"Can't afford to work"

[punkncat]

I have to be honest, that unless I break a certain amount per hour, within a certain distance to my house, it is not worth me working. I consider my time to be worth a certain amount. When you factor in drive time, gas, upkeep, etc. and I am not earning a certain amount more than that then it becomes pointless to do so. I mean, seriously, why would I drive cross town for some part time job that is only going to pay for gas?

So in that, yes, there are quite a few jobs that I cannot afford to work, simply because at the end of the day, I make nothing for it, and that is not what I work FOR.

I live a pretty good way out from Atlanta. For me to drive there to a job, if I am not clearing say 16-18 an hour, I would rather not deal with the hassle. Even here in town, I will not work under around $12. Otherwise it is pointless. I have found that odd jobs and other "under the table" activites to be much more profitable.

[vf-xx]

There is something else to keep in mind. At least for me, if push comes to shove I"ll take a job that just barely breaks even, just to minimize the gaps in my resume.

[punkncat]

There is something else to keep in mind. At least for me, if push comes to shove I"ll take a job that just barely breaks even, just to minimize the gaps in my resume.

That is a good point. Big resume gaps look bad to potential employers w/o reason.

[Lohman446]

I just reread this & something just hit me ; I wonder what the unemployment folks would think about these folks turning down work ?? seems to me , in the best interest of business owners & taxpayers ( who are funding the "dole" ) to get folks back to work
mabey you should go through the Unemployment office & try to find someone that way

I found someone in the end. In the end I had two highly qualified people who were happy with the offer and did not ask me to do anything crooked (such as pay under the table) to chose from. It worked out, I was just astonished at people, in incredible unemployment, telling me they could not afford to work.

The great act that I found FDR did was to guarantee a job - even if it was finding "anything" work for people. I worry about the way we are "helping" people now.

[punkncat]

Just as a side note I have NEVER filed for unemployment benefits or the like.

[Lohman446]

Just as a side note I have NEVER filed for unemployment benefits or the like.

Different ball game then .

[drg]

business owners & taxpayers ( who are funding the "dole" )

Don't forget that the person who is collecting unemployment was a taxpayer.

[vf-xx]

Don't forget that the person who is collecting unemployment was a taxpayer.

Maybe...... Personally I'd rather not pay the taxes and bank the money myself. I'm a big boy, I can save for myself.

[maniacmechanic]

Don't forget that the person who is collecting unemployment was a taxpayer.

so you feel thats it fine that he turn down a fair paying job & you and I keep feeding him , paying his rent & electric bill
See this is one of the things wrong in this country now , yeah I know things are rough in a lot of places , I live in florida , one of the hardest hit states , i've got friends that were laid off , now they are working in Uath , Wyoming , Texas , Lousinia , Colorado , I haven't heard them crying about how much it costs to get to work , thier just glad they found work , thier big problem is they don't get home but about once every 2 or 3 months , thier not able to save any money but THEY are paying thier bills

[vf-xx]

I suppose I should note, I've got a particular interest in this. Not only have I been on unemployment before (I was injured and couldn't work, got off it as soon as I could).

I also was laid off in January. Started a new job in April. Did it without going on unemployment.

[Lohman446]

Don't forget that the person who is collecting unemployment was a taxpayer.

Was being a key term. We are not talking a job here that pays minimum wage, or anywhere near it for that matter.

We have an issue when unemployment pays more than what some states consider a "living wage".

Look, unemployment is an insurance you pay for (well, your employer pays for it, but I chalk it up as a "benefit" that your labor is paying for). You are entitled to it when the situation warrants. However, we should not be encouraging people to take advantage of it to its limits, it stresses the system and makes it less likely to be there for people who actually do need it.

[drg]

Maybe...... Personally I'd rather not pay the taxes and bank the money myself. I'm a big boy, I can save for myself.

Your savings will come NOWHERE close to unemployment benefits. Remember, unemployment benefits can be high because even at current unemployment levels, 90% of the workforce is still employed and paying taxes.

Remember, unemployment deductions are literally the purchase of insurance against your losing your job. If you lose it, you collect. That's how insurance works.

I get the feeling people simply do not understand how this stuff works.

so you feel thats it fine that he turn down a fair paying job & you and I keep feeding him , paying his rent & electric bill

If it doesn't beat his unemployment benefits, it's not a fair paying job as far as he is concerned. Again we are not paying for him, we are paying for ourselves. You get the same unemployment insurance product whether the other guy is collecting or not, and in fact him collecting helps stabilize the economy, thus helping protect your job as well.

There's a much bigger picture than your own selfish interests.

[skife]

i filed for unemployment once.

I got a job in a machine shop, worked there almost 3 months, just long enough for me to almost get benefits, denied unemployment because my last job was part time and i left it for better pay, denied at the machine shop because i hadn't had enough time in yet.


so there i was 1.5 months with no income at all, in a state with almost 15% unemployment.
good thing i didn't have any bills except student loans and a cell phone.

they called me back then told me i had to wait another 60 days for benefits. i found another job and quit, i didn't want to get screwed again.

[vf-xx]

Your savings will come NOWHERE close to unemployment benefits. Remember, unemployment benefits can be high because even at current unemployment levels, 90% of the workforce is still employed and paying taxes.

Remember, unemployment deductions are literally the purchase of insurance against your losing your job. If you lose it, you collect. That's how insurance works.

I get the feeling people simply do not understand how this stuff works.

Ahh, but see I do understand how it works. I just don't agree with it. I'd have no problems with it, if were something like: the government takes these payments and puts them in a savings account with my name on it, so I can draw on it when I am unemployed. But no, that's not how the government spends my money. They take it, and they promptly give it to someone else. There's a reasonable chance that they won't have the money when/if I need it. I know I''ve heard of states either running out of funding for this or at least almost running out.

What you're telling me is that because I am personally responsible enough to take care of myself I must ALSO be FORCED to support somebody else at a rate that rewards them for NOT taking a decent job? Or any job for that matter?

You forget that there are two sides to any budget, Income and expenses. If you get a lower income, then you need to lower expenses to fit within that income. This may mean, NOT buying that fancy truck every 4 years that gets crappy milage. That may mean, NOT getting brand new stuff at full price whenever you want it. But people have gotten used to spending outside their means, and that's a problem.

As to unemployment being insurance and the nature of insurance is to spread the risk. I understand that. However in EVERY OTHER form of insurance I own I either have the choice to not pay for it and not get it, or at least I can choose the details (coverage levels, costs, carrier, etc...).

Personally I see things such as Unemployment insurance, medicare and social security as money that is being taken from me that I'll never see again. Or at least never see the full amount of. And in any other situation that would be called stealing.

[Hexis]

Personally I see things such as Unemployment insurance, medicare and social security as money that is being taken from me that I'll never see again. Or at least never see the full amount of. And in any other situation that would be called stealing.

So do you have health insurance in a traditional sense? Or as an alternative do you save and self pay at the doctor?