You are a slave unless you are wealthy

[Anonymous]

Yet many wealthy people are slaves to wanting more money and lifestyle. SHit out of luck people like me, went into massive debt, couldn't get a job, aren't marketable, and I'm stuck in an expensive area because it's the only place I can get work, despite how crappy it is. If I want to try something else, I'll likely have to go back to school, go further into debt, and risk not being able to get a job in that field too. Work from home would be great, but I'll never be allowed to do it with my job. I could live in a less expensive area, and be less of a slave.

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry you are feeling so low. There is so much wealth around the DC area that it's hard not to feel inadequate even on the $180k income my husband and I pull in each year.

It sounds like you have a job. That's great. Now, put on your best attitude, work hard, make your boss look good, go above and beyond, ask to do more, and be polite and on time. If you do those things consistently, you will get noticed and be promoted. It sounds like you have a hole to dig out of but you can do it. You sound smart and motivated--a lot of raising your salary is just hard work. I would not go back to school unless you have no degree, but it sounds like you do. Give yourself a pep talk and really work hard.

Also, keep your expenses low and don't worry about keeping up with anyone. You can live a good life on a lower income.

[Anonymous]

You are completely free to take risks as you see fit. In other words you have choices available. Slaves don’t. You’re just a naval gazing scaredy cat.

[Anonymous]

Yes, and the wealthy are the masters. Nothing new here.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think it’s smart to compare a materialism or wealth addiction to slavery. Nobody is forcing you to breed. You aren’t physically beaten or raped for not working. Your children haven’t been beaten in front of you or sold off to new owners.

I’m a little grossed out by your whining. This is not slavery and you should step outside your bubble sometime.

I hope you aren’t a parent because you’re clearly failed you or you didn’t bother to learn their lessons.

[Anonymous]

Move to Alaska and live off the land. You're choosing to participate in the economy. Many (most?) of my relatives opted out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry you are feeling so low. There is so much wealth around the DC area that it's hard not to feel inadequate even on the $180k income my husband and I pull in each year.

It sounds like you have a job. That's great. Now, put on your best attitude, work hard, make your boss look good, go above and beyond, ask to do more, and be polite and on time. If you do those things consistently, you will get noticed and be promoted. It sounds like you have a hole to dig out of but you can do it. You sound smart and motivated--a lot of raising your salary is just hard work. I would not go back to school unless you have no degree, but it sounds like you do. Give yourself a pep talk and really work hard.

Also, keep your expenses low and don't worry about keeping up with anyone. You can live a good life on a lower income.

Thanks. Unfortunately raises are not a possibility, though there's a slim chance I could be promoted to management. But honestly that sounds very stressful and not sure that I would want it. There's just me. I will not be getting married, am not going to ever have a second income.

I do what you say but sometimes I feel just hopeless. I wish I could live in an less expensive area, but I couldn't get any work. I just can't stand knowing that I don't really have any choice in anything. I have to work. I will work very likely until the day I die unless people won't hire me, which is a good possibility. If I don't work, I become homeless. So really I'm a slave to wanting air conditioning, decent food and a roof over my head. I could be homeless and be "Free" but that's not much freedom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry you are feeling so low. There is so much wealth around the DC area that it's hard not to feel inadequate even on the $180k income my husband and I pull in each year.

It sounds like you have a job. That's great. Now, put on your best attitude, work hard, make your boss look good, go above and beyond, ask to do more, and be polite and on time. If you do those things consistently, you will get noticed and be promoted. It sounds like you have a hole to dig out of but you can do it. You sound smart and motivated--a lot of raising your salary is just hard work. I would not go back to school unless you have no degree, but it sounds like you do. Give yourself a pep talk and really work hard.

Also, keep your expenses low and don't worry about keeping up with anyone. You can live a good life on a lower income.

Thanks. Unfortunately raises are not a possibility, though there's a slim chance I could be promoted to management. But honestly that sounds very stressful and not sure that I would want it. There's just me. I will not be getting married, am not going to ever have a second income.

I do what you say but sometimes I feel just hopeless. I wish I could live in an less expensive area, but I couldn't get any work. I just can't stand knowing that I don't really have any choice in anything. I have to work. I will work very likely until the day I die unless people won't hire me, which is a good possibility. If I don't work, I become homeless. So really I'm a slave to wanting air conditioning, decent food and a roof over my head. I could be homeless and be "Free" but that's not much freedom.

Awww. So sorry the universe has singled you out for shouldering so many problems.

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry you made bad choices. It happens to most of us now and again. Now, figure out what you need to do and do it. If it means moving out of the area, then move. If it means going to school at night, then go to school at night.

Stop focusing on the "wealthy." You're using that as a crutch to not make decisions for yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry you are feeling so low. There is so much wealth around the DC area that it's hard not to feel inadequate even on the $180k income my husband and I pull in each year.

It sounds like you have a job. That's great. Now, put on your best attitude, work hard, make your boss look good, go above and beyond, ask to do more, and be polite and on time. If you do those things consistently, you will get noticed and be promoted. It sounds like you have a hole to dig out of but you can do it. You sound smart and motivated--a lot of raising your salary is just hard work. I would not go back to school unless you have no degree, but it sounds like you do. Give yourself a pep talk and really work hard.

Also, keep your expenses low and don't worry about keeping up with anyone. You can live a good life on a lower income.

Thanks. Unfortunately raises are not a possibility, though there's a slim chance I could be promoted to management. But honestly that sounds very stressful and not sure that I would want it. There's just me. I will not be getting married, am not going to ever have a second income.

I do what you say but sometimes I feel just hopeless. I wish I could live in an less expensive area, but I couldn't get any work. I just can't stand knowing that I don't really have any choice in anything. I have to work. I will work very likely until the day I die unless people won't hire me, which is a good possibility. If I don't work, I become homeless. So really I'm a slave to wanting air conditioning, decent food and a roof over my head. I could be homeless and be "Free" but that's not much freedom.

It's good that you understand yourself well and know what you are capable of. Some people don't want to reach higher and higher all the time and that's ok. I have had some folks work for me at the same job for 25 years. They do decent work but don't want to do more and they don't expect to be promoted and get big raises either. There is room in the economy for all kinds of workers. If your wage is livable, then make a budget, save at least 10% of your gross income, and live your life! This is truly all you get so remember to enjoy what you can. We all feel trapped by this life sometimes. It all seems kind of pointless and ridiculous. My DH makes $18 an hour but he doesn't hate what he does. We make enough to live one. We had one kid so we would be able to live comfortably. You have choices. If working super hard to advance isn't your cup of tea, then strive to live a good life with less. It's more than possible. Gentle hugs--you are not going to feel this way forever. Most of us have to work. It's the society we've built. A strange one and not the only option I could imagine, definitely not the best one, but it's the one we've got.

[Anonymous]

The system sucks, but let’s not compare it to slavery. It trivializes things.

But hell yeah, UBI for all!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The system sucks, but let’s not compare it to slavery. It trivializes things.

But hell yeah, UBI for all!

So we can all become a bunch of lazy losers? No thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Move to Alaska and live off the land. You're choosing to participate in the economy. Many (most?) of my relatives opted out.

I want to hear more about this! Would you be willing to do an AMA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The system sucks, but let’s not compare it to slavery. It trivializes things.

But hell yeah, UBI for all!

So we can all become a bunch of lazy losers? No thanks.

Shouldn’t you be working?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The system sucks, but let’s not compare it to slavery. It trivializes things.

But hell yeah, UBI for all!

So we can all become a bunch of lazy losers? No thanks.

Shouldn’t you be working?

Ah, but I am. I managed to find a job where I can work, be fairly compensated, AND browse DCUM on occasion. The life!