Why are the poor...poor?

[OldWiseGuy]

yeah on what planet? Not with the current climate where both parents have to work full time just to pay for rent.

That's where planning comes in. Remember the days of the "Hope Chest"? Young women, still in high school, would accumulate household products such as cookware and bedding in anticipation of furnishing a home when they get married. In olden times this was called the brides "dowery"; the material goods she brought to the marriage. Men were also expected to provide enough wealth to begin a proper household.

High rent costs can be defeated by buying a house. Young people beginning in high school can work part time jobs and save up for the down payment on a house, even if they haven't yet met their future mates. They can even live with parents, paying them rent, while they save yet more. Home ownership is a tried and true way to build wealth and security, as well as many other benefits.

 

[loveofourlord]

That's where planning comes in. Remember the days of the "Hope Chest"? Young women, still in high school, would accumulate household products such as cookware and bedding in anticipation of furnishing a home when they get married. In olden times this was called the brides "dowery"; the material goods she brought to the marriage. Men were also expected to provide enough wealth to begin a proper household.

High rent costs can be defeated by buying a house. Young people beginning in high school can work part time jobs and save up for the down payment on a house, even if they haven't yet met their future mates. They can even live with parents, paying them rent, while they save yet more. Home ownership is a tried and true way to build wealth and security, as well as many other benefits.

Or...and I know this is a insanly stupid idea, we pay people enough to live off of.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Or...and I know this is a insanly stupid idea, we pay people enough to live off of.

Don't quite know what you mean, but, why add an "or" to a great plan?

 

[loveofourlord]

Don't quite know what you mean, but, why add an "or" to a great plan?

you wouldn't have to go that far if people actually got paid for what they did that wasn't criminally low.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

you wouldn't have to go that far if people actually got paid for what they did that wasn't criminally low.

That's a function of an oversupply of an undereducated workforce.

My plan is a conservative one, kinda like the tortoise. He got to smell the blooming roses along the way, and finished the race. The hare (many today) either rushed past them, or slept through them.

 

[loveofourlord]

That's a function of an oversupply of an undereducated workforce.

No it's a function of a buisnesses that make fortunes off not paying people properly.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

No it's a function of a buisnesses that make fortunes off not paying people properly.

There is often great competition between businesses that pay low wages, so margins are often too slim to pay more. I worked for a supermarket franchisee who admitted that I and the other meat cutters actually made more than he did (the department was not unionized but he paid us union scale). He used to complain that he wanted "the gravy" from his investment. A few years after I left his grocery department was unionized, after a short but bitter fight. Six months later he went out of business.

Someone earning low pay can still succeed. It just takes more time and better planning.

 

[lordjeff]

It's unfortunate but yes some people work 2 or 3 jobs. I did at one time. But the govt can't correct this in the usual way. Raising min wage eventually causes someone to be laid off. Arguably what needs to be driven up is the competition for workers to make a product here. Not cheap labor. I understand that a ceo or the founder of a company gets to make a high wage but the question is how high. This is maybe where some better faith-based values need to be honed. Can a CEO who makes $400 million a year get along with $200 million & with that savings to the company, can the balance then be spent on hiring workers here to do the work here. This rolls money into the treasury. The arts & sports events can still be supported. See-the attribute must come from within the person. I don't know what can be done in the tax code or commerce end to incentify this-that's not my field. But the lesson of the pandemic is bring back those jobs here.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

It's unfortunate but yes some people work 2 or 3 jobs. I did at one time. But the govt can't correct this in the usual way. Raising min wage eventually causes someone to be laid off. Arguably what needs to be driven up is the competition for workers to make a product here. Not cheap labor. I understand that a ceo or the founder of a company gets to make a high wage but the question is how high. This is maybe where some better faith-based values need to be honed. Can a CEO who makes $400 million a year get along with $200 million & with that savings to the company, can the balance then be spent on hiring workers here to do the work here. This rolls money into the treasury. The arts & sports events can still be supported. See-the attribute must come from within the person. I don't know what can be done in the tax code or commerce end to incentify this-that's not my field. But the lesson of the pandemic is bring back those jobs here.

This pandemic has the potential of solving the problem of too many people competing for too few jobs.

 

[Larniavc]

One reason is that they spend too much on food.

Bottom 20 percent: $339 per month.
My average costs : $150 per month, tops.
Potential savings : $189 per month
for poor families
per adult.
Even more if
SNAP is included.

The Average Household Cost of Food in America

Wait a minute, is this not just good old Christian victim blaming?

How long till someone trots out John 12:8 for a bit of a canter?

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Wait a minute, is this not just good old Christian victim blaming?

It's just one small piece of advice that can kick start other methods for improving one's financial situation.

How long till someone trots out John 12:8 for a bit of a canter?

The poor as a demographic will always be with us, but individuals don't necessarily remain in poverty.

 

[Larniavc]

That's where planning comes in. Remember the days of the "Hope Chest"? Young women, still in high school, would accumulate household products such as cookware and bedding in anticipation of furnishing a home when they get married. In olden times this was called the brides "dowery"; the material goods she brought to the marriage. Men were also expected to provide enough wealth to begin a proper household.

High rent costs can be defeated by buying a house. Young people beginning in high school can work part time jobs and save up for the down payment on a house, even if they haven't yet met their future mates. They can even live with parents, paying them rent, while they save yet more. Home ownership is a tried and true way to build wealth and security, as well as many other benefits.

I don’t think you appreciate what it’s like to be a young person in modern times.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

I don’t think you appreciate what it’s like to be a young person in modern times.

I do have an inkling. I saw the beginnings of it back in the 1960's. Thankfully I didn't get caught up in it. Too old I guess. However the same rules for success still apply; slow, steady, and careful, as she goes.

 

[Larniavc]

I do have an inkling. I saw the beginnings of it back in the 1960's. Thankfully I didn't get caught up in it. Too old I guess. However the same rules for success still apply; slow and steady as she goes.

Basing your ‘inkling’ of what it is like for young people now on what happened over 50 years ago isn’t very convincing

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Basing your ‘inkling’ of what it is like for young people now on what happened over 50 years ago isn’t very convincing

Not if you are blind to the legacy of drugs and the sexual revolution.

I guess you had to be there.

 

[Mountainmanbob]

Why are the poor...poor?

Some don't know how to escape.
Some don't want to escape.

Some can find work.
Some don't want to work.

Some have severe mental health problems brought on by excessive booze and drug use mixed with a lack of good nourishment and vitamins.

One lady who I brought a little food to the other day has next to nothing for income. I asked her, if she had a State issued food card? She said, no and that she probably should look into getting one.

Oh my golly some are so lazy that they are not even getting out there for the free help offered.

I know easy for me to say. Maybe she has disabilities that I'm not aware of?

Lord have mercy on us down here.

M-Bob

 

[Arc F1]

It all depends on the definition of poor. Im going to assume you mean lack of money. It could be a multitude of reasons ranging from lazy to bad decisions. I'm poor due to a decision to fight a battle I knew I couldn't win. I can honestly say my downfall was pride. I refused to be threatened for doing what was right. I took on the Ibew and Nlrb. Notice all the times "I" said "I". It looks like its time to pray for some further guidance.

 

[Arc F1]

Why are the poor...poor?

Some don't know how to escape.
Some don't want to escape.

Some can find work.
Some don't want to work.

Some have severe mental health problems brought on by excessive booze and drug use mixed with a lack of good nourishment and vitamins.

One lady who I brought a little food to the other day has next to nothing for income. I asked her, if she had a State issued food card? She said, no and that she probably should look into getting one.

Oh my golly some are so lazy that they are not even getting out there for the free help offered.

I know easy for me to say. Maybe she has disabilities that I'm not aware of?

Lord have mercy on us down here.

M-Bob

That's true about being lazy. My brother who is self-employed "doesn't work" has no free health insurance and won't sign up for the free unemployment that the government is giving away to everyone right now. He doesn't sign up for any safety net programs but insists on bashing the government for not helping people. He's in his 40s and surrounded by more just like him. As far as I can tell they would rather complain and be poor than to work and have a life. When my mother passes he's in for a rude awakening so are all the women who my mom pays his child support to every month. God gave us free will and it's their choice. Smh.

 

[Arc F1]

Or...and I know this is a insanly stupid idea, we pay people enough to live off of.

That's an easy fix. Start a business and pay people a living wage. The first thing I noticed was the more I paid the less people wanted to work. They wanted a certain income level and anything beyond that was seen as an unnecessary burden. Not everyone but the majority.

 

[Mountainmanbob]

He doesn't sign up for any safety net programs but insists on bashing the government for not helping people.
When my mother passes he's in for a rude awakening




so are all the women who my mom pays his child support to every month. God gave us free will and it's their choice. Smh.

I attend a M-F self help group. There are many in that group in their fifties and sixties who spent their lives rolling down the easy road just like your brother. Now they don't get to enjoy the things they would have had if they would have seeked out careers.

Living day to day
complaining all the way
when it comes down to helping them
I don't know what to say?

M-Bob