99 Weeks of Unemployement

Phoenix44e · December 11, 2013, 7:56pm

[quote]Maiden3.16 wrote:

[quote]Phoenix44e wrote:
Maiden, I’m not quoting your post because I hate when one post is an entire page in these threads.

At one point I worked a full time job and went to school full time as well. And I can tell you it’s a lot easier working a full time job @40 hours a week and going to school AND looking for a new job, then it is working 38298379 hours a week and looking for a new job.

It’s a little easier pushing back homework till 1am then it is scheduling a job interview at 1am.[/quote]

I can’t argue with your experience. Maybe more difficult depending on the person but not impossible. [/quote]

My true point in bringing one of my personal experiences into this thread was because one of your initial posts.

You stated that extending the benefits length would promote a person to stay on unemployement rather than find a job. And your example was along the lines of: If you’re making $10-$12 on unemployement why would you take a job for $9. I was just trying to point out that very rarely are people making $10-$12 on unemployement. Those that are, are coming from jobs that they would have been making 50k+ a year. (atleast in NH because it’s based off of a %) And yes asking somsone who mads 50k+ last year to take a job that would only make them $19k is a bit rediculous.

dmaddox · December 11, 2013, 8:13pm

[quote]Phoenix44e wrote:
And yes asking somsone who mads 50k+ last year to take a job that would only make them $19k is a bit rediculous.[/quote]

Not trying to jump in the middle or take sides.

If a person can not find a job in 99 weeks and their unemployment benefits run out would they not be making less that $10/hr? Also a person that has not worked in 2 years will be hard pressed to find a job in their last field making the same money. Getting a part time job at $10-12/hour is more marketable than a person on unemployment for 99 weeks.

When I was on unemployment I probably could have been clinically diagnosed with depression. Getting off my butt and buying those rental properties and the job I have today has done more for my mental health than knowing my next paycheck was coming from the government.

Phoenix44e · December 11, 2013, 8:23pm

[quote]dmaddox wrote:

[quote]Phoenix44e wrote:
And yes asking somsone who mads 50k+ last year to take a job that would only make them $19k is a bit rediculous.[/quote]

Not trying to jump in the middle or take sides.

If a person can not find a job in 99 weeks and their unemployment benefits run out would they not be making less that $10/hr? Also a person that has not worked in 2 years will be hard pressed to find a job in their last field making the same money. Getting a part time job at $10-12/hour is more marketable than a person on unemployment for 99 weeks.

When I was on unemployment I probably could have been clinically diagnosed with depression. Getting off my butt and buying those rental properties and the job I have today has done more for my mental health than knowing my next paycheck was coming from the government.[/quote]

I’m not for extending to the 99weeks. In one of my previous posts I stated that I thought my state which has 26weeks and then 14weeks federal was plenty. What I am proposing is that they up the % of the benefit amount.

Edit: You know as in if they’re going to spend the money Id rather it go to the overall % rather the length extension

Maiden3_16 · December 11, 2013, 8:31pm

[quote]Phoenix44e wrote:

[quote]dmaddox wrote:

[quote]Phoenix44e wrote:
And yes asking somsone who mads 50k+ last year to take a job that would only make them $19k is a bit rediculous.[/quote]

Not trying to jump in the middle or take sides.

If a person can not find a job in 99 weeks and their unemployment benefits run out would they not be making less that $10/hr? Also a person that has not worked in 2 years will be hard pressed to find a job in their last field making the same money. Getting a part time job at $10-12/hour is more marketable than a person on unemployment for 99 weeks.

When I was on unemployment I probably could have been clinically diagnosed with depression. Getting off my butt and buying those rental properties and the job I have today has done more for my mental health than knowing my next paycheck was coming from the government.[/quote]

I’m not for extending to the 99weeks. In one of my previous posts I stated that I thought my state which has 26weeks and then 14weeks federal was plenty. What I am proposing is that they up the % of the benefit amount.

Edit: You know as in if they’re going to spend the money Id rather it go to the overall % rather the length extension[/quote]

I agree, 40 weeks is plenty. Extending benefits to 99 weeks does nothing to make someone more marketable in the work force and only creates more dependence on assistance. What happens after 99 weeks and no employment? Another extension? At some point it has to end. IMO of coarse.

As far as upping the percentage, maybe give a flat cost of living rate across the board?

Phoenix44e · December 11, 2013, 8:43pm

[quote]Maiden3.16 wrote:

[quote]Phoenix44e wrote:

[quote]dmaddox wrote:

[quote]Phoenix44e wrote:
And yes asking somsone who mads 50k+ last year to take a job that would only make them $19k is a bit rediculous.[/quote]

Not trying to jump in the middle or take sides.

If a person can not find a job in 99 weeks and their unemployment benefits run out would they not be making less that $10/hr? Also a person that has not worked in 2 years will be hard pressed to find a job in their last field making the same money. Getting a part time job at $10-12/hour is more marketable than a person on unemployment for 99 weeks.

When I was on unemployment I probably could have been clinically diagnosed with depression. Getting off my butt and buying those rental properties and the job I have today has done more for my mental health than knowing my next paycheck was coming from the government.[/quote]

I’m not for extending to the 99weeks. In one of my previous posts I stated that I thought my state which has 26weeks and then 14weeks federal was plenty. What I am proposing is that they up the % of the benefit amount.

Edit: You know as in if they’re going to spend the money Id rather it go to the overall % rather the length extension[/quote]

I agree, 40 weeks is plenty. Extending benefits to 99 weeks does nothing to make someone more marketable in the work force and only creates more dependence on assistance. What happens after 99 weeks and no employment? Another extension? At some point it has to end. IMO of coarse.

As far as upping the percentage, maybe give a flat cost of living rate across the board? [/quote]

Agreed. I hope it didn’t come off in all of my posts that I wasn’t agreeing with you on this point, because I do. It should be no question at this point that the longer one is unemployed the harder it will be to obtain a job. I dunno what happens, I think in NH you just stop receiving a check.

No I don’t agree with that. One persons cost of living is another persons weekly spending habbits. It just has to be an increased %, and in NH atleast, they need to stop fucking around with the “quarterly rate” You should be paid a % for what you made up until the day you were laid off, not 5 months before.

StevenF · December 11, 2013, 8:53pm

[quote]dmaddox wrote:

When I was on unemployment I probably could have been clinically diagnosed with depression. Getting off my butt and buying those rental properties and the job I have today has done more for my mental health than knowing my next paycheck was coming from the government.[/quote]

Too bad people like you are the minority. Millions of people are content watching their 50" tvs and playing video games waiting for the mailman to show up with their “free money”.

dmaddox · December 11, 2013, 9:01pm

[quote]StevenF wrote:

[quote]dmaddox wrote:

When I was on unemployment I probably could have been clinically diagnosed with depression. Getting off my butt and buying those rental properties and the job I have today has done more for my mental health than knowing my next paycheck was coming from the government.[/quote]

Too bad people like you are the minority. Millions of people are content watching their 50" tvs and playing video games waiting for the mailman to show up with their “free money”. [/quote]

I had two options. Direct Deposit or a debit card. The first payment came on the debit card and then I switched it to direct deposit. I still carry around the debit card with like $0.27 on it just to remind me I never ever want to be on unemployment again. It helps pay the bills, but not a way to live on forever. Just like minimum wage.

dmaddox · December 11, 2013, 9:02pm

[quote]Maiden3.16 wrote:
What happens after 99 weeks and no employment? [/quote]

They go on Welfare or Disability.

BlueCollarTr8n · December 11, 2013, 9:33pm

[quote]dmaddox wrote:

[quote]Phoenix44e wrote:
And yes asking somsone who mads 50k+ last year to take a job that would only make them $19k is a bit rediculous.[/quote]

Not trying to jump in the middle or take sides.

If a person can not find a job in 99 weeks and their unemployment benefits run out would they not be making less that $10/hr? Also a person that has not worked in 2 years will be hard pressed to find a job in their last field making the same money. Getting a part time job at $10-12/hour is more marketable than a person on unemployment for 99 weeks.

When I was on unemployment I probably could have been clinically diagnosed with depression. Getting off my butt and buying those rental properties and the job I have today has done more for my mental health than knowing my next paycheck was coming from the government.[/quote]

You also had a spouse with an income that covered your overhead and then some during that period.

dmaddox · December 11, 2013, 9:44pm

[quote]BlueCollarTr8n wrote:

[quote]dmaddox wrote:

[quote]Phoenix44e wrote:
And yes asking somsone who mads 50k+ last year to take a job that would only make them $19k is a bit rediculous.[/quote]

Not trying to jump in the middle or take sides.

If a person can not find a job in 99 weeks and their unemployment benefits run out would they not be making less that $10/hr? Also a person that has not worked in 2 years will be hard pressed to find a job in their last field making the same money. Getting a part time job at $10-12/hour is more marketable than a person on unemployment for 99 weeks.

When I was on unemployment I probably could have been clinically diagnosed with depression. Getting off my butt and buying those rental properties and the job I have today has done more for my mental health than knowing my next paycheck was coming from the government.[/quote]

You also had a spouse with an income that covered your overhead and then some during that period. [/quote]

I am married, and we had enough to get by on, but nothing more. We had a lot (relatively speaking because a lot of people in the US have less than $25k saved) of savings because I saved 25% of my paycheck since I was 17 years old. I used those savings to buy the rent properties. I had to monetize the savings (Roth, Traditional, and 401k) to get the cash flow to pay bills, and still keep the savings in assets. I could have used the savings to just pay bills, but the money runs out quickly that way. I wanted assets that paid me cash every month. I thought outside the box. The unemployment benefits helped.

Just like everyone else we had purchased a house that was at the peak of our earnings. We almost lost the house, but when you stop saving 25% of your income and stop giving 15% of your income to charities you can stretch a dollar. A lot of people live beyond their means, and when they lose their job they can not afford the lifestyle they once had. My wife and I still save a good portion of our paycheck now that I am working again, and we are giving more money to charity. I just save my money in a money market account, instead of IRAs and 401ks, and when I save another $25k I will go buy a couple more houses for the cash flow.

BlueCollarTr8n · December 12, 2013, 2:00am

[quote]dmaddox wrote:

[quote]BlueCollarTr8n wrote:

[quote]dmaddox wrote:

[quote]Phoenix44e wrote:
And yes asking somsone who mads 50k+ last year to take a job that would only make them $19k is a bit rediculous.[/quote]

Not trying to jump in the middle or take sides.

If a person can not find a job in 99 weeks and their unemployment benefits run out would they not be making less that $10/hr? Also a person that has not worked in 2 years will be hard pressed to find a job in their last field making the same money. Getting a part time job at $10-12/hour is more marketable than a person on unemployment for 99 weeks.

When I was on unemployment I probably could have been clinically diagnosed with depression. Getting off my butt and buying those rental properties and the job I have today has done more for my mental health than knowing my next paycheck was coming from the government.[/quote]

You also had a spouse with an income that covered your overhead and then some during that period. [/quote]

I am married, and we had enough to get by on, but nothing more. We had a lot (relatively speaking because a lot of people in the US have less than $25k saved) of savings because I saved 25% of my paycheck since I was 17 years old. I used those savings to buy the rent properties. I had to monetize the savings (Roth, Traditional, and 401k) to get the cash flow to pay bills, and still keep the savings in assets. I could have used the savings to just pay bills, but the money runs out quickly that way. I wanted assets that paid me cash every month. I thought outside the box. The unemployment benefits helped.

Just like everyone else we had purchased a house that was at the peak of our earnings. We almost lost the house, but when you stop saving 25% of your income and stop giving 15% of your income to charities you can stretch a dollar. A lot of people live beyond their means, and when they lose their job they can not afford the lifestyle they once had. My wife and I still save a good portion of our paycheck now that I am working again, and we are giving more money to charity. I just save my money in a money market account, instead of IRAs and 401ks, and when I save another $25k I will go buy a couple more houses for the cash flow.
[/quote]

I suspect we handle our finances in a similar manner…‘pay yourself first, etc.’. Your story is ‘motivation’ for all; and I admire your honesty.

pittbulll · December 12, 2013, 9:38am

[quote]StevenF wrote:

[quote]dmaddox wrote:

When I was on unemployment I probably could have been clinically diagnosed with depression. Getting off my butt and buying those rental properties and the job I have today has done more for my mental health than knowing my next paycheck was coming from the government.[/quote]

Too bad people like you are the minority. Millions of people are content watching their 50" tvs and playing video games waiting for the mailman to show up with their “free money”. [/quote]

OH you two , get a room

dmaddox · December 12, 2013, 7:15pm

[quote]pittbulll wrote:

[quote]StevenF wrote:

[quote]dmaddox wrote:

When I was on unemployment I probably could have been clinically diagnosed with depression. Getting off my butt and buying those rental properties and the job I have today has done more for my mental health than knowing my next paycheck was coming from the government.[/quote]

Too bad people like you are the minority. Millions of people are content watching their 50" tvs and playing video games waiting for the mailman to show up with their “free money”. [/quote]

OH you two , get a room
[/quote]

You were not invited. lol

dmaddox · December 12, 2013, 7:26pm

[quote]BlueCollarTr8n wrote:

[quote]dmaddox wrote:

[quote]BlueCollarTr8n wrote:

[quote]dmaddox wrote:

[quote]Phoenix44e wrote:
And yes asking somsone who mads 50k+ last year to take a job that would only make them $19k is a bit rediculous.[/quote]

Not trying to jump in the middle or take sides.

If a person can not find a job in 99 weeks and their unemployment benefits run out would they not be making less that $10/hr? Also a person that has not worked in 2 years will be hard pressed to find a job in their last field making the same money. Getting a part time job at $10-12/hour is more marketable than a person on unemployment for 99 weeks.

When I was on unemployment I probably could have been clinically diagnosed with depression. Getting off my butt and buying those rental properties and the job I have today has done more for my mental health than knowing my next paycheck was coming from the government.[/quote]

You also had a spouse with an income that covered your overhead and then some during that period. [/quote]

I am married, and we had enough to get by on, but nothing more. We had a lot (relatively speaking because a lot of people in the US have less than $25k saved) of savings because I saved 25% of my paycheck since I was 17 years old. I used those savings to buy the rent properties. I had to monetize the savings (Roth, Traditional, and 401k) to get the cash flow to pay bills, and still keep the savings in assets. I could have used the savings to just pay bills, but the money runs out quickly that way. I wanted assets that paid me cash every month. I thought outside the box. The unemployment benefits helped.

Just like everyone else we had purchased a house that was at the peak of our earnings. We almost lost the house, but when you stop saving 25% of your income and stop giving 15% of your income to charities you can stretch a dollar. A lot of people live beyond their means, and when they lose their job they can not afford the lifestyle they once had. My wife and I still save a good portion of our paycheck now that I am working again, and we are giving more money to charity. I just save my money in a money market account, instead of IRAs and 401ks, and when I save another $25k I will go buy a couple more houses for the cash flow.
[/quote]

I suspect we handle our finances in a similar manner…‘pay yourself first, etc.’. Your story is ‘motivation’ for all; and I admire your honesty.
[/quote]

Yep.

pittbulll · December 12, 2013, 9:37pm

[quote]pittbulll wrote:

[quote]StevenF wrote:

[quote]dmaddox wrote:

When I was on unemployment I probably could have been clinically diagnosed with depression. Getting off my butt and buying those rental properties and the job I have today has done more for my mental health than knowing my next paycheck was coming from the government.[/quote]

Too bad people like you are the minority. Millions of people are content watching their 50" tvs and playing video games waiting for the mailman to show up with their “free money”. [/quote]

OH you two , get a room
[/quote]

Yeah you broke my heart

dmaddox · December 12, 2013, 10:08pm

[quote]pittbulll wrote:

[quote]StevenF wrote:

[quote]dmaddox wrote:

When I was on unemployment I probably could have been clinically diagnosed with depression. Getting off my butt and buying those rental properties and the job I have today has done more for my mental health than knowing my next paycheck was coming from the government.[/quote]

Too bad people like you are the minority. Millions of people are content watching their 50" tvs and playing video games waiting for the mailman to show up with their “free money”. [/quote]

OH you two , get a room
[/quote]

Yeah you broke my heart
[/quote]

lol

angry_chicken · December 13, 2013, 11:36am

[quote]Phoenix44e wrote:

[quote]Maiden3.16 wrote:

[quote]Phoenix44e wrote:

[quote]Maiden3.16 wrote:

[quote]pittbulll wrote:

[quote]Maiden3.16 wrote:
Some want unemployment benefits extended to 99 weeks. TWO YEARS to find a job. And you better believe they won’t be taking any job offers that pay the same or slightly more that what they are getting on unemployment because they know they will have nearly two years to collect a check while doing nothing.
[/quote]

You have interviewed thousands , yourself , I am sure
[/quote]

Many states pay the equivalent of $10-$12/hr for unemployment benefits. You the average person is going to take a $9/hr job for 40 hrs of work per week, or continue collecting $10 a week for zero hrs of work?
[/quote]

Well wouldn’t that depend on how much an individual makes? For example my first time on unemployement the job I was “released” from I was making $18 phr. During the process of searching for work, I came across a construction company that was hiring. But they only wanted to pay me $10 perhr. Now although that was a $3 perhr upgrade from what I was collecting on unemployement, it was still $8 less than I was making before and what I needed to pay my bills and continue living.

So should I have taken that job? Spent 72 hrs a week working to make what I usually would make in 40 hours? Had no time to look for another job, had no time for my family, had no time to network with anyone else besides my surroundings…would that be the route you would have gone?

Or should I have continued looking for a better job, with more reasonable pay?[/quote]

What you should have done is take the $10/hr job, get off assistance, and continue looking for a better job while working. You don’t have to be on unemployment to look for a better job. My main point is that 99 weeks of unemployment does not encourage that. It encourages one to turn down that job knowing they have many more months of assistance to find a better offer. Do I blame the individual? No, I blame the system that encourages it.[/quote]

Maybe you missed the part where I stated that I would need to work 72 hours to make what I would have made in 40 hours. How do you look for a job, go to interviews, etc when you start a new job and have to work more than full-time?[/quote]

Well you’re obviously making it earning the equivalent of $3 less than that now, aren’t you?

I moved to another state, took an hourly wage of less than half of what I would have earned up north, lived in a tent with no electricity, worked offshore with no phone, averaging 84+ hour weeks and I was able to find a job…

I leveraged my new experience, found a company back home that could use that experience, and got back in the game. Now I’m in a position earning more money per hour than I’ve ever made while working as a w-2 employee.

I never took a dime of unemployment in my life. I bartended to make ends meet. I never missed a single payment on any of my obligations.

As someone who makes hiring decisions, I would rather hire someone who is WORKING vs. someone who is SITTING. Even if they are working a job that is not in their field. It says a lot about their character. Just sayin’…

Phoenix44e · December 13, 2013, 5:33pm

[quote]angry chicken wrote: