Ray, I'm so sorry about the job situation. My husband has lost many jobs and even though I was the primary breadwinner at the time it was still VERY stressful.
We have lots of fights about money. Mostly because I like to spend it and he doesn't. He would live in a cardboard box if it were warm enough, and I tend to feel love through getting & giving gifts. It's a hard combination.

So good luck to you, remember the stress is normal, and God will see you through.

Sorry to hear about the job Ray. I think us guys tend to get worked up about these things because we're supposed to be supporting our family and get fustrated when these temporary road blocks come up. I know that when our business has gone through some tough time and it didn't look like we were going to make it that it put a lot of stress on me which got me to snapping at the little things that my wife and kids were doing.

A farmer friend of mine told me how he got through these tough times. He lost his whole farm and now works for other farmers. It breaks my heart every time I see him because he is the nicest guy. He told me what helped him was going home and hugging his kids and playing with them or watching them play. For some reason it made him feel better and helped relieve his mind a little bit. I have followed this advice sometimes and it does help. I find that holding the youngest one, preferably a baby helps too. So when you feel it building up as we guys sometimes do then just go sit on the floor with your kids, ask them questions, read to them, be the horse, or whatever.

I hope this helps. I've learned so much about life from farmers. Things about attitude and dealing with problems. They are some good folks.

Our money problems (the fighting part) ended when I took over all the finances, budgeting, bill paying, etc. Since I'm the one that spends most the money--house stuff, food, clothes--it only made sense for me to manage it. He won't complain because then I will turn the management over to him and he doesn't want to do it.

Of course, this works because neither of us are insane. We don't have credit card debt and no one is going to clean out the accounts.

We have the same $$ issues as most people and have been through endless lay-offs, but we have also been blessed to always have what we need.

Ray, I'm so sorry you have to deal with so much uncertainty. I was watching Star Trek the other day when Picard was explaining about money and how they don't use it anymore---I thought "The Federation is living the United Order!! That Rocks!" If Gene Roddenberry could imagine it, maybe it's possible. We already have tricorders (aka Blackberry's, iPhones), as soon as they invent a transporter I'm sure financial solutions won't be far behind. Hang in there.

Ray, I don't know what to tell you. I guess...the way we work things out is by both of us being reasonable. I recognize that I can't buy everyone everything I want to buy them, I realize we need savings for emergencies and I try to limit my spending. My husband recognizes that sometimes it helps us fulfill our purposes a little better when we use our money instead of just stashing it away. And we both apologize when we get angry. The middle ground is good, because it helps me save better and it helps him get credit when I buy/make amazing (though more creative than expensive) gifts for people. :P I still err on the side of nickel and diming us to death, but I'm getting better, and our debt is going away again.

As to the job situation: it was amazing the way that it worked out. The last time my husband was out of work, he was out of work for about 7 months. After a little over 5 of those months, I lost my job. But the reassurance we received from the Spirit I wouldn't have traded for anything. The severance lasted easily until he and I both got jobs within 2 months of me losing mine, and though my new job didn't last forever, it lasted long enough to pay off a great deal of debt and for him to become established in a job far better than either of us ever dreamed possible and we are now able to live on one income. So the Lord provides.

As long as I stay busy at the office, we're cool most of the time.

I have problems with wants that aren't needs.

Christmas is not a good time for me unless I'm focusing on the reason for the season.

Ray, beat the streets... make finding a job your full time job. Do overtime if needed.
(Like you haven't already done that) We're all pullin' for ya.

Prayers headed your way.