I work part-time online. I lost my job in 2008 when the economy collapsed, and was not able to find another, mostly because of my age. Some friends suggested I start doing online work, and that's what I've been doing ever since. I work as much as I want, depending on what I'm working toward. Right now, I'm working more, because I want to take a trip this summer.
I've been doing that since I retired from being a paramedic in 2001. I love being able to set my own hours, but then there is the uncertainty about how much money is going to be coming in.
While I know ageism exists, the main reason people are having trouble finding jobs is that there are too few jobs and too many people applying for them. It’s a numbers game. I know someone who was very frustrated because people who had jobs kept rattling off places to apply. He said “I don’t need people to toss the yellow pages at me. I need someone to hire me”.
I'm retired from the working world but still employed as "Granny care" for my grandchildren. It's the best job ever as far as I'm concerned and even though I don't do it full time anymore...I hope this job never ends!
So many employers are applying attrition. When employees retire, quit, or die they're not replacing them. The work is given to existing staff, which creates other problems.
@Bobby Cole: Hmmmm dunno. I work at making my coffee in the morning and work at whatever work I want to doing during the day. Can I asked, what coffee you use?
Whatever coffee works at that time. Sometimes it's Community Coffee unless I wake up and do not feel very community minded in which case I go straight for a Chicory/Pure blend. The pure part is a Louisiana colloquial term meaning whatever coffee is available at the time disregarding it's origin. Then, I have those nutty little mornings which finds me making a pot of "Chock full o Nuts." Like I first wrote though, Whatever "Works" and helps my brain "Work". Ha .........I did manage to stay on topic after all.
Thanks, good show. I've been trying to get my store to stock Community Coffee Beans. have a friend in La. who sent me a Large bag of Community Dark Ground. I liked it but would prefer the beans. thanks.
I left my job in about 1992 so I could travel with my husband as he worked out of town a lot. I missed my job (working for the county social services) but am glad I went as I got to see parts of this country I would have never made it to. I have been to Fl and clear up to NJ and then I guess I've been in every coastal state and lots of the others too. I love the United States and would like to see more of it.
I still work because I have to. I would love to quit but can't make it on S/S alone. I still have two off spring living with me who help the best they can, but none of us could make it by our selves. I had it pretty well together at one point but my husband got cancer and drained everything we had trying to keep him alive. That didn't work so here I am.
@chris ladewig Chris, I felt awful after reading your post. I feel something is terribly wrong if one MUST work to make ends meet, after age 70. Are your offspring helping the best they can, because of other commitment? Old age should be a time of contentment and repose, which for you, is obviously not the case. We wish there was some means of materially helping out, beyond words, which are nice sentimentally, but pay no bills. Please, tell us more of your position, if you care to. Frank
I think that this is a problem that affects many people of our age, especially women. It used to be that more women stayed at home and raised the children, did the housework, and basically kept the family running smoothly. The husband was considered "the breadwinner", and his income was what the family lived on. Of course, back then, many families , even the ones who lived in town, had their own gardens, and most yards had fruit trees of one kind or another, so people didn't have to buy as many of their groceries as we do now. In any case, the wife did not have any income to accrue Social Security benefits, and they shared the husband's benefits after retirement. When there is a divorce, usually after the children are grown and gone, then the wife has to find a job and support herselt, which does give her some SS; but not enough to live on. Mine (because of those same circumstances ) is only about $400, which is certainly not anywhere near enough to live on, and there are many other women who are also in this same situation. Even women who are widowed, and receive their husband's SS pension do not really have enough to do more than survive on, and can certainly not live a quality lifestyle. Another hing that is extremely frustrating is the fact that people who come to the United States illegally, and have contributed NOTHING to this country in any way, are now often entitled to all of the givernment benefits available, while our own senior citizens, who should receive these benefits, mostly do not get them.
I did not mean to make any one feel awful. What is is and we go on with the cards we are dealt. I have had to make lifestyle changes but life goes on and so will I.
@Chris Ladewigh What a great attitude you have. Life is what we make of it. Sounds like you are blessed because you choose to see life as a blessing.
Working part-time, mostly training others on commercial HVAC systems. Couple days a week is plenty. Enjoy passing on any info I might have gathered over the years.