You have a level head about it all.  My DH had a sudden job loss back in the day, too.  At the time, it seemed livable, I was working and we lived modestly.  But, it was a shock.  Going through it all and working through, brought us closer.  And, like your situation, there was less to funnel to the then young adult SKs.

I respect my DH that he didn't just sit and complain.  He took any work he could get.  Flash forward and he landed a job in a totally different area (except management skills are needed everywhere). He retired from that job, which he loved, after about 15 years  it was actually a blessing that he lost the original job.

It will all be ok, just a new normal.  Life is a roller coaster and we are all on it.

Hold his feet to the fire about selling all those cars! 

Would he be open to taking computer classes? A shame to lose a good job because of this. Are other job prospects out there for him?

As Rumple said, I'd hold his feet to the fire on selling those vehicles. I'd also get him enrolled in computer classes at your local library. There is no reason can't learn technology....I'm 63 and continue to keep myself educated and updated. So, video-ing and documenting everything digitally does not even phase me. I'm stunned that, in this day and age, when you have a great paying job, he did not do anything to get  the training or education he needed. Seems like the company gave him plenty of opportunity. 

Again, sorry this pressure has been added to your life. Sending you a virtual hug.

There's always work for mechanics (and other jobs where people aren't afraid to get their hands dirty and fix things). Start writing a project list for him making it your dream house. 

Wow.. that's dissapointing... I hope you do get him to sell those cars.. but realistically.. if he wanted to do that, it would have been done long ago... I  have a feeling you are in the same "boat" (pun intended) with me and my DH's collection of.. haha boats. 

But, I will also echo the sentiment from others about his tech skills.  I have found, in my experience...that people that aren't inclined to WANT to do things like learn new tech are much more common than those that "can't" learn it.

Your husband is fully capable of having learned what he needs to for the kind of work he does.. his industry has moved on to a place where most places rely on tracking things with computers.. video etc.. It sounds like they told him it needed to be done.. and he didn't do it.. and he didn't learn how.  

Because.. your husband is not an idiot.. but he has had you overfunction for him with all of the normal day to day tech stuff.. and now it has bitten him in the arse.

My 95 yo father learned how to operate a computer.. my DH had zero tech skills when I met him.. but learned them because it was required for the advance maritime work he was doing.  He learned to log things electronically.. do spreadsheet work.. use apps... take videos.. etc... he emails.. attaches links etc.. I'm not saying he is a super user.. but he learned.. and he did it because he had to.  

Your husband is going to have to realize his skill set needs to be supplemented with learning his way around computers, apps, etc.. You can't fix any modern vehicle without having some experience there.. and even researching issues that you aren't familiar with.. that's something he probably would find helpful.

Get him in some tech for dummies class at your local community college.. he doesn't need to learn "networking".. he needs to learn the end user skills that would allow him to log things..

I also feel like he probably did like most people I know who don't "like" a part of their job.. they procrastinate.. they "forget" to do it etc.. I worked with an actual lawyer that was resistant to documenting his contract admin work in our "new" system.. always forgot.. and his backup was never available to us when we needed it.. the guy was fully capable..but he just was resistant to doing it. (also kept all his files on his C drive.. so not network backed up.. doh)

Unless your SO is a year out from retirement.... this is something he MUST figure out.. all that time you looked up his kid's stuff online because he "wasn't good at it".. maybe if he had waded in and learned.. he would still have this job.. this is def a learning lesson for him.. it's not something he is going to be able to avoid unless he wants to make a lot less money.

Oh nooooooooooooo

My husband would be pounding the pavement and networking NOT promising to work on house projects. 

I think you have trouble ahead where you will be shouldering finances. 

Today I would be asking him to show you his ad's to sell the cars. 

...am sorry to read your news, CLove. You seem to have a great outlook, that is everything. Hopefully this setback will be short lived and bring you two closer. Blessings to you.

How old is he, CLove?

Hasn't he been laid off a couple of times? My DH always has at least 2 back up plans in case he ever got laid off because he doesn't want to ever leave us hanging with him being unemployed. He is also a mechanic, but a heavy diesel one. He is not technologically savy, but he has learned and done all he can to make sure he can keep up and get pay bumps. It is all about drive and motivation. Sounds like he is quite happy and comfortable to be laid off, which would scare me.

Not trying to be a debbie downer, but I see lots more red flags with this.

I caution against him taking something at a much lower level or pay rate.

I lost my then role at the beginning of peak COVID.  No one was hiring in my field.  I did some consulting for two full years while DW was the sole consistent income.  That entire two years I networked and threw out hundreds of applications.  I ended up taking the first viable offer I received 26mos after my VP and all of his directors were released from the prior company. I was one of 5 directors released.

The tole I took was two steps down for 40% less salary than what had been my role level and compensation. That role lasted 2yrs and 1mo.  8mos later and after countless networking actions, applications, interviews, I took the first offer I received.  I got close on several really interesting and appropriate roles but was #2 repeatedly.  The company I accepted the role with in 2024 talked a good game though the role I accepted was 3 levels down from my hostoric high point and 50% less than peak salary. The sales point was the role came with a boat load of pre-IPO stock and they were approaching their projected IPO date.  They hired me to build an organziation from scratch including comprehensive management systems, recruiting the leadership team of 5 in addition to me, and 30 trades staff to optimize maintenance and reliability for the asset fleet.  Prior to my joining they had paid cash for $20Mil in automatated manufacturing equipment. One of my first tasks was to lead an engineering teiam (one I had hired) to the equipment manufacturer to do source inspection and pre shipment functional testing of that equipment. I was delayed in traveling with my team because I was awaiting delivery of my passport. It had expired two weeks after i started that role.  Two days  after my team arrived at the plant where our equipment was built and was ready for testing my phone rang. My lead engineer was calling to notify me that he and his team mate were locked in the factory and no one was to be found.  The company had gone bankrupt and law enforcement had stopped everyone at the gate and chained the factory doors closed, and all of the utilities were shut off.  It took me 5hrs to get my team out of the locked facility.

So, no new equipment, no stomach for keeping an under yet still highly compensated Sr. leader and a team of high cost experts. 

My point is, unless the goal is just a pay check, never accept a role Jr. to what you historically successfully deliver at or that is significantly lower in compensation.  Here we are 8mos after my most recent former employer gutted my team and I am just starting to get some traction on some interesting roles.

I wish you both a quick recovery and that DH gets the right role that he likes.

When one door closes another opens. I sure he will be in a better place 

My dear Clove,

 Your positive attitude, willingness to go that extra mile (for pretty much anyone who asks) and determination to identify the best in everyone, continues to amaze me. I’m confident that your DH would not share that same outlook if your roles were reversed. 

It sounds like he’s looking forward to a paid vacation (unemployment insurance), kicking it off by watching football. Others have suggested that you ‘keep his feet to the fire’ but I doubt that you’ll do so; nagging is not your long suit.

Don’t be a doormat, Hon! I recommend that you give your DH a week to kick back, sleep in and hang with Barnacle Bill, then start discussing the need to advertise his plethora of cars. As we all recollect, the guy does not have a great track record for following through.

All the best!

Sorry to hear ... he's lucky to have a supportive spouse as yourself 

Now it can be very easy to get too comfortable with so much unstructured time so if I were you I'd give a deadline (and it sounds like you said something to the effect of 4ish months) ... hopefully he will have a more solid plan in 3 months or less so that he can feel good about providing for you and your family and contributing for another 10 years till retirement 

Well done clove for the forethought to get your expenses low. And I'm glad your husband has a plan as to how he can continue to contribute during this transition period. 

I think that taking this opportunity for him to shift into a different line of work that suits him more is a great idea. Thanks to both of your efforts he has some breathing room  of a few months so doesn't have to be desperate to get any job he can but take a little time to find something that will satisfy him more. 

My husband has had a few periods where he has not been working over the last few years and it has been good for him to get a break and he found new positions relatively soon after. Thanks to us having our finances in good order we were ok financially and got through it.

He should apply for unemployment right away. The system will be overwhelmed because of the fires.

So sorry to hear about hubby, Clove. Currently in the same boat myself so you have my fullest sympathy. It is stressful and hope that he finds something else sooner than later. 

It sure is some kind of a silver lining to know that at least your finances wont be wasted on the SKIDS nor should it especially be expected considering your situation. That would be the last thing you need to stress over even in better circumstances, let alone now. 

well how the hell did I miss this???

Clove, has he considered looking into openings for mechanics for school districts, etc? I only ask because my son and I were talking earlier and that's what his dad's been doing since we divorced some 30+ years ago. He didn't know how long his dad's been doing it. 

Anyway, I'm sending you my very best vibes!! I'm always around if you need me.