Posted on 04/23/2006 7:49:45 AM PDT by SmithL
One of my readers is an underemployed 59-year-old man from among us here in the South Suburbs. Call him Harry. He works in information technology. Slowly and wearily, he says: "Once you get past 50, I swear, it gets tough, it gets really tough."
For instance, Harry applied for a job with a city of Chicago department that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. He got an offer for some contract work. There were no benefits, but it was a paying job.
A woman from the city called him one Monday morning and wanted to know if he could start at midnight. Harry said he'd like to give his current employer a week's notice. That wasn't good enough. The job was gone. The caller told him: "This is a brave new world. Learn to live with it."
(Excerpt) Read more at starnewspapers.com ...
Good hunting.
You got that right... especially in west Plano (Texas). There was an article in the Dallas Morning News about a year and a half ago talking about how many folks in that zip code are leveraged to the hilt. I believe one of the quotes from the article mentioned that if these folks were picked up and turned upside down, not even a penny would fall out of their pockets.
Keeping up with the Joneses... ain't it a beeeotch.
An easy way to do the 401K is to start low and have it taken from your check. Bump it up a % each enrollment period. When you get a raise add it on. That way it grows and you don't miss what you never had.
Uhhhh, I intended that more as a general comment, not as a critique of your abilities.
In your case it was what he knew about who he knew.
FWIW, and old boss of mine and I are in the process of starting a company...
It's easy to say do this...do that. However, everyone's circumstances are different. I have a friend whose kids' college fund was wiped out by emergency, and unanticipated, medical bills. I know some people who've had to pay for care for aging parents. I've known people whose businesses have gone belly up and have had to declare bankruptcy. If you're one of the lucky ones who's had everything break right for you, that's great. But don't sit on your high horse and assume that because everything's worked out for you then it's just as easy for everyone else to do.
I know, it's pretty hypocritical. The Director expects 2-4 weeks notice when people leave, but was wanting someone to start immediately.
It wasn't a choice. Or are you assuming that as a woman it's my right to choose? There aren't many "pro-choice" Freepers. Sorry to see you're one of them.
I feel the same way I would never hire someone who would leave their current employer w/out notice.
"...... was used up to feed and educate 9 kids.
Now I am broke and I haven't been able"
Hey, how about a few of those successful 9 children contribute to parents who gave them a start?? My grandparents had 13 children 1910-1925 to help on farm. If successful, kids inherit the farm, if not, no inheritance. Since real dollars were scarce for sharecroppers, everyone had to do their share.
Realize our generation expects to do it all and our kids think it is imposition to pay rent to parents. So, times have changed. Property has moved to very rich and immigrants who are younger and other countries and benefits we paid for have been stolen, problem with socialism, benefits get stolen before you get to collect. Not fault of worker other than he trusted his boss too much.
You can say THAT again!
By the way I do believe in choice and wish all women would choose life for the child they helped create.
BTW, I too am an old Keyesian.
People who believe children are simply an indulgence and expense and not an investment should be required to live in a country where the birth rate has collapsed. Such a country is destined to collpase and die. Japan and much of Western Europe are in the early stages of that terminal state now.
This may sound bad but I put myself thru college and I figure my kids can too. It makes you study harder and appreciate an education IMO. My oldest got a scholarship that got him thru the 1st semester. He decided to join the military and has done well and continued his eduation. My middle son did the same. He's out now and going to start college in August. The youngest majored in party . We refused to pay the 2nd semester. He got tired of minimum wage really fast and is now back in college. He will have loans to pay back but hey we all have bills. Hopefully his future employer will buy out his contract. When was it decided that parents are supposed to save and foot an expensive education? I missed that memo.
Now if you want to get into detailed lessons, you left out the Parable of the Talents. That speaks exactly to what the personal responsibility people are trying to get across. Invest wisely, trying to earn in your investments. If you don't you bear, and deserve, the consequences.
And the message you, I, and a few others have been putting forth - personal responsibility - is being ignored by virtually all.
I saw something on one of the Fox News financial shows that was quite troubling... That the vast majority of 50 year olds have less than $5,000 in savings for retirement! That is really disasterous! I think that a big part of it is how SS has been designated as a retirement fund, rather than an insurance and ponzi scam where most of the contributers were supposed to die before becoming elligible for the benefits.
Mark
I put myself through college, too. But then I was only paying about $1500 a year. Today, I've never seen it happen unless it's a kid who's been able to qualify for scholarships to pay for most of it. And they aren't the majority. There's no way a part-time job today will be anything but a drop in the bucket for college costs. And many kids won't physically qualify for the military. So, yes, for most middle class families today parents will have to help out. That's life. Wishing for the old days doesn't make things happen.
Oh, yeah! I remember, now! Glad to see you're still on FR!
You have to put that in perspective If you are making ends meet on minimal wage 5000 may be the best you can do. How do they know how much people have anyway? Would you answer honestly on a survey? You have 5000 in savings, heck if you have 2000 the government will take it away from you anyway if something happens and you have to go into a nursing home for awhile.
It doesn't have anything to do with wishing.
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