Money Matters
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Sick of hearing about layoffs! Wwyd?
So background you need just in case you don't automatically remember everything I've shared in the past 
I'm a stay at home mom (former teacher, still certified) dh works as a mechanical engineer for an oil services company.
They just had layoffs again yesterday, and are reported to be doing another round at the end of the month if they don't get a big project between now and then. Dh has been there almost 6 years, not that that means anything anymore.
So I feel like we have been living under the shadow of a possible layoff for over a year now. And as a result we have been hoarding $. We have been saving for things and never doing them because what if. Looking at our efund (24k officially earmarked with a lot extra in the bank we could use) we have 2 years approximately of our expenses. This is obviously bare bones, food, gas, bills but because we paid off our mortgage it stretches a lot farther now. And that isn't figuring unemployment for dh or me getting a job substitute teaching or working anywhere else.
So basically, how do you find a happy medium while having this constantly in the back of your mind? Most of the things we are wanting to do aren't super expensive (summer vacation, solar film for our windows, and a screen for our media room. The last 2 are under 2k each and we have already earmarked mo dh for that). I feel like I don't want to look back and regret these purchases because we need the $ in a year or two.
Any insight is appreciated. Thanks guys!
I'm a stay at home mom (former teacher, still certified) dh works as a mechanical engineer for an oil services company.
They just had layoffs again yesterday, and are reported to be doing another round at the end of the month if they don't get a big project between now and then. Dh has been there almost 6 years, not that that means anything anymore.
So I feel like we have been living under the shadow of a possible layoff for over a year now. And as a result we have been hoarding $. We have been saving for things and never doing them because what if. Looking at our efund (24k officially earmarked with a lot extra in the bank we could use) we have 2 years approximately of our expenses. This is obviously bare bones, food, gas, bills but because we paid off our mortgage it stretches a lot farther now. And that isn't figuring unemployment for dh or me getting a job substitute teaching or working anywhere else.
So basically, how do you find a happy medium while having this constantly in the back of your mind? Most of the things we are wanting to do aren't super expensive (summer vacation, solar film for our windows, and a screen for our media room. The last 2 are under 2k each and we have already earmarked mo dh for that). I feel like I don't want to look back and regret these purchases because we need the $ in a year or two.
Any insight is appreciated. Thanks guys! 
Re: Sick of hearing about layoffs! Wwyd?
Eek, I'm sorry you have to deal with this...It sounds to me like you have plenty of money in the bank in case something happens, but I would take the projects and vacations a little at a time...Get, them done, pay them off and move onto the next. If you feel you need to save a little money in between the projects then do that as well. Just hope for the best. Make sure you husband's resume is updated and maybe just keep an eye out for other positions in his field ( I know the oil industry is hurting right now...)
We are going through the same thing and I am doing all of the above. My company has been talking about layoffs since last year and we have heard it will be done around March-May so we have been socking away money as well. As for projects, we take them one at a time. We are skipping our normal vacation in May just because of the new house projects we would like to get done so we have nothing until a Sept wedding in Cape Cod.
I really try to avoid overthinking things like this. All you can do is prepare for them, be comfortable that you are prepared, and then live your life.
If you feel that you have a good, solid e-fund (2 years sounds pretty good to me) then you really need to allow yourselves to stop hoarding and be comfortable with what you have. You can't see in to the future. Don't give up living your life now because of something that may or may not happen that you have already prepared for.
That's a tough one! I'm actually a little bit in your same boat. They've had layoffs 3 times over the last 18 months. That's just on my specific project. The company, as a whole, has had much more than that. And, oh yes, much of it is related to the pullback in the oil and gas industry (though not for the project I am on).
Although I try not to think about it, it's entirely possible the big boss could call me into his office at any time and tell me I've been laid off.
I generally keep my bills to a minimum anyway, so have to admit I haven't let the thought of a layoff really affect how I'm spending. Either for necessities or luxuries. For example, despite all that, I'm still planning my big trip to Europe this year.
Although I don't have much of an e-fund, unlike you all, I do have alternate sources of income that would be enough to pay my basic bills. That is part of the reason I haven't looked for another job (because I really like this one) and haven't been too freaked about cutting things to the bare bone.
I'm more inclined to say "go for it" with your purchases, considering how far your all's e-fund will take you, in the event of a layoff.
But, let me ask you this first. If your H is laid off, how hard will it be for him to find another job? Would you all possibly have to relocate? Could you easily make a fairly regular income subbing during the school year? Or would it be occasional, hit or miss?
finding a new job would be hit or miss right now. A lot of companies are laying off and then rehiring/posting jobs as they get projects so he could always apply and hope to get interviewed. He doesn't have to stay in the industry though if he gets laid off, he can find something else with his degree just probably not making as much. If we relocated it would be temporary. Houston is huge for oil and gas so in sure we would end up back here eventually. And I could easily sub every day if I needed to. My sister is a teacher in a small nearby school district, and although they don't pay the best I could have a job there like tomorrow. Then as bigger districts have their sub blitzes (usually just once a spring and fall semester) I could get hired on there and get a little better pay. And for a certified teacher subbing is about $90/day so enough to pay the bills even if I don't get every day. Last time I substituted I was day to day (and only missed a couple) for like 2 months then I got a long term subbing job for the rest of the year. So that helps me from freaking out too much.
I needed to hear this, thank you
I would look at it this way. If he lost his job, would you move? If so, I'd put any home improvement projects on the back burner, but do keep up on any maintenance issues. I'd go ahead and take any trips you had planned as long as they're not super expensive and being maybe a little more sensitive to when you're gone.
We just went through a re-bid on our contract followed by a 4 month protest. We put a hold on a lot of projects since if the contract was lost we'd be moving and there was no point in investing more into something we were planning to sell.
That's great to hear! I mean, obviously more money in his current job and your not having to work is the best situation. But it sounds like, even in a worst case scenario, you all still have a lot of options for paying the bills and working towards your financial goals, even without touching your e-fund.
I agree with @dragonstarjk. You all have done a great job preparing for a potential layoff and are still in a decent position, job-wise, if a layoff happens. I
Don't live your life built on worry. It is a dead end. Live your life realistically, which you have done by recognizing the possibility of a problem (lay-off) and by preparing your family for a hardship. Beyond that worry is a dark cloud.
Even if lay-offs weren't in the possibility of problems, problems in general just always lurk around and you could face another issue anyways. Any of us could. But, we cannot live there.
So have some responsible fun! Enjoy yourselves and make some memories.
ETA: If it makes you feel better, have DH be sure his resume is up-to-date and check out what kind of jobs are opening up right now in your area. It would be like getting your toes wet for a job search, but not actually doing one. It could also provide some peace of mind.