I just saw the news that Oracle is going to lay off 5,000 employees this Saturday - yes Saturday.  It seems that the 5,000 unlucky ex-employees will be getting an overnight package this Saturday telling them that they've lost their jobs.  Very cold, very impersonal - probably one of the few times that you don't want to see an overnight delivery truck pull up to your house.

I've been laid off several times, and can honestly say that there's almost nothing worse than the feeling you get when you find out that you're "on the list."  It sucks so bad that the last one actually motivated me enough to get my online business going full blast instead of just part-time on the side.  If you are lucky enought to still have a job, one of the smartest things you can do is start your own business on the side.  With the economy in shambles, you never know when the hammer is going to come down on your head - be prepared, and have at least the groundwork of your own business in place.  Of course, one of the easiest businesses to get going is an online business - no inventory, no employees, and no office rent to pay - just work the whole thing from your home.