Am I depressed? No
Am I bummed out? Yup.
Due to the economy, my employer cut a total of 700 jobs this year and I am a victim of their quest to become profitable. Things that I never thought twice about buying and not even considered because the severance pay/package isn't that great and it will run out in mid February. My focus is on paying my mortgage, lease and utilities.
Others are taking it much worse than I. I'm keeping a positive attitude that I will have a job before February (ok, it doesn't hurt that I have a 2nd interview with a nearby company lined up for Tuesday), and I'm also not sitting in the house worrying about it. My focus is finding a job in a recession-proof industry.
My gym membership is paid through summer, so I am getting "my money's worth" right now. Christmas will be thin, but everyone understands including my nieces.
Our region is awaiting news on the auto industry, as well. Ford is the largest employer in my town and GM is the largest in my parent's city. That doesn't even count the number of ancillary businesses dependent upon the Big 3.
The UAW will hate me, but I think it's time for concessions. When sitting in my outplacement class last week, our coach, who is a labor-relations expert, outlined UAW wages plus benefits: it costs the companies over $70 per hour, per employee.
