this weekend. I think much of it locally has to do with this area relying heavily on being a huge military center, a equally large medical hub, and tourism. We never seem to hit the big growth booms but never get totally blown away from downturns either.
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Serate
Member
08-21-2001
| Monday, March 23, 2009 - 6:21 pm
I see more families outside in their yards playing, or sitting and talking with friends. I still see people at Walmart, Target, Sam's, buying. I know for us we aren't really saving any more than usual, actually a little less. [We can't save too much but that has to do with the ex-wife, not the economy. We get too much saved, she gets child support raised, yet the kids are still in rags and don't eat while she smokes and drinks.] We are paying down bills. We are doing minor home improvements on our house. We are 2 house payments ahead, soon to be 3 so I guess that's our kind of savings. I know nobody's job is safe, but we're pretty sure hubby's is secure. For now. So for now, we want to get done what needs to be done so later if IT hits us, we'll be as debt free as possible, and our home will be as fixed up as possible. And while doing this, we are also helping to stimulate the economy. Maybe others are too. I know our neighbors are kinda freaking out, but spending spending spending because they think if it all hits the fan, their money won't be any good in the bank. I guess that's kinda a good attitude, IF you are paying off debt. But they aren't. But too each his own.
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Colordeagua
Member
10-25-2003
| Thursday, March 26, 2009 - 10:05 pm
Few weeks ago I went into our local independent pet store. Good reputation -- been around forever. Some shelves were kinda bare. I was worried and asked. She said store is doing OK, but some suppliers (I was looking at bird-related items) are having problems. 'Bout ready for bird seed again for Lucy Anna. Hopefully store is still OK.
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Jagger
Member
08-07-2002
| Friday, March 27, 2009 - 8:07 am
I'm also one of those out looking for a job, I had to give up my insurance, even with the new bill passed that you only have to pay 35% of cobra I couldn't afford it. I've noticed that the stores still seem to have just as many people in them, but I've also noticed that peoples carts aren't as full as they use to be. People are also going on Sunday, as soon as they see the ads and are just buying the things on sale. I've cut my budget everywhere I possible can and think I will be OK for awhile, if need be I can always draw from my retirement fund and have to accept the penalties that go along with it. I thought about selling my home, but with the market the way it is right now I'm not sure if I would even get what I owe on it. The first month was really tough, but since than I've accepted the fact I need to find a new job and am trying to look on the positive side of it, new career, new people to meet, new adventures.
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Happymom
Member
01-20-2003
| Saturday, March 28, 2009 - 10:20 am
Oh Jagger, so sorry. That is not good. Good luck finding something. I admire your attitude about it!
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Wargod
Moderator
07-16-2001
| Monday, March 30, 2009 - 6:57 pm
I couldn't figure out where to post this. Caleb came home from school today and told me that next year the school district is cutting all shop, art, and music classes and sports. I'm hoping it's just a wild rumor, but I'm afraid it isn't. If it's true, it doesn't make much sense to me. I don't know about shop and art, but for music classes, the parents are responsible for buying everything. Instruments, music books, supplies (for us, picks, strings, tuners, gig bags, straps, etc.) For track, we also supply everything (for any sports, you have to buy the uniform) and we have to sign a paper to agree that we will arrange transport, either the parent driving or another parent authorized to take your student to/from the meets. If true, the kids will lose out, there's a lot who don't play sports outside of school teams, and a lot who will miss out on music, art, and shop classes. We're lucky with Caleb's guitar, we have a family friend who's been offering for years to teach him that we can turn to but there's going to be many kids who don't have that option and whose parents can't afford private lessons. Not only that, but are these teachers going to lose their jobs too? Like I said, I'm really hoping it's just a rumor, but I'm afraid it's not. The elementary schools already cut all their extra cirricular activities this year so it won't surprise me if the jr highs do too.
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Chewpito
Member
01-04-2004
| Tuesday, March 31, 2009 - 9:51 am
Well, My Daughter just called me to tell me that they called all the employees in this morning at Gottschalks and told them that its going into liquidation starting in about 3 days, they had been waiting to find out and yesterday was the auction....they had realy been holding out that someone would buy them, but its not to be... alot of my friends work there, for 19/20 yrs...people were crying in the meeting... my Daughter said its so sad.... she is lucky because she already found somthing, but this is really bad for our town...we have lost so many buisness's in the past 6/7 months... alot of people struggling.... Im hurting for my friends... Damn....
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