Author Topic: People are stuck in dead-end part time jobs (Read 1045 times)

Matthew · « **on:** November 21, 2014, 11:35:09 AM »

The Cashier

Meghan would love to be a music teacher or play full-time in an orchestra. She studied music at Loyola University in New Orleans and plays the flute.

Instead, Meghan works a slew of part-time jobs and receives no benefits.

She is a cashier at Whole Foods, a substitute teacher, a flute tutor and an administrative assistant at a non-profit. Her employers want more availability from her, but don't want to offer more time, pay or benefits.

"In some of the jobs, I just don't feel appreciated," Meghan, 33, says. Her employers, "need me to be available full-time, but yet they can't offer me full-time work. And full-time meaning benefits. So they have to stop it."

With inconsistent hours, Meghan monthly income fluctuates between $1,000 and $3,000. Even with her husband's teaching salary, the couple sometimes struggles to cover the $3,600 of monthly expenses they have.

"It's very stressful," Meghan, a college graduate, says. "I think about all the job applications I've turned in and all the interviews I've been on and all the other people who are in the same situation, looking for those same [full-time] jobs. It's frustrating."

Matthew · « **Reply #1 on:** November 21, 2014, 11:37:18 AM »

I sympathize with the position (I want full time work, but all the employers only want part-time so they can avoid paying benefits) but I must say her expenses are a bit high.

This is why it's a good idea to reduce one's MONTHLY expenses. The higher your monthly expenses, the more you NEED to earn each month to avoid serious problems (bankruptcy, utilities shut off, eviction, etc.)

3600 a month is a bit high for a COUPLE (no kids). Why not give up the "middle class" dream? There are plenty of people who have done this -- voluntarily and involuntarily -- over the past 6 years.

Also, Catholics should note: she doesn't look that young. She still hasn't "started a family". Which means that "what she's doing" (American lifestyle, American culture, Middle Class values, whatever you want to call it) SIMPLY DOESN'T WORK because it fails the primary test: passing it on to the next generation. With this lady, there might be no next generation. That's basically a "Darwin award" in terms of culture. A pass-on-your-culture-and-genes "FAIL" as it were; a demerit on the culture that formed her.

And if the culture gets enough demerits (enough participants in that culture not having kids), the culture simply fails or dies. Consider it an inexorable law of nature.

Remember, when a person doesn't have children, he or she is the FIRST PERSON in that line to fail to procreate! All the hundreds of parents in your line going back to Adam are a bit disappointed that it all ends with you. :)

When you consider that even a poor man can have a family, it's pretty sad that so many affluent Americans of European heritage fail to have any children. It's not THAT expensive or difficult, really.

Marlelar · « **Reply #2 on:** November 21, 2014, 05:56:36 PM »

Hard to say about the expenses, a lot of DINKS have high student loans or over-bought on a house.

But the problem with finding FT work is certainly real. A lot of companies only hire PT or contract workers to avoid the insurance costs.

And now Lord Obama has added to the problem by adding more people than jobs to the economy.

Contrary to what Madam Hilary thinks, businesses do create jobs, not the government.

What a mess we are in.

Marsha

PerEvangelicaDicta · « **Reply #3 on:** November 21, 2014, 09:51:38 PM »

Quote

And if the culture gets enough demerits (enough participants in that culture not having kids), the culture simply fails or dies. Consider it an inexorable law of nature.

"The wages of sin is death" came to mind.

MaterDominici · « **Reply #4 on:** November 21, 2014, 10:38:05 PM »

Quote from: Marlelar

or over-bought on a house.

Moving certainly isn't fun, but if you can start with a small home and then work your way up as you need the space or can afford the upgrade, your finances will thank you. This presumes a somewhat stable housing market, but the cheaper the home, the less volatile the value.

Another option would be to find a solid "base" house -- small, but in good shape -- and then add on / renovate as you can afford to do so.

ggreg · « **Reply #5 on:** November 22, 2014, 01:39:51 AM »

What she should do is focus on doing one job well.

You can make a decent living as a musician if you're good enough at it. The great musicians practice, practice and practice some more.

If you're a great flute teacher and can inspire students you can charge rich parents good money for teaching their darlings.

Most people at work are going through the motions.

When she took a music degree what did she expect to happen?