Is living off the US guv better than working if you only make $30k/year?

[Jenkum]

I was reading another forum, and a poster said that it is better to live completely off the US government than work a job that will only pay $30,000 dollars per year. He said the standard of living is better with the food, health, housing, social security, utilities, and any and all benefits possible, I have heard they even give poor people cell phones. He said if you only earn $30k per year you will have a much lower standard of living than you would with full government benefits.

Personally, I think this may actually be true, though I am not sure as I wouldnt have a clue about the US welfare system, other than they give ghetto bitches a bigger check the more babies they have, I have heard its a game to have the most babies in some areas.

The question is, is it better to just sit back and live off the government if you are only making $30k per year salary before tax. This is based on the USA, but it would be interesting for people from other countries to say at what point of annual income is it better to be living off the guv?

 

[Whit]

I would like to see proof of that.

 

[Jenkum]

I would like to see proof of that.

It would be interesting to know. So for anyone out there with experience on this? Did you at one time live off the government, and you found you lived better than you do or did when you actually worked for a living?

Also, what all is available from the government? have they started giving cars out to people yet? that would be pretty funny, they could give them Chevy volts

What exactly does it mean to go on welfare and get public housing and all that jazz that the generous Uncle SAm has to offer its citizens, and even to illegal border skipper non citizens who wish to live the American dream. The USA may kill alot of innocent people abroad, but they also seem to take good care of the poor and unfortuneate also. Its like a vicious serial killer that would give you the shirt off his back.

 

[Ulysses31]

It all depends on what lifestyle you want to lead. Even in the UK single moms get money and free homes but often in crap areas on huge waiting lists, although many don't care. It's true that sometimes working can leave you worse off financially than living on benefits if your wage is quite low and then you have the worries of tax and bills etc (most of which are taken care of for people on welfare) so you may think why go in to work all week doing a job I hate for a few pounds. However if you have pride in yourself and want to work rather than sitting around wasting your life then you'll work for anything, living on welfare is a safe option where all your basic needs will be met but you won't have money to splash out on luxuries, working you face lots of financial obstacles (rent/mortgage, groceries, tax) along with job insecurity as well as work related stress (You Might hate your job) but then you also have money to spend on 'luxuries' likes homes, holidays, clothes and games etc that you wouldn't have living on benefits. It all depends on how you want to live your life and although any one of us can end up on welfare through no fault of our own (jobs are scarce) I wouldn't see it as an ideal lifestyle choice, unless you're sick or a carer you should try to work as it can relieve stress (better than sitting at home 'thinking') and keep you fit and healthy both mentally and physically as well as making you money you can spend on what you want.

 

[Jenkum]

It all depends on what lifestyle you want to lead. Even in the UK single moms get money and free homes but often in crap areas on huge waiting lists, although many don't care. It's true that sometimes working can leave you worse off financially than living on benefits if your wage is quite low and then you have the worries of tax and bills etc (most of which are taken care of for people on welfare) so you may think why go in to work all week doing a job I hate for a few pounds. Wowever if you have pride in yourself and want to work rather than sitting around wasting your life then you'll work for anything, living on welfare is a safe option where all your basic needs will be met but you won't have money to splash out on luxuries, working you face lots of financial obstacles (rent/mortgage, groceries, tax) along with job insecurity as well as work related stress (You Might hate your job) but then you also have money to spend on luxuries likes homes, holidays, clothes and games etc that you wouldn't have living on benefits. It all depends on how you want to live your life and although any one of us can end up on welfare through no fault of our own (jobs are scarce) I wouldn't see it as an ideal lifestyle choice, unless you're sick or a carer you should try to work as it can relieve stress (better than sitting at home 'thinking') and keep you fit and healthy both mentally and physically as well as making you money you can spend on what you want.

That's all true, but how many luxuries can a person afford that makes $30k/yr in todays USA? Maybe they have the choice of possibly affording some luxuries, at the expense of some basic needs. Maybe they are constantly tempted by clever marketting to splurge on a luxury only to find that it causes them financial problems, and the added stress that goes along with it.

Lets say a single male, 40 years old, makes $30k per year.

He has to pay
tax
rent
utilities
food
gasoline
car

After all that how much is he going to have to spare? I think not too much. If he was getting everything paid for from Uncle Sam, he would then also have the option to do some work on the side, getting paid under the table.

Is $30k per year salary for a single American really a living wage today?

 

[cindy CD/TV]

You can eke out a no-frills lifestyle on $30K a year, but it's a paltry salary. I'd rather work my butt off and earn that $30K than have the govt cut me a check paid by my fellow taxpayers. I was unemployed briefly a few years ago and I HATED it. It was like a vacation for the first two weeks, but after that it was just demoralizing having to rely on the government for help. Getting federal help with paying for college is one thing, but knowing I need the govt to help to pay the bills and buy food was just nauseating, personally. I got a job and got off the govt dole as fast as possible. No matter how much the workplace can suck, it beats being dependent.

 

[STDiva]

That's all true, but how many luxuries can a person afford that makes $30k/yr in todays USA? Maybe they have the choice of possibly affording some luxuries, at the expense of some basic needs. Maybe they are constantly tempted by clever marketting to splurge on a luxury only to find that it causes them financial problems, and the added stress that goes along with it.

Lets say a single male, 40 years old, makes $30k per year.

He has to pay
tax
rent
utilities
food
gasoline
car

After all that how much is he going to have to spare? I think not too much. If he was getting everything paid for from Uncle Sam, he would then also have the option to do some work on the side, getting paid under the table.

Is $30k per year salary for a single American really a living wage today?

For a single male, $30,000 is plenty if he's cost conscious. A single mother it would be tough.

Also, cars and gasoline are not necessities.

I'd rather earn $30,000 than have it given to me. That money would be gone in no time if I wasn't spending 40+ hours at work.

 

[Rivers]

You can make a lot of money on welfare (at least in California). Especially if you pop out a kid every year. Basically the bigger burden you are on society the more money the government gives to you. Works great even if you're here illegally, since your kids are citizens just because they were born in the US (actually, there are some benefits to being illegal and applying for welfare). You've got people raking cash for their six kids, social security disability for the two with ADD, their own disability after straining their finger at work, and another bundle because they let grandpa live with them, then food stamps that they sell...that's some of the sort of stuff I remember from talking to people who work in the welfare system.

Welfare and aid is good, but it needs fixing. It's frustrating to know that the millions of hard-working Americans are forced to support such people.

You can live comfortably on aid here in the US if you work the system, but obviously it's still better to work and earn that $30k for yourself (which is adequate for a single person).

However if you have pride in yourself and want to work rather than sitting around wasting your life then you'll work for anything, living on welfare is a safe option where all your basic needs will be met but you won't have money to splash out on luxuries, working you face lots of financial obstacles (rent/mortgage, groceries, tax) along with job insecurity as well as work related stress (You Might hate your job) but then you also have money to spend on 'luxuries' likes homes, holidays, clothes and games etc that you wouldn't have living on benefits.

Crazy as it sounds, in some places like California you can afford luxuries on welfare. iPhones, designer clothes, $45,000 cars...

 

[georges]

Not to be a parasite, busting your ass off, earning 30k$ by working honestly and more is way better than being a lazy ghetto leech off and an unwilling to work parasite assisted by Obamacare

 

[ThatRedWing]

I deal with these lazy fucks every day. They come in and buy $30 in junk food on their food card and then turn around and want you to break a $100 bill when they get a Steel Reserve and a couple of Swisher Sweets. Why am I killing myself so you can sit around drunk and high all day. Oh that's right because I have work ethic.

I had a little break-down a few years ago after my Mother died. I ended up homeless and I had a lot of people telling me that I needed to apply for disability but I refused. I told them that I was the one that put myself in that situation and it was going to be me to get myself out of it. Yes I needed some help to get my head straight, and yes I accepted help in the form of a food card while I got my shit together. But it was me that hit the bricks and got myself a job even though I had no place to stay or a phone to wait by. Has it been easy? Hell no. Am I where I want to be now? No.

Wherever you are in life is because of decisions that you have made. Do some people get dealt bad hands to start with? Yes, but it is how you react to situations that determine your future.

 

[tartanterrier]

I'd rather work than sit on my ass doing jack shit all day

 

[ShikokuKichiguy]

... He said if you only earn $30k per year you will have a much lower standard of living than you would with full government benefits....

My vote is that guy is a fucking idiot.
The comparison ain't even close in the US.

 

[Crazy4theBrat]

Not to be a parasite, busting your ass off, earning 30k$ by working honestly and more is way better than being a lazy ghetto leech off and an unwilling to work parasite assisted by Obamacare

This is exactly right. A better question to for the thread would be "is it better to be a giver or a taker?" People who work are people who contribute to society. Welfare leeches are nothing but a bunch of selfish bums. Anyone who has the choice and chooses to go on the goverment dole is a welfare leech. This is not the case with everyone on welfare, but it IS the case with a LOT of them.

 

[Shifty]

Working is always better. Perhaps you're making 30K today, but actually working can and will provide a platform to earn more.

Living on assistance does just the opposite (assuming that one is 'fit' to work).

 

[Harley Spencer]

That's all true, but how many luxuries can a person afford that makes $30k/yr in todays USA? Maybe they have the choice of possibly affording some luxuries, at the expense of some basic needs. Maybe they are constantly tempted by clever marketting to splurge on a luxury only to find that it causes them financial problems, and the added stress that goes along with it.

Lets say a single male, 40 years old, makes $30k per year.

He has to pay
tax
rent
utilities
food
gasoline
car

After all that how much is he going to have to spare? I think not too much. If he was getting everything paid for from Uncle Sam, he would then also have the option to do some work on the side, getting paid under the table.

Is $30k per year salary for a single American really a living wage today?

$30k per year would be phenomenal for me. I only make about $12k per year at my current job. After my monthly bills and food, I have maybe... $100-$200 to spare. It's rough, but it can be done.

That aside, to respond to the OP, I would prefer working for the money. Some of the others in this thread have made good points. I've been jobless before, and it sucked having to mooch off of other people. I felt like a leech and I hate asking people for things. I also can't stand boredom. After some time without a job, life can get a little boring. Having a job can keep you busy and like some others have noted, it's a great payoff mentally to know that you earned that money.

There's this girl that just quit at the place I work. 2 days after she quit, she came back asking for her job back, to work 1 day per week, so that she can sit on her ass all day and collect unemployment. She was collecting unemployment while she was working with us, and now that she doesn't, she won't get unemployment much longer because not having the job makes it look like she's not trying. And clearly, she's not. She was a terrible worker and I am so glad she quit. The answer to her coming back? Big fat NO.

 

[Sam Fisher]

No doubt about it - Working and earning $30K for sure. By working and earning that amount, you will probably see an increase (a raise) once or twice a year. Plus, by working, you have better resources to find another job that may pay better. But putting all of that aside, when you are working, you feel better about yourself. At least for me that's true. When working, you're around other people just like you. You form friendships with co-workers, have a sense of pride that you can catch a ballgame or a concert, or a lot of things at your own discretion because you are earning that money. It's a "feel good" feeling being able to stop off somewhere after work and buy something that you want.

On Welfare, you are pretty much hanging around with other welfare recipients... unwed mothers with kids, guys who are leaching off the welfare moms because she has a steady "income" from the gubment. So, what eventually happens is, generation after generation of kids fall into the same trap and end up on the Dole. Meanwhile, the guy or gal that was working for 30K is out with friends, going to a ball game, a movie, maybe considering trading in his / her old car for a newer one, etc.

And the welfare couple? Pretty much a given, they are sitting, waiting for a bus to take them into the city to the welfare office so they can get another handout/recertification.

*To be fair, I want to say there are those who are on welfare because of a misfortune. They usually get off the Dole and get back on their feet. But the others, whose lives are forever chained to the government handouts, I have no sympathy for them. Or, to put it a better way - I would hate to be chained to the government, waiting for my welfare check every month.

 

[Krazy4Kobe]

50% of the US population earns ~$24,000 or less per year.

80% of the US population earns ~$55,000 or less per year.

 

[Vanilla Bear]

WTF?! ONLY 30 grand?!

I can only dream of getting 30k! That's a lot for a single person! I don't even get half of that right now.

 

[Krazy4Kobe]

No doubt about it - Working and earning $30K for sure. By working and earning that amount, you will probably see an increase (a raise) once or twice a year.

You really have ZERO idea of actual world economics.

 

[Sam Fisher]

When I retired from Hewlett-Packard in 2007, I was making 43K a year.