Unemployed after 30 years - now what?

[Bill in SD, CA]

Hard work doesn't always get you your rewards and I really need to go off on a rant here. I'm starting over in life at age 50 and if anyone here knows of some "retraining" programs from the GOV, let me know. I'm desparate here!!!

I've been in the dry cleaning business for the last 30 years and owned my own store for the last 19 years. Business had been declining the last several years (dry cleaners on every corner) and then 9-11 hits. In less than 3 weeks, I lost a minimum of 35 customers to military reserve call ups. Such is the downside of living in a miltary town like San Diego. I won't even mention the various layoffs in the travel and tourism sector. I had the store sold on Sept. 10th., 2001 for $160,000 with the stipulation that the new owner would "verify sales for 2 weeks starting on Sept. 17th. Guess what? Sales plumented 15 to 20% overnight and there were essentially no sales to verify. (Thanks Bin Laden you son of a B*#&%!!)

Most of my customer base that left are still gone. Barely hanging on losing 3-4K @ month. Finally got an offer for $70K last month. I paid $130K in 1984. Had no choice but to take it because lease was to expire on 03/03 and with rent at $4,200 @month now for 1600 sq. ft., there was no way I could renew the lease. Over the last few years my pay has gone from $1,000 @ week to $725. This blows and sucks at the same time!!!

The landlord has insisted that the new owner buy a new dry cleaning machine that uses a different solvent (pollution fears) which will cost between $70K and $75K hence the drastic and pitiful price I'm getting. I have to borrow around $15K to get out and will leave without a dime in my pocket, a $300K mortgage, a son graduating from high school, and the prospect of starting over in life at the age of 50. By the way, the landlord drilled into my slab in 3 places testing for soil contamination. Report comes back 100% clean. Boy do I feel good. Contamination removal starts at $100K, not to mention state and federal fines. Did I mention possible jail time for polluting?

The kicker? The new owner is from India and knows nothing about the business and I have to teach him the business as part of the deal for no compensation! All of the finished work reverts to the new owner - I don't get a penny for everything I have produced waiting to be picked up.

I have not missed a day of work in 19 years. Even worked with a fractured ankle for 2 weeks before I finally went to the doctor. Last year I broke my wrist and even then worked with a brace instead of a cast so that I could get the work out.

I'm practicing saying "Would you like fries with that?"

Sign me,

PISSED! and

[PartsMan]

Woah, terrible thing that Usama Bin Laden did to our country!!

The economy sucks, not just for the Dry Cleaning buisiness either. Construction (my trade) has been down, getting worse, and no sight of turning around. I have had six jobs this year. I feel fortunate to be working at all ... as there are around 1100 people in my union that are "out-of-work" just in this local. I just got a new job, in spite of the numbers .... that's why I feel fortunate, even though I've only worked 65% of the time this year. It's gonna be a lean Christmas for our household.

My point(s) being ~ you're not alone, it's really tough out there, and I feel for ya'

All I try to do is be an example to my kids, keep trying even though it looks bleak, and try to keep opening new doors. Right now I'm taking a class in AutoCAD 2002 / InteliCAD to make my self more easily marketable. I do things on the side, like build & repair PCs, and small construction projects that people don't want to pay a Contractors rate for. Anything ~ to just keep myself busy and some food on the table.

Cherish what is important, spouse, kids, family. Nurture them and yourself through this tight time. Hopefully this "cloud" will lift soon.

[Knothead]

Bill, I totally understand what you're going through, same thing happened to me, although from a different profession. I was an Illustrator/Designer, had worked my way up from obscurity into the "big time" then in the early 90's here comes all these intersting computer programs... By 1995 I was still painting, alright...Houses! blah, blah, anyway:

This is happening all over the place. Huge corporations are pushing the "Mom & Pop" stores right off the landscape, not to mention your average store has suffered a 30 to 40% drop-off since 9/11.

The hot concept now is all about "re-inventing" yourself, and the kids in school are now being told to get degrees in as many DIFFERENT fields as possible!

So this is what you're up against. Fortunately, it is NOT impossible. It's merely difficult.

If I may offer a bit of personal advice, Bill, (from one who has been there...) the first thing you MUST do, is keep an awareness of your attitude. When it happened to me, this was kind of a new trend, and people didn't realize the effects on a man when he suddenly has no work. I wound up in a severe depression, lost my marriage, and just about everything else I had worked for in the previous 20 years.

If you wind up in a position like that, you may never pull yourself out...that's why I say, keep an eye on your mental/emotional state. Believe me, that's where it all starts and will determine your chances of successful re-invention of yourself. It's just TOO EASY to fall into this trap, and you need to stay alert and "up". Forgive yourself, don't let yourself feel like a "failure". You didn't fail, we just live in rather "interesting" times.

Try to see it as a challenge in your life's adventure and don't start tearing at yourself. This is really, really important.

Good luck, buddy! Fortune favors the brave!

[Marc04]

I hope you find something you like doing, and can live comfortably again. I do not envy the life of a business owner at all, especially since 9/11. Surviving in this economy is tough.

Hope you find something soon, and I hope the new owner is a fast learner.

Marc

Hang in there, Bill. I hope things get better for you in the near future.

[NeoStarO1]

Originally posted by Bill in SD, CA
Hard work doesn't always get you your rewards and I really need to go off on a rant here. I'm starting over in life at age 50 and if anyone here knows of some "retraining" programs from the GOV, let me know. I'm desparate here!!!

Hi Bill, I am sorry to hear you going though and I second to everything knot has said. Our shop is doing poorly as well.

To answer your specific question, you may want to try Vocational Rehabilitation. You may qualify for this government sponsored program. Only one way to find out is call them up and set up an appointment to go through the paperwork to see if you qualify.

I hope things get better for you,

NeoStar

[Angela]

That really stinks, Bill; I wish I had something helpful to offer. Sounds like NeoStar has a good idea.

[capybara]

Bill - im in SD also, and 47 y.o.
I really feel for you.
In considering re-education, think about schools outside of the
college/university system. for ex., an air conditioning license,
a contractors license, an exterminators license, or the health care profession: CNA (certified nurses asst.), phlebotomy tech.,
xray tech., dental tech.
ALSO, here in SD a house with a $300k mortgage might be
sellable for alot more - so if you do sell it, take the cash and buy
or start a small biz like a bar or liquor store or a starbucks.
ps == I really feel for u ==the economy is just BRUTAL especially
now

[Xeroid]

Hi Bill. Chin up d00d. Something will turn up. I promise. YGP.

Mike

[glohworm]

Bill,

Are you single or do you have other mouths to feed beside yourself? All I know is, I've got one friend of mine who lost it all and he's got two kids younger than my computer! I know this is poor solice, but if you're single, we all know you'll bounce back in a heartbeat!