No, we are not rich!!

[palavra]

I understand the vents about people getting a free ride from the system. Still I keep things in perspective.

I get up and go to work early mornings, late nights weekends, and holidays.

I save and watch what I spend.

I have $250 left in the bank. Payday is two weeks away. I still ned to pay my utilities and keep gas in the car until payday.

I earn slightly less than the US median household income of $52,029 per year. (2008 figures from the Census Bureau)

And I am rich. In the grand scheme of things I'm filthy rich.

I have food on my table and a job. I have decent housing and sufficient clothing. I have access to excellent medical care.

I am in the top 1% of incomes worlwide.

There are still more than 59,000,000 people in the entire world who earn more than me, but.... I earn more than 6,000,000,000 others who live on this planet. Many of them scratch out an existance on less monthly pay than I spent for dinner last night.

I am rich. How rich are you? www.globalrichlist.com

Love this post! It really puts things into perspective, doesn't it?

 

[palavra]

Great post! Thanks for posting that link. It really puts things in perspective.

Hey Juliet,
Great minds think alike!

 

[luvmesometigger]

I reconnected a few months ago (maybe midsummer) with a cousin who I haven't talked to in years. We were never really close but got along fairly well when we did talk. No reason for not talking the past few years. Life just got in the way.

At the beginning of this month (Sept), she sent me a text saying "I know this is really ****ty but is there any way you can loan me a few hundred dollars until the middle of the month?"

I was so over the top pissed. I am sorry you married and then divorced a man who had no ambition. I am sorry you have 2 teenage kids who have no respect for you at all. I am sorry you moved to the middle of the US and had to work one dead end job after another.

Sorry my husband has KILLED himself to get to the position where he is now. 70-80 work weeks for YEARS. And gave up a lot of time with us. There were many many years we were paycheck to paycheck. But I never once asked anyone for money. We figured out how to do it.

She had the same opportunities as I did to have a successful life. She choose not to take that path. How is that my problem??

I am a big believer in "To whom much is given, much is expected." I cannot tell you how many times my husband has handed an employee money to put food on their table for their kids. And I am not looking for a pat on the back. But don't come looking to me for a hand out when you have done nothing to better your situation.

OK Rant over.

 

[sbell111]

I reconnected a few months ago (maybe midsummer) with a cousin who I haven't talked to in years. We were never really close but got along fairly well when we did talk. No reason for not talking the past few years. Life just got in the way.

At the beginning of this month (Sept), she sent me a text saying "I know this is really ****ty but is there any way you can loan me a few hundred dollars until the middle of the month?"

I was so over the top pissed. I am sorry you married and then divorced a man who had no ambition. I am sorry you have 2 teenage kids who have no respect for you at all. I am sorry you moved to the middle of the US and had to work one dead end job after another.

Sorry my husband has KILLED himself to get to the position where he is now. 70-80 work weeks for YEARS. And gave up a lot of time with us. There were many many years we were paycheck to paycheck. But I never once asked anyone for money. We figured out how to do it.

She had the same opportunities as I did to have a successful life. She choose not to take that path. How is that my problem??

I am a big believer in "To whom much is given, much is expected." I cannot tell you how many times my husband has handed an employee money to put food on their table for their kids. And I am not looking for a pat on the back. But don't come looking to me for a hand out when you have done nothing to better your situation.

OK Rant over.

Interesting take.

Myself, I have worked hard all my life as has my wife. We have family members who perhaps have made some wrong financial choices here and there which left them in occasional need. When that need has arrises, we've taken a hard look at our finances and chosen to help our family if we were able.

Your post actually reminds me of a friend of mine who was ranting about how entitlement programs shouldn't exist because people help out their own when need arrises. I'll have to remember your post for the next time that I speak to him.

(I was also amused that you state that it has been your husband who has killed himself to be where he is, but that she had the same opportunities as you to be successful. I guess that you just got to him before she did.)

 

[sbell111]

I would agree with this if the abuse was the exception. However, it's practically abuse with only a few people legimately with need. I think people who make comments like this don't realize just how out of control the fraud has become. It's ridiculously out of control. It even extends to the workers. There are people employed there that "hook" up their friends. I'm sorry; I can't justify providing for 2000 scammers so 20 people can get what they really need. Like they used to say, "sometimes the good have to suffer with the bad'. ...

I wonder if you would care to provide supporting documentation of this? What you are saying is not my experience.

 

[palavra]

I reconnected a few months ago (maybe midsummer) with a cousin who I haven't talked to in years. We were never really close but got along fairly well when we did talk. No reason for not talking the past few years. Life just got in the way.

At the beginning of this month (Sept), she sent me a text saying "I know this is really ****ty but is there any way you can loan me a few hundred dollars until the middle of the month?"

I was so over the top pissed. I am sorry you married and then divorced a man who had no ambition. I am sorry you have 2 teenage kids who have no respect for you at all. I am sorry you moved to the middle of the US and had to work one dead end job after another.

Sorry my husband has KILLED himself to get to the position where he is now. 70-80 work weeks for YEARS. And gave up a lot of time with us. There were many many years we were paycheck to paycheck. But I never once asked anyone for money. We figured out how to do it.

She had the same opportunities as I did to have a successful life. She choose not to take that path. How is that my problem??

I am a big believer in "To whom much is given, much is expected." I cannot tell you how many times my husband has handed an employee money to put food on their table for their kids. And I am not looking for a pat on the back. But don't come looking to me for a hand out when you have done nothing to better your situation.

OK Rant over.

How do you know she hasn't done anything to better her situation? And how is it her fault that the man she married refused to take care of his family. Now, from what I read in your post, she is a single mother of two teenagers. That is a very difficult position to be in. No, you don't have to loan her any money, but making judgments on her lifestyle that you admittedly know little about is really sad.

 

[wvjules]

I reconnected a few months ago (maybe midsummer) with a cousin who I haven't talked to in years. We were never really close but got along fairly well when we did talk. No reason for not talking the past few years. Life just got in the way.

At the beginning of this month (Sept), she sent me a text saying "I know this is really ****ty but is there any way you can loan me a few hundred dollars until the middle of the month?"

I was so over the top pissed. I am sorry you married and then divorced a man who had no ambition. I am sorry you have 2 teenage kids who have no respect for you at all. I am sorry you moved to the middle of the US and had to work one dead end job after another.
Sorry my husband has KILLED himself to get to the position where he is now. 70-80 work weeks for YEARS. And gave up a lot of time with us. There were many many years we were paycheck to paycheck. But I never once asked anyone for money. We figured out how to do it.

She had the same opportunities as I did to have a successful life. She choose not to take that path. How is that my problem??

I am a big believer in "To whom much is given, much is expected." I cannot tell you how many times my husband has handed an employee money to put food on their table for their kids. And I am not looking for a pat on the back. But don't come looking to me for a hand out when you have done nothing to better your situation.

OK Rant over.

So she divorced the man with no ambition, has a job(s) but she has done nothing better to better her situation?

If you don't want to lend her money fine but I think you could atleast be a little more compasionate about it. But that's just me.

 

[WIDisneyFan]

I understand the vents about people getting a free ride from the system. Still I keep things in perspective.

I get up and go to work early mornings, late nights weekends, and holidays.

I save and watch what I spend.

I have $250 left in the bank. Payday is two weeks away. I still ned to pay my utilities and keep gas in the car until payday.

I earn slightly less than the US median household income of $52,029 per year. (2008 figures from the Census Bureau)

And I am rich. In the grand scheme of things I'm filthy rich.

I have food on my table and a job. I have decent housing and sufficient clothing. I have access to excellent medical care.

I am in the top 1% of incomes worlwide.

There are still more than 59,000,000 people in the entire world who earn more than me, but.... I earn more than 6,000,000,000 others who live on this planet. Many of them scratch out an existance on less monthly pay than I spent for dinner last night.

I am rich. How rich are you? www.globalrichlist.com

This is probably the best post I have ever seen in a discussion of this type - thank you for helping us all have a little perspective on the issue!

 

[Hoodie]

Interesting take.

Myself, I have worked hard all my life as has my wife. I have family members who perhaps have made some wrong financial choices here and there which left them in occasional need. When that need has arrises, we've taken a hard look at our finances and chosen to help our family if we were able.

Your post actually reminds me of a friend of mine who was ranting about how entitlement programs shouldn't exist because people help out their own when need arrises. I'll have to remember your post for the next time that I speak to him.

I've helped out my family members when they've needed it, but I don't think I'd help out a cousin I haven't spoken to in years and then suddenly comes with their hands out. To me, that would say that the cousin already went through everyone he/she is actually close to and is now reaching out to someone s/he thinks has money available.

OP - I know exactly what you are talking about. My SIL has informed DH and I on many occassions that we should do things because we're "rich". This usually involves paying for her to visit us, usually with her deadbeat BF and child in tow. Big guilt trips on how she never sees us and her son isn't going to know his uncle and cousin. Then she finds money for trips to Myrtle Beach, Niagra Falls and the casino (also with 2 year old son in tow). It does get frustrating.

 

[wvjules]

I've helped out my family members when they've needed it, but I don't think I'd help out a cousin I haven't spoken to in years and then suddenly comes with their hands out. To me, that would say that the cousin already went through everyone he/she is actually close to and is now reaching out to someone s/he thinks has money available.

OP - I know exactly what you are talking about. My SIL has informed DH and I on many occassions that we should do things because we're "rich". This usually involves paying for her to visit us, usually with her deadbeat BF and child in tow. Big guilt trips on how she never sees us and her son isn't going to know his uncle and cousin. Then she finds money for trips to Myrtle Beach, Niagra Falls and the casino (also with 2 year old son in tow). It does get frustrating.

She said they reconnected over the summer.

 

[FFWRX]

I don't have a problem helping people out. I just want them to take a drug test, and if they are able-bodied given jobs that "Americans don't want to do". If they cant keep one of those jobs then you are cut off. You can come back at any time to get one of "those jobs" when you realize that job isn't so bad.

 

[luvmesometigger]

Yes we have reconnected...for 6 weeks. First words out of her mouth were to ask me for money. That is my point. I have no problem helping people. Like I said, my husband has taken money out of his pocket to help people who had no money to feed their kids until their next paycheck. I have helped family members and friends who needed it.

She had the same schooling and the same opportunities as I did. I am sorry but she chose poorly. And I am aware of her entire history because in the weeks leading up to ASKING me for money, she proceeded to tell me how wrong and terrible her life is. My husband busted his balls for 20 years. Hers didn't. I am sorry but that is a choose she made to marry that man. Not me.

After the phone calling telling me how awful her life was, she TEXTED me and asked me for money. Didn't even call. So I am sure she worked her way through the family and I was next. That is why she reconnected with me. To ask for money.

 

[luvmesometigger]

Interesting take.

Myself, I have worked hard all my life as has my wife. We have family members who perhaps have made some wrong financial choices here and there which left them in occasional need. When that need has arrises, we've taken a hard look at our finances and chosen to help our family if we were able.

Your post actually reminds me of a friend of mine who was ranting about how entitlement programs shouldn't exist because people help out their own when need arrises. I'll have to remember your post for the next time that I speak to him.

(I was also amused that you state that it has been your husband who has killed himself to be where he is, but that she had the same opportunities as you to be successful. I guess that you just got to him before she did.)

And see you are judging me without knowing my story. I have my college degree. I worked until we had children. My husband and I made the decision together for me to stay home and raise our children while he worked. It had nothing to do with me getting to him first. I chose a man who put his children and family first.

 

[ccgirl]

I understand the vents about people getting a free ride from the system. Still I keep things in perspective.

I get up and go to work early mornings, late nights weekends, and holidays.

I save and watch what I spend.

I have $250 left in the bank. Payday is two weeks away. I still ned to pay my utilities and keep gas in the car until payday.

I earn slightly less than the US median household income of $52,029 per year. (2008 figures from the Census Bureau)

And I am rich. In the grand scheme of things I'm filthy rich.

I have food on my table and a job. I have decent housing and sufficient clothing. I have access to excellent medical care.

I am in the top 1% of incomes worlwide.

There are still more than 59,000,000 people in the entire world who earn more than me, but.... I earn more than 6,000,000,000 others who live on this planet. Many of them scratch out an existance on less monthly pay than I spent for dinner last night.

I am rich. How rich are you? www.globalrichlist.com

I thank you too. I am actually going to print this out and keep it on my fridge just to remind myself. Great post!

 

[DisneyKT]

She said they reconnected over the summer.

I agree with the OP.

Just because they "reconnected" does not make it any better. At some point people have to draw a line on how much money to loan to people. We have loaned money to famliy members always a sad story. But never even made a effort to pay it back.

This is why we don't do it anymore for anyone.
Oh also it is never a loan always a gift. LOL. Because it will never be returned.

 

[luvmesometigger]

So she divorced the man with no ambition, has a job(s) but she has done nothing better to better her situation?

If you don't want to lend her money fine but I think you could atleast be a little more compasionate about it. But that's just me.

I am compassionate about it. And I know people are struggling in this economy. But she married him KNOWING he had no ambition. KNOWING he was content to work as little as he could get away with. KNOWING he had other issues. And then she CHOSE to have children with him.

I am sorry but I chose a man who I knew would make something of his life. And our life. Who didn't have substance abuse problems. Who is home every night. Who started out as the low man on the totem pole and worked hard to get himself (and our family) where we are now. And I did get my degree. And God forbid, if something happens to him or us, I can go get a job because of choices I made.

And really, my whole point of this post was that she came to me with her hand out after not speaking to me for years. I am more then willing to help people if I am able. But not ones who haven't bothered with me for years and are still in the same situation they were in a decade ago. That, IMHO, is making poor decisions in your life.

 

[HeyMickeyUSoFine]

They are called SNAP now. You go with the person to the store. They buy the stuff you want and pay with their SNAP card. Outside you give them cash and they give you the "stuff".

Most people don't even go with them to the store anymore. They have their regular buyers that they trust and they just give them their ebt card after their benefits are deposited.

 

[HeyMickeyUSoFine]

I have reported it several times and get the, "I'm sorry...we really don't have anyone to follow up on this."

So...I'm sure others are in the same boat. People report it but it never gets followed up on. I think they really need to hire people to follow up on these claims. I realize it is a significant initial investment but you would get so much $$$$ back.

You're right. I too have reported it, only to have no actions taken to stop it. I agree that they need to have more people follow up on it. However, I think it'd just be easier if it was made "harder" to defraud.

 

[Art 1]

A vent :

Yes, we work hard.
Yes, we pay our bills on time.
Yes, we have money in our savings account.
Yes, we budget.

However, we are not rich. We work very hard for what we have. And your attitude for not giving you money when you don't work is not appreciated.

Vent over.

To a starving child in Africa you may be rich. It just depends how you look at it.

 

[Free4Life11]

I must be the only one who DOESN'T know someone "working the system." And I really doubt these stories of people rolling in it while working the system...I just don't see how their standard of living can really compare to someone working an honest job. If you are truly concerned about waste, look into defense contracts.

And lastly, if you legitimately qualify for an entitlement program, I think you are a fool to turn it down out of some sense of eliteness...do you think that a corporation would turn down a tax break or not take advantage of a loophole if it made them richer?