Thread: Frightening realization about unemployed

Went to take the postal exam yesterday and was frightened by what I saw. There were about 150 people there to take the exam. 92% of those there to take the exam were age 40 or older and caucasion. Many I spoke with were laid of from their jobs to be replaced by younger people with less pay or their jobs were eliminated. Used to be people applying for Postal worker jobs were young or just out of school or veterans back from service. Not anymore as jobs are hard to find especially for people aged 40 or older. It really took me aback as many of those people standing there were just like me, had raised their children, had homes etc and lost their jobs. Did not see any illegal aliens there applying for jobs which is a good thing, but it does disturb me that so many older american citizens are without jobs.

Yes.....there's ALOT of us out there. We're also the same ones who in the process of changes got paid much less for jobs that used to pay decent. We're the ones who are getting the short end of the stick from medicare if there's still a stick left. This is the group that's having benefits just not paid anymore like pensions and insurance. We're also the ones taking care of parents and children and grandchildren because affordable care and jobs aren't out there to survive on. We're also going to be the first retirement group in a few decades that are going to have to work through retirement. So much for the travel and the dreams of an enjoyable retirement. "Hi...and welcome to Wal Mart." It's the late boomers. Ya...some of the early boomers made out pretty well but not so for all. Even the best laid plans aren't going unpunished. It's been a shock to see our group delivering pizza and taking your order at burger king. And being grateful that they still give you a chance.

Ain't it the truth Crazy, me I will probably be bagging groceries at Shaw's for $6 and hour. What a reward for all my years of hard work and yes I do take care of an elderly parent. You cannot save for what you cannot forsee, I have gone through all of my savings, retirement savings etc. I never thought I would see this day.

Hi y'all,

Add me to the list. Course, if it hadn't been for the gang, I'd have a bit of a cushion left, but that's not the way it is.

For you younger folk out there....please listen,...

Stay as debt free as possible. Look for inventive ways to save money, there's a lot of info on the net about that. For example, you can grow veggies in containers, even in an apt., if you don't have a house. There's a great deal of difference between need and want.


You don't know what life will throw at you,...I never expected a gang to bankrupt me, nor that my mother would get Alzheimer's.

Be prepared!!!! Please

You can add my name to the list as well.
And that was sound advice Pat!

Me to, you can add my name to that aging baby boomer, I got hit with having to go out on disability, living on my 401k until I got it! Now I know what people mean when they say they are trying to live on a very fixed income it ain't easy. I paid into my 401k, could have put much more away and I didn't thinking I would be strong and healthy forever, better listen up young people, save all you can and then some, this is what is meant by older and wiser, we learned the hard way!

Read something on a statement the U.N. made the other day. They said that in the new globalized society America's borders will disappear then said that the concept of the American Dream was cute but impractical.
Is this a decision our politicians that we put our trust in made for us? If so when was this decided?

I too was pushed out of a job I loved by younger and less experienced. Is this not called age discrimination? These 'kids were consistantly late, took breaks when they wanted to take breaks and had no respect for upper Mgmt. or their older co-workers. I was on time everyday at 6:00am and dependable. None of which I can say about the 20 year olds that took my place after I quit. After reading this post it appears the problem is quite widespread.

age discrimination

You bet it is, bearpaw,

At 59, I could work rings around 20+ folk. Oh there was the occasional nurse that reminded me of me at that age, but there's so much less focus. I don't think it was just experience, cause I was raised with such a strong work ethic, that I think that was what made the difference.

I had younger folk tell me to my face, that they didn't like the way I worked, cause it made them look bad. I told them, too bad, I was just taking care of my patients.

To my sorrow, I raised MY girls with the same work ethic....oh my!!!!

Nope, I can look back and KNOW that I always did my very best for my patients (or before that, whatever job I had.) Personal ethics and responsibility are very much important American values. I think so anyway.

Ya...some of the early boomers made out pretty well but not so for all. Even the best laid plans aren't going unpunished.

This is true, Crazybird.

The late baby boomers missed a lot of the better days of opportunity and they're going to be punished if they aren't already. And some of the late baby boomers are just beginning to face college for their children.

Makes me so angry that our present government is covering up SO MUCH about the facts and issues facing the American people.