The 2009 Recession - How Is It Affecting You?

[Lord Krunk]

For those who haven't seen my 2 (possibly more - I forget) threads on the topic, I am looking at buying a new computer soon. Now, 6 weeks ago, I totalled up everything I needed to about AUS$1200 - a number I'm quite close to. Anyway, I go to the same site again today; make a few (slight) changes to my original set-up, and what do you know?
It now costs over AUS$2000 to get my computer, and a moderately mid-range one at that. Now, I could go ahead and get myself a job (something I should have done a while back) to earn the extra money; and I am as such, but it's getting increasingly harder to find one that pays decently.
Being the conservative bastard I am, I blame the oncoming recession, and would love it if our economy would go into upswing soon. Somehow, I think my hopes are for naught.

This leads to the discussion topic here; how has the world economic crisis affected you? And any sage advice from a fellow Aussie?

 

[zen5887]

I'm a genY kid so I don't pay bills or have a full time job. While it sucks that all this is happening, it has not affected me directly. That I am aware of anyways.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

Looks like that website will be going out of business soon. They need to drop their prices, not increase them.

 

[Nerdfury]

It hasn't affected me in the slightest. I have a great job that pays me well, I've just bought my own apartment and I've made no cutbacks to my enjoyment at all. I save money for a rainy day and still enjoy life and buy the things I want, when I want.

If you want to buy PC hardware, get it from MSY Technologies. They have stores around the country. I bought my current PC for $1900 or so about a year ago, when the same system would have cost me double elsewhere.

Also, stop blaming the economy or the recession for your laziness. Get a job. There's no shortage of honest work available.

 

[SimuLord]

I'm living in the US state hit hardest by the recession (Nevada); unemployment's at 8% statewide and expected to reach 15% by the end of 2010.

Since I can't find a decent job to save my life I'm going back to college and working towards getting a degree. I'm also cranking up the writing again because (just for example) I could make more money selling one article to a publication like The Escapist than I could in a month of my crappy job as a tax preparer. I work for one of the big tax prep companies and charge idiots $100 for a tax return they could do themselves in less than half an hour on a 1040EZ. Needless to say business has been lousy because people are starting to realize that they shouldn't get broomsticked by a corporation to do something that simple.

 

[Random Argument Man]

Well, my own provincial goverment are cutting fundings for my region, university funds, etc. It's all under the pretense of "the recession".

 

[Sgt. Dante]

Also, stop blaming the economy or the recession for your laziness. Get a job. There's no shortage of honest work available.

I don't know about the US, but in the UK there have been alot of large companies going bust lately and closing alot of stores.

The company I work for just the other day went into administration so i don't even know if my job is secure.

 

[fix-the-spade]

The job I had before Christmas no longer exists.
Beyond that very minor inconvienence the economic downturn has affected me very little.

 

[RidleyValiant]

Working in the UK where I am this recession business is actually helping me personally as the company I work for is busier than ever.

 

[SimuLord]

Also, stop blaming the economy or the recession for your laziness. Get a job. There's no shortage of honest work available.

I don't know how it is where you are, but where I am there are CPAs taking $10/hr accounting-clerk and tax prep jobs. Some places may still have some sunshine and lollipops left but Reno's as much of a wasteland as it is in Fallout 2.

 

[Ultrajoe]

I'm in the resources industry, so i'm fairly shock-proof... for a while.

I still have my (good) job and my standard of living is pottering along the same as always. As far as i'm concerned, i can ride this one out as long as i keep my nose to the grindstone and dont buy anything stupid.

With that in mind, i need a new gaming rig for DoW2.

 

[yami0333]

It is somewhat chaotic over in Ohio as well, my hours were cut, but thankfully i haven't lost my job yet, however somone is going to lose theres at my work place. I live in Preble, so I get to hear about Montgomry county and there it is insane, you know it is bad when a Wal-Mart closes.

 

[Abedeus]

My mother is a teacher, so her job is safe.

My father is a retired policeman, now working as a taxi driver and a soccer referee/observer, so he's more than safe - as long as people need taxis and sports (like, till end of the world), my father is earning money.


I don't spend much money on games, and I buy hardware from whatever I get in my allowance (about $15 a month). Sure, I have to way till June to buy me a new CPU and/or power source (400V might not be enough), but that's what life is all about - saving long time just to have a bit of happiness.

 

[dijital101]

Actually, my life is getting better by the day. Before the downturn I swung the holdings in my 401k so I'm actually up 10% for the year. I have a job that becomes more necessary the worse the economy gets. I just got a raise last month. I've got a reliable car that gets good gas mileage for the first time in my life. I'm living in a custom built fairly upscale house.

I've also noticed I've become more productive because it is less likely that someone's ineptitude will get in my way. Customer service at the stores I go to has gotten exponentially better because these people are scared of getting fired. I'm an avid DIYer and now that that kind of thing is getting more media attention it is easier to get parts or to discuss a technical problem with other DIYers. I can bring my own food for lunch at work without getting dirty looks. My coworkers are busting ass because with these high unemployment rates we're going to start cutting from the bottom and replacing them with competent workers with actual intelligence and skill.

 

[Nimbus]

My mother is a teacher, so her job is safe.

What makes you think Teachers are safe? Around here, Teachers are directly in the firing line. I know more than a few teachers that may not have jobs, come September.

 

[000Ronald]

Well, for starters, I can't find a fucking job. No one I've talked to can, either.

My entire family takes this out on me; despite all the explinations I've given her to the contrary, despite everything that's happened, my grandmother still seems to think it's no one's fault but mine that I can't get a job.

For the record, I've never had a job, and I can't drive. Don't have a license, and no one will teach me how to drive, much less take me to get a license...

I'm also pretty sure my mother is a hair's bredth from losing her own house. That's always on my mind, and it doesn't help any.

So, yeah, the recession's hit me pretty hard.

Apologies if you're insulted by my insinuation that it's not my fault I can't find a job.

 

[Aura Guardian]

Also, stop blaming the economy or the recession for your laziness. Get a job. There's no shortage of honest work available.

I don't know about the US, but in the UK there have been alot of large companies going bust lately and closing alot of stores.

The company I work for just the other day went into administration so i don't even know if my job is secure.

So far in America, KB,Linins and things, and Circuit City's have closed down for good.
Office Depot is starting to go away.

 

[beddo]

Why not just get a console? Xbox 360s are quite cheap and have a decent line up of games.

 

[Combined]

I pretty much have to cut spending on everything if I want to buy food and books. Books have become extremely expensive and I can barely afford to buy them If I'm also trying to eat my normal amount of food.

I also have to restrain myself from buying more expensive things, like games (They're very very expensive these days), electronics, films and so on.

I'm good at my job and they're not planning to lower our wages any time soon. There's too many protests right now.