What are you cutting in your budget to absorb the Payroll Tax increase?

[mks18412]

I can only speak for my family, but we paid our kids' ways through college without using financial aid and have saved enough in our 401k to support ourselves through retirement. And believe me after we have lived all our lives in our home with very expensive school taxes, we will have more than paid for our kids' public school educations.
We are strictly middle class people but I can't imagine doing it any other way. I know it's old fashioned and not popular in this day and age to live within your means and pay your own way, but I just don't understand the mindset of having the government (which means other families are having to pay for you) support you from cradle to grave.

Smartest comment to far!!! I wish everyone thought this way.... I think its instilled in someone, its a lesson you cannot learn in school - "How to be a responsible citizen." Lots of people have the me, me, me, take, take, take entitlement mentality. The entitlement mentality has destroyed this country. Its also a control mechanism. Do you want the government telling you every move to make??

 

[DisneyATlast]

I like when people have such strong opinions about people not paying "their own way," but when talking numbers, they only mention "DH's check." Ironic.

 

[eliza61]

I can only speak for my family, but we paid our kids' ways through college without using financial aid and have saved enough in our 401k to support ourselves through retirement. And believe me after we have lived all our lives in our home with very expensive school taxes, we will have more than paid for our kids' public school educations.
We are strictly middle class people but I can't imagine doing it any other way. I know it's old fashioned and not popular in this day and age to live within your means and pay your own way, but I just don't understand the mindset of having the government (which means other families are having to pay for you) support you from cradle to grave.

I think the problem is (at least this is what I laugh at) is all these disser who swear that all people on public assistance have 12 babies by 10 different daddies (average family on PA has 1.8 kids), are on welfare for life (36 months is the national average) and go to disney (so untrue). So it always makes me wonder exactly where people hang out at.

The second one I love is how every one goes to the supermarket and knows exactly who the welfare/food stamp repients are and how they are living their life. case in point the one about how some one at the store was using food stamps but getting fancy manicures. Sorry but unless you've been stalking that person how could you possible know this. I go to the grocery store 2-3 times a week and I couldn't remember how the person in front paid even if you offered me a million dollars.

So personally I think people are just repeating the popular tv stereotypes. sort of when you see a fat person eating a donught you immediately judge them.

I totally know there are some abuses in the system but personally I think the poor and welfare people are easy targets.

Gov christie just got a whole bucket of money for sandy victims yet no one is screaming about those people getting government aide? So we have a serious stereotype problem. Israel just got another couple of billion dollars for aide yet that's perfectly ok, we've been forking money to them for ages yet I don't hear you screaming about us taking care of them from cradle to grave.

So basically we want to "choose" who we feel is worthy and who is not.

 

[mks18412]

I like when people have such strong opinions about people not paying "their own way," but when talking numbers, they only mention "DH's check." Ironic.

DH check is my check. We are a team. I dont say "my kids" since I do stay home with them and take 24/7 care of them. I dont say "my house" since I am the person who cleans it. Ignorant comment!

 

[Marionnette]

I like when people have such strong opinions about people not paying "their own way," but when talking numbers, they only mention "DH's check." Ironic.

Looking to start a SAHM debate? Why don't we throw in BTGs, ECVs, refillable mugs and breastfeeding in public so that we can touch on a few more hot-button issues.

 

[DawnM]

I don't find that ironic at all.

We are a team He does bring home a pay check, and you know what? While he was in grad school and doing his internship for years, I worked and brought home the bacon and we lived off of what I made.

I could go back to work if needed. Right now, we don't need for me to.

Dawn

I like when people have such strong opinions about people not paying "their own way," but when talking numbers, they only mention "DH's check." Ironic.

 

[jmartinez1895]

DH check is my check. We are a team. I dont say "my kids" since I do stay home with them and take 24/7 care of them. I dont say "my house" since I am the person who cleans it. Ignorant comment!

You beet me to it. My DH works and I stay home. We have a child who is medically fragile. If I went to work it would cost more than I can earn to pay for him to have private home health care ( which is what his doctors have ordered). I don't look at my DH's check as a hand out. I look at it as his supporting our family by working outside the home while I take care of things on the home front.

Back to topic tho- Dh took a pension loan and the payments come out of his check automatically. We were excited that we are going to have it payed off in Feb, but the tax increase is almost the same amount as the payment. The good news is that we are used to not having that money so we will not miss it, but the bad news is we were looking forward to having the extra cash, but such is life.

 

[leahjade]

I like when people have such strong opinions about people not paying "their own way,"

Wow, I think there's quite a big difference between a husband and wife supporting each other versus living off the government (which is taking other families' money). I supported my husband through college, and he worked two jobs so that I could stay home when our children were small. There were times when we had $1 in the checkbook until payday, and my kids were always the last on the block to have new video games, computers etc. but now my children are all self-supporting adults who helped work their way through college and know how to live within their means.

 

[robsmom]

DH check is my check. We are a team. I dont say "my kids" since I do stay home with them and take 24/7 care of them. I dont say "my house" since I am the person who cleans it. Ignorant comment!

Wow. This is rude. Working mother here, but I want to vote with people who say DH and I are a team. Married couples commit to the state (and often to God) to become one unit. I admire men who support their wives in a decision to stay home with the kids. I applaud women who work while it is their husband whose is home with the kids. I respect couples who decide to both work and support their children. The point is that that family unit is working together to do what they feel best and/or necessary for their family.

 

[DisneyATlast]

I think the problem is (at least this is what I laugh at) is all these disser who swear that all people on public assistance have 12 babies by 10 different daddies (average family on PA has 1.8 kids), are on welfare for life (36 months is the national average) and go to disney (so untrue). So it always makes me wonder exactly where people hang out at.

The second one I love is how every one goes to the supermarket and knows exactly who the welfare/food stamp repients are and how they are living their life. case in point the one about how some one at the store was using food stamps but getting fancy manicures. Sorry but unless you've been stalking that person how could you possible know this. I go to the grocery store 2-3 times a week and I couldn't remember how the person in front paid even if you offered me a million dollars.

So personally I think people are just repeating the popular tv stereotypes. sort of when you see a fat person eating a donught you immediately judge them.

I totally know there are some abuses in the system but personally I think the poor and welfare people are easy targets.

Gov christie just got a whole bucket of money for sandy victims yet no one is screaming about those people getting government aide? So we have a serious stereotype problem. Israel just got another couple of billion dollars for aide yet that's perfectly ok, we've been forking money to them for ages yet I don't hear you screaming about us taking care of them from cradle to grave.

So basically we want to "choose" who we feel is worthy and who is not.

I agree with this and your other posts. As I mentioned earlier, I took advantage of different types of assistance when I was younger. I'm not ashamed of that. I used it the way it was intended to be used, got an education, and now pay my "fair share" at the least. To me, it was the lesser of the two evils with the other option being staying on assistance forever vs. a few years while I got a degree.

I do think it's the parent's responsibility to save for their children's education, etc., but it's not a child's fault when a parent doesn't do that. I like it when people say, "I payed my way through college!" when in reality, they lived in their parent's house rent free, drove a car their parents paid for, and their only expense or responsibility was to pay tuition. Really, how can anyone compare that situation to someone who lives on their own with no financial support? I guess they are part of the clan who believes when times get tough you can just "borrow money from your parents!"

Like I said, I do think it's the parent's responsibility, and I intend to fund my children's educations, but that doesn't make me any better than the next guy whose story I don't know. I'm not sure why people are so quick to judge and say, "Well, I did it so they can too!" In some cases, that's true. I did "it" too, but it took some help to access resources that my family simply didn't have (not my fault) and that I couldn't produce as a high school graduate with no support (financial or otherwise) from family....no matter how many minimum wage jobs I got.

I was always so aware of people being judgmental when I was poor. I would go to different stores to buy different items. For example, I had to have a computer for school which I was able to buy using money left over for a grant. I actually had online classes in addition to my brick and mortar classes and when working full time, raising children, etc., using a computer at the lab for everything is not an option. You NEED a computer in college. I also got WIC benefits to get my child's formula. I would make sure I went to different stores because if I bought a computer at the same store I used WIC vouchers then I would undoubtedly be judged.

God forbid if I wanted to buy my kid a birthday present. How dare someone have the audacity to "live off the government" (nevermind the fact they work full time) and be able to afford a <gasp> TOY!! When I had to go to already humiliating appointments like WIC or childcare assistance (where they paid a portion of daycare, not all) I would be sure not to wear shoes that might be considered "too nice" or carry a purse that someone getting assistance "shouldn't be able to afford." Nevermind that I bought shoes at Goodwill for $2.

Unless you know the person in line ahead of you personally or know their life story then I'd say it's best not to judge. Who's to say someone using a food stamp card isn't shopping for their grandmother? One of my good friends is a former social worker with a master's degree and he got food stamps when he was laid off at work. Another friend was a DHS caseworker who helped other families get food stamps and other aid. She found herself on the receiving end when her infant unexpectedly became ill, lived in the hospital for a few months, and she lost her job, house, car, etc. I really love it when people say, (this might be my favorite) "It sure would be nice to get food stamps!" To that I say, "Quit your job and go sign up!" Let me know how nice it is! Really, as someone who worked very hard to break the cycle of poverty, drug abuse, etc., that is such an idiotic comment to make.

 

[DisneyATlast]

Looking to start a SAHM debate? Why don't we throw in BTGs, ECVs, refillable mugs and breastfeeding in public so that we can touch on a few more hot-button issues.

Not really. Who mentioned stay at home moms? Do you have to have a child in order to be supported by money you didn't earn? Tell that to Hugh Hefner's new wife. She probably has opinions on people who get financial aid and other types of assistance as well.

I'd prefer to debate abortion....or how about God?

Refillable mugs is a hot button issue? Really? I'm afraid to ask...

 

[Granny square]

I don't find that ironic at all.

We are a team He does bring home a pay check, and you know what? While he was in grad school and doing his internship for years, I worked and brought home the bacon and we lived off of what I made.

I could go back to work if needed. Right now, we don't need for me to.

Dawn

No kidding! I worked my heinie off putting him through school. We now have our children, our home, and our finances. Just as we had our home and our finances when he was improving our future with his education. He got lucky, lol, because I had already worked my way through school!

I do think that people need to support their families and choices the best they can. But I don't have a problem with paying taxes to help people who didn't have the luck I did growing up in a reasonably stable middle class life. Or those hit by disaster or crappy events. You can plan away but a preemie baby or cancer or tornado can wipe out he savings in a heartbeat.

 

[mks18412]

Wow. This is rude. Working mother here, but I want to vote with people who say DH and I are a team. Married couples commit to the state (and often to God) to become one unit. I admire men who support their wives in a decision to stay home with the kids. I applaud women who work while it is their husband whose is home with the kids. I respect couples who decide to both work and support their children. The point is that that family unit is working together to do what they feel best and/or necessary for their family.

I dont see how my comment was rude....

 

[luv2mickey]

I can only speak for my family, but we paid our kids' ways through college without using financial aid and have saved enough in our 401k to support ourselves through retirement. And believe me after we have lived all our lives in our home with very expensive school taxes, we will have more than paid for our kids' public school educations.
We are strictly middle class people but I can't imagine doing it any other way. I know it's old fashioned and not popular in this day and age to live within your means and pay your own way, but I just don't understand the mindset of having the government (which means other families are having to pay for you) support you from cradle to grave.

Ditto!!!!!

 

[Granny square]

I dont see how my comment was rude....

So you don't believe that spouses or partners are a team and that each contribute what is best for that team? So my husband shouldn't call our home his home because it was bought with money I inherited and made? What is your point?

 

[mks18412]

So you don't believe that spouses or partners are a team and that each contribute what is best for that team? So my husband shouldn't call our home his home because it was bought with money I inherited and made? What is your point?

I said WE are a team. Thats why His $ is my $. The kids arent just mine they are his too. Did you not read my post??

 

[Granny square]

I said WE are a team. Thats why His $ is my $. The kids arent just mine they are his too. Did you not read my post??

Sorry misquote!!

 

[mks18412]

Sorry misquote!!

No Problem!

 

[SDSorority]

Our budget hasn't changed- hubs' paycheck went down by $100 a month, but mine went up by $90 a month.

I'm getting pretty frustrated with our Sunday paper, though- not coming on time, or not coming at all sometimes.... so we might cut that out just because it's annoying.

 

[robsmom]

I dont see how my comment was rude....

I need to apologize to you as I quoted the wrong post. I was intending to 100% agree with you. I think that in my brain I was initially going to quote you to agree and then I decided that I really needed to call out the earlier post and I guess I didn't switch the quote. I am really sorry. I also apologize to grannysquare as I think my mistake then caused her mistake. I am a huge proponent of the family unit and also of people's right to choose how they define and operate that unit.