As we find ourselves entering the second half of 2009 I have been trying to guage the economy from a current perspective. 2008 was easily the worst year I have ever seen for our people. We have seen gas prices above $5.00 per gallon in some areas and we have witnessed the demise of major financial institutions, and american auto makers. I have felt the effects as a small business owner myself grossing only half of what did in 2007 and one third of what I did in 2006. I have had to layoff employees and I find myself working alone most of the time now. Perhaps bankruptcy attourneys were the only niche in this landslide of economic turmoil. And what average citizen that is going bankrupt can afford an attourney?

Our financial leaders threw money at this problem hoping to stimulate job growth and spending among the american people. Unemployment has slowed and I have witnessed on a 1000 mile road trip countless road and bridge projects underway, I even bought Dunkin Donuts coffee four times this week (Something I haven’t done in over a year.) doing my part to stimulate the economy and my early morning brain cells. But you know what? I felt bad every time. I liken this reaction to the bodies reaction when not eating. It stores fat. I have become accustomed to not spending for fear of losing my home and not being able to provide basic necessities such as food and clothing for my family.

As I look ahead to 2010 what do I see? I have always been an optomist but looking forward I must be a realist for sake of survival. At this point in time I have alot of work for my company of two to do. This week I will be hiring my son who will be entering college in the fall to work with me and help absorb some of the workload. Why is this important? Because looking to the future I see many others doing the same. I see people outsourcing less and reverting back to mom and pop businesses of old where family members will make up most of the workforce, A good friend of mine owns an auto repair shop and while he is not twisting wrenches yet, he has downsized significantly and his wife and son are working in the office alongside of him.Things are busier now but we are in the middle of the summer when things are always busy. This is when seasonal hiring is strong and things get done such as building etc.

My point is this. If you have been laid off from your job and are collecting un-employment benefits do not become complacent in your job search. Get a job now and hang onto it for dear life. Last week I recieved two phone calls from former employees of mine from the early 2000’s. They had each stated that they had been laid off from there jobs almost a year ago and that their un-employment benefits had run out and that they needed to work. I told them that unfortunately I was not hiring right now. (Remember body storing fat.) This incident triggered a moment of realization in me. I have another employee who I laid off early last December. He is going on his fifth week of an un-employment extension without a job in sight. Soon his extension will run out and he will be in deep trouble.

I believe that the economy at the end of 2009 will make 2008 look mild in comparison. The market will be flooded with complacent workers that can no longer collect un-employment benefits who will have nowhere to turn. Foreclosures will rise and the meager building that is going on now will slow. While this economic forcast is grim I feel it is important to face it this way. If not and I’m right (which I pray I am not.) there will be many hurting families this winter.

-Original article: Unemployed? Get a job now before it’s too late. - written by Paul Torri on Factoidz