Have you been laid-off this year? How does being laid-off affect you this holiday season?

I am collecting unemployment and researching creative and flexible ways to earn extra income so I can continue my education. I am getting a nursing degree which will hopefully make my career skills more marketable no matter how tough the economy gets. I always plan ahead and try to be creative with my money for holiday season spending, but I have tried to do even more of that this year.

I have been visiting local antique stores, discount stores and thrift shops for creative items to put into Christmas gift baskets instead of spending more money on higher ticket items. Losing my job has definitely inspired a new level of creativity in my gift giving for the holiday season. It has also inspired me to be more creative in finding inexpensive items for holiday party planning.

I recently had to lay off an employee, which is very hard to do at this time of year. I didn't want to, but luckly it was just one person and not 10. I don't think the economy is as bad as everyone thinks, right now people are hanging on speculation.

When the Saudi's say that oil prices are ok, we are good. Obama says he going to fix healthcare. I'm feeling healthy already.

Food is still plentiful even though you don't see Ronald Mcdonald hardly anymore. House prices are starting to regain value - but i'd live under an overpass with the love of my life if that was all we had.

My husband was 2x this year - we are doing ok, but money is very tight and presents are smaller and fewer.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.