And They Said it Wouldn't Happen

[JParis]

When I lived in Texas with my mom, there were six of us living in a 2 bedroom apartment.

Yup...when I Met my now wife, we were 9 of us in a 3 bedroom apartment.

Same growing up, never had my own room until I was out on my own.

My Day worked in the local shoe shops, Mom didn't go to work until the mid-70's as inflation started taking over...

[YoDoug]

My mom didn't work when I was young. She went to college the year I went first grade. Once I was in school all day she could go to school as well. My dad was a college grad with an engineering degree from a good school. I have always had my own bedroom but with only 2 kids it is a bit easier to afford that. My wife and I have four kids. When they were little they shared rooms, but for the last 12 years we have had a 5 bedroom house.

There are some interesting statistics on class mobility in America. The majority of people don't switch social and economic classes from what they were born into. Born rich, stay rich. Born poor, stay poor.

[BrianP.]

We have a young guy here. He is just going to be turning 30. This is the same POS that accessed my personal information to get himself a nice big raise. So I kinda know what he makes. If he was willing to work 45 to 50 hours he would be pushing from just under 6 figures to just over. Has Dunkin coffee everyday. Red bulls often. Eats lunch out 90 percent of the time. Etc...etc... He complains all the time about money. He has a girlfriend who is pregnant with their second kid. First is just 2 years old. He would rather force her to get a part time job instead of working just a little more. In addition to many of the younger generation not wanting to work hard they also want everything other people have worked decades for. They just don't want to put in the time or sacrifice.

[Smit]

He has a girlfriend who is pregnant with their second kid. First is just 2 years old. He would rather force her to get a part time job instead of working just a little more.

It had better be a really good part time job if they're going to be paying for child care. Nobody's mentioned it (that I saw) but that's fkn expensive now.

[JParis]

Nobody's mentioned it (that I saw) but that's fkn expensive now.

In cases where a parent is home, that cost is negated...

For myself, I worked the off-shift for years until the youngest was old enough to be home alone for about 90 minutes.

[beej]

It had better be a really good part time job if they're going to be paying for child care. Nobody's mentioned it (that I saw) but that's fkn expensive now.

one more reason that raising minimum wage moves people out of the work force. If it costs you money to work, or even if you only break even doing it, why not stay home and take care of your kids.

[mowens]

On the other side of the coin, I have a co-worker who is 28, has 3 kids and isn't afraid to work. He and his then girlfriend got pregnant right out of high school. He started working in a large tool shop running a machine. He was also going to a junior college learning Mastercam. He worked his way up from running a machine to programming, from one programming job to another, always staying a year or so at least and only leaving for more money or a better job. He started working with me a little over 3 years ago. They now have 3 kids and just bought their first house. I really enjoy watching him grow and go through all the things young families go through. His wife works also and they do have their struggles. I have to say, though, that they are doing well. He has a good job that could eventually pay him well over 6 figures if he chooses to stay. He already makes the most money he's ever made.

Someone said you tend to stay in the economic class you were born to. That may be true but it takes more and more money just to maintain that station in life.

[BrianP.]

It had better be a really good part time job if they're going to be paying for child care. Nobody's mentioned it (that I saw) but that's fkn expensive now.

Working a part time evening after he gets out of work.

I did like JP. Worked nights for 15 years and kids went to in-laws for the overlap.

The thing is if he works 10 hours of OT it would be +$500. She makes like 20 an hour and works about 20 a week. It just boggles my mind that he would rather her work instead of stepping up.

[Del.]

It had better be a really good part time job if they're going to be paying for child care. Nobody's mentioned it (that I saw) but that's fkn expensive now.

It's always been fuckin expensive.

[Smit]

Working a part time evening after he gets out of work.

I did like JP. Worked nights for 15 years and kids went to in-laws for the overlap.

The thing is if he works 10 hours of OT it would be +$500. She makes like 20 an hour and works about 20 a week. It just boggles my mind that he would rather her work instead of stepping up.

That doesn't make much sense.

[neurosis]

We have a young guy here. He is just going to be turning 30. This is the same POS that accessed my personal information to get himself a nice big raise. So I kinda know what he makes. If he was willing to work 45 to 50 hours he would be pushing from just under 6 figures to just over.

Then he has to be making about $40 per hour?

[mowens]

33.4
If overtime is time and a half.

[mkd]

Working a part time evening after he gets out of work.

I did like JP. Worked nights for 15 years and kids went to in-laws for the overlap.

The thing is if he works 10 hours of OT it would be +$500. She makes like 20 an hour and works about 20 a week. It just boggles my mind that he would rather her work instead of stepping up.

only a proper feminist would shoot for equality, unlike the current batch of chauvinists pretending on equality.
 I for one would promote female bricklayers and Marine grunts in the trenches... see how long they want to moan equality.
 In my best Nicholson/ few good men:
 THEY CAN'T HANDLE EQUALITY!!!!!!!!!!

[CNCAppsJames]

1) I'm nothing special
2) Keep trying doors/opportunities until one opens up.
3) I not only learn on the clock but off the clock too. ALWAYS be learning. It's hard. Too bad. Anything worth anything IS hard.
4) Nobody owes me shit!
5) Get out and work! For a few years when we were saving for the house I was working a full time job as a programmer, worked 4 nights a week teaching Mastercam (and a few of the guys that were my students, we were students together 10 years prior - WTF is up with that?), and I was doing contract programming. When you're the sole provider for a family, you do what it takes, no matter what it takes. No excuses. No feeling sorry for myself. Get out and work.
6) Life is about choices!
7) EVERYTHING is expensive. You may have to make difficult choices.
Earn it! Every. Single. Day.

I'm reading a fringe right wing book; Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington. There's a LOT of solid life lessons in that book. What's NOT in that book? Excuses. Not a single one.

[Brian]

5) Get out and work!

I love the expression "the harder I work, the luckier I get"....but it's amazing how many folks think it's just an  expression!