Working in construction so we had a few tough months at work, but it is picking up now.

06 working freelance, no regular income, worked pro-bono as a lecturer at Augsburg Uni.

End of '07, met my fiance

08 found job working in an ad agency, moved to north Germany. Was regularly lied to about promotion and getting my own team.

09 started new job as sys admin, a little more money

10 bought a house after I had finished my probation period, 6 weeks later, I was made redundant. Found a new job 1 week before I became unemployed.

No pay rise, but still earning.

A lot of my regular work dried up. People I used to work for decided that either (a) a web site was not top of the list, or (b) they could save money by doing it all in house. Other clients have been slower to get projects finished (or have just abandoned them) or have cut back on how much they pass on to me. Not had as much success in getting new work as I had hoped. I suspect (a) and (b) are top of the list, and that being freelance puts you at the bottom of the pile. I’m not part of a flashy looking agency that can dazzle.

The wife’s pay was frozen - she’s a teacher - and so has had in effect a pay cut.

On top of that, there have been two miscarriages (one fairly recently), as well as parents in hospital (I expect this year’s fiasco with my dad was in part due to cutbacks at the hospital where he was treated), my grandma having a dementia-related meltdown and having to move into a care home.

So, yes, a barrel of laughs here.

"My life is a stagnant pond of wee, my pay hasn't changed since 2006."

Lost count of the number of years we've gone without a pay rise, but think it's in the region of 5 or 6 years - could be longer though. So, what was once a half-decent wage is now not so much. I'd love to move flat, due to the neighbours being @seholes, degenerates and assorted lunatics - but I can't afford to pay £600-700 a month rent, which seems to be the going rate in Manchester nowadays for anything above a hovel/shoebox.

The bosses still seem to think we should all be ultra-motivated to do lots of unpaid overtime. In the meantime, they've both had 3 or 4 holidays abroad this year and are currently debating which company cars to upgrade to next year, the shortlists being a sporty Jaguar XK-something and a top-of-the-range Merc AMG. It must be hard having to make these difficult decisions.
</sarcasm>

It was the very same story where I used to work. They upgraded one of their cars on the same day they made me redundant. Which was nice for them.

Remember though, we're all in this together. And they're 'wealth generators', whereas you're just a working pleb.

Jon

I can't really say. I earn enough, I think, but I'm still covering previous costs. Starting in January I'm hoping to start saving again, and then I'll be able to tell.

Had quite a few lean years when my boyfriend didn't have much work. Luckily I am very stable in my work and get regular pay rises and bonuses. People always watch TV even in a recession plus we are quickly growing in Eastern Europe.

Boyfriend got a permanent job in 2011 so we've been alright for money since then but he does a lot of 7 day weeks so he doesn't get much spare time.

Just lost my Mum and she's made sure I'm looked after so won't have any money worries in the future which is nice but I'd rather have my Mum here.

I feel I have been quite lucky...

2006-2008: First two years of University, money is OK
2008-2009: Working at Sun, cost of living goes up, but it's OK as I'm getting paid what I got a term in maintenance loan in a months wages
2009-2010: Last year of University, savings dry up and overdraft is emptied as I try and live of one months wages over three/four months
Summer 2010 apply for any job I can find in Aberystwyth in order to stay with Faye while she finishes her Masters
2010-2011: Get a job working on a new signalling project, employed by a contractor for the main project company
2011-2012: Get poached by the project company and moved to another contracting company, more and stable pay is offered

I've been lucky in that apart from my final year at uni, as things have gotten worse I've managed to keep a hold. I am very fortunate that I got the job I have now and what it can lead to.

Work in the NHS, at a level where we havn't had a payrise in ages. So pond of wee.
Actually earning more by diversification, doing other things. So pie all round

Might get a redundancy cheque in a few months when the PCTs go. And have another job I can drop into.

What do you do?

Great comment read elsewhere:

Spare a thought for those current Asda shelf-stackers whose will to live must have been eroded somewhat by the constant denigration of their occupational status during the entirety of Jahmene Douglas's run on this year's X-Factor.

Do not be ashamed of what you do, guys. It is a proper job, and a noble one.

Do not believe the hype. Money, fame, celebrity -- fool's gold, all of it. Do not get on that treadmill.

Embrace your loved ones. Find a hobby, a passion. Keep your mind and body healthy.

Merry Christmas x

Lost my job, partially stemmed the flow of money pissing out of my bank account by doing warehouse work for a short while, found a better job and moved away, got my first annual pay rise in January 2012, not expecting one in 2013. So, Winalot chunks and butchers mixer biscuits.

Incidentally, the company moved our salary payment date from the 25th to the 3rd of the month, meaning I didn't get a paycheck in November and the company only pays everyone eleven times in 2012; also meaning the year end finances will not show the burden of several million pounds from the real December salaries. This will enable the CEO to reach the company cashflow target and, no doubt, claim his million quid bonus. I'm so f***ing pleased for him.

I should add that we didn't get paid the extra eight days on December 3rd, we won't see them until we leave the company. The increase we got back in January is actually worth less than the eight days they've nicked from this year's salary.

/rant

Seeing that there should be a rant button that automatically makes your text larger and bold

Hmm, mine was awful then got better I think

2007-2008 - Was at uni, worked part time
2008-2009 - Left uni, got made redundant at the end of 2008. Split with the partner at the beginning of 2009
2009-2010 - Was on JSA for 6 months, met new partner, moved out of the parents home. Found new job
2010-2011 - Left job and got another
2011-2012 - Still in that job, got pay rise but now looking for full time work..