For those living under a rock or not having to pay for fuel, the oilfield is being hit hard with layoffs and lack of work because of the over supply and low price of oil per barrel. From drillers, fracers, coil tubers, production/completion, truck drivers, fleet repairs shops......we are all feeling the effects.
Dave is on the coil tubing side now. I was surprised at how quickly it affected us...to be honest. Luckily his company has not done any layoffs. Many people have quit and a few have been fired for good reasons but we have made it through this far. I work corporate so I haven't really felt the effects of the slow down. I work for a company who has survived slow downs before and prides themselves on taking care of their employees so everyone can make it through.
We have only been an oilfield family for the past three/four years so we obviously have never been through a downturn before. Lucky for us we do not have any kids just yet and we have been following the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace plan for a few months now so having to live off a tight budget is becoming second nature for us. I have started coupon clipping like a crazy person again and I am starting to research canning...what to can, how to can, how long it will keep and all that. I am really trying to find ways to help make us money or save us money right about now. Our ultimate goal is to get out of debt to build our house but it just seems like that dream is getting pushed back further and further.
I do feel like we will survive this downturn. We are young, smart, and determined to reach our goals. I would love to say that it won't last much longer but I truly do not know how long the price per barrel will stay down. Last I checked it was hovering around $60 per barrel but I read somewhere we need it around $65 for a while to start to see any sort of upswing for work.
Our light at the end of the tunnel this month...our "honeymoon" trip to San Diego. I am beyond excited to have a vacation. It almost didn't happen. We had to reschedule it once when they reassigned Dave to another crew and his whole schedule changed. I was ok with that as long as we could still go. We even got a $44 credit with Southwest because the flights were cheaper. But as part as adapting to the downturn, Dave's company sent out a letter stating that off days were now on call days. When he told me that maybe we should just cancel you would have thought my head exploded! After a few days and some clarification, we are still going on our trip without fear of him losing his job.
No temptation has seized you that isn’t common for people. But God is faithful. He won’t allow you to be tempted beyond your abilities. Instead, with the temptation, God will also supply a way out so that you will be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
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