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Originally posted by sarra1833
I've gotten more compliments on here and well wishes from the ATS'ers than anything. Those who have read my past posts know I had to be begged and pleaded to get on food stamps cuz of the stigma of them. I'm doing my best. Working on my Bachelors Degree in web/graphic design. Actually made a few network connections on here for when I graduate. I just hope I'll GET a job in my field and not have to add on 'pay student loan' to my list of 'things the Starvation Wage must pay off'.
Life is tough. I'm going out again tomorrow to put in apps all over the next closest towns to this one - both are an hour away one way. Brutality is coming up with gas money once you find a job til you get paid. Hopefully something close to here will hire me. I look at it this way; it's hard as hell, but I have turned off a LOT of things I was able to afford to a degree before while I was working and getting good school stipends (refunds) back: satellite is gone, tv is gone too now. Mobile phone is off, I have a 10$ a month pay as you go for work purposes only..... I'm not scared to do without to save a few extra 75 dollars or w/e. I'm sadly so used to living like this, if I made 1000 a month, I'd feel like it was 250,000 dollars xD
But yeah, most of the ATS'ers who know of me know I never give up and keep trying to land that job. I'm not the sort to sit on my rear and rake in govt cash. Heck, I didn't even ...what's the word...... I can't GET any cash assistance. I get food stamps which thank GOD feed me and my son. But cash? Nope. Not one bit. Electric is about to be turned off too as is the net and I need both. NEED. I do my schooling online and need access to my CS4 and such. But I'm not worried. I know something great it coming real soon. My stubbornness to not give up will pay off. I want to work. I need to work. This has been TOO long of a day off and I'm bored, tired. I hate NOT working. I feel horrible. Can't get anywhere without a paycheck, no matter how wee it is; it's still money I earn to have nice things.
So I'm not worried if anyone dogs me. It will just show they don't read enough of my stuff to feel me. I haven't given up in months and I'm not about to start. I put apps in, call em every few days, when the app time expires, I fill out another. I go places almost too far for realism just in the HOPES maybe I'll get hired. So..... maybe I'm a rare breed. I have pride and hate having to have help from anyone but... sometimes you have to to live. I just can't wait to be back on my own two feet again. It's all right. This is happening to teach me something. Not sure what it is.. maybe that, hey even with little and nothing, you're still true to yourself, Sarra. You're still determined, you fall, you get right back up and keep going. You can handle anything."
sometimes I have to cry but I'm only human
Originally posted by Ex_MislTech
reply to post by sarra1833
To the requirements set forth by the government ???
It is not numerical possible unless you bought very cheap
land and built a cob house by hand, and raised your own
food and lived off the grid.
When you consider the kids get food at school that is subsidized
and the education is as well then you are not unless you home school.
In some states they may take your kids if you do not have
grid tied utilities.
So if indirect government assistance is considered it is not possible,
and they want it this way because the education system has become
more about indoctrination than education.
Originally posted by abecedarian
Since the question included "... or yourself ..." on minimum wage, in California, it could be possible as if you assume minimum wage at 8 per hour and 35 hours a week (straight, no overtime), you would earn 280 per week, 14560 per year. Loosely, 280 per week is a borderline amount where taxes may not have to be witheld by the employer but taxes could be due if the job includes tips, etc. Assuming taxes aren't witheld, 1180 per month is sufficient for an individual to live on in California depending upon where the individual chooses to live.
Factor in tax credits and such from the state and federal governments, and the resulting "refunds" the earner would receive, the actual amount an individual "earns" in a year could well exceed the 14560 actual annual earnings.
Toss a child and co-habitation (not marriage) in the mix and a 'family' could lay claim to over 20000 annual earnings and over 2000 in 'refunds' without paying any taxes into the system.
Possible, yes. Easy, no.
But nearly effortless with government assistance.
Originally posted by sarra1833
reply to post by CharterZZ
Me personally? Say I was getting like 1200.00 USD a month from the Government.
And at a job I'd bring home after taxes 250 to 300 every two weeks. 500 to 600 a month. OKay, let's up that and even say 750 a month. Why not.
I'd choose working. It's a PRIDE thing.
Originally posted by Exuberant1
Originally posted by sarra1833
reply to post by CharterZZ
Me personally? Say I was getting like 1200.00 USD a month from the Government.
And at a job I'd bring home after taxes 250 to 300 every two weeks. 500 to 600 a month. OKay, let's up that and even say 750 a month. Why not.
I'd choose working. It's a PRIDE thing.
Well some people have families.
Part of being a family man means doing what you can to provide the most for your family, if you can get $1200 from the government versus $700 you'd make working at minimum wage - you would be right to pick that 1200.
Your pride is not more important than your family and their needs. Pride come before the fall and when you have a family you can't afford to let your pride bring you down.