We’ve all been effected in someway shape or form of this current economic down fall. Some of us have loved ones that have been effected, I personally have had 6 people around me get laid off over the past 3 months and it begins to take a emotional toll on you wondering about folks future. This isn’t a matter of being laid off due to performance although in some cases that’s how many of the layoffs get chosen to see who stays or who leaves, these layoffs are all about companies taking this time to be a bit selfish and look out for themselves and do whatever it takes to keep their business running; which isn’t something we can blame them for, survival of the fittest.

The Wall Street Journal reports within the last week 70,000 jobs have been lost across from trucking to technology industries. GDP (Gross domestic product), fell at a 3.8% annual rate in the fourth quarter, adjusted for inflation, from the previous quarter. The decline was the largest since 1982, though still well below the postwar record 10.4% quarterly drop seen in 1958. President Barack Obama stated Friday that the economic data underscore the urgency of passing the stimulus package. “This isn’t just an economic concept, this is a continuing disaster for America’s working families,” he said. The House passed an $819 billion stimulus bill Wednesday, a version of which is now being debated in the Senate.

Remember years ago, maybe a decade ago when putting items on layaway was something to be a bit embarrassed about. Now, it’s a close to being a necessity for the average working American. Retail owners are suffering a great deal with some having sales down 35% from the previous year so to maintain their sanity and business, owners are reintroducing the layaway option which tends to help bring profits up to as little as 10%…if the customer actually comes back for the item.

But instead of making you feel hopeless and more depressed than you already may be. I’ve included this link to CNN’s list of companies that NEVER lay people off (click here). But what I really want to share with you is WSJ’s impressive interactive graphic chart showing you the amount each industry has lost thus far (click here).