What would you do if you got laid off today?

[Hugh R]

My employer laid off 150 people at Corporate this week. I "think" my job is safe. I'm 59 the wife is 57 we make comparable incomes. Our time horizon to "retire" is about another 5 years. I think I'd "retire" in that I might look into doing some free lance consulting again, but I don't think I'd go after another full time job. What would you do?

[onewhippedpuppy]

Head to the bar!

[fastfredracing]

Grow weed

[scottbombedout]

If I was 59 I would retire without a doubt.

But your job sounds far too good for that

[Head416]

I would go home and make an Old Fashioned. Then I would start planning the next phase of my life where I would spend my days passionately enjoying my career.

But then I would wake up and find another job that I can't stand but pays well.

[Scott R]

I wasn't laid off, but I left the workforce. I volunteer a lot of my time, it's very satisfying.

[Jim Richards]

I'm planning on retiring in 2-3 years. I'd probably try to find a new job, or try consulting.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I would either part-out 911s or open a savory pastry café. Or maybe do FirstTime Dad again.

[Les Paul]

Been retired for almost 4 years. Seriously thinking about going back to work to double dip for a couple of years and buy either a GT-2 or new GT-3. My wife loves her job and says she is going a couple of more years no matter what even though she could retire tomorrow with a heck of a retirement plan. Do I need a GT-2?

[pavulon]

I'd be set for a few years while looking...then it would start to get tight. Then again, I've not had any real vacation for a couple of years either.

[Baz]

I own my own business which is a trade so I don't know that I'll ever completely get out of my industry, although I do see myself slowing down at some point and integrating more time for my other hobbies.

Further, I always saw myself as a beach bum with a mohawk or ponytail or (insert you choice of rebellious hair style here) and spending my days surfing and riding my beach cruiser while listening to my MP3 player rocking out....

I'd also spend more time with my horticulture life. Here are some seeds I just purchased from Oz for example that I will be growing as an experiment. I find plant science to be as fascinating as it is therapeutic.

[dmcummins]

I quit working when I was 50. I gave up a good paying job, but worked all the time. That was 5 years ago. Sometimes I think about the money I gave up, but I would never go back to work now. I would try and cut my expenses and make due with what I have if possible. The ability to do pretty much what I want and all my time is my own is just great.

My mother passed away when she was 55 so you never know how much time you have or how long you will have your health. My dad had his own company but basically closed up shop and retired at 57. Said he wished he had done it earlier as he could have afforded it.

Of coarse I was able to pick my time and plan for it so it was easier. And I actually planned to quit before I turned 50 but the boss talked me into working part time for 6 months to help the person taking my place.

[Brian 162]

Good question.
I might be in that boat in a few weeks. We were told yesterday if things don't change in 6 weeks there will be changes (layoffs).
I've been with the same company (HVAC tech) for 28.5 years and I can take early retirement in late 2014. I planned on taking it.
It's been a long time since I looked for work.

[dmcummins]

Have the wife quit, sell the house in California, load up the motor home and hit the road. No stress, no worries. Then when you find a place you like stay there.

I like to look at my old tax returns and look at how much less I'm paying now.

And I like to tell my wife's liberal friends that I'm going to get Obamacare subsidies just to piss them off. To bad I probably can't make it happen, but they don't know that.

[rusnak]

I would become a consultant and leave before being booted out.

Baz, look into soil science and organic soil nutrition (pH, minerals, and organic nutrients) that is where the future breakthroughs are.

[widgeon13]

How many years do you have and what kind of a severance would you get. Why leave if there is a package. Wait until the company makes the decision for you. As long as you ate happy where you are stck it out.

[red-beard]

Well, we're diversifying our company for reasons such as this...

[enzo1]

Fred meet Baz....Baz meet Fred

[Baz]

Originally Posted by rusnak

I would become a consultant and leave before being booted out.

Baz, look into soil science and organic soil nutrition (pH, minerals, and organic nutrients) that is where the future breakthroughs are.

Is that you Fred?

Anywhoo....took the soils and plant physiology classes while getting my degree and didn't really think it was all that exciting but thanks anyway - I know there's a huge push to move away from synthetic materials in the green industry. But I find it much more interesting focusing on plant materials and cultivation practices. As well as design and aftercare methods....which are always in demand and something many folks don't know how to do properly.

Like you consulting is always an option as I slowly move away from the physical part.....not that I will ever stop planting stuff....just won't do it week in and week out like I do now...

[rattlsnak]

I would panic! When I got the news I was getting furloughed last summer, it was the most stressful time I have ever had in my life. With child 1 starting college, and another a year behind, I couldn't afford to be out of work for one day. Thankfully it all worked out, but I think I lost 30 lbs last summer and turned gray over night.