CNN poll. Nearly all Americans living paycheck to paycheck.

[dust1n]

Speaking as a young American who lives paycheck to paycheck, I anticipate leaving the country after receiving my BA to arrived at my Master's elsewhere. I really don't mind being broke. I'm not married, and don't plan on having any kids. But, I have no interest being in America.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Speaking as a young American who lives paycheck to paycheck, I anticipate leaving the country after receiving my BA to arrived at my Master's elsewhere. I really don't mind being broke. I'm not married, and don't plan on having any kids. But, I have no interest being in America.

Might be good to engage in overseas work to test the waters first. Before I was married I considered that, but had concerns as much as hopes. Might of have a go at moving overseas/foreign directions had I known then on the state of affairs right now. Good luck in your professional life. A masters is a great accomplishment.

 

[dust1n]

Might be good to engage in overseas work to test the waters first. Before I was married I considered that, but had concerns as much as hopes. Might of have a go at moving overseas/foreign directions had I known then on the state of affairs right now. Good luck in your professional life. A masters is a great accomplishment.

Thank you very much! Yes, I'm currently finishing up my degree and want to use school as a means of testing the waters. Once I'm there, I want to look for a job, get one, and try to get citizenship and renounce my American citizenship. Only problem I really have to face is getting the funds. I hope everything works out for you guys as well!

I'm not sure if where I am going is to yield me, personally, a higher possible income, but at least I don't have to pay taxes to bomb people and maintain the American imperialism.

 

[Revoltingest]

Thank you very much! Yes, I'm currently finishing up my degree and want to use school as a means of testing the waters. Once I'm there, I want to look for a job, get one, and try to get citizenship and renounce my American citizenship. Only problem I really have to face is getting the funds. I hope everything works out for you guys as well!
I'm not sure if where I am going is to yield me, personally, a higher possible income, but at least I don't have to pay taxes to bomb people and maintain the American imperialism.

Before you leave, would you do me a favor, & vote against imperialism?
If you're still here in 2016 that is.

 

[MysticSang'ha]

The top 1% of the top 1% in the country controls the wealth and assets. It's no surprise that the working poor, the middle class, and the upper middle class are living paycheck to paycheck.

We see the Hollywood and Sony records versions of "phoning it in" for pet projects being made into "spectacle"-style public policy when it comes to our government. It's been a commercial for the wealthiest who lines the pockets of our representatives that basically only says to the public "think of the children!", and we collectively like sheep follow what they say and channel our nations cash flow into the Wal-mart version of Congress and the White House.

In return, like much of Hollywood and Sony records, we get mass-produced crap regurgitated over and over again on a loop. But in the form of public policy, which is the worst kind of cancer to have. We get to choose with our votes, sure, but it's a choice to have excrement served on a dish garnished with a bechamel white sauce or with a cherry reduction dessert sauce.

I'm not one to say that evil exists. It's an accepted part of human nature to say "I'm just looking out for my family." How are the wealthy any different than us?

 

[esmith]

I think you have to take a close look at today's employment opportunity. In a recent article by CNN some of the 10 new so called blue-collared jobs are physically demanding jobs actually require extensive training and certifications and usually involve work that no one wants to do themselves. Notice the last qualification. Those jobs that were fairly well paying and did not require a education beyond high-school are few and far between or even no longer available. Is it possible that our educational system and to a greater extent parents did not or are not preparing children for the reality of the "real world". I agree that in most instances employment income has become stagnated over the past years, but it appears that the "possession" mentality has continued to increase. Is it possible that the new labor force is unwilling to face the reality that one can not have everything, that there will always be those that "have it better". Now I am not saying that there are those that are not trying to live within their means, but there are those that can not face the harsh reality of life.

 

[dust1n]

Before you leave, would you do me a favor, & vote against imperialism?
If you're still here in 2016 that is.

Nov. 2016? If I am unfortunate enough to be here, I'm sure I will be voting for one of the third parties I sympathize with.

 

[dust1n]

Is it possible that the new labor force is unwilling to face the reality that one can not have everything, that there will always be those that "have it better".

No problem facing the reality here. I just don't have to get money to any of those people, and I refuse to work for any of them.

 

[Sunstone]

I think you have to take a close look at today's employment opportunity. In a recent article by CNN some of the 10 new so called blue-collared jobs are physically demanding jobs actually require extensive training and certifications and usually involve work that no one wants to do themselves. Notice the last qualification. Those jobs that were fairly well paying and did not require a education beyond high-school are few and far between or even no longer available. Is it possible that our educational system and to a greater extent parents did not or are not preparing children for the reality of the "real world". I agree that in most instances employment income has become stagnated over the past years, but it appears that the "possession" mentality has continued to increase. Is it possible that the new labor force is unwilling to face the reality that one can not have everything, that there will always be those that "have it better". Now I am not saying that there are those that are not trying to live within their means, but there are those that can not face the harsh reality of life.

Some folks are largely uneducable. They will never get the certificates or degrees needed for most jobs these days. But should they starve simply because they were born smarts-challenged? I don't think so, but then I'm not a conservative. In my view, we should do what it takes to bring back factory jobs from China that those folks can perform. Of course, we lack the political will to raise tariffs and trade barriers to cheap foreign labor, but that's just what I think we should do.

 

[Sunstone]

It's an accepted part of human nature to say "I'm just looking out for my family." How are the wealthy any different than us?

Which is exactly the reason that Ayn Rand and others who fawn over the wealthy are so fundamentally silly. Jeebers! I don't know which is more absurd. Believing poor people are more morally virtuous than rich people, or believing that rich people are smarter and more deserving than poor people. Either belief pretty much qualifies someone for the nuthouse in my opinion.

 

[MysticSang'ha]

Which is exactly the reason that Ayn Rand and others who fawn over the wealthy are so fundamentally silly. Jeebers! I don't know which is more absurd. Believing poor people are more morally virtuous than rich people, or believing that rich people are smarter and more deserving than poor people. Either belief pretty much qualifies someone for the nuthouse in my opinion.

I can't frubal you again. So here's a hug, instead. :hug:

 

[dawny0826]

If statistically true, I don't really see any real hope for this and the next generation to achieve enough for a reasonably comfortable lifestyle and retirement.

I can absolutely relate to living paycheck to paycheck, but, overall, my financial outlook is better now than it was ten years ago. No car payment. Only one credit card left to pay off. Additional income through job change and raises. Both hubby and I are investing in 401ks, which won't be enough without additional investment and planning, but, it's a start.

For us, steady does it. Budgeting is essential. And "comfortable lifestyle" has to fall within our financial means.

At present, due to my wifes unemployment, I happen to be among those counted as living paycheck to paycheck with minimal dollars and cents left over to place in savings or other financial vehicle until she can get back to being employed. Whenever that happens

You're in good company and I do wish you and yours all the best. I know it's tough. My ex husband was without work off and on for the ten+ years that we were married. It places a lot of pressure on the spouse to remain employed and provide and small crisis situations seem paramount and are hard to recover from.

Preserverence is kind of key, I think, whilst making choices that do not add additional debt and burden and whenever possible, tucking away cents...even if they are just cents. They'll accumulate in time and can be used to invest or help in a pinch.

Just wondering, are you folks in the same boat or worse, and do you agree most Americans live like this nowadays with little or nothing after expenses? What are you doing now to combat this to stay above the economic waterline?

Working as hard as we can and striving to stay within our means.

For me, I already notably cut my recreational spending and resorted to a strict written budget come hell or high water. I've recently changed jobs for a company that pays better wages and am keeping my lifestyle consistent as possible whereas I bypass indulgences and similar temptations and just sock whatever I can away for emergencies with a set amount of savings aside that needs to be met and maintained first before even thinking of buying anything frivolous like a new tv or game system that is not necessary for essential life and living needs.

And, this is the way to do it, I think.

For those in the same or similar boat living paycheck to paycheck, how are you handling things?

Much in the same way that you are.

 

[esmith]

Some folks are largely uneducable. They will never get the certificates or degrees needed for most jobs these days. But should they starve simply because they were born smarts-challenged? I don't think so, but then I'm not a conservative. In my view, we should do what it takes to bring back factory jobs from China that those folks can perform. Of course, we lack the political will to raise tariffs and trade barriers to cheap foreign labor, but that's just what I think we should do.

Only a person who is a vegetable is incapable of learning. There are jobs available that are considered manual labor, maybe there are those that they feel it is beneath them to accept a job that requires physical labor; they would prefer to live off the tax payer instead. As far as I'm concerned, if you are physically able to work, you work or you can starve. Yes there are those that are mentally challenged that need societies assistance and I am willing to help them.

So, you want to bring factory jobs back to the US, fine. We therefore need to make the economic environment more friendly to business. To start with businesses located in the US pay the 2nd highest adjusted corporate tax rates. (Japan is the highest) in 22 industrialized countries. (see DATA)
So, you want to start a trade ware. You do realize that this is now a world economy and if you want to succeed in the world economy then you have to compete in the world economy. Just turn the economic power of the country back on, stop enacting law after law, policy after policy that puts a lead weight around anyone that wants to start a business. This goes to city, county, state, and federal governments. We do not need government telling us how to do better, just get the bureaucratic dead weight out of the way and this country will come roaring back.
​

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

Jaguar land rover has just turned in the best figures ever.
It Is now Indian owned and run.
Under British ownership and under American ownership (Ford) it became bankrupt three times.
The cost base of the British workers Factories and the wages ,conditions and taxes are also higher than they have ever been.

It is no longer run by London and New York financiers and accountants, who have lost any idea of how to run manufacturing industries.

It is not slave wages that make for successful industry, it is good management and long term investment.

 

[Revoltingest]

Jaguar land rover has just turned in the best figures ever.
It Is now Indian owned and run.
Under British ownership and under American ownership (Ford) it became bankrupt three times.
The cost base of the British workers Factories and the wages ,conditions and taxes are also higher than they have ever been.

It is no longer run by London and New York financiers and accountants, who have lost any idea of how to run manufacturing industries.

It is not slave wages that make for successful industry, it is good management and long term investment.

Fun fact!
Royal Enfield began in England in 1890. It's still thriving, but is an Indian
company...the same company, in business continuously for over a century.

 

[Sunstone]

Only a person who is a vegetable is incapable of learning. There are jobs available that are considered manual labor, maybe there are those that they feel it is beneath them to accept a job that requires physical labor; they would prefer to live off the tax payer instead. As far as I'm concerned, if you are physically able to work, you work or you can starve. Yes there are those that are mentally challenged that need societies assistance and I am willing to help them.

So, you want to bring factory jobs back to the US, fine. We therefore need to make the economic environment more friendly to business. To start with businesses located in the US pay the 2nd highest adjusted corporate tax rates. (Japan is the highest) in 22 industrialized countries. (see DATA)
So, you want to start a trade ware. You do realize that this is now a world economy and if you want to succeed in the world economy then you have to compete in the world economy. Just turn the economic power of the country back on, stop enacting law after law, policy after policy that puts a lead weight around anyone that wants to start a business. This goes to city, county, state, and federal governments. We do not need government telling us how to do better, just get the bureaucratic dead weight out of the way and this country will come roaring back.
​

Let me know when you come up with something that wasn't being said by Rush Limbaugh in 1986. I think you might be driving a Model T these days.

 

[Sunstone]

It is not slave wages that make for successful industry, it is good management and long term investment.

To simply dismiss the implications of the fact that wages in one country are extraordinarily less than wages in another country is quite interesting. And quite telling.

 

[esmith]

Only a person who is a vegetable is incapable of learning. There are jobs available that are considered manual labor, maybe there are those that they feel it is beneath them to accept a job that requires physical labor; they would prefer to live off the tax payer instead. As far as I'm concerned, if you are physically able to work, you work or you can starve. Yes there are those that are mentally challenged that need societies assistance and I am willing to help them.

So, you want to bring factory jobs back to the US, fine. We therefore need to make the economic environment more friendly to business. To start with businesses located in the US pay the 2nd highest adjusted corporate tax rates. (Japan is the highest) in 22 industrialized countries. (see DATA)
So, you want to start a trade ware. You do realize that this is now a world economy and if you want to succeed in the world economy then you have to compete in the world economy. Just turn the economic power of the country back on, stop enacting law after law, policy after policy that puts a lead weight around anyone that wants to start a business. This goes to city, county, state, and federal governments. We do not need government telling us how to do better, just get the bureaucratic dead weight out of the way and this country will come roaring back.
​

Let me know when you come up with something that wasn't being said by Rush Limbaugh in 1986. I think you might be driving a Model T these days.

Seems that you can not come up with anything but sarcasm. Care to enlighten us with why you are dismissing the OECD and this article (published in 2013 not 1986). That is if you can provide data that negates the facts put forth.

 

[Sunstone]

Seems that you can not come up with anything but sarcasm. Care to enlighten us with why you are dismissing the OECD and this article (published in 2013 not 1986). That is if you can provide data that negates the facts put forth.

Some people indulge zombie arguments, but I don't. At least, not typically.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

To simply dismiss the implications of the fact that wages in one country are extraordinarily less than wages in another country is quite interesting. And quite telling.

Jaguar Land Rover vehicles are still made in The UK with British labour Out of British steel and materials all at top end British wage levels and costs.
British Steel is also owned by Indians but still made in the UK...
(Some cars are also made in India designed for the local and far East market.)

I did not dismiss anything. It is still UK workers with UK wages I was talking about. And still the same factory buildings that ford could not operate profitably.