FrankN wrote: Yes it is. My family struggled in the early 90s and it was extremely difficult. Its hard to look at the positives in life when your family is all going through financial suffering.

True, but it is also much easier to go through it when you have other people to depend on who are going through it with you. People you can lean on, who can help with advice suggestions, or finding their own job really are invaluable.

Moneyes wrote: In my experience, I have met few people who understand the priority that money has in a person's life. They don't want to admit that money holds a family unit together as tightly as it does. They would rather believe that love and personal bonding holds more weight. While those are very important, if you put that as a priority then you fail to see that a lack of funds can tear that bond apart.

Families need to not only see where the "business" priority in their personal life lays, they also need to see that a strong family bond can get a family through difficult financial times.

It's a fine line to walk, that's for sure.

Yes it is. My family struggled in the early 90s and it was extremely difficult. Its hard to look at the positives in life when your family is all going through financial suffering.

In my experience, I have met few people who understand the priority that money has in a person's life. They don't want to admit that money holds a family unit together as tightly as it does. They would rather believe that love and personal bonding holds more weight. While those are very important, if you put that as a priority then you fail to see that a lack of funds can tear that bond apart.

Families need to not only see where the "business" priority in their personal life lays, they also need to see that a strong family bond can get a family through difficult financial times.

It's a fine line to walk, that's for sure.

Anyone that has experienced financial hardship, knows the stress and toll it puts you and your family on. Many people do not recover from it, and it really can tear people and families apart. The only thing to do is stay positive to each other and hope you can ride the ship.

We went through a period where things were a little rough and it wasn't easy. We scrimped and shopped frugally but I can tell you it was a scary period. The stress was high but we managed to pull through it. I wish you and your husband luck in finding a new job.

Fran, I am guessing that if the ex gets the cash (for child support) that at least gets you of the hook for paying it from your savings. Hope that is the explanation, as though not perfect it is at least something to ease the pressure.

Why would the ex get the unemployment money? Is it for child support or something?
It is very good to have a savings account for times like this. I hope you are able to beef it up again once he gets back to work.

I don't consider unemployment assistance, so yes, we file for it, but we don't receive any of the benefits because my husband's ex-wife gets the money. That's why it's so crucial for us to have an emergency fund. Unfortunately, we have to dip into it on a regular basis, but that's the nature of his business.

You may have a point but, the family needs to survive. Why experience financial ruin over what somebody thinks? As to what somebody thinks, 30 years ago there might have been a stigma. In today's world and after the financial activities of the 2008-2009 many people were faced with survival. Some still have not recovered. Once in awhile I run into one of those "no fear" younger people that cop the attitude and I remind them ... everyone will have life altering experiences whether they believe it or not.

I wonder if some people still look differently at those who get financial help during their unemployed period. Perhaps that's why FrugalFran and family gave up the chance. Consider future plans and the remaining budget regularly, so you know when to get help before things turn to worse.

FrugalFran take advantage of any Unemployment/Benefit Services that are available. That is the whole point of the program. To try and bridge the temporary unemployed situation. Sometimes even school/retraining is made available as part of the program benefits. For myself, I took advantage of the "Dislocated Worker" Program and obtained schooling to make me more marketable!

I agree, take advantage of the program if he qualifies. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that with someone in that kind of situation.

FrugalFran wrote: My family is in this situation right now with my husband being laid off. So far we haven't applied for any assistance and we've just been tapping into our emergency fund. Lay offs aren't unusual in his line of work, so we're hoping something will change and he'll have another job soon.

Good luck to your husband in finding a new job. Question though, is he getting unemployment? I don't consider this government help - after all we pay in to this so we should be able to use it when needed.

Best of luck to you FrugalFran, and I hope things turn around for you very quickly.

My family is in this situation right now with my husband being laid off. So far we haven't applied for any assistance and we've just been tapping into our emergency fund. Lay offs aren't unusual in his line of work, so we're hoping something will change and he'll have another job soon.