It was a tumultuous time here in SW Louisiana. Bub was a mechanic at the time and made a very good living. He worked on commission had never had trouble making top dollar. In what seemed like a very few weeks his large regular paycheck was halved and then halved again! Many of the other mechanics were drawing smaller and smaller checks before he did- he specialized in transmissions so demand for his work was slower to surface.
Finally after it was clear that things were not going to change in the near future we were invited to take part in a big area of personal work going on in the Tennessee area. Also had the opportunity to start our own business in furniture production , finishing and refinishing. It was too tempting NOT to do. There was a saying around here during those times, "The last one out of Calcasieu Parish, please turn the lights out."
We watched while folks lost jobs they had been at for 20-25 years! They moved from home-places and started over in their 50's. I knew then that it was kinda scary and hard to make those decisions but now- in MY 50's I understand just HOW difficult it must have been.
Those events shaped a lot of our financial decisions over the next 20 years - and still does. We adopted a very steamlined approach to things- cash basis and no long term debt. We literally lived paycheck to paycheck and actually saved for purchases.
We moved home from Tenneessee after only 10 months , to start our adventure on PROVIDENCE. We didn't know that was why we were back , but God moved us around and put us back here and blessed us with lots of opportunities.
Some of the difficult lessons we learned from the 80's will be repeated for a new generation in the days ahead it appears. I don't really know how it will all affect us this time- but I feel certain we will have new things to learn and old things to put back into practice. So hold on- and get ready for the ride!!!
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