How do you provide for your family?

[73hunter]

Good advice JoePA, but you forgot to add make sure your chosen field is not one that can be shipped overseas and done elsewhere cheaper.

[duckbnot]

Honest, dependable and hard working are qualities that will always find you work.

[Jerryklimczuk]

My take on this is education - education in a field that has long term opportunities - after high school I worked for a demolition company - worked 10 hours a day, 6 days a week - I some realized that I had to get an education - after getting out of the army I enrolled in a two year engineering program - after graduating I got a good job with Bell Telephone Laboratories - at the time a world class research and development company - while working there I started going to night school - 4 nights a week - after 11 years I had a BS and a MS in Mechanical Engineering - during my life time I have always had a good paying job because of my education - life was good as a result - my advice is - get an education - make sure it is in a field that will allow you to always be employed - one problem is many people go to college and graduate with a degree in a field that has little value - a waste of time and money - if you don't go to college then get a trade - with a trade and a willing to work hard you should always have a job - imagine years ago married women didn't work - the man was the bread winner and somehow made a go of it - things sure have changed -

Hey Pa, I am a tradesman, have been since I was 18, I am 40 now. Hard work and a good head on my shoulders, which comes from a long line of master tradesmen in my genetics, have gotten me to the position I am now. Married to a wonderful woman I have know for 16 years, 2 kids and self employed as a boiler mechanic. We have the "luxury" of my wife being able to stay at home to raise our children until they are old enough to be home alone. Its tough but we made the decision that its better to have her home to raise the boys rather than having a daycare or nanny do it, the fact that it would cost more than what she was bringing home at the time helped in the decision as well. The point being, it is rare but the old school family ways still do exist and I dont mind the extra work load for that to be a reality. One word of advice to the young men and women looking to get in the trades......you will get older and your body will let you know it. Be aware of it and plan for it. Dont figure on working a phyiscally demanding trades job for 30 years....your body wont take it. Have a secondary plan for when you are 40 plus. It sucks but we all age, be ready for it and plan for it. Above and beyond all of that, make sure you spend as much time as possible with your wife/husband and kids......NOTHING in the world is more important.

Sent from my SM-G935W8 using Tapatalk

[poltrojan]

Good advice JoePA, but you forgot to add make sure your chosen field is not one that can be shipped overseas and done elsewhere cheaper.

Yeah well thats pretty much where I am. Information Technology, outsource to Asia. Geographical Information System, toughest market I've tried to break into since the Oil industry crash in the past few years. Tried being a Financial Adviser through Primerica, got distrustful looks all over place, I could build/plan but not sell.

Honestly since after I had graduated college with advanced diploma in IT with specialized skills in Telecommunication. I went through 6 jobs (10 years), one only full time, the other 5 contract, 2 unemployment. My contract averages out to just under 2 years and unemployed due to contract clause. IT market sucks big time. Right now I'm just getting by on courier job to put food on the table. Education is the partial success in life, but most important is networking with the right people, and LUCK.

In my entire life that I had worked since 20 years of age (15 years), out of 11 jobs that I had, only 1 was full time with benefits. Twice on unemployment. Finished IT with Advanced Diploma, GIS Certifications, did not complete Child and Youth Worker; driving my own car as a courier and 30+ degree with humidity is coming in Toronto.

Sometimes. I look back and think where did I do wrong. I can't afford to go back to school or even time.

[3030]

Time to get into the pot business it's gonna boom

[benjhind]

Every time I hear the sentiment "if I lose my job I'm screwed", I'm saddened.

This implies that you somehow lucked your way into a job you are unqualified to get again if you lose it.

My bet is that you got your job through hard work, experience and expertise. These will all work to get you another if the first one disappears. When you lose your job, you get to take your skills with you.

EI is there for a reason. Keep a nest-egg to draw from if EI isn't enough, or after it runs out and you are flipping burgers while searching for another comparable job. Don't live within your means, live well under them.

We live in a society where people are willing to pay 18% interest on their credit card to buy a new TV, when there are free TVs on Kijiji every day. If you can see what is wrong with that math, you have all the financial skills necessary to make it through a job loss.

On the subject of "side cash", I've done my fair share of work on the side for extra spending money from time to time. However, remember that a penny saved is more than a penny earned (when you factor in income tax). Rather than hire someone to put in flooring, install your dishwasher, repair the drywall, etc. it is wise to do all that you can for yourself and invest what you save. Those skills you develop will also come in handy if you lose your job.

[PaulR]

I have been with my current employer for just over 7 years. Right now I am off on short term disability, probably be off for 3 months, and when I am ready to return to work I doubt that there will be a job for me. We recently "merged" with another company, the so called merger was of no benefit to us. The new parent company is playing the Wynne game, selling off the profitable divisions for quick cash and breaking up the remaining divisions.
I'm 61, there is little for me out there, the only thing I can do is look for some low paying part time position.
But I am still better off than many working for the company, I was considering retiring soon, and have some savings. I hoped to work another year, would leave me in a better position, but such is life. With the current real estate boom I could sell off my home and move someplace smaller and cheaper, but with a new grandson I would prefer to stay in the same area.