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: 01-13-2006
Wed, 01-31-2007 - 5:38pm
that is the silliest thing i have ever read - i could easily afford not to shop at thrift stores, rummage sales and on ebay but why wouldnt i shop there. i cant imagine spending $20-$25 on a sweatshirt from the gap for my son when i can get the EXACT same thing for $3-$5 at any of those places. i have money because i do not waste money. some things i am very picky about, ie shoes and winter coats, because we live where it is very cold but other than those items i really dont care to waste my money on things my children will outgrow before the season is over with or will get ruined thru play.
Jennie
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-13-2006
Wed, 01-31-2007 - 5:42pm
i am so the opposite, no way do i want my 8 year old daughter to get caught up in fashion. i want her to look cute and dress neatly but be an 8 year old. she will have many years to worry about fashion is she so desires without me trying to foist it on her at 8 years old
Jennie
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-20-2006
Wed, 01-31-2007 - 5:44pm
Or maybe other people are just better at getting stains out?
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-13-2006
Wed, 01-31-2007 - 5:49pm
sure you do, i only buy name brands and if they wouldnt shrink directly from the store they wont shrink from the thrift store. my son actually wont wear new jeans, he only like them after they have been washed about 20 times, so used jeans from the gap and childrens place work very well for him.
Jennie
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 01-31-2007 - 5:50pm

My kids get plenty of activity, but for 6+ months of the year their clothes never see the outdoors, anyway. However, I have sewed the sleeves of ds's coat and patched the knees of his snowpants twice already this winter. In the summer, how does one "wear out" shorts?

As for stains - well, I must be very good at laundry or something. One of the few compliments I ever received from my MIL was a grudging "well, your kids always seem very clean", LOL. The clothes I get from my SIL are often various shades of grey - laundry is not her forte.

Carrie

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-20-2006
Wed, 01-31-2007 - 5:50pm
I did almost just that. I bought a new car once. It was bar none the stupidest financial decision I EVER made. I will never buy a brand new car again.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-13-2006
Wed, 01-31-2007 - 5:57pm
$90 is still very cheap quality in the world of cashmere
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-13-2006
Wed, 01-31-2007 - 6:08pm
oh please........do you really think my 3 year old son gives a rip about fashion. fortunately my 8 year old dd doesnt either. now the 16 year old is a different story, very fashion savvy, and shops almost exclusively at goodwill and on ebay. perhaps until you have shopped in thrift shops, rummage sales and on ebay you should refrain from commenting on things you really dont have a clue about. and please explain to me how a sweatshirt goes out of style
Jennie
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-20-2006
Wed, 01-31-2007 - 6:09pm
The main difference (usually) between a car and it's "luxury twin" is a smoother suspension and more soundproofing to decrease road/engine noise.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-13-2006
Wed, 01-31-2007 - 6:17pm
i on the other hand am lucky if my two younger kids make it thru one season without needing new clothes - which is why i refuse to spend large amounts of money for things that will be worn only a few times
Jennie

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