downsizing

[Gerianne]

my brother in law just lost his job after 25+ years. He and my sister live in Arkansas. He got 6 months' severance pay.
I doubt they will downsize from their present house. They have invested in upgrades in the last several years.
They have lived there longer than that. Both he and my sister have friends and business contacts for his job search.

[nannycoe1]

I wish we could downsize, sell our house and move to a small apartment. Maintenance now is killing us

[camellia0]

That's awful. Hopefully he can find work in the area that he likes.

[Tresbn00]

Getting laid off right now isn't that terribly bad because the economy has stepped into gear. Your brother should be able to find something fairly quickly.  My wife's company did some cut backs about three years ago-she has been with the same company for thirty seven years. If she had been laid off she would have received one week for every year that she has worked there which would have amounted to almost five years of severance pay plus unemployment as well as having a fairly large retirement package to dive into.  The only problem is that we have one child going into college and another that has two more years in private school before he goes off to college. I am always working two jobs so I will (knock on wood) never be eligible for unemployment benefits. I seem to have a lot of luck finding jobs.

[squirrelgirl44]

I dream of downsizing. I hate owning a home. honestly, a 700-800 sq ft apartment sounds great.

[sherryinutah]

I like downsizing even when I'm doing fine financially because I'm a minimalist.  It's easier for me to manage my personal life if I get rid of things I don't need.

 

[countrygirl12]

Getting laid off right now isn't that terribly bad because the economy has stepped into gear. Your brother should be able to find something fairly quickly.  My wife's company did some cut backs about three years ago-she has been with the same company for thirty seven years. If she had been laid off she would have received one week for every year that she has worked there which would have amounted to almost five years of severance pay plus unemployment as well as having a fairly large retirement package to dive into.  The only problem is that we have one child going into college and another that has two more years in private school before he goes off to college. I am always working two jobs so I will (knock on wood) never be eligible for unemployment benefits. I seem to have a lot of luck finding jobs.

The economy has stepped into gear?  Are you kidding me?  What does that even mean?  The economy is NOT getting any better.  There are NO jobs.  Getting laid off is a really bad thing because the chances of finding a full time job are pretty close to zero.   Especially if you are over 40. And no matter what your age the chances of finding a job period are pretty slim.   You may have a lot of luck finding jobs but for most people that is not the case.

[debidoo]

Wow it is shocking to me that people can lose their job after so many years with a company - sounds like they will be okay - I certainly hope so.  Best of luck to them.

[alice44]

We have downsized with our last two moves.  I does feel good to see empty drawers and cupboards. 

[Nancy5]

After my kids left we thought about selling and downsizing.  We have friends who live in a 50's retirement community.  I like thier house ( which they bought), but don't like all the rules that go with the property.  Yes, you don't have to mow grass, shovel snow, do outside maintence.  But...you cannot fence in your yard, cannot plant flowers except right next to the house, there is a pet limit, you cannot change color of door or shutters, etc.  sorry.....but if I own something no one is going to dictate rules to me.  We decided since we love our house we are staying until medically we would have to leave.

[6265AT99]

I did the down-size thing a few years back and haven't really regretted it.  Although sometimes I like the idea of "extra" space  I know it was the right thing to do!

[michele2042]

I can certainly empathize with their situation.  I lost my job of 20 plus years quite unexpectedly.   It does take a toll on one's life.   It took me months to get over the shock and depression.   For those who think it's easy to find another job I'd like you to walk a mile in my shoes.   I'm convinced (even though it's illegal to age discriminate) that my age has stopped me from getting jobs.   They never ask but when you submit a resume and you're last job is 20 plus years and you list the job previous they can pretty much figure out how old you are.   

I do what I can on sites like FC and others like it, apps on my phone, I clip coupons and regularly shop the sales.   My husband is just a few months from retiring and we are very much looking forward to downsizing.   I've already begun going through the house and eliminating things we have amassed over the years.  It feels good.

My best wishes to your family.

[monnee]

If you can't afford a big home, you have no choice but to downsize.