Burning Through Severance, Turning Down Job Offers

10 Comments on Burning Through Severance, Turning Down Job Offers

1. simplesimon on November 10, 2009 | permalink
    

   Every person in that article is concerned about public image, why else would they continue living the lifestyle they had? I hope these people aren't looking for sympathy. You don't turn down jobs when it's a buyer's market and the employers are the buyers.
2. RDT2 on November 10, 2009 | permalink
    

   I think these people had, up until this point, lived a life where jobs and money had come easily to them. They also had been earning an amount so in excess of what they needed for basic living that they never learned to appreciate the money they were earning. The combination of those 2 conditions is what caused them to not adjust their lifestyle after the loss of their income and also to not see the necessity in accepting another job when offered.
3. TFB on November 10, 2009 | permalink
    

   I was stunned speechless when I read that article. So many things are wrong with that picture. I didn't know where to start. That's why I didn't say anything in the post. You spend what you can afford. You get the best job that's available to you, no matter what you did before. I thought that's so obvious, but apparently not. I hope the subjects in the article are not representative of the vast majority. I hope they made it to the newspaper only because they were so out there. I hope. On the other hand, I'm grateful to their continued spending which holds up the economy. By their turning job offers down, they leave the jobs to others. They are unsung heroes to those still employed and unemployed alike.
4. John on November 11, 2009 | permalink
    

   I find it hard to relate to a person making in excess of $200K/yr, 44 years old, and who has but $100K in savings. There is something very Darwinian about this picture.

   But, then, as an old fart, I have little patience with anyone under 50.

   PS: I thought Ruuuupert the Muuuurdoch was charging to get into his rag these days. Guess not.
5. KD on November 11, 2009 | permalink
    

   Entitlement and lack of perspective. Its the byproduct of cheap credit. My parents in India think credit card interest rate of 36% is rather cheap and an adjustable mortgage rate of 8% a steal. Try explaining that to benefactors of the CARD act, which has unfortunately increased the cost of credit for everyone.
6. FarmGirl on November 11, 2009 | permalink
    

   While I don't agree with the methods used by the people in the article, I do understand when they go grocery shopping, see the parking lot full and wonder if they are the only ones suffering. We have never lived on our whole salary, cut expenses to the bone (mortgage, insurance, taxes and food) when housing prices started to fall (we are in the construction business) continue to live a life of frugality and are barely keeping even. I do wonder if we are the only ones suffering, parking lots are full, children still attend private school, people buy enormous cuts of expensive meat, and I routinely hear people say they would never shop there, wear that, drive that, etc. Are you kidding me?

   We as a nation are horribly spoiled, and really that is what this whole article seems to be saying. We have lost any sense of reason, and forgotten that we should count our blessings just to have enough. Going to 7-Eleven for coffee is your last luxury? How about buying discount, pre-ground with a coupon and calling it a luxury, because that is the real truth. Not a single one of us will die without coffee.

   I empathize with those frustrated and hurt by the downturn, because I too feel the pain. We all need a reality check, even those of us who live reasonable lives often don't see the richness of the "average" American lifestyle. It hurts, but the time has come to open our eyes to the ways and lifestyles of the rest of the world.
7. John on November 11, 2009 | permalink
    

   Look at the bright side. Had you invested "X" dollars in a TIPS fund two months ago (as I did), it would be worth 1.03X that amount today.

   Which is why I cashed out my VIPSX. An annualized return of 18% sort of gets your attention.

   Not to let green fade to red, I am pondering whether to sit on my ass(ets) or just sell into this year-end rally.

   My thoughts: sell when others are buying, as this rally is for fools only. A 3% yield on a CD may sound like not much, until you compare it to what you might lose in the market from these tippy-top highs.

   Just my $.02
8. Random Poster on November 12, 2009 | permalink
    

   People spending money they don't have, to buy things they don't want, to impress people they don't like . . . .
9. goner on November 13, 2009 | permalink
    

   Mr. Joegriner is in full-blown denial.

   He avoids the term "unemployed," preferring the term "consultant" with patchy income. No, Mr. Joegriner, you are unemployed, as in "doesn't have a job."

   What a warped sense of entitlement! It would sicken me if my tax money went to support these folks.. Thanks goodness I extricated myself from the US tax rolls!
10. Debbie M on November 18, 2009 | permalink
     

    I was appalled when I first read the article.

    The next day, I realized that if I lost my job tomorrow, I'm not sure how I would change my spending. Would I sell my house and move in with my parents? No. Would I even sell my car? Not for a while. I would spend less on food and hold out on charitable contributions until I knew what my real income would be for the year.

    The real change I would make is looking for multiple jobs to hold me over until I found another full-time job.

Tell me what you're thinking, but please don't spam. See comments moderation policy.