Anybody lose their unemployment yesterday?

[Cindiloohoo]

School...maybe. If I can't find a job, it's an option. But, using govt. money to go back to school would be the same as welfare

it comes from the same place. I really just want to see this country back on it's feet. I want to be back on mine too, but....I want to know the cost of doing so up front. I may have grandkids footing the bill some day, and if not, I care about my kids too....enough to not give them any more bills. Anyway, if we have no industry to work in once the politicians are done, what the heck would I do with a degree in anything? I want LONG term solutions, not a get by for this minute and worry about the next minute when it gets here. *sigh* Does that make any sense to anybody but me? I don't WANT government money...for ANYTHING, unless I HAVE to.

 

[redhen]

Cindi.. You most likely wouldnt get FREE schooling.. Not many people qualify for that. I didnt and i was out of work.
You'd get a student loan.. Maybe Sallie Mae?? Its what i had... i'm still paying it off..
Only like $50 a month..
Went to school for medical billing/coding... HATED it... but didnt want to quit school half way through...

Didnt learn crap enough to get a job..IMO..
Meh... just another one of my lifes bad decisions..

Paying off a school loan for a job that i'm never going to work in...
Yes.. just call me Einstein..

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Quote:
Yeah...yet another reason I wouldn't go. I'd rather use the skills I have and get a job. I thought the person said something about financial aid and grants....those usually do not have to be paid back. At least that's what I thought anyway...could be wrong. just irritates me that some seem to be scrambling to brainstorm their way into a handout rather than a job. I know not ALL are, but some definately are.

 

[dandelionheart]

Don't think of it as welfare... IMO the government will more than make their money back with the increase of income tax you'll be shelling out with the addition of a degree.

I think they probably think of it as an investment. If the option is to lose your house or go back to school... who is benefiting from your bankruptcy and foreclosure? That isn't helping much of anybody (and the government has spent loads of cash on bailing the banks out) and is damaging to your future financial situations (and your kids depending on how old they are).

Money for college is available for a reason - those with degrees and higher education make more money, it makes our nation stronger, and we can compete with other nations (educationally/scientifically/business, etc.). Education is an investment for both the individual and the community IMHO.

 

[Up-the-Creek]

There is no point in going to school if there is no jobs out there,..MANY people are doing it here because they HAVE too, to keep their benefits. Just riding them wheels of that well oiled machine...

 

[Cindiloohoo]

I actually somewhat agree with both sides. On the one hand it is an investment. But on the other hand it is often used as a way to keep the benefit ball a rolling too. I just don't feel like now is the time for education. The situation is more dire than that...folks need to work to feed their families. If we all went to school because it's available...well...we'd all just be sitting in a classroom and nothing REAL getting done. Manufacturing in all it's magnificent splendor sucks rotten eggs, but I'd rather I do it and keep American cash in AMERICA than ship it to India, and let them slowly suck more life out of our economy.

 

[dandelionheart]

I guess the thought is (and hope I guess too) is that by the time they have the degree, the economy will have rebounded and they can get a better job than before (and be able to fill their tummies and have a roof over their heads). But it *is* taking a risk. It is all so very scary... just ready for the country to perk up and recognize what is actually happening, what to do, and do it... And yeah, not shipping our jobs overseas and supporting local businesses is a biggie - not just for short term, but for long term stability (among many many other things!). I think (or maybe I'm just being overly optimistic) that the nation will come out stronger because of this recession/depression... but I'm known for wearing invisible rose colored glasses.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Quote:
Oh trust me I know what you are saying. I feel MUCH the same way. It's just so stinkin hard to know WHAT is the right move to make. I don't want to be a burden on society, but I also am smart enough to realize when I need help, and don't feel bad taking it if it comes to that. I just hate what it does to everyone else. People are bitter about the mooching going on in this country, and rightfully so. I think they should have put a cap on unemployment AFDC and everything else YEARS ago, so it would be less likely for lazy people to make a career out of it. Money runs out in our households, it does in the government too. Now when there is a real emergency situation money isn't there ....because 50 thousand baby mommas got to get they hair did an go to the club.

I KNOW idiots that do this!! It's a disease, and I personally think it's time to surgically remove the cancer. This country is in for a financial overhaul...one way or another. I just don't want to contribute to the problem.

 

[redhen]

I personally havent seen anyone on here WANTING handouts..
Heck.. they WANT to be working. Not laid off, with their mortgage in jeopardy.
See..its HARD when you invest many years in a career and are making a decent pay... to just change that career. Its not an easy decision..
And also.. money wise.. some folks CANT afford to take a huge pay cut .. you get used to living with a certain amount of pay coming in your house.
So.. if hubby takes a $10 an hour job... then we cant pay the mortgae and other bills. We'd have to give up the house and start new in some crummy apt somewhere... and even then.. apts run around $700-800 a month...
I'd prefer to keep my land and house anyway possible.
And no,we dont have a lot of debt...
Just everyday life things to pay for.. and no, i dont have to have t.v and internet and phone... those will be the FIRST things to go when things get tighter...
So... thats why sometimes folks have to take the unemployment benefits... until their career picks back up again...
If you are used to making $10 an hour and you get laid off.. its hard.. but its easier to find other work for that amount of pay...
Its much harder to replace $40 an hour...

You know how that is with your hubby being in construction... its very seasonal. And i'm sure that you guys have used unemployment before..
No shame in that... you WORKED for those benefits. Waaay different than welfare in MY opinion. But theres also no shame in taking welfare if you hit on hard times... you may have done that before too along with food stamps..(because you have kids you can do that... ).. i CANT get any other help other than umemployment because we dont have any bio children. I dont really think thats fair either... but whatever..
Anyways,.. i have NO shame in taking unemployemt while we can get it... we paid into taxes to help others.. and if i NEED help..i want it too. No shame here.. none.
Now.. i'm NOT talking about the chicks with 5 kids by 5 different guys that make welfare a career..... BIG difference in good hard working folks NEEDING help.. and them system moochers.



But we are TIRED of going through this with sheet metal work...
So hopefully this other job (that purr posted about) will open up for him and give us a new start...
we'll see... have to get more info on how it works with travel and WHERE most of the work is at.. etc...

 

[Cindiloohoo]

I hear ya redhen. I think most BYC'ers feel the same way we do. BYC is generally good people anyway. There is a lot of negativity in this thread, but also a lot of good ideas and resilient folks doing what it takes to make it work. I know how you mean about the lifestyle too. A big house is nice when the economy is good. Not so much when it's in a downward spiral

We have always lived WELL below our means, because of the nature of the construction industry among other reasons, but even we are struggling. I feel for those that bought a good bit, and now are having to pay for it with unemployment. If I can maintain a roof over my head...I'm goooood

I'm still brainstorming for ideas on how to get over this bridge....gonna be a long road sister

Hope some blessings are headed your way. That job may turn out great for him!! I sure hope so