No Surprise there.

Canada lost 18,600 jobs in November and in October 54,000 jobs were cut from the Canadian economy. So although we are still in better shape then our American Neighbors things here at home are deteriorating quickly.

In my own community I'm told jobs are scarce. Many people I know who are looking for work have been looking with virtually no luck for quite awhile. Yet, although I am securely employed (for now) I have had several job offers, all for significantly less money, fewer hours, and virtually zero benefits.

So there is work out there, its getting harder and harder to find and much of it is far from meaningful (Not enough hours or money to make ends meet) employment.

So unless something changes quickly, I suspect we're all in for a rather interesting ride in the very near future.

My DH and I own our own buisness and it is taking much more effort to make the same amount of money. He's working extra hours and we are paying off the last of our debt as quickly as possible so we don't have to face that if things get worse. Saving money can be a full time job!

All full time permanent jobs are turning into contracts where I work.

A relative was just laid working for 23 years. Interesting to learn from them that, while they chose to stay in their original modest but comfortable home, they had a lot of pressure at work over the years to upgrade like the other senior staff. So, now with these layoffs, my relative is OK. No mortgage, good savings, kids education paid for. Other senior co workers, who took out that big mortgage to fund bigger and bigger homes to "fit" their status, are facing some significant changes in quality of life or selling and moving.

Also was interested to learn that from the beginning of their marriage they both worked full time but banked one salary and never spent it. From the other salary they saved 10% and, other than their mortgage, they paid cash for everything when they had the savings. Kept their car for 10+ years, took stay-cations for the first 10 years of marriage. I do remember thinking they had rather a dull life, but I see now how smart they were. Preparedness is not just about extra food in the house 😉

Daisy has identified one very red flag, thanks and hang in there, the ride is still smooth, for now. Pilots call turbulence they cannot see "severe clear" and they tighten their seat belts anyway, even though they cannot see the danger. Sound preparation interprets the red flags for what they are.

Payroll is always the first victim in cuts if there is an economic crunch ...and from where I was standing when I worked in retail, if your sales aren't coming in like they were, you have to make up for the shortfall elsewhere. My employer was really great, he opted to try every other measure first before hitting payroll. During 2008/2009, the place I was working at analyzed every single thing. We found a deal on electric that saved the establishment some big bucks, he went after delivery/fuel costs by sharing trucks with another store in the same franchise. Everything regarding operations( office/store supplies) was tightened, and I was a nut about keeping inventory tight so we didn't absorb more loss there. Where ever savings could be had, it was tightened. Unfortunately, as people left due to normal turn-over, what often happened was that we did not re-hire to fill that position and that became the way we reduced payroll numbers. But I could 'see' the status of any business by their amount of clearance and sales, or going into a junior boutique and seeing a middle aged man working the counter, I knew he was trying to save on payroll.

We have not rallied since 2008/2009 ... we never stabilized. I see a slow steady decline going on and all businesses across the board are feeling it.

Billy, I see far more contract work being offered now as well! And like Dascribbler mentioned, they are offering far less in wages and hours.