THE ECONOMY:

Now out of work, painter says he wishes he spent more prudently

Steve Marcus

Rosie and Joe Flipse say they’ve overspent on gambling and entertainment the past three years, as well as helped their children financially. With him now out of work and her working at a salon, there will be no more of that for a while, they say. Joe tries to remain confident. “I’m too skilled to be unemployed,” he says.

By Brian Eckhouse (contact)

Thursday, Dec. 25, 2008 | 2 a.m.

The other two profiles in this series:

Numbers tell the story: 900 jobs, 76,400 unemployed (12-7-2008)
Longer lines, slimmer hopes (12-7-2008)
Once a waitress, now just waiting (11-30-2008)
When a recession hits home (11-2-2008)

One of three profiles in an occasional series of stories devoted to people caught in Nevada’s recession.

Joseph Flipse says he should have been better prepared for this new reality: life without a job.

Had he and his wife, Rosie, not squandered about $60,000 on gambling and entertainment over the past three years, they would have the makings of a nice nest egg that would come in handy now.

“We’re not very good with our money, but I know I can make money,” Flipse says.

And they need it now. Flipse lost his job as a commercial painter Dec. 15 when the company he worked for went under. Today the Flipses have $200, big bills and a Christmas wish list that won’t be realized anytime soon.

Flipse is quick to add that unemployment is something he’s never really faced in his 53 years. Well, there was the time he didn’t have a job, when he moved, with $3,000, to the Las Vegas Valley from his native Green Bay, Wis. An apartment painting company he was to manage flopped just before he and his wife arrived. But within three days, he found another job.

In that position, as a painter of vacant apartments, Flipse made about $1,000 a week until work began to slow. His wife, a cosmetologist, works most days and earns about $15,000 annually.

That was more than enough to handle their $2,000 in monthly living and transportation costs, as well as their entertainment fix. It also ensured they could pass upward of $10,000 annually among their three adult children in Wisconsin, who frequently ask for cash, as well as afford to raise their 15-year-old grandson here.

Not anymore. “Now with it being Christmas, we’re getting calls from our children like crazy,” Flipse says. “Sorry, we can’t do it this week.”

Waiting to meet with a career counselor Tuesday at JobConnect, the state agency that helps people find employment, Flipse sighs. There are not many commercial painting jobs now, he says. But on Christmas Eve, he’s more optimistic. “I’m too skilled to be unemployed,” he explains. He has two referrals, including one as a maintenance supervisor, a job he admits he’s not entirely qualified for.

Rosie Flipse, 54, is pessimistic about her husband’s chances. Out of every 10 people she meets at the salon she manages on Boulder Highway, she says, eight are either unemployed or are married to someone who lost his job.

While Flipse searches for a new job, the couple will be living off her tips — and hopefully unemployment checks. Flipse says he qualifies for $400 a week in unemployment, but he hasn’t yet been approved.

The Flipses are beginning to cut back. They have to, if they hope to weather this.

Today they’ll begin packing up their two-bedroom apartment in Henderson, which costs about $1,200 monthly, for a three-bedroom house within a few miles that will be $300 less.

Flipse is considering selling some antiques he found on the street, including a 3-foot vase he hopes could reel in $400, and a hurricane lamp.

It’s the start of a life without excess that he hopes will continue even if he gets a new job.

“I don’t want to fall back into this rut,” he says.

Discussion: 8 comments so far…

By azsk8fan

12/25/08 at 6:49 a.m.

Suggest removal

They shouldn't have to field calls from the 'adult children' asking for money to being with. Maybe send the grandson back to let the parents raise him if that's an option. It's a start.
By neiman1

12/25/08 at 9:48 a.m.

Suggest removal

Anyone that earns $65,000 a year and spend $20,000 on gambling and entertainment needs to move away from the Las Vegas magnet that makes them live in a rented apartment.
By LT2LV

12/25/08 at 11:40 a.m.

Suggest removal

Gambling and entertainment are the dumbest ways to squander money. Not that there is a "smart" way to waste money, but at least if it's spent on stuff, stuff can be sold if times get bad. Like neiman said, they need to leave Las Vegas if they have such little control over their gambling habits.

Also, their adult kids need to learn to live within their means too so they don't have to call and ask mom and dad for cash.
By sweetwinner

12/25/08 at 6:58 p.m.

Comment removed by staff.
By TechGromit

12/25/08 at 8:04 p.m.

Suggest removal

I can't imagine asking my parents for money, I would have to be in a really bad situation to do so. But to ask my parents for money when I know my father was out of work?! I would never even consider it. I would never have the balls to do that. Some children have NO repect for there parents, they see there parents as an endless piggy bank.
By annienonymouse

12/26/08 at 7:05 a.m.

Comment removed by staff.
By Sunvisitor

12/26/08 at 1:14 p.m.

Suggest removal

Unfortunately this mentality is all to prevalent in our society today. Everyone wants to be the grasshopper, enjoying life and spending money while things are good. They laugh at us poor ants who are saving and contributing to our 401K plans. The problem is, when the going gets tough and they have no savings, they want us ants to help them out. And we usually do.
By jfnance32

12/26/08 at 2:15 p.m.

Suggest removal

Gaming is a scam to retrieve money from dumb people.

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