General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Unemployable At 50 Fate Of Present And Future Workers [View all]mtngirl47
(988 posts)I left corporate America 15 years ago and bought a resort. It's located right outside one of our beautiful National Parks. When I reached the 9 year mark I thought I had made it. My property value was way up there, debt was manageable, and business had grown each year. Then came the Great Recession. Vacation is the first thing that folks cut when things are tight. Also, customers began taking shorter vacations, or just long weekends because they worried about their job security.
All of my utilities have gone way up, but I haven't been able to raise prices since 2007. I have cut everything to the bone and I'm working longer hours because I can't afford enough workers. I want to cry whenever a piece of equipment breaks--or when a customer tears something up. I watch youtube videos to learn how to fix things on my own instead of hiring outside folks.
In 2009 when things were the worst I started selling stuff on ebay. You know, the stuff in the attic and in the storage shed. I was shocked at how well I did, so I started buying at estate sales and many months I make more selling junk than I do at my resort. (Funny skit on Saturday Night Live not long ago about how we're all doing the Sanford & Son thing!)
At 55 I am sad and pissed off to be in this situation. This business is my home and my life savings. Will the customers come back this year or next? Am I going to be able to keep up this pace physically? Will commercial property values go back up and can I find a buyer before I die?
And my kids, at 25 and 21 (with college educations) are off to a rocky start to their lives. My son was laid off and came home for almost a year...he won't even date seriously because he feels like he can't support a family until he pays off his student loans.
What damn American Dream?