How is the economy effecting you?

[sgrizzle]

I have some theories on the results of this one, want to see how it pans out.

[PonderInc]

I think bad grammer has a negative effect on the economy.  When communication breaks down, it affects everyone.  If we ever want to effect real change, we'll need to evaluate the effectiveness of our schools.  Every student will be affected.

Some people are such effing sticklers...they seem so affected and snobbish.

[TURobY]

I have me theories on the results of this one, want to see how it pans out.

Does it have something to do with the Irish?

[Gold]

Got laid off from my job last fall in a merger.  I've kept busy with some independent projects and my own book of work, but it's hard doing it on my own.  There are few very solid leads on other jobs and it's very tough looking for a new home.  And I think a lot of that has to do with the economy and/or employers being somewhat panicked.  In the same vein, I've had some clients who just can't pay and I've seen competitors make decisions that I think are a result of reduced budgets.

[sgrizzle]

Does it have something to do with the Irish?

I fixed it...

dangit.

[Conan71]

We saw a slow-down this year and my income is down from the previous two years.  Part of that was due to the national economy, the biggest part was a local repeat customer catching up on their backlog and also using some different processes which didn't involve the type of equipment we've been providing them.

We are seeing our nationwide business improving and there are some niche energy-related markets which could be a boon to us.  Also, government initiatives on lower emissions and lowering energy consumption is not necessarily a bad thing for us either. 

That said, we are opening an OKC branch sales office and I will be gradually developing that over the next year.  So even after a year of contraction, we are going to expand.  There are enough indicators that now is the time to invest in expanding, at least for our company.

[Conan71]

Got laid off from my job last fall in a merger.  I've kept busy with some independent projects and my own book of work, but it's hard doing it on my own.  There are few very solid leads on other jobs and it's very tough looking for a new home.  And I think a lot of that has to do with the economy and/or employers being somewhat panicked.  In the same vein, I've had some clients who just can't pay and I've seen competitors make decisions that I think are a result of reduced budgets.

Really? I hate to hear that.  I know what business you are in and I'm really surprised you didn't wind up at another firm right away, or are you in a narrow specialty in your field?

[custosnox]

Alms? Alms for the poor?

[TURobY]

I haven't noticed it too much (I work in IT/software). I had a few software developer friends laid off, but then immediately hired at other firms. The company I work at was also recently acquired by a pair of local investors.

From my perspective, the IT field seemed to weather this storm fairly well (which is a relief after the beating it took during the last couple of downturns).

[SXSW]

I work in construction and our work slowed last year but has picked up again almost to pre-recession levels this year, so far.  So I haven't really noticed the recession from my end.  Tulsa and OKC were spared for the most part, energy really helped us and will have a big impact as the nationwide economy improves.

[Hoss]

I haven't noticed it too much (I work in IT/software). I had a few software developer friends laid off, but then immediately hired at other firms. The company I work at was also recently acquired by a pair of local investors.

From my perspective, the IT field seemed to weather this storm fairly well (which is a relief after the beating it took during the last couple of downturns).

I work in Software QA (essentially testing) and I've survived three layoffs and a merger at my company so far.  No pay raises in almost two years (even for COL) but I'm thankful to have work.  If (God forbid) I was laid off, I have enough expertise and contacts in my field of work (computers/computer builds and reparis) and hobbies that I could probably free-lance and make enough money to survive.  I did that the last time I was let go from a company.

[guido911]

Just loving life.

[nathanm]

If you'd asked me 8 months or a year ago, I would have said "what downturn?" Towards the end of last year many of my clients decided it was time to scrounge for savings in their budgets, so they've been attempting to make do with fewer calls for service (and no new computers!). With the new year (and thus new budgets), things are picking up again.

Security cameras seem to be the new hotness. I've had people call me about new/updated websites, which was pretty much unheard of (for me) last year. I've even sold a few computers and have a couple of clients thinking it's time for server and/or network upgrades.

People aren't as hot to spend money as they have been in the past, but they're certainly spending more than they were last year, at least amongst the folks I work for.

[guido911]

People aren't as hot to spend money as they have been in the past, but they're certainly spending more than they were last year, at least amongst the folks I work for.

You got that right. People are hoarding cash.

[TheArtist]

Boy its been tough for me.  I spent almost 2 years working on that large casino mural project so that kept me out of the market for a while and fairly unaware of what was really going on in Tulsa.  After I finished that project up I had some months of backlog work,,,, then when that was done reality/recession hit and hit hard.  

The high end housing construction had pretty much come to a screeching halt here.  I get most of my work in new construction.  Plus I hadnt been "in the loop" with decorators and developers so I am sure that had some effect.  But even from what I have heard on that front many of them were not doing as well.  

I remember the good ol days when things were booming and homes and neighborhoods were going up like gangbusters.  We would sometimes be doing murals in several homes at once and turning work away.  There was so much energy and hustle and bustle in those south Tulsa and Jenks neighborhoods.  Now you go into those areas and its night and day different.   Depressingly stagnant.  Still a good number of average, middle class houses going up, but even then not like it was a few years ago.  One of the people I did a lot of work with who does faux finishes used to have a crew of 15 people, everyone had new cars, were taking trips, eating out a lot, etc. Now she is down to 3 part time people.  I think one of the high end builders went bankrupt. Others are hunkering down and still trying to sell homes they finished up last year. Another artist/faux finisher I know of had her house foreclosed on.  Not a good time to be in our field. 


In the meantime I have cut back on a LOT of things.  The savings I had from that big job got eaten up over the last year. Down to basic cable, no Chemlawn, no having someone else mow the lawn, dont eat out as much, watch what I buy in general, even.... sob, decided it would be wise to get rid of the Murano and now drive a little red Ford Truck.  At least I was smart on the house when I got it. The lenders were saying,,,, Oh, you can have whateeeeever you want!  I was like,,,, ME?! A self employed artist. Are you serious? lol  I went conservative with the house, splurged (stupidly in retrospect) on the car lol.

Last few months have been really tough and spending a lot of time on the Deco Ball instead of scrounging up work didnt help me one bit. Usually from December through March I am slow even in the best of times.  And its really sucked in this recession lol.  Bout a month ago I was barely eating and was hoping I had enough gas to get around.  But I think things are turning around. I have found the sweet spot on pricing seems to be about half my old rate and I have been ramping up the networking again.  All in all its been one of the toughest times in my life, but I think the worst is behind and things are looking up.  Fingers crossed.