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Posts: 1440
  
Location: Texas | This is more of a vent post so I will warn yall up front. I will say that my hubby made a great living the last 2 yrs of the oil boom. Things are slowing down and his company has been having lots of lay offs and their yard is not doing even half of the business that it was once doing. Due to those two things he started to look for another job with more stability. He found one where he can be home every night which will be a change for us. He has been doing rotational work and has only been home 4-5 days at a time for the last 2 yrs. He has accepted this job which come with a 20k a yr pay cut. Yes I said 20k! If he can prove to the company that his plan will save them money by doing many of the repairs in house they will bump his pay up by that 20k in 90 days. I am scared that this company won't hold true to their word. We can survive on both of our salaries even with the pay cut but a lot of the fun extras will be gone. I will have to limit my barrel racing for sure. I am worried that the drop in pay will really effect us as well as having to readjust to being together more. Just feeling really stressed about all of this and I haven't been able to ride to reduce my stress. And for those of you who will say we should have saved for a rainy day you are right we should have, but we didn't......... What we did do was make home improvement and pay off some vet bills and replace my horse that i lost late last year as well as other things Anyway thanks for letting me vent |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 696
|  everyone needs a hug when they're stressed so here you go! |
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | Deep breaths. You said yourself you guys will survive with his pay cut, just the "fun extras" will be gone. This is not even close to what millions of people are going through in these hard times. Hell, you are downright LUCKY that he found a job at all! At the beginning of the recession, my family lost everything. Our home had to be short saled. My dad had to shut down his business which was a massive pay cut (to put it in perspective, he went from making nearly $200k to about $40k). We moved out to Montana to try to find work. I had no horses and couldn't afford lessons. The recession followed my family and my dad was quickly laid off from his job. He went to alaska to do electrical work on the oil rigs, leaving us kids and my mom in Montana (I was in highschool at the time). We did not know anyone and even had to pawn family heirlooms just to survive. We hated being alone in that state so he took a job in Wyoming. We lived in a camper for 3 months. Severe thunderstorms rolled through several times a week. Shaking the camper, hail busting through the roof vents, my young sister and I were terrified. I actually developed anxiety issues from it. We hated Wyoming even more. So my dad took another job in Venezuela. Meanwhile us girls moved ourselves back to Michigan. He made good money there but it was dangerous. Men with machine guns patrolled the streets outside his hotel. When the government stopped paying, again he was forced go look for work elsewhere. He went to Afghanistan as a contractor. He worked on the base but obviously was never really safe as there was a war going on! Throughout those 4 years we only ever saw him for maybe a week at a time. There was constant worry for his life. And my mother's. While he was overseas, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. My sister and I had to care for her. But we did what we had to do to survive. I had a job and paid my own way, my mom took whatever she could find until she got sick (I had not seen a "we're hiring" sign in years). When his job ended in Afghanistan, that's when our family uprooted again. I was out of highschool by then but knew there was no opportunity for me in Michigan. So we all left our friends and family again and moved here to North Dakota. For the first time since I was in middle school my family has been financially stable. I have a good job and my dad was able to re-open his business here. So before you panic about going to a few fewer barrel races, take a moment to think about the families that are actually suffering.
Edited by cavyrunsbarrels 2015-03-02 1:06 PM
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 Toastest with the Mostest
Posts: 5712
Location: That part of Texas | You guys sound like most of my oilfield friends -- don't beat yourself up too much on the savings issue. All I can say is at least you didn't sign yourselves up for an increase in debt by buying expensive vehicles, vacation property or toys you are paying on. That's where I see most people completely losing everything when there is a dip in the activity and rigs/people are being laid off.
See if he can get the new company to put something in writing -- even an email will help -- to "lock in" the repair stuff and just keep keepin-on. Remember it all goes in cycles and things will look up again. (((hugs)))
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
Location: Kansas | |
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 Go For It!
Location: Texas |
Not much you can do now. We warned my daughter and her husband to put some of that money away that they were making (he is a crane operator working in the oil field). Now they are faced with the same issue... And they have a baby due the first of April. It's humbling, and it will be a great lesson for all the young people who felt invincible. I'm sure you guys will be fine and you'll have a great story to share with your own kids.
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| It might get tough but time goes by faster than you think and I bet you will be back where you started. You paid off some dept which is a good thing so it is not like you just spent wthout caution. Good luck!! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 684
Location: Oklahoma | We had a lot of officers leave to go work for more money in the oil field, now that its really slowed down....here they come running right back. We're getting swarmed with new officers applications coming from laid off oilfield guys. Its sad to see, but it is deff an up and down kinda job. |
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Expert
Posts: 1440
Location: Texas | cavyrunsbarrels - 2015-03-02 1:00 PM
Deep breaths. You said yourself you guys will survive with his pay cut, just the "fun extras" will be gone. This is not even close to what millions of people are going through in these hard times. Hell, you are downright LUCKY that he found a job at all! At the beginning of the recession, my family lost everything. Our home had to be short saled. My dad had to shut down his business which was a massive pay cut (to put it in perspective, he went from making nearly $200k to about $40k). We moved out to Montana to try to find work. I had no horses and couldn't afford lessons. The recession followed my family and my dad was quickly laid off from his job. He went to alaska to do electrical work on the oil rigs, leaving us kids and my mom in Montana (I was in highschool at the time). We did not know anyone and even had to pawn family heirlooms just to survive. We hated being alone in that state so he took a job in Wyoming. We lived in a camper for 3 months. Severe thunderstorms rolled through several times a week. Shaking the camper, hail busting through the roof vents, my young sister and I were terrified. I actually developed anxiety issues from it. We hated Wyoming even more. So my dad took another job in Venezuela. Meanwhile us girls moved ourselves back to Michigan. He made good money there but it was dangerous. Men with machine guns patrolled the streets outside his hotel. When the government stopped paying, again he was forced go look for work elsewhere. He went to Afghanistan as a contractor. He worked on the base but obviously was never really safe as there was a war going on! Throughout those 4 years we only ever saw him for maybe a week at a time. There was constant worry for his life. And my mother's. While he was overseas, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. My sister and I had to care for her. But we did what we had to do to survive. I had a job and paid my own way, my mom took whatever she could find until she got sick (I had not seen a "we're hiring" sign in years). When his job ended in Afghanistan, that's when our family uprooted again. I was out of highschool by then but knew there was no opportunity for me in Michigan. So we all left our friends and family again and moved here to North Dakota. For the first time since I was in middle school my family has been financially stable. I have a good job and my dad was able to re-open his business here. So before you panic about going to a few fewer barrel races, take a moment to think about the families that are actually suffering.
I really want to reply to this..... I certainly know what millions of Americans are going through. I was one of them when I was younger. We were NEVER fortunate enough to have owned our own home or my parents never owned new cars. Truth be told we only had one vehicle and it was a junker. When my brother went to HS he was too embarrassed by our truck that he asked to be dropped off two blocks from school. There were many times we had the power and or telephone disconnected for non payment. We did not have health insurance so god forbid if any of us were to get hurt. Things were so bad that I have a full brother or sister out in the world that my mom gave up for adoption because she knew they could not support and other child. Things got so bad we moved in with my grandparents and I went to work full time to help pay the bills at 17. I got my GED and then eventually went Into the military which in turn paid for my college. I eventually got a great paying job and after ten years left to start my own company with my husband. Due to the recession you are talking about i just about lost everything. there were days we were selling anything we could to keep afloat. Through hard work on my husband and my part we rebuilt what we had lost and have done home improvements Etc. Yes to many this post might seem silly to worry about. It is NOt about whining about going to less barrel races..,, it is about being scared of change and what can happen when change goes bad. We are being proactive by him looking for a new job before being laid off and having to depend on unemployment. And to say he is LuCKY to have found a good job is a bit belittling. When you are good at you job and make a name for yourself in an industry takes hard work and my husband works his behind off to make that name for himself.
I think the other take away for you specifically is DONT judge anyone! Especially when you don't know them or just based on a paragraph of information. My Mother who I lost this past OCT gave everything she had to make sure my brother and I had a roof over our heads and food in our mouths and whatever we needed to live as normal a life we could given trying circumstances. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Hugs to you, I know the stress of being oilfeild in my younger days, being oilfeild is like a yo-yo, it can be some darn good for a few years then it can bottom out in just a few months, hang in there I bet some thing good will come along for hubby real soon.
Where are you guys living? I know here the oilfeild has really slowed down quite a bit. There is a place here in Seguin that has about 20 large rigs that are stacked, such a sad site. Hugs |
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Location: Texas | Just try to stay positive and have faith things will get better! Hindsight is 20/20, it could be worse and it will get better! |
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Expert
Posts: 1440
Location: Texas | Roxie we live by Waco but he has been working in Midland since Oct. He was in ND for a year before that. He has already found a new job and is starting it next week. If the man holds true to his promise in 90 days once he proves himself and his capabilities he is going to bump up the pay. I am guessing the man has been burnt by hiring people at high salaries and them not be able to do what they claim to be able to do. As we have been burnt by companies making promises and then did not deliver. I will all be fine. But yes it is sad that rigs are being stacked because the Saudis have dropped the prices they are willing to sell oil at. It could certainly be worse.
Oh and Roxie glad to see you back on here. Hope you are feeling better!!
Edited by barrelbasher 2015-03-02 9:18 PM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 448
Location: lone star state | Hang in there. The market has stabilized in the last few weeks. Experts predict we will see rising prices in the near future. It sounds as if you have done everything you can by not spending more than you make. You are to be commended for bettering yourself and making a better life. Maybe you can take on a project horse while waiting for times to get better or focus on bettering yourself and your current horse while waiting for the oil business to turn around allowing you to return to competition. You are where you are for a reason its frustrating to have to wait on Gods timing and not our own timing. I completely feel your frustration and understand the oil business. Something that helps me is to be thankful for the things I have. |
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 Don't Need Sugar Coating
Posts: 1183
Location: AR & OK | Change can be scarey just in and of itself.
I tend to look on the bright side of things so my take on your very justified hissy is this might be preventing some unforseen issue.
Oil field work is very hard on men. Your husband probably needs this break more than you even realize.
So I would take it as the universe helping put things back in a proper balance.
Your husband sounds like a really good worker. He needs your enouragement and prayers now more than ever.
The type of work he does please help him take good care of his health, eat properly and get rest.
Thank GOD he is not the type to just lay down and do nothing.
You guys are going to do wonderful. (((hugs))) |
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 Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| Don't fret sunshine! You're not alone in making cuts, so are we! As for cavy's opinion, don't worry about it, things are tough all over. I went to college on Pell Grants, scholarships, riding colts, a full time summer job, and a full time job in the school year. There was no money for that at home. Those of us who worked up from the poverty line usually have a pretty abject terror of returning there.
Lots of people say that money doesn't matter. It darn sure does to the people that get their dreams and talents limited by it's absence!
So just keep smiling, crimp what you must, and pray for the oil to come back. The oil field is a bit different than any other industry, the workers usually have a lot more skin in the game than the owners.
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 Own It and Move On
Location: The edge of no where | Take a deep breath and keep your chin up! Change is scary! You guys have worked your tails off to accomplish what you have so far, and you'll hang in there. Give this new job a chance to make good on what they say they will do. Cavy's comments were uncalled for and rude....blow it off.
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Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| MS2011 - 2015-03-03 8:56 AM
Take a deep breath and keep your chin up! Change is scary! You guys have worked your tails off to accomplish what you have so far, and you'll hang in there. Give this new job a chance to make good on what they say they will do. Cavy's comments were uncalled for and rude....blow it off.
Agree, agree, agree! |
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 Swiffer PIcker Upper
Posts: 4015
Location: Four Corners Colorado | I feel your pain my husband went from a 28/ 14 to a 14/14 and took a 60K pay cut to stay working with his company. He will make more later in the year, when things pick up but right now that is a really scary cut.
Luckily we have minimal debt and learned from the first crash to save save save. That doesn't change the fact it is terribly discouraging to have to put major farm projects on hold. I've got some old retired broodmares who I'll have to put down and others who still have value I'll sell. I sold my two replacement milk cow heifers, and butchered one of my bulls. Culled my laying hens and pigs. I'm selling horses who I intended to keep because hay prices are still crazy high here. Direct tv was the first thing canceled. No extras every dime is counted. This too shall pass and you'll come out stronger. So just hang in there!
I wanted to add, that really the worst part is the fear, and the what ifs, and for me the guilt from the responsibilty I feel toward the animals I have. I grew up dirt poor, so did my husband and we had no family help to get where we are. (no cosigners or any one to help with a down payment). It is amazing how difficult it was to start off like that. There is a huge fear of ending up back there. We also have no family to fall back on in hard times. SO it is very scary.
Edited by equussynergy 2015-03-03 9:37 AM
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  Playing the Waiting Game
Posts: 2304
| Change is tough... Prayers you get through it without ulcers... or other anxiety related illness |
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 Love Me Some Robert Redford
Posts: 2335
Location: WV | Your not alone on this. We are going through the same thing right now. I hate the unknow also. It is the worst feeling. |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | barrelbasher - 2015-03-02 9:16 PM Roxie we live by Waco but he has been working in Midland since Oct. He was in ND for a year before that. He has already found a new job and is starting it next week. If the man holds true to his promise in 90 days once he proves himself and his capabilities he is going to bump up the pay. I am guessing the man has been burnt by hiring people at high salaries and them not be able to do what they claim to be able to do. As we have been burnt by companies making promises and then did not deliver. I will all be fine. But yes it is sad that rigs are being stacked because the Saudis have dropped the prices they are willing to sell oil at. It could certainly be worse. Oh and Roxie glad to see you back on here. Hope you are feeling better!!
Thank you  and please dont pay any attention to the poster that was being a bit rude, you guys do what you have to do and dont let any negative thought's set in |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | Hugs! It's very scary. I pray that it is short term, but who knows how long it really will last. Enjoy having him home! |
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Expert
Posts: 1440
Location: Texas | Thanks yall for the hugs and uplifting words. I am over my mental meltdown for now. It's really just fear of the unknown. Over the last year his pay has been cut in half. He told a cut when he left ND to be closer to home and now this cut but it is all doable. I do feel blessed that we both still have very good jobs and will be ok. I see some of my friends really struggle and to be honest I would really help my one friend when and wherever I could with hauling her with me and picking up checks for meals etc when we were out. I hate that I will have to limit that now as this person is a great friend who is in a tough situation. But anyway life goes on and I have to say I am a bit embarrassed about my exposing so much of my childhood. My mom did the best she could for us given my dad had issues...... And that one poster just ticked me off!!!! Well hubby will be home shortly so gonna get ready to eat |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | barrelbasher - 2015-03-03 6:07 PM
Thanks yall for the hugs and uplifting words. I am over my mental meltdown for now. It's really just fear of the unknown. Over the last year his pay has been cut in half. He told a cut when he left ND to be closer to home and now this cut but it is all doable. I do feel blessed that we both still have very good jobs and will be ok. I see some of my friends really struggle and to be honest I would really help my one friend when and wherever I could with hauling her with me and picking up checks for meals etc when we were out. I hate that I will have to limit that now as this person is a great friend who is in a tough situation. But anyway life goes on and I have to say I am a bit embarrassed about my exposing so much of my childhood. My mom did the best she could for us given my dad had issues...... And that one poster just ticked me off!!!! Well hubby will be home shortly so gonna get ready to eat
Prayers for you and your husband that this company will hold true to their word in 90 days when your husband's work ethic is shown. Things are tough everywhere in a lot of different occupations, so know that we understand your situation even if we're not in the oilfield business. Thoughts and prayers being sent your way. |
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 Member
Posts: 14
| I posted this in another thread this morning, but I feel like it has value here as well. I am also married to an oilfield man and we have seen some dramatic downturn as well. He did not lose his job, but took a pay cut that HURT. Then another company came calling because they want to take advantage of the downturn and get set up to ride the next wave. He did get a new job in this downturn and things are looking up. It is true that getting a new job in this economy speaks volumes for the type of man he is. Last year I went to a race 2-3 times a month. I have not been to 1 yet this year and I am twitchy and grumpy because of it. This too shall pass. Remember there is a grand design and you will come out on the other side of this wondering why you were so stressed.
I have this on my wall in my office because it really helps me feel centered. Malachi 3:3 says " He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."
This verse puzzled some women in a bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next study. That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one had to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were the hottest to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot: then she thought again about the verse that says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver" She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time. The man answered that yes, he had to sit there not only holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left one moment too long in the flames it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy - when I see my image in it."
If today you are feeling the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching until he sees his image in you. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 239
| Hugs and sympathy from me also. We have a very small one truck/trailer oilfield business and it is very, very slow. With my income we can keep the household running but even if we pay my husband nothing the overhead to keep the company running is incredible....we are worried too but are praying and hoping to be able to ride this out. Break up seems to have come early this year up here.
I wanted to comment on the emotional aspect more than the money aspect of it though, I found it VERY hard to adjust to him being home all the time, LOL! And they find it hard too....so just be patient and you will get used to it in time. I know it sounds ridiculous but you kind of get used to having your own space and missing them and then they are home every day and it's like....what are you doing here? LOL. Patience, patience patience.
Hang in there, it's got to pick up again. That is what I keep telling myself!! |
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Expert
Posts: 1314
Location: North Central Iowa Land of white frozen grass | Agriculture has had a great last 6 years but I think it is going to go thru what the oil field industry is going thru. My wife and I also started out from nothing. It builds for a good relationship. We laugh about it now but both say that we were so poor that we could not aford to get divorced. When you go thru hard times it makes you really appreciate the things in life that are really worth caring about. Don't be to hard on cavy because I don't think she meant it that way. There are people that have it a lot tougher than we do. At least we are on BHW |
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Stressed out!!- vent