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
Wed, 01-31-2007 - 12:47pm
I totally agree with you. I don't buy expensive clothes for any occasion for my children (unless they are in a wedding of course-only once though). I put the same shoes and same clothes over and over on my son when he goes to daycare because he ruins everything with playing outside and paint. They probably think we can't afford shoes for him but I keep certain sneakers at home for the weekends and when we go out.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Wed, 01-31-2007 - 12:48pm
Yes, I did say that alot of people who HAVE money are sloppy dressers!! Look at the billionaire hollywood stars!! Look at MaryKate and Ashley Olsen. They look like they get their clothes from a dumpster-lol!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Wed, 01-31-2007 - 12:50pm
I totally understand that. I am speaking of the people I know and have come in contact with over the years.
I am sure there are more thrift shops in different places but I think they are situated in poorer areas. At least by me, they are.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-28-2007
Wed, 01-31-2007 - 12:52pm
Jealous, much?
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 01-31-2007 - 12:54pm

Speaking of scraping the bottom of the barrel - are you honestly telling me you are worried about "microscopic blood drops" on clothing???? There are far more germs and DNA on the handles of the shopping carts than on the clothes themselves, first hand or second hand.

Sheesh.

Carrie

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-04-1997
Wed, 01-31-2007 - 12:55pm
OK, then so why are you saying that the millionaires you know don't shop at thrift shops when in fact you know a millionaire who never bought anything new?
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-28-2007
Wed, 01-31-2007 - 12:55pm

So now people buying from thrift stores also use bleach before wear?

Again, with regard to superbugs in this instance, you're not telling me anything I don't know.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Wed, 01-31-2007 - 12:56pm
I don't doubt you. I just do not know anyone, who is middle-class and are making money who shops in thrift stores. By me they are geared towards the lower-class and are situated in poorer towns. The only "middle-class" person I know that used them was when she was young, living on her own and had no money. Now that she is making decent money, she goes for sales and clearance at regular stores. It is kind of like "moving up" in the world. College students eat mac & cheese and ramen noodles all the time because they are poor but once you get into your 30's, get decent jobs and get a financially stable with homes and some savings, these stores are for lower-class people who can not afford to shop in the regular stores. Everyone I know was brought up to "move up" in the world. While some people might have had to frequent these places as they were younger and made less money, you work yourself up to be able to shop at regular stores. Kind of how I was brought up. You don't go and buy a brand new car and then go "backwards" and by a used 10 year old car. You just keep moving up in life, being able to afford better things and saving at the same time to cushion yourself.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Wed, 01-31-2007 - 12:58pm
Because my point is that I know many different types of people. That one millionaire would never shop there because he doesn't have to. The other one probably would because he was very cheap with his money and didn't enjoy it to the extent that he could.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-28-2007
Wed, 01-31-2007 - 12:59pm
She did not say that. Why is this such a touchy subject?

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