I WANT TO BUY FOOD STAMPS.

[ulthar]

And I also agree with Cheeze that being self-employed is no cup of tea. I much prefer a job where maintaining a steady flow of revenue and balancing the books are somebody else's problem. I wouldn't enjoy the unpredictability.

I've been self employed for 8 years now.  Saying it's no cup of tea is an understatement.  But there is NO WAY I could go back to working for someone else now.  Or at least I would find it very, very difficult.

A good friend of mine was self employed a few years ago.  He built his business up from nothing, a small manufacturing concern (hey, not ALL manufacturing has gone overseas), starting in his basement. Over a year or two, his reputation built for producing a high quality product, and almost entirely on the basis of word of mouth advertising only, he was making more than he ever made as a teacher in the Community College system he worked in before.

Then one day his wife said she did not like the uncertainty of not knowing where the next paycheck was coming from.  They were better off financially than they ever had been with continued growth indicated on the horizon. But she missed the safety net of the responsibility for their financial well being shifted to another (an employer).

So, she talked him into selling his business and taking a job with the guy he sold it to.  This involved a 70% cut in his earning.  Yes, I typed that correctly.  That's 70%, SEVENTY percent less money.  Just so she knew someone else was signing the check each month.

The crazy thing is that his earnings STILL depended on the sales of that exact same product to the exact same customers.  All that happened was the benefit of his work and his ideas went to someone else.

He lasted a month.  The guy that bought the business did not really know how to work in that industry segment effectively and my friend saw the train's light coming down the tunnel. 

He's now rebuilding his business under a different name, having to rebuild that reputation and re-establish his market contacts.  But, his sales are already increasing again. He may have to hire help soon.

There are a LOT of lessons in this story. One of which you can gripe and complain, and blame others, when life hands you lemons, or you can make lemonade.  There is no doubt in my mind that in very short order, my friend will be back "on top."

"Experience is the name people give their mistakes."  Oscar Wilde

[CheezeFlixz]

You definitely need an editor.  "...haven't enough self pride...?"  Well, I guess we know what you mean.  I don't see your point, but don't disagree with anything you wrote.

I find you nit pick people grammar or spelling when you want to appear superior, but that's okay I like you anyway ... hell I even like Menard.
So I need a editor, maybe I'll hire one ... provided they're young.
So you don't agree that people need to pay their dues, that they're not going to start out as a CEO? You don't agree folks need to crawl before you walk? Interesting, well I guess you started at the top, that is truly unique. Consider yourself fortunate.

Now who's being paranoid?  I wrote I didn't disagree with you.  And, hey, Cheezee, I was not trying to "appear superior" and in fact I think that comment shows your own sense of superiority.  I just noticed you have alot of interesting typos in your postings, that sometimes are contrary to what you want to write (like in the pm you sent me about a week ago where you wrote: "I just read that thread and honestly I was completely aware..."  Of course you meant completely unaware.  My comments weren't meant to challenge you, so lighten up. 

My bad, I'm dyslexic and that's not a joke, I am. I do good to make as few typo's and errors as I do.

Well catch up later, more tax to pay ... I mean work to don't do.

Please accept my apologies, if I got you wrong.

[CheezeFlixz]

Most of us have a hard luck story to tell, the question is how do you use that story? Is it a story of "what was" or "why is"? It's far from smugness. You story Menard is "what was" you didn't use it as a "why is" choices in life have to be made.

OK, Cheeze, I don't want to pick on your writing either, but I just want to clarify this point. The point here is that Menard told his story of hardship as a basic account of events and not as a complaint that the world is conspiring to screw him over. Menard's problems are valid, and he has busted his ass to get by, rather than using them as an excuse to give up. You were, therefore, not complaining about him. Is that the point? If it is, I agree. That is a very important distinction.

And I also agree with Cheeze that being self-employed is no cup of tea. I much prefer a job where maintaining a steady flow of revenue and balancing the books are somebody else's problem. I wouldn't enjoy the unpredictability.

no I'm not complaining about Menard, I commend him for his efforts and anyone who has to rise above his misfortune without his hand out.

Read above, dyslexic, I have to re read my post a couple of time to correct errors and I always miss a few, always. However that is not a excuse, it's my failure to pay attention to detail ... do you think I can get a check for that? Hmmm?

[AndyC]

I have a friend who's story is very much the opposite of Ulthar's friend. He worked 14 years in the electrical trade, doing mainly industrial work. First, he got sick of working for an established company that took its employees for granted and wasn't especially well managed.

So, he went to work for a new business started by a guy who treated him well, supplied the best equipment and was generally a good boss. Until his crappy management put him in the red and my buddy was forced to take expensive parts and equipment home as insurance against his paycheque bouncing.

He finally decided, after two strikes, to go into business himself. He had a lot of loyal customers already through his previous jobs, he got some credit, set himself up with a truck and equipment, and upgraded from electrician to master electrician. And he paid off his house the first year. He has since hired on a couple of employees, added a couple of service trucks and taken on an apprentice.

Taking a risk is definitely worth it, but I never had this guy's guts or self-discipline. He has a work ethic you wouldn't believe.

[all saints day]

You definitely need an editor.  "...haven't enough self pride...?"  Well, I guess we know what you mean.  I don't see your point, but don't disagree with anything you wrote.

I find you nit pick people grammar or spelling when you want to appear superior, but that's okay I like you anyway ... hell I even like Menard.
So I need a editor, maybe I'll hire one ... provided they're young.
So you don't agree that people need to pay their dues, that they're not going to start out as a CEO? You don't agree folks need to crawl before you walk? Interesting, well I guess you started at the top, that is truly unique. Consider yourself fortunate.

Now who's being paranoid?  I wrote I didn't disagree with you.  And, hey, Cheezee, I was not trying to "appear superior" and in fact I think that comment shows your own sense of superiority.  I just noticed you have alot of interesting typos in your postings, that sometimes are contrary to what you want to write (like in the pm you sent me about a week ago where you wrote: "I just read that thread and honestly I was completely aware..."  Of course you meant completely unaware.  My comments weren't meant to challenge you, so lighten up. 

My bad, I'm dyslexic and that's not a joke, I am. I do good to make as few typo's and errors as I do.

Well catch up later, more tax to pay ... I mean work to don't do.

Please accept my apologies, if I got you wrong.

You're a good egg Cheezee.  I'll karma you when I come back.  

[ulthar]

I have a friend who's story is very much the opposite of Ulthar's friend.

How is that the opposite?  Seems like pretty much the same story, minus a few details.

Both have a uy working hard for himself doing good, working for someone else getting hosed.

Or did I misread something?

[AndyC]

I meant in the order things happened, working for badly run companies first, then finding success on his own. They are similar in other respects, which was kind of the point - similar story with a different sequence of events.

[Menard]

WARNING: AUTHOR FULL OF SH!T

If I could, I'd give you karma for that.

Okay, I've read through everyone's arguments so I'm going to throw my own ramblings in here in a way as unbiased as I can make them.  Foodstamps help people who need them.  There are people who abuse them and those people are stupid.  There are also people like Menard who get shot down later in life when it's going to be almost impossible to build yourself up into a high paying position, however, some have the dignity to refuse food stamps and still manage a decent living  .  It is unfair that stores give discounts to people with foodstamps and take it out on more "well to do" customers.  But considering that there are people that seriously need them it is almost necessary.  Anyhoo, I suppose that the best we can do is track down people who abuse food stamps and kick them in the  .


I've said it already but I will again, I know very little on the subject and am quite frankly full of sh!t. 

Trying to lift my spirits?

[Menard]

And for every sob story there is a story of success. You can go through life with the glass half empty of half full. My mother-in-law who moved from FL to TN is in her late 60s, having not worked outside the home in years, found a job in fairly short order, hired by a women younger than her.
Was she just lucky or was she better at job interviews? Who know, point is she found a job quickly in her 60's after being out of work for years.

In fact a article from the New York Times in 2005 stated hiring older workers is preferred.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/23/business/23older.html

Kind of puts a hole in your claim.

No.

Retirees, of which I am not one, can find work much more easily than someone middle of the road in life; referring to entry level positions.

Why?

Many already have a retirement, social security, or other form of income but are looking for for some additional income and/or something to do. When hiring a retiree capable of doing the work, the employer is looking at someone who is most likely not looking for advancement and becomes both an economical investment and, if they like the work, who is likely to stay around because they are not seeking competitive wages.

Looking for isolated stories neither puts a hole in what I have said or makes you more knowledgeable on what I have been through than what I am.

Quite frankly, that's a slap in the face, but I don't (hopefully) think you meant it that way.

Nope it wasn't a slap, but I think you'd admit that there is pride in doing for yourself, whereas you sacrifice some of that pride by not.

Uh...yeah

After I posted that, I thought about it and don't think it was fair of me to refer to your remark as a slap in the face.

There's a smugness in looking down on someone without any idea of what they have been through or what they are going through. The people you presume are nothing more than bums that will be good upstanding citizens if they just follow your miracle advice based on cute little stories from years ago, many of them are probably going through a lot just to keep up.

It's not miracle advice, it's common sense, which is not so common.

Most of us have a hard luck story to tell, the question is how do you use that story? Is it a story of "what was" or "why is"? It's far from smugness. You story Menard is "what was" you didn't use it as a "why is" choices in life have to be made.

When you have lived my life, then you can tell me what you think it is.

You definitely need an editor.  "...haven't enough self pride...?"  Well, I guess we know what you mean.  I don't see your point, but don't disagree with anything you wrote.

I find you nit pick people grammar or spelling when you want to appear superior, but that's okay I like you anyway ... hell I even like Menard.

[CheezeFlixz]

We've gotten off topic, what are the odds? I'd say 1:1.

Anyone can start their own business, anyone. Are you chances of failing the first time around good? No they're great. Most new businesses fail within the first year, many more within 5 years. The survival rate is very low.

But the lessons you learn the first time around are invaluable. You don't need a lot of money all you need is a good idea, a nitch market and the the drive to do it. I started with a few old tools and a truck. You will be broke for a long time, because if you have a oz. of sense you'll reinvest nearly everything into your business before you ever get a real paycheck (paycheque - AndyC).

Edited to Add: just got back from said interview.  It felt like it went pretty well but I've felt like that before.  They interviewed three people just today for said position.  At any rate, I should know by tomorrow...so that's two good possible jobs I'm awaiting feedback.  Wish me luck.  Once I'm working again I can focus on my movie reviews once again!

Sorry your post got lost in the topic, I do hope you find a job. So best of luck on the interview results. I think many of us have been there before. I know I have and never resorted to some government handout either.

But I believe everything happens for a reason.

Trying to lift my spirits?

I doubt it he said he was full if sh!t.

Retirees, of which I am not one, can find work much more easily than someone middle of the road in life; referring to entry level positions.

Many already have a retirement, social security, or other form of income but are looking for for some additional income and/or something to do. When hiring a retiree capable of doing the work, the employer is looking at someone who is most likely not looking for advancement and becomes both an economical investment and, if they like the work, who is likely to stay around because they are not seeking competitive wages.

Looking for isolated stories neither puts a hole in what I have said or makes you more knowledgeable on what I have been through than what I am.

So how is it I don't know what your story is, but somehow you know what their (employers) story is? Are you trying to tell me you can't get hired because you're in your 40's but if you go back when you're 60 your hired. Please! Businesses want experience and a good work ethic.
I'd rather hire someone in there 40's that can hit the ground running than spending time and money training some kid that is more concerned with their social life than doing a good job. Some one in there 40's is more likely to stick with a job than someone fresh out of high school. There are many benefits to hiring older workers and most businesses know that. So if you had trouble finding a job, well maybe it's not your age. Ever think about that?

No I don't know what you've been through anymore than you know what I've been though. So whoopty-do.

[ulthar]

I meant in the order things happened, working for badly run companies first, then finding success on his own. They are similar in other respects, which was kind of the point - similar story with a different sequence of events.

Ah...okay.  After posting, I realized that MIGHT be the case.  Just when I first read that it was "opposite," I thought it was going to be a story about someone who had a bad experience self employed then went on to great success working for "the man."   

I guess I could not get past my own initial interpretation.  Sorry.

[AndyC]

(paycheque - AndyC).

Hey, I only know of one country in the English-speaking world that needs to make words easier to spell. 

[CheezeFlixz]

(paycheque - AndyC).

Hey, I only know of one country in the English-speaking world that needs to make words easier to spell. 

Well you know we don't like a lot of wasted letters, at least most of the English speaking world finally lost the æ letter-thing. 

[Patient7]

Trying to lift my spirits?

Actually I was trying to emphasize a point you made earlier, but yes I suppose my way of saying it sounded pessimistic.

[Sister Grace]

Sometimes things happen and people need assistance. I for one am not going to take foodstamps out of a child's mouth. This is exactly what happens when someone receives them that shouldn't. Assistance should be given to those that need it. Programs like EBT are there to provide people with a 'start'. Housing Assistance, Voc-Rehab and all these programs are designed to help someone help themselves. Unfortunately, many get trapped in the system or take advantage and try not to pull themselves up.
The system can be used for good. I myself am on Social Security. Do I want to be on Social Security forever? NO. While my body and physically well-being is pretty much crap ( I suffer from a musko-skeletal disorder) and there isn't much call for waitresses with a gimp, my mind is still good. I'm using the system through grants to go back to school. In a few months i'll graduate with a job I will be able to perform and even though it will require some effort, I refuse to stay home 'sick' the rest of my life and will once again contribute to society.

What p**ses me off, is when you go to the store and the lady in front of you who is carrying a designer purse with some odd number of screaming almost naked kids, pays for her groceries and such with an EBT card and then goes outside and straps the kids in a cadillac. Take a hint lady, sell the caddy, the purse and buy your kids some shoes. I see this over and over in Fulton, KY.

Foodstamps is a good program for the elderly, the disabled and the temporarily disadvantaged. If there weren't programs to help people (and i'm speaking of those that need help), alot more of our grandmas would be selling their medications just to eat and stay warm.