laid off

[Elijah Gunn]

I was laid off this friday(March 20th). On monday(16th) I hit a deer and messed up our van. The insurance company (AIG) wants to total it. I was able to drive it to the body shop,and while I'm not a certified mechanic I'd say that it's repairable. Anyway ,I'll be calling the ins. people again tomorrow to finish getting that situation resolved.
The lay off is gonna be tough. I'm a machinist, and live in Mich.  I don't believe there are any shops in my area that are even hiring, or can pay what I need. So... at 46 yrs. old it looks like it is time for a career change.    The only thing about all this that really scares me is, will we lose our home? I'm not trying to sound whiney in posting this. Just wanted to vent some, and ask for prayer.

[Swampman]

Prayers sent!

Sometimes God has better things for us.  Trust him!

[boondocker]

Prayers sent.

Sir you are a man with skills, as a machinist you have to have good mechanical skills and the will get you in the door at alot of places doing different things. I am 51 and they are closing our in house vehicle repair shop at the phone company by the end of April. I am a mechanic all my life and like you I also think I need a change. Check with the local community colleges and tech schools for programs for the unemployed. Our local CC is offering 12 free credits in this manner.  I have lost my job 3 different times over the years by closures and have always bounced back. The important thing is family and love. You my have to change your standard of living a bit but it will come back trust me been there done that. God Bless

[magooch]

Sorry about the job loss, Elijah.  Maybe you could find a job at a wheelbarrow manufacturer.  With this group that is running the country now, we're all going to need a good means to haul the money it's going to take to buy a loaf of bread.

[Don Smith]

In addition to Prayers sent I am going to offer an idea that has saved my butt many times when money got scarce.  Since you are a machinest and a shooter/reloader, etc. you have the learning to know the values of many tools and items you have used over the years.  I have had good success selling on Ebay.  I know it is a bad name for many but that is mostly for buying.  I have attended auctions and found many items that were easily sold for much more money than I paid for them.  If the economy is bad there it might be ripe for finding tools and equipment no longer needed by downsizing shops in the area.  I have even placed want ads in the local classified papers for reloading equipment and gunsmithing supplies.  I have been able to buy whole lots of reloading supplies, componants, tools, dies, and more for a good price for the lot.  Some from families no longer interested in it to people disposing of an estate.  I usually get anywhere from 5 to 10 times profit by selling the stuff I do not need for my own collection.  Sometimes a lot more than that. You have a country wide exposure base. For the items not able to be sold on Ebay there is Gunbroker and more.  Machinest tools are a great seller too.   Easy to get anywhere from 100 to 1000 per week of auctions, and they pay extra for shipping.  And the Post Office Flat Rate Boxes work great/  One port in a storm.  Don

[pastorp]

Elijah, I'll put you on our prayer list at the church. Several of us meet every morning to bring those needs before God. I echo Swapmans advise, Trust God he will make a way.

[nomosendero]

Sorry to hear that, prayer sent.

[gypsyman]

Elijah Gunn, sorry to hear the bad news. I was just up in Birch Run for a gun show this last weekend. I was watching the news, just before the motel I was in caught on fire and burnt down, and seen a news clipping. They were talking about a help organization, that will help out with home foreclosure's. You might want to check into that,before you get behind in payments. Here in Ohio, they have come and said if you work with the bank/loan company, often times, they'll lower payments just so they don't have to go threw the foreclosure procedings. Much less paper work. But the one thing they emphasized, was you had to do this before getting behind in payments. Will pray for you. Good Luck!!gypsyman

[kitchawan kid]

Sir,being a machinist have you though of gunsmithing? they are less and less around today and if you find one they are backed up for months.

[Elijah Gunn]

Thanks for your replies,and prayers. I have a friend who uses E-Bay to help make money. I'll ask him more about it. I'll also check out our CC here as well.
We can make this months mortgage,so I'll wait a week or two before I might need to call the mortgage company. We have family that can help us some if we need.
As far as becoming a gunsmith, I would like that but the start up cost would be too much.