My husband is losing his job of 31 years........any advice on what to do?

[Honeycombe8]

13. W/o knowing what he does, what your vocation is, why he's losing his job...

where you live, there's very little that's uber useful that someone can tell you. But I'll give it a shot.

First, I am a firm believer that everyone, no exceptions, needs to have some skill or education to have a way to earn a living. If you do, you will find a job in time, tho the pay won't be great. But you'll have benefits.

If he's being laid off, he should try to get a new job asap, preferably before the layoff.

If he's not able to get a job in his field before he's laid off, take heart. He WILL find another job. It will take time. Looking for a job will be very hard work, frustrating, disappointing. But it WILL happen. Please don't forget that.

You are lucky that there are two of you. Twice the chance that you'll get some income soon.

Do as others say, and get your medical checkups taken care of, while you're insured.

I'm 58 and I voluntarily quit my job. I had another job within a month. It was an awful time in my life. I felt I had to quit...couldn't take it anymore. I couldn't eat, couldn't sleep, was not being treated well, etc. I had a hefty savings account, so I took a chance and quit. So take heart. If I could get a job at my age, you and your husband can get jobs at your age.

Employers aren't paying much, but they seem to be hungry for mature workers who are reliable, have good referenced, and have a stable work history. So many younger workers job hop or miss a lot of work.

GOOD REFERENCES. Your husband should try to get at least two good job references from prior supervisors. That will be extremely helpful, if not essential.

Your husband should have a presence on LinkedIn.com. And he should NOT have anything questionable or controversial on Facebook or any other social media. Employers check those things.

I hope you have an emergency savings account that will pay your bills for at least six months. Please say you do! And no credit card debt, except the regular monthly charges you pay off every month. Having no debt will make your ability to stretch a dollar go much farther.

Try not to panic. He WILL get another job. And if you keep looking, YOU will get a job in your field, as well.

Try to be positive about what you have, whether it's good health, no debt, good skills, friends and family, whatever. I found my friends and family to be essential while I was going through the unemployment period. I would've become extremely depressed to the point of not being able to do anything, if it hadn't been for my friends and family. Even with them, I got very depressed and had to seek medical help for it. I can't imagine what it would've been like iwthout my friends and family.

Good luck. Please try to remember that things WILL get better. They always do. You and your husband may find that things work out for the best in the long run...he may find a job he likes better, you may find new joy and new friends in your job. AND BE GLAD IT HAPPENED NOW INSTEAD OF FIVE YEARS FROM NOW.