@bmo88: If you have the time, you should go and read some of my previous threads. I know that feels. And yeah.. pride is kinda involved too. I feel so lame and pathetic.
I'll tell you this though, it's really wonderful to have someone to offer kind words and support.
My FI is there for me in every way.. except financially. I don't wanna be all BE GRATEFUL FOR WHAT YOU HAVE but.. do try to be happy about that. My FI works full time and does not make enough to support us. He recently moved into an apartment and even though I don't live there, I help him pay some stuff. I still live at home because I'd lose my health insurance if I moved out and we just can't afford that. So at least one of you can support the both of you and be financially stable. At least you can be together!
Good luck to him! Good luck to all of us.
@Chrysoberyl: Thanks for the response. I hope you and your FI can get to a better place financially soon!
Yes I realize it could be a lot worse because last year at this time, it was a lot worse. We were both working full-time, but could not afford all of our basic expenses.
Now we are doing much better, but his student loans for his master's about to kick in. He owes about $30,000 for it (which is more than he even makes in a year). So that just adds to the frustration.
@Chrysoberyl: Side note, just noticed you are from Augusta, GA. My family lived in Augusta for 4 years...technically Fort Gordon (military). I know how tough the economy is down there, my mother searched for a job for over a year and half before she decided to open a home day care.
@bmo88: BOOOOO. I came to Fort Gordon with my family and dad retired. I'm going to lose my benefits in May and I'm TERRIFIED. I don't know how to not be a part of the military.
@Chrysoberyl: I know the feeling. My dad retired from the army out of Fort Gordon as well (about 2 years ago). They ended moving to California though.
I lost their insurance about 2 years ago becaue I graduated school and got full time employment. I know what you mean about not being a part of the military. The health system, on base services/stores, base life, etc. It can be a tough transition.
@bmo88: I wish I had gotten full time employment straight out of school!
Man I'm gonna miss the PX. Why? I don't know. I just loved it.
You're not alone. My fiance graduated from a top 10% law school with honors, and the place he's working at hired him with a fellowship (school pays him $15 an hour for a year at any firm that wants to take him for 35 hours a week). The fellowship pay now dropped down to $10 a year. The woman in the firm lost two people and fired another right before she "hired" him officially as an attorney...
To give some perspective, she and her husband (an attorney in his late 40s who just passed the bar at the same time my fiance did, a couple months ago) both say how excellent his work his. She said if he ever needed a recommendation, she was right there.
Now, the fellowship expires in August, but she's not only still using the fellowship's pay, but you know what she's offering him from her firm? $27k for a 40 hour work week. Yep. Lawyer, top lawschool, honors, excellent skills and work, and he's making $43k ONLY WITH the help from the school. On top of firing one person, and another person leaving to start his own firm, and another aspiring attorney who got a job through her mother. So this woman lost 3 employees, and still could only "afford" to give him 27k a year for a full time position. It's insulting and demeaning. I also just try to be supportive and tell him it's only because he's inexperienced in the field, and she's using that to take advantage of him because as of right now he has no choice (he's applying everywhere), and once he has some time under his belt that he can say "screw you" (theoretically) and get hired with a salary he could actually live off of. I got laid off and am probably going back to school, so we're both living with our parents anyway.
Not to mention 6 figures in student loan debt to pay back. lol
Sucks. A lot. =\
@yanamari: I can see how that is incredibly frustrating too!!! It's tough that society tells you to further your education, but that our current economy is hindering so many people's careers so early on in life.
I guess we can just hope that this will all turn around in the next few years...
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Sorry for the frustration and the length of this post, but my FI just heard back from his manager what the offer would be for a potential promotion. It was not what he wanted or deserved.
A little backgroud:
My FI has a master's degree in Sports Administration and B.A. in Communications. He is 26 years old and is a great, reliable worker (all of his employers have agreed/confirmed this). About 4 years ago, he had a great communications job making about 60k a year (which is really good for Colorado given he had just graduated college). Well, the economy crashed and about 6 months in he was laid off because he one of the newest hires. Since then, it has been a nightmare in terms of job prospects. He turned back to retail and returned to the place that he worked at since graduating highschool and throughout high school (an office supply store).
The annual pay is about 1/3 of what he was making, but he figured it was better than no job. He continues to apply to jobs, but hasn't had much luck. He has been with this company now for 7 years (though he had the short 6 month break for the other job). He has been promoted 2 times and always has great annual reviews.
Well he was up for a promotion and they came in at about $1.50 more per hour than he makes now. It was like insult to injury, especially because he would have to drive an extra 20 miles one way to get to the new location. They offered him what they offer someone who is just starting with the company in that position. He has spoke with other managers who have been in that position and they say he should have been offered AT LEAST $3 more per hour. When he tried to negotiate, corporate said they have "restructured" their hiring wages and policies. They are not willing to negotiate.
Sorry this is long, I am just really upset and frustrated, I almost want to cry (and I never cry). It is just so hard to watch someone you love and care about while they struggle and you cannot do anything about it except offer kind words and support.
Really, its not so much about the money, but the pride. I can really tell it crushed him, on top of the other difficulties with employment searches. On top of it all, a friend of ours was talking about a job offer she recently received and said it was a pitiful amount for someone to take (it was $5,000 more a year than FI makes). That really crushed him as well.
Luckily I make pretty good money (about 3 times what FI makes), so we are financially stable. It's just so depressing sometimes to see someone you love struggle. I know that many people are struggling in this economy and we should be grateful for what we have, but it doesn't make it easier.
End rant/vent. Sorry it was so long.