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Post by justwhoever on Jan 18, 2011 21:48:39 GMT -5
Any kind of welfare? Those that do not work at all? Those who do work and still need help with food? Medical? Anyone who receives EIC? WIC I know is another you all "beat up on" so to speak. Cash?
And yes we do receive food stamps, medical on kids. And with our income we will get EIC.
Am I happy with all those? No. Can't wait to turn in that we have moved up. Am I thankful for them right now? Yes.
I am married. DH lives with us and everyone knows. I work part-time at a high school. He works at fast food place...and is in management! He has been to college and has the degrees. I tried going but then realized that everything here that would require a degree wasn't for me. Didn't see a point in getting more debt.
So I just wanna know if I am gonna be beaten with rotten eggs for being here or am I allowed? P.S. I know we made HUGE mistakes. We are trying to fix them.
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Frugal Nurse
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Post by Frugal Nurse on Jan 18, 2011 21:51:50 GMT -5
I don't want to jump in on this discussion, because I have a feeling of how this is going to go. But I will be here watching to see who takes the bait.
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Post by justwhoever on Jan 18, 2011 21:54:01 GMT -5
Rotten eggs, huh?
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on Jan 18, 2011 22:04:17 GMT -5
Any kind of welfare? Those that do not work at all? Those who do work and still need help with food? Medical? Anyone who receives EIC? WIC I know is another you all "beat up on" so to speak. Cash? And yes we do receive food stamps, medical on kids. And with our income we will get EIC. Am I happy with all those? No. Can't wait to turn in that we have moved up. Am I thankful for them right now? Yes. I am married. DH lives with us and everyone knows. I work part-time at a high school. He works at fast food place...and is in management! He has been to college and has the degrees. I tried going but then realized that everything here that would require a degree wasn't for me. Didn't see a point in getting more debt. So I just wanna know if I am gonna be beaten with rotten eggs for being here or am I allowed? P.S. I know we made HUGE mistakes. We are trying to fix them. Hi justwhoever. I'll answer. I am not against ANY welfare program as long as it gives the recipient a "hand up" instead of a "hand out". Welfare programs that enable a person to go indefinitely without standing on their own two feet are a disservice to both the recipient and to the taxpayers IMHO.
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on Jan 18, 2011 22:09:44 GMT -5
I don't want to jump in on this discussion, because I have a feeling of how this is going to go. But I will be here watching to see who takes the bait. Hey there frugalnurse!! I know you. Pass the popcorn you little shit disturber.
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whoisjohngalt
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Post by whoisjohngalt on Jan 18, 2011 22:11:32 GMT -5
Yes, I am against any kind of welfare. Even if you are two steps away from being dead or your mental capacity same as of 2 yr old, I think you should go and work and support yourself. As a matter of fact, I think any and all child and elderly assistance should be cut too. If you are breathing, you should be working. If you are breathing with the help of a machine, you might be excused, but only for a short period of time. No reason you can't drag that breathing machine with you to work.
Is this what you were looking for?
Lena
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MN-Investor
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Post by MN-Investor on Jan 18, 2011 22:12:11 GMT -5
"I am not against ANY welfare program as long as it gives the recipient a "hand up" instead of a "hand out". Welfare programs that enable a person to go indefinitely without standing on their own two feet are a disservice to both the recipient and to the taxpayers IMHO."
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2011 22:15:16 GMT -5
Since most welfare programs are designed to help CHILDREN, the reality of whether they work or not has to be measured by their impact on them. Does it keep children from starving, keep them in safe, heated, homes with running water and adequate clothing and opporunitites for education and bettering THEMSELVES... breaking the cycle...
I haven't actually read an recent studies on multigenerational welfare... has anyone?
Anyway, i like some programs better than others. I like WIC better than food stamps for instance, and i think that there should be no cash payments (I think we need works programs, where the government is employer of last resort, and if you don't have a job, you show up at the works program, which also provided child care... and you put in your day, and you get paid for it...)...
I don't like the EITC. I don't necessarily think that aide to persons who qualify should be cut... i just do not like the 'hidden' aspect of it... the idea that people don't realize they don't pay taxes, and DO get assistance... I think it should all be right out there... i don't think we need to make people feel horrible about getting it (although i think maybe it should be geographically COLA adjusted)... but i think it doesn't need to be so backhanded, if that makes sense...
Was that the kind of stuff you were looking for?
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schildi
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Post by schildi on Jan 18, 2011 22:23:01 GMT -5
Yes, I am against any kind of welfare. Even if you are two steps away from being dead or your mental capacity same as of 2 yr old, I think you should go and work and support yourself. As a matter of fact, I think any and all child and elderly assistance should be cut too. If you are breathing, you should be working. If you are breathing with the help of a machine, you might be excused, but only for a short period of time. No reason you can't drag that breathing machine with you to work. Is this what you were looking for? Lena This sounds like a strong opinion, Lena. I think there are some legitimate reasons for people to receive assistance. Besides that, it helps all of us, even in cases where it is not "fair". Crime would be out of control if what you are suggesting would actually be implemented. At least that's what I believe.
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Post by kristi28 on Jan 18, 2011 22:29:13 GMT -5
I should know better, but I'll bite.
I don't have any problem with individuals using these programs as they were intended - to help through a bad time. That is the reason that they are there, and if no-one used them as a hand up there would be no reason for these types of programs to exist.
I am not a huge fan of these programs, however. My reasons though have everything to do with how the programs are set up. There is a lot of abuse, and the programs discourage many behaviors that IMHO should be encouraged. They reward being unmarried (easier to qualify), not working too much (you could lose benefits), having more children even though the mother can't support the current ones (more food stamps, longer time on welfare).
OP: welcome. Some may give you a hard time, but I think that most of this community is supportive of people using these resources as they were intended. Here's hoping that you can work your way to "the other side" soon!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2011 22:37:23 GMT -5
I don't think you get longer time on cash assistance for more children. I think that's pretty set. I do think you can get more/longer food stamps, etc. And the unmarried thing, well talk to any woman who ever had a difficult time getting out of an abusive situation, and there are reasons for this kind of help... and the fact that most children living in poverty (and 1 in 5 do)... live with single mothers.
There are two people in my h-school group currently pregnant with 5 and 9 (yes) respectively... both currently getting food stamps and EITC... don't know what else... sigh... it is hard sometimes to be 'completely supportive' (ie. keep my mouth shut)... (and, i'm loath to bring it up off of P&M, but they both are highly 'hate Obama' vote conservative republican types... sigh, again.. i don't understand people)... But their kids are fed, and clothed, and safe and reasonably educated... So?... We either have to start making decisions about minimizing personal freedoms if one accepts assistance, or we have to keep providing assistance to those children freely born...
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Post by stantonjane on Jan 18, 2011 22:50:13 GMT -5
I am in ageement with the posters who say they don't mind a 'hand up' versus a 'hand out.' Most charity/government assistance programs should be viewed as a temporary measure, generally directed to the portion of the population not able to fend for themselves, children, disabled, elderly.
There are so many programs out there, that I think a lot more people take advantage of at least some kind of help than what think they do. Besides welfare, there's HUD, Redevelopment grants, medical clinics, etc. If people think about it, they might realize they've actually been the beneficiary of a 'helping hand' at some point in the past or possibly future.
My family was very poor when I was a child, and we recieved 'commodities,' a food program which predated foodstamps. We did recieve foodstamps when that program began We also received free lunches at school, which was often the first meal we had all day. Even with the government help and my dad working 40 hours a week, we still never had adequate heat or clothing. My teachers used to feel sorry for me and buy me a decent pair of shoes the first week of school, and I went without needed eyeglasses for several years.
Not to whine about my past, just to state that government help does not mean people are living easy on taxpayers money. I have never received government assistance since my childhood. But I do have family members whom I grit my teeth at, who seem to have those checks coming in and look like they're living a lifestyle easier than mine. Abuse of the system, yes, it's there. But the ultimate goal is still a good one.
errr, sorry if it got a bit off topic.
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Post by kristi28 on Jan 18, 2011 23:05:28 GMT -5
I don't think you get longer time on cash assistance for more children. I think that's pretty set. It appears that you are correct - some states used to continue to pay out "child only" after the family had used up their time, so more kids = more money. However, they appear to have closed that loophole. About the marriage - I don't want to discourage people from staying out of domestic abuse situations. However, it is wrong to me that a woman can have a long term boyfriend who fathers her kids but if she doesn't marry him and he claims to live somewhere else, then she can collect. However, if she married him and nothing else changed, they might well not be eligible.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2011 23:08:12 GMT -5
Yes, that is the type of fraud that should be stopped... i agree.
I also think that, as far as 'checks' sometimes people mistake SSI for welfare, and i think SSi is one of the places which has a LOT of fraud, and which should be audited, addressed first.
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Post by justwhoever on Jan 18, 2011 23:10:18 GMT -5
Thanks for all the replies.
I just wanted to know if someone "poor" was allowed in...or if I should just stay lurking.
Even though no one here will ever "meet" me or anything I didn't want to not be honest. We're poor. But I think that I can learn a lot from ya all and I feel I need to continue to learn even if we can't take 2k and open a ROTH right now.
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lurkyloo
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Post by lurkyloo on Jan 18, 2011 23:37:28 GMT -5
I think WIC is great conceptually...but I HATE getting stuck in line behind people on it! I'm also really disturbed by the size of the block of people who have zero or negative federal tax liability but still have the right to vote. That's dangerously close to being the majority. I'm kind of meh on the foodstamps thing. I'd like to see it along the lines of WIC, I think that would make it harder to abuse. I was pretty annoyed when I was shopping for premium chocolate (Godiva, Lindt, etc) at Rite Aid and saw the big "We Accept EBT!" sign in the midst of it. It's a hot-button topic in CA particularly because the state budget is such a mess. I like to hate on the public pensions as the primary reason for that, but I think the various forms of public assistance are also pretty extensive/expensive. They charge us so much money to live here already, and now they're trying to raise taxes again.
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Frappuccino
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Post by Frappuccino on Jan 18, 2011 23:41:33 GMT -5
I'm glad your husband has earned degrees and is moving towards the family not needing the welfare in the future.
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DVM gone riding
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Post by DVM gone riding on Jan 18, 2011 23:45:22 GMT -5
You will find many people on this board HAVE at some point in their lives been poor or received assistance. What we tend to hate is people on welfare that then tell us the DESERVE it. We will give you lots of ideas on how you might work to make things better for yourself and your kids-number one is going to be don't have more-sorry just the way it is if you can't afford two you sure can't afford three. But that said there have been times on this board people have legitimately encouraged others to get state assistance.
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Post by justwhoever on Jan 18, 2011 23:57:20 GMT -5
What? Don't have more kids? But I wanted to see if we could have as many as the Duggar's!!
You mean I can't have more? Sigh.
As for deserve it? No one "deserves" having to live poor. Granted when we fell on our face we weren't living rich by no means. Barely making over $40k. DH was the only working then. I couldn't let him carry this burden alone so I went looking. Only thing I lucked into was a cook at a high school. It's not much but it pays the house payment. Except for during the summer break.
I hope and pray to any and all things holy that I NEVER EVER get to the point that I think we deserve this kind of life. Well I guess in a way we do....we didn't plan on being poor like this after DH got yet another degree. And so we didn't plan for the worse. But I know you meant thinking I deserve all the help. I am thankful that I can still feed my kids and if they get sick and need a doctor, I can get them help, but I feel so unworthy. Really we aren't important. Just simple folks from a small town.
I do have a friend who has been on food stamps for over 10 years and shortly after we got them I was crying and depressed over it and she actually told me it wasn't that big of a deal and she will always be on them and is ok with it. I told her I didn't want to be on them that long.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2011 23:57:33 GMT -5
The only welfair I hate is those who think they are entitle to it! And it's the goverments responsibility to take care of theit 10 kids by 12 different daddys who are either locked up or dead!
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❤ mollymouser ❤
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Post by ❤ mollymouser ❤ on Jan 19, 2011 0:24:53 GMT -5
Justwhoever ~ Is your husband planning on staying in fast food management, or does he plan to look for something that pays better?
Do you plan to keep your part-time job, or do you have plans to look for a full-time one?
Do you want help with tweaking your budget? The people here are really good at looking at budgets and offering ways to cut costs and to stretch available dollars.
How can we help you improve your financial situation?
What are your financial goals?
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Post by BeenThere...DoneThat... on Jan 19, 2011 0:52:41 GMT -5
<<< I just wanted to know if someone "poor" was allowed in...or if I should just stay lurking. Even though no one here will ever "meet" me or anything I didn't want to not be honest. We're poor. But I think that I can learn a lot from ya all and I feel I need to continue to learn even if we can't take 2k and open a ROTH right now. >>> ...welcome... yes, we poor types can be here... and yes, we can learn a lot... and yes, there are principles we can take away that apply to our-sized budgets and hoped-for ROTHs... ...as to welfare programs, I have become more and more opposed to them through the years... in part, because we know countless families who are not "helped up" as already described... moreover, we could quit working and improve our "standard of living" if we applied for welfare supports ourselves... so it is personally frustrating to see how many "peers" do better than us and invite us over to their side... oh, well... such is life...
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❤ mollymouser ❤
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Post by ❤ mollymouser ❤ on Jan 19, 2011 1:11:54 GMT -5
Thanks for all the replies. I just wanted to know if someone "poor" was allowed in...or if I should just stay lurking. Even though no one here will ever "meet" me or anything I didn't want to not be honest. We're poor. But I think that I can learn a lot from ya all and I feel I need to continue to learn even if we can't take 2k and open a ROTH right now. You are very welcome here. If you'd like, come on over to the Smart Spending Forum and we'd be happy to help you any way we can. (You're welcome on all forums, of course ... but we're ESPECIALLY nice over there!) (grin!)
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Post by justwhoever on Jan 19, 2011 1:24:28 GMT -5
Molly- He will if it will pay enough. The promotion he is in the running for(between him and 1 other guy) will be enough for us to get off of these programs and will be fine. And he could also be offered his own store in the future. That would pay around 75k. Right now that's about the best in this area. If he isn't offered the promotion, then yes I am sure he will put his focus into looking for a better paying job. As for me looking for full-time job. I doubt that. Child care costs more than I could ever make. I made it through high school. Tried college but there's no degree that would be useful here. Getting a degree should bring in more income not debt and that's all I would be doing if I went to school. Right now working at a school is working well for us. When there's no school I am home anyways. MIL watches the little ones. For free. And she would be livid if we tried to pay her.
I've got our budget down to just a bit over 1k a month. I think that's as low as we can go right now. Right now the only thing that can improve our financial situation is getting more cash incoming. And hopefully that will happen soon. Our goals are basic really. Be able to pay our bills and buy our own food, have a savings that we could use if something happened(EF) and get money set aside for our golden years. We have no desire to get a bigger house or newer car...well ok DH does want a small truck but really it's a want and it can wait. We have no need what so ever for a truck. Except for maybe 2x a year when we have enough stuff to take to the recycle center. Like I said it can wait. I do not like to travel because I can't stand to be in cities or heavy traffic, so really no need for a huge vacation. If we had the time and money we can go camping for very little money. We are seriously simple people.
You can all yell at me because we do have a pre-paid cell that costs less than $600 a year. It's our only phone. And it's just one. And we also use cable/net as our entertainment. And no there's not any free things to do here. lol small town. Even the school events cost $7-10/person. We don't have any movie places here.
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Post by justwhoever on Jan 19, 2011 1:29:43 GMT -5
Been there- I really hope you are joking. Living on welfare sucks. There's is NOTHING great about it. NOTHING. I feel dirty and worthless every single day. And I hate it. It's no way at all to raise kids. I pray that no one ever has to live this way who hasn't had to. I am thankful for it but it's not a life style I want to live much longer.
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Frugal Nurse
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Post by Frugal Nurse on Jan 19, 2011 8:02:12 GMT -5
Justwhoever- You've said that the best job you can get is working part time in a school cafeteria. I don't know what that pays, but I'm assuming it is a pretty low-wage job. Have you considered watching kids in your home instead? It would depend on your state as to how many you would be able to take in, but I think Where I live you can watch 4 kids and it be considered babysitting, not daycare, so there is no need for licensing. If you charged say $80/week, with 4 kids that would be $320/week = $1280/month. Not a bad income for just a high school education. Of course if you charged more, you'd make more.
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Frugal Nurse
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Post by Frugal Nurse on Jan 19, 2011 8:04:12 GMT -5
I don't want to jump in on this discussion, because I have a feeling of how this is going to go. But I will be here watching to see who takes the bait. Hey there frugalnurse!! I know you. Pass the popcorn you little shit disturber. Hahaha ... here you go ! Seriously though, this is going WAY better tham I expected. It's like the boards moved and people became.... compassionate?
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olderburgher
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Post by olderburgher on Jan 19, 2011 8:33:11 GMT -5
After working 40 years and making social security payments all that time my friend retired and started to receive social security payments. He also gets medicare. How can I hate such aid to the elderly? He earned it the hard way as far as I am concerned. Ditto the food stamps my brother and his wife got when a promised job mysteriously disappeared after they moved to a new state to take it. He was working two jobs at the time and for 1-2years was not quite making ends meet. A daughter whose ex-husband got 10 years in jail and gives zero in child support, works every day but her two kids have medical issues. They get some government help on their medical needs (drugs, doctors etc.) Hate the system that has provided these aids? No. Recognize that there are also people that abuse the system? Absolutely, just like recognizing that unfortunately there are corrupt preachers, lawyers, teachers, doctors, bankers and plumbers.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Jan 19, 2011 8:34:22 GMT -5
They're compassionate because the poster came on, said they messed up, and are taking steps to stop the welfare. He's working, she's working, I mean really, what more can you ask but don't have more kids(a given)and try other ideas for income(already doing.)
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Frugal Nurse
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Post by Frugal Nurse on Jan 19, 2011 9:02:23 GMT -5
I'm not asking anyone to not be compassionate, I'm just surprised. This didn't happen on the old boards very often.
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