It seems that many of my hard working friends are suddenly getting hit hard with the economic recession. I in turn feel bad and want to help somehow.
The guys who replaced our roof a few months back called yesterday offering us a great deal to get our windows repainted (They know we have some rotting panes and just need a new coat on the rest- and they are generally handy guys who specialize in roofing). Seems they have not been able to find work since our roof job months ago- the roofer has resorted to selling off personal items to friends just to try and stay afloat (I learned this from the mutual friend who purchased some of the items). When the roofing team called, BB told them that he would need to ask me about their offer. Before hanging up the phone the roofer suggested just hiring him to do a few windows at a time if cost was an issue. Then BB calls me asking if we can get our windows fixed because he feels so bad. I feel bad too- but windows were not in our short term plan. I went and tried to run numbers to see if we could even get the guy $400- but that would mean upcoming christmas would put us in CC debt.So I had to tell BB no. I feel so bad.
Our other friend is a realtor. He has had 4 closings in a row fall through due to financing issues and he has watched his savings account drain- drain- drain over the last few months. He is down to $400 and had a mini breakdown in front of BB today because of it. He doesnt know how he is going to pay his own mortgage this month. I feel so bad. I heard about it and tried to think if there was anything I could hire him to do for us around the house- (the realtor has a construction background)...but we are pretty done with our projects. And besides- this realtor has a very grand house and my $3-400 I offer him would not make a dent in his mortgage. I feel bad.
I just feel bad.
I'm not broke and I feel guilty
October 27th, 2009 at 09:33 pm
October 27th, 2009 at 09:37 pm 1256679451
I think it has to do with making choices to plan for the long-term. Our income is about the same as the two closest people we've got (lawyer brother and best friend). Our spending habits have saved us from the hardships they are both facing (and they are both still employed). And I have a plan should DH become unemployed. I think the best thing that you can do is to keep them in mind for referring work on, or maybe invite them over for dinner.
October 27th, 2009 at 09:38 pm 1256679512
October 27th, 2009 at 11:55 pm 1256687701
October 28th, 2009 at 01:24 am 1256693046
October 28th, 2009 at 12:28 pm 1256732881
October 28th, 2009 at 12:38 pm 1256733495
Does your roofing man have this type of sign? Can you agree to put one in your yard for the next couple of months as some free advertising for them?
October 28th, 2009 at 03:49 pm 1256744956
October 28th, 2009 at 10:29 pm 1256768984
November 6th, 2009 at 10:47 pm 1257547648
Jerry