I have seen instances where earning zero is better than earning $15/hr.
However at around $88k/yr with an elementary school child I am probably better off than those who earn zero on paper.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone I know back home in a LCOL part of VA that isn't $0 income but probably isn't more than $40K. Their kids get to go to private school for free and are probably getting a much better education than I could afford to give my kids.

Most private schools in the US are absolute garbage. They are usually religious institutions and accreditation is done by fly-by-night companies, with no oversight by the government.

At least with a public school there are minimum requirements and you can sue.

I would say private school in a LCOL area of Virginia is almost definitely a religious institution.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone I know back home in a LCOL part of VA that isn't $0 income but probably isn't more than $40K. Their kids get to go to private school for free and are probably getting a much better education than I could afford to give my kids.

Most private schools in the US are absolute garbage. They are usually religious institutions and accreditation is done by fly-by-night companies, with no oversight by the government.

At least with a public school there are minimum requirements and you can sue.

My, aren't we the litigious one.

Anonymous wrote:Someone I know back home in a LCOL part of VA that isn't $0 income but probably isn't more than $40K. Their kids get to go to private school for free and are probably getting a much better education than I could afford to give my kids.

Most private schools in the US are absolute garbage. They are usually religious institutions and accreditation is done by fly-by-night companies, with no oversight by the government.

At least with a public school there are minimum requirements and you can sue.

What government assistance are you talking about? It's desperate to have no income and try to get "welfare."

The maximum welfare/TANF grant in DC for a family of 2 is less than $500/month and you're required to work 30 hours/week if your child is school-aged. TANF recipients are eligible for Medicaid, so you can get care if you can find a doctor willing to accept Medicaid, otherwise you go to the ER when your child is sick. The maximum SNAP benefit is $352/month for groceries. DC's section 8 housing assistance program has such a long waiting list it hasn't been open since April 2013.

Someone I know back home in a LCOL part of VA that isn't $0 income but probably isn't more than $40K. Their kids get to go to private school for free and are probably getting a much better education than I could afford to give my kids.

I'm not sure OP is saying he/she is better off now -- just pointing out that they got no help on $75k but now they do. However I challenge the idea that they couldn't make it on 75k when other families seem to be able to. Sounds like there is only one child.

Decent point that people making minimum wage probably can't make it (at least not well).

I made $2000 a month working 40 hours a week and qualified for grants probably, governments assistance and food stamps. I worked really hard for the $2000 a month for ca 10 years.
That assistance barely allowed me to survive. I don't know how you think that $2000 plus help is somehow better than $75k a year and no help. Your job probably came with benefits which is a lot of help. Mine didn't. In fact, I've never had a job with benefits other than food.
Free stuff does not make up for a decent paycheck.

Ops story doesn’t add up. Especially since her child is school age (not an infant who needs center care while she works).

Anonymous wrote:DP. I think OP is somewhat deluded because what s/he gets is probably peanuts compared to potential replacement earnings but the variety of benefits seems like a lot. That's a good thing - we need safety nets. However, I also think that OP doesn't realize some of these are very temporary benefits, and may go down over time. Unemployment isn't forever - normally 26 weeks.

Agree not sure it's a sustainable model while it may seem good right now.

DP. I think OP is somewhat deluded because what s/he gets is probably peanuts compared to potential replacement earnings but the variety of benefits seems like a lot. That's a good thing - we need safety nets. However, I also think that OP doesn't realize some of these are very temporary benefits, and may go down over time. Unemployment isn't forever - normally 26 weeks.

Anonymous wrote:There is no way you are better of with a hhi if 0 versus 75,000. That is just absurd.

agree - i don't understand how OP was getting more and more in debt while working - but somehow isn't in debt with no income?

There is no way you are better of with a hhi if 0 versus 75,000. That is just absurd.

Are you actually saying you are better off financially by not working?

I lost my job six months ago and for the first time in my life I qualify for grants, scholarships and government assistance. What I have noticed is if you are making zero income you qualify for all sorts of assistance, discounts and free items but when I was working I didn't qualify for anything and was going further and further into debt.

I am looking for work here and in cheaper cities but I can see why many people aren't motivated. When I get a job it will probably be under $100,000 (I have never made six figures) and I have a school-aged child to support as well.

DC is crazy expensive and I will never, ever judge those on assistance again. If I can't make it on $75,000 (what I made before) how can we expect those who'd only make minimum wage to?