Hydrae-

Best of luck on your interview with Fred Meyer tomorrow; you've got this! I don't know if you have ever considered this, but state and local governments always seem to be hiring, and the thing about government jobs is that they tend to have pretty decent benefits. I'm at that age (close to your age) where I really consider health care costs and benefits packages. Sorry you are going through this now, and I don't wish that type of stress on anybody.

Fat E

He keeps that up he can retire in his 50’s. :thumb:

The 401k matching thing sounds great but if you’re not fully vested and you move on to another company a lot of companies will take that matched money right back when you roll it in to your next company’s 401k.

I've never had that happen. I just rolled it over to the new companies 401K. Easy peasy.

Sorry to hear it, Hydrae. Hope your luck turns. I'm sure you are running into ageism. Probably both ageism and some people worried you'll retire after 6 or 9 months.

Let's say the city gave you a permit. What would a trailer cost? I'll help.

Hey Hydrae, this was a heartbreaking read, thanks for the courage to share it. Always knew you're a good man due to your awesome avatar. Also appreciate the title you used. Even for those who are homeless who got there by abusing substances, we don't know the backstory or their minds. Compassion is the way.

I always thought a Fred Meyer type gig would be a good job for retired folks just to get out and stay engaged. I really believe if you target this level of work you can overcome the ageism, and in the meantime could continue to pursue professional work.

You live in an awesome place and it appears have people in your life that will make sure you have a roof over your head. Wishing you all the best and looking forward to a later post after things are looking up for you again. Hang in there brother.

You are going to do fine, a company will know what your value really is and appreciate what you do for them.

This will be a long lost memory before you know it. Keep plugging away my man.

Sorry to hear you’re struggling.

I’m not sure exactly how but this place can be powerful. My thoughts are to get someone(maybe here) to reimagine your resume. If you’re using old school thinking, it could be blocking opportunities. Limit your employment experience to the most recent jobs as an example so they don’t know your age.


I’m sure you know where to look, like indeed for the remote positions. You could also think outside the box open the types of opportunities you’re looking for. Do you have skills outside of IT?

Example. Recently I’ve been occasionally helping out a couple of divorced and widowed women. It’s easy to overlook and take for granted just knowing how to do things. Simple things like lawn mower maintenance, basic home repairs….putting shit together they buy from ikea…

Basically, let’s help you figure out a side hustle to help you get on your feet while looking for something longer term. When things aren’t going well, it’s easy to get mired in negativity and not see solutions in front of you. Maybe local school districts need an it guy….

There is a solutions my man..stay positive and keep on putting one foot in front of the other.

**** man. Sorry for your troubles.

Most everything I came here to say has been said.

Hopefully your interview goes well tomorrow. I'm not a particularly good interviewee. I think the problem was when I really wanted a job I was Johnny Tryhard and probably came across as desperate. I'd over-prepare and it came along as fake, I think. I did better on interviews that I didn't necessarily think it was a job I wanted and just had a conversation. No clue if that applies to you, but if Buehler445 was in your shoes, that's probably how it would go.

If it doesn't work out, the first thing I'd do is get the first job I could get. If it's flipping burgers so be it. It isn't fixing your problems, but every dollar counts.

Next thing I'd do is beat every bush you've got. Every dude you've ever worked with, I'd be firing on them to see if they have any leads. Any buddies, anybody. No shame in asking.

You're probably suffering ageism, but in my industry it's going the other way. My employee is 15 years older than me with no experience and I love the guy. He comes every day and does the job without complaining. Sign me up for more of those dudes. I'm guessing other industries are fine hiring graybeards too.

Sounds like you are doing the SSA route, so good to go.

If you need anything reach out. I've reviewed several people's resumes over the years. Sometimes another set of eyes matters.

Go get it bud.

Man, this place is so awesome! Thank you to everyone (even Otter, what the hell) for the kind words, advice, and simply support.

Today has been so much better of day than I have in a bit. First, this place. Also, the job that I thought I was out on is back on the table. I will know more on Monday. The Fred Meyer interview has been pushed to next Tuesday but that is okay. I will likely look to take both jobs with one of them being part time. That will get me back on my feet faster and I can get an idea of the environment and decide which is the longer term solution.

I will update this thread as my situation evolves but at least I think I see a light and I don't think it is a train. I am regaining faith that this will work out which is key to making that happen. To quote the old song, sometimes you have to go through hell to get to heaven.

Glad to hear that things are looking a little more positive for you. We all will continue to root for you to dig out of this.

A thread like this is the perfect example of a real community....we may give each other crap but when real life hits hard, we all provide support in the best way we can.

I'm rereading this thread for about the 5th time and two things are not clear to me:

1. How are you in such dire straits at this point in your life after only being laid off for a short period after 9 1/2 years?

You got two months severance that carried things until Jan 1 2024 and you have been off for 7-8 months. You or your wife had NO income for 8 months? No unemployment? No jobs of any kind? No savings?

Now you could be homeless?

2. Sounds like you have been very irresponsible with your money or there is something missing from this story.

It sucks to be backed into a corner and hopefully you can overcome this but there appears to be something you're not adding as to the overall cause.

Wishing you get a job that can put you back on better footing.

Praying for you and that the interview lands you a job..

I think, after 62, you can draw Social Security temporarily. Until back on your feet