I work in recruitment centered mostly around the construction industry.

I also rent my flat off my boss. He's a shit landlord but if he sacks me he'll lose a tennant

Earlier in the year I rated my chances of keeping my job in 2009 as 70%.

Right now I think its about 90% that I will keep my job.

I know people that are worried about their jobs in the immediate future. But that is not me, I think I'm ok for now.

Our business doesn't need credit in any way, but ALL of our clients require credit, cheap easy to get credit.

I'm not certain by any means.

One of our clients had to withdraw his order because he had not made enough money recently to pay for it, so we're finally personally experiencing the shrinking economy, though so far are not actually suffering or tightening our belts more than usual. But neither are we throwing money around.

We do currently have one job in the shop, which is really all we can handle at a time anyway.

If your clients need easy credit ............You need easy credit.
This is not like Pearl Harbor where TSHTF for everyone (The Americans at least) at the same time and the same day. The first cow chip comes the day you lose your job. The second the day the wife loses hers. Then a spreader load comes the day your unemployment runs out. Then it really hits it in a big way when governments admit that they are totaly bankrupt and stop paying retirees and the dole stops for everyone. By that time the people you owe money to may be in such dire straits that they have no way or no one to come and collect the collateral or figure how much you owe in the taters of the currency but I would not count on that. At any rate the day you have no money coming in whatsoever is the day the SHTF for you and if you have no preps. your situation will be dire indeed. Getting past that day and having food to eat until you can find a way to grow or secure more is the whole point of preps. and having your food cache in a place that might be foreclosed on is a risky plan.
edited spelling:

Ahem.....I agree with you. As long as I can milk the system I will. Sorry.

I have preps.

My best mate has just landed a job as an estate agent!!!

No doubt. Unemployment is currently around 4.2%, up from 3.9% in June quarter. I remember the early 90's when IIRC it got up above 11%. It was no fun trying to find work in those conditions. Currently I have a few jobs booked up (landscaping/gardening), but nothing like what I would expect at this time of year- normally people are frantic to get work done before Christmas. I expect this trend to get worse as times get tougher. And as for those here who work in the tourism game, well, they're looking about as safe as Graham's mate in real estate



link

Anyone need a nice holiday? come on down, you can probably negotiate a real sweet deal...

Oh I will milk twice daily until the cow goes dry but right now is a good time to make cheese instead of milk shakes.

In all likelihood, I'll be graduating with a BS in geology this coming spring. I'm hoping for a good job either in the oil and gas sector or hydro/geothermal/environmental. Long-term, I'm looking for the latter but I wouldn't mind the quick money from the former to prepare while I learn on my own the latter. Being able to supply potable water, provide necessary minerals and metals as well as energy are going to be key in the future.

His girlfriend is also in tourism (promoting Japan).

Ok real bad news today.

Our biggest customer went into administration yesterday afternoon and owes us thousands. Being an SME we aren't going to survive this. I don't think Ill have a job in the new year.

Just my small tale of personal woe, one amongst thousands.

My sister who works for a big bank in Oz said they laid off a pregnant lady worker along with 5 others in her department.

Maybe we can all huddle around a campfire for xmas.

Sorry to hear Ayame, good luck finding something as good or better.

We're in a similar situation here at work. Hammer hasn't dropped yet, but we rely on 2 key accounts to keep the lights on. Both are located in the US. Both are vulnerable to what is happening.

I am not looking forward to 2009 from an employment perspective.