Funemployment is alternative to gloominess about lay offs on clarkhoward.com

CLARKONOMICS: Some of those who get laid off during the recession are using the time to volunteer, pursue something they're passionate about or just goof off for an indeterminate period.

It's being called "funemployment" by The Los Angeles Times

Clark recently shared the stat that 25% of those who get laid off are happier after the cut than they were while working. How many of us are in "gilded cages," where we've long since lost the enthusiasm for our jobs and just show up to collect a paycheck?

Of course, a lay off needn't necessarily be a license for hedonism. If you have the means, you can use the downtime to launch a business and become your own boss.

There are always opportunities when you have a vision that others don't.

What others are saying

Re: Blue-ray
Clark may not even have the blue-ray and dvd players on the same tv... didn't think of that did you? lol
By chris @ 11/06/09 03:32:50 PMreport abuse
It is fun while it lasts!
I got laid off from my job at the beginning of the year. UE benefits have me living simplistically, which is fine for me. I can still save money every month. I rent cheaply and don't have hardly any dept. If I was in this situation with a house I would rent it out and maybe rent a cheap place, or live with the renters. My benefits are about to expire, but I found that there are organizations that will throw money at you to go back to school if you are unemployed. So I'm going back to school next year to get a degree in a field that WILL get me a job. Till then I just have fun.
By John Willis @ 11/01/09 02:33:12 PMreport abuse
Funemployment Yes
I was Fired and WON!! against my former employer. my benifits are not much lower than I was making at my job. and I am becoming really good at saving money. and most importantly I can spend more time with my son. as I am a single father.
By LH @ 10/10/09 11:29:07 PMreport abuse
Funemployment? Bah humbug
Unemployment's not fun when your severance and unemployment insurance dwindles to zero, and if you need Cobra for health insurance. My husband was laid off an aerospace job after 22 years. It's been 6 months and despite his resume blitz: no go, not even in other-related areas. We will not go on welfare. He'll take whatever much lesser paying jobs come along and will hang on. It underscores our pride and forces us to be tough and useful. It is NOT fun. It's survival.
By JC @ 06/14/09 11:45:59 PMreport abuse
Gilded cage
I've been feeling trapped in my job for about 6 years. Want to quit and start my own company but am afraid I won't be able to make it. Too much debt on a house with a lot of deferred maintenance. Don't know what to do.
By twistedkick @ 06/14/09 08:14:12 PMreport abuse
Jobless still
I find it hard that anyone could say they are having fun with this funemployment deal first of all I lost my job 8/27/2008 no fault of my own I have been on a record breaking 7 job interviews still jobless I been reading that some people like me out out of work find it strange that anyone can say they are 10 happy then there were working well its hard strating over on a new job after 8 years so to me funemployment stinks
By Rod Holmes @ 06/14/09 08:19:03 AMreport abuse
Funemployment in other countries
As an expat who is currently working in Europe I can provide another perspective to the previous poster's question "What other country/system could even conceive of "funemployment"...". Well the Netherlands to mention one country provides a system that has a high use of temp or contract agencies that allow workers to not only pick the kind of jobs they want and move around when they wish but also provides cash back from the tax system to take vacation and subsidize child care. While the tax rate looks high (52%), when you take into account the money that is returned in the form of the various subsidies you'll find it about equal to the US tax system. Net being roughly equal taxation with more flexibility in the Dutch system. Surveys find the Dutch have a very high satisfaction rate as employees and with their lifestyle. That doesn't stop them from complaining but the satisfaction rate is still high.

A first hand perspective...
By DT @ 06/14/09 04:56:08 AMreport abuse
re:
I think funemployment is great! The more people we have on the dole and not working, understanding the world for what it is is great. But only for a while... Eventually, this will all come to an end and capitalism will prove its worth, as usual.

What other country/system, could even conceive of "funemployment" other than the capitalist U.S.

Anywhere else in the world, no one would have volunteered, they'd be too used to being the recipients...
By worker @ 06/14/09 12:36:33 AMreport abuse
Laid off w/package
I am trying to operate a hot dog cart. I have paid off all my bills with my package. Have left my retirement in place till 62 and am having a ball selling hot dogs. I do need to build my clients more as sales are quite low. Not having the pressure and being one's own boss priceless!!!!!
By Paul Jochum @ 06/12/09 03:27:31 PMreport abuse
What?
1. I'm not sure what your Blu-Ray comments has to do with this article. He's talking about having fun during unemployment.

2. Not all Blu-ray players upconvert with the same quality. I wasn't listening so I don't know what he has, but maybe his upconverter is better at upconverting than his Blu-ray player?

3. Clark has plenty of money and confesses he has a weakness for gadgets. He can spend his money however he wants. We should really only criticize him for spending outside of his means, which I think would be hard to do for him!
By Medical Student @ 06/12/09 11:51:40 AMreport abuse
Clark's comment about Blue-ray DVD player
I heard Clark tell a caller that he had both an up-convert and a Blue-ray DVD player. Clark spent more money than necessary. A Blue-ray player is needed to play Blue-ray DVDs, but it also plays all standard DVDs and those standard DVDs are up-converted by the Blue-ray player.
By David Wurtenberg @ 06/11/09 11:04:29 PMreport abuse

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Jun 11, 2009 -- Funemployment is alternative to gloominess about lay offs

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