Was it too good to be true?...

[Kuzeh]

Hey everyone...
sorry to vent here, but I'm pretty upset right now...
Here's my story...

I'm originally from Mexico, I'm an Industrial Designer and unfortunately in my country it's hard to be a designer and make a good living. Unless you do sales... and I hate that...
Anyway, for 4 years I was working as a designer getting paid pennies, literally my first salary was $450.00 a month! even with a college degree...

Anyway, in 2003 I got the biggest opportunity of my life, a company in Chicago, IL offered me a job as a Senior Designer, so I risked it all and left everything behind to pursue my dream!!

And it was OK for a while until I began to realize that the company wasn't all that great, but I was still doing my best...
In 2007 the company hired a new CEO and his plan of action was... Lay-offs!! Yep, the company has been doing that for 2.5 years now every 2-3 months.
I was let go 2 years ago, and it was a nightmare... I couldn't find a job for almost a year.

Until last year's April, I got a job offer here in San Diego, at a much smaller company but with all I was looking for... the Dream job I've been hoping...
as Design and Art Director.

Things started to look OK but last December my wife was laid off from her job too, though a couple of weeks ago, she finally found a new job.

She also had an accident at home, nothing too bad but we ended up in the ER and had to pay about $3,500.00 in medical bills and to keep our insurance...

My current company split from corporate in January and things have been up and down for the past few months...
Today they told me that I have to take a HUGE paycut... 20%!!

I'm happy I still have a job, but we were just finally getting back on track and now this!!
I'm sad and disappointed...
I feel like I've been fighting for this dream for so long now... and this is a huge step backwards... I'm worried that the situation won't get any better soon...

Was it too good to be true?...
I honestly just want to live a decent life...
We're simple folks, we don't like an ostentatious life, but seems like
we can't catch a break...

I wanted to buy a new car, because my 99 Kia is starting to fall apart... but I guess that won't happen now...
I'm much better than in Mexico, but times are tough...

Sorry for my rant... thanks for reading...


PS. Check the FS section as I will be selling a bunch of stuff...

 

[Mesa]

20% paycut really does suck. Is that even legal? I don't know what I'd do put in that position.

 

[occulum]

that sux to hear man.
you know I do the same thing you do. The industry is tight right now.
... for the record, my entire company took a paycut a few months back as well ...

 

[ProgMatinee]

sorry to hear about that man. just keep plugging away. i guess thats all any of us do these days. if you don't have kids, find yourselves second jobs for a while etc. just don't give up like most people do.

 

[The Ween]

I think almost everyone these days is running scared. Sorry this happened to you. Put feelers out and look for something else. It never hurts.

 

[The Craw]

keep trucking man. at least you still have a job. that's something that's running a little scarce these days. i just work in a small town factory. probably all i'll ever do. not much, but it pays the bills and buys my toys. but i am always scared they will close the plant or have a massive lay-off or something.

 

[El Roranous]

My GF just got laid off from her job and even though she has been applying for new positions daily she hasn't heard back from anyone. I guess it's good to at least have the job still even though the paycut is terrible.

Life is a constant battle. It's never really that great, I think you have to make it great by finding things that make you happy.

 

[Darth Snoopy]

No need to apologize, Kuzeh. We all have to get things off our chest once in awhile.

I hope things start looking up for you and yours. Hang tough, things will get better.

 

[Kuzeh]

Thanks for the support guys...
I know it's tough times for everybody... but this whole situation sucks...
As I said, I'm just grateful to have a job...
I've been thinking about that second job for a few weeks though...
I might start taking commissions for re-paints...
and selling some stuff...
We'll see!!

"It can't rain all the time" right?...

 

[Kibishii]

That sucks man and California is getting slammed extra hard. I know it is rough, but be greatful you still have a job, your wife, and things are probably better than they were in Mexico. 12 teachers at my site just got their final RIF notices last week; three of them are pregnant and about 1/2 recently bought a house.

Hopefully, this budget craps gets worked out and the economy will turn around soon.

 

[Silent December]

Keep the dream alive Kuzeh and don't give up man. I know it sucks right now but many analysts are predicting that the the economy might start picking up in the beginning of 2010 so keep hanging on.

 

[creecher]

There's nothing you can do but keep your eyes open for something better all the while biting your lip and forging on. Life sucks, so rather than dwell on the crap, like Rory said, look to the bright lights in your life for happiness, like your wife, and give her the support she needs and she will return it, giving you the strength you will need. Every cloud has a silver lining, even so, it can be hard to discern. I wish you, your wife and your futures all the best.

 

[Balsquat]

Things will get better...Don't worry, there is always somebody worse off than you....I mean 99 Kia?
I drive a 92 volvo

 

[TOE]

Thanks for the support guys...
I know it's tough times for everybody... but this whole situation sucks...
As I said, I'm just grateful to have a job...
I've been thinking about that second job for a few weeks though...
I might start taking commissions for re-paints...
and selling some stuff...
We'll see!!

"It can't rain all the time" right?...

I'm glad you see it that way.

At my work, my co-workers are whinning about not getting paid enough for their hardwork. I fully understand how they feel, but I have to constantly remind them that they should be fortunate to even have this job. They immediately forget how bad the economy is right now and that millions of people are getting laid off left and right.

Hope things get better for you and your family.

 

[Trustey]

Hey man I dont know if you ever thought of puttin on a uniform and serving the country. Challenging job yes, maybe not the wifes cup o' tea either, but it solves 99% of the problems you listed in your original post. I've been doin it for 11 years and as far as the American Dream you are referring to goes, it dont get no realer than this.

 

[El Roranous]

Things will get better...Don't worry, there is always somebody worse off than you....I mean 99 Kia?
I drive a 92 volvo

I used to drive an 83 Station Wagon.

 

[The ill Jedi]

Hang in there Kuzeh, things have to get worse before they get better, stay strong and try not to let it get you down!

...At my work, my co-workers are whinning about not getting paid enough for their hardwork. I fully understand how they feel, but I have to constantly remind them that they should be fortunate to even have this job. They immediately forget how bad the economy is right now and that millions of people are getting laid off left and right...

Yup, whenever I start to feel the slightest bit unhappy I remember that there are people in far worse situations than me or that don't have a job at all. I fell better immediately.

 

[pixletwin]

You can't see the future kuzeh. The direction you are heading may be a good direction. Just go withe flow.

I remember when my wife lost her job teaching and was rehired teaching someone else with a salary that was $4,500 more! She would never have found that if she hadn't lost that job. Things like this can be a blessing in disguise.

 

[Voorhees27]

Let me tell you something Kuzeh, life at times will kick you in the ass and then there are times of clarity and Prospection. Unfortunately from what i've experienced the good and the bad times cannot coincide with each other. Just wait out the bad times because I can promise you there is light at the end of your tunnel.

I've "been around" and i've seen it all, I was almost homeless in 2003. If I didn't have amazing God send brothers and sisters I would be in the gutter no doubt. Sometimes I think falling to your knees does good, it puts things back into perspective.

I chose to whine and complain about my environment and how "unfair" my situation was. When you're "ready" to start there is nothing that can actually stop you. You don't sound to be stopped, this is just a speed bump you need to slow down for.

I don't need to get into details about my past because this is your thread but let me just say this, if I can climb out of "it" you can be something much bigger. Trust me. Your hard work will pay off when you least expect it, it WILL happen, believe me.

Best of luck.

 

[pixletwin]

Prosperation? is there an deodorant for that?