Why should I support someone else?

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-27-2006
Why should I support someone else?
4426
Sat, 12-30-2006 - 1:24pm

Let me start by saying that I"m new here so this may have already been discussed, but this has come up in my office several times and I wanted to get some other views of this.

I do payroll for a rather small company so I know most of the workers and their wives (most of the workers are men due to the nature of our business). There are two in particular who's wives SAH. These two are up to their eyeballs in debt. I have bill collectors constantly calling for them. That part is really their business, it is annoying but I enjoy being rude back to the bill collectors, lol.

The part that bothers me is that both wives have been in the office wanting copies of X amount of check stubs so that they can go and get public assistance (I know because they told me that is what it is for)! Why should my tax money go so that these women can SAH? I know that not all families that one parent stays at home are like this, but I know lots that are. Heck, growing up we were always broke because my mother refused to work, but we weren't on any public assistance.

So, why should I pay for a woman to SAH? Why can't she go and get a job to support her family just like anyone else?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Tue, 01-30-2007 - 8:17am
I agree. Just look on multiple listings of houses people are trying to sell. I would NEVER take anything from some of these homes.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-27-2005
Tue, 01-30-2007 - 8:18am

I think neither bassinets nor cribs are in any way necessary, but I have to admit that I found a bassinet to be much more useful than the crib.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Tue, 01-30-2007 - 8:21am

"i introduced him to the mall where the same things were about the same,if just a little more than what he bought used and soiled."

Thank you. That is what I am talking about. Why would I spend money on things that were used and soiled when I can use a 20% coupon or $10 off at Gap Outlet or Children's Place and get 3 outfits and 2 pairs of pj's for $40??!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Tue, 01-30-2007 - 8:45am

It IS a stereotype to say that the people that shop at thrift stores spend all their money on alcohol and cigarettes and don't care about their children.

In the young years my children didn't wear their clothes nearly long enough to wear them out as THEY GREW VERY FAST. Even if they only had one outfit at each stage, the clothes wouldn't have fallen apart. (At first I thought diaper sizes were based onhow many months old the baby was) I had some wonderful clothes given to me for my first son that lasted through my second son and we used by my nephew later- I also had some "gentley used" clothes I bought at a yard sale that lasted through several children. I like to buy clothes that will last- I think that is more economical and more environmental. I like to buy "gentley" used clothes when I can because a) it saves us money, b) "reuse" is the second word in my mantra (reduce, reuse, recycle and restore).

That worked really well when they were younger- there were TONS of used clothes out there that are perfectly usable - for the under 4 set.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-28-2007
Tue, 01-30-2007 - 8:45am

That's a little excessive. If some of the posters here are to be believed, I'll concede that not-for-profit thrift stores sadly are no longer for the intended donee - i.e., the poor. Apparently, even middle class people are wresting donated goods out of the hands of the poor nowadays, an act which used to be considered reprehensible.

But the millionaires "next door" who I know and I suspect I know a lot, are not buying used goods donated for the poor. Rather, they see new clothes even from Kmart as an investment, often to be purchased on sale and with coupon in hand.

I find it deplorable that perfectly good, used and new clothes that I am donating to charity are not going to the intended poor and needy, but apparently to middle class buyers looking for a bargain and a profit on EBay.

Consignment stores - have at it. But non-profit thrift stores are not abused by the millionaire next door.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Tue, 01-30-2007 - 8:47am
Well, my *experience* is different. I have found Land's End, Gap, Gymboree, LL Bean (I avoided The CHildren' Place and Navy Store as their clothes tended to fall apart extremely easily).... all a thrift stores all lasted through several children.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2006
Tue, 01-30-2007 - 8:48am
personal preference....the bassinet was nothing more than an extra sleeping arrangment in our home. and for us,it was tougher to transition dd1 to an idle crib than it was my other two because of the bassinet she was getting too used to but outgrowing.


Edited 1/30/2007 8:51 am ET by egd3blessed

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Tue, 01-30-2007 - 8:49am
For winter outer clothing, we have had better experience with LL Bean. IN February our local store has great sales. (I don't shop exclusivley at thrift/yard sales)
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Tue, 01-30-2007 - 8:50am
See, I don't think one season is enough. THe LL Bean coats we have bought have last 4 and counting.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Tue, 01-30-2007 - 8:51am
You can get LL Bean and Land End clothes for $1 each?

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