About Wages And Life

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I went to another job, which didn’t may much better but did offer benefits.  I bought a tiny house for me and my son and tried to make it but it was a struggle.  I did use WIC, when my kid was little and I was thankful.  As I learned about these programs, I realized that people had to stay in poverty in order to continue receiving benefits.  That was definitely not what I wanted for me or my son. Finally, after waiting for over a year, my VA education benefits were approved and I went on to earn a computer science degree.  To say that my standard of living changed, after I got my first job as a sysadmin, is an understatement.  I was able to pay off debt and raise my credit scores to become eligible to buy another house.  I desperately wanted to move out of that neighborhood to get my kid into a better environment.  

There has been a lot of talk about raising the minimum wage.  I know that, these days, it is nearly impossible to survive, let alone raise a family, on $10/hr.  It is the equivalent of those $5/hr that I used to make.  After all these years, salaries and working conditions are not better, regardless of who has been in the White House or Congress – Republican or Democrat.  So, I agree that minimum wage should go up but there are caveats and people should research how an increased wage will be taxed.

One thing I will tell you – don’t wait for government to make things better for you. The one thing that NO ONE can take away from you is knowledge. Read, research, learn and/or get an education. See how you can better yourself in all aspects – skills, knowledge, character, everything. Some people used to call it “re-invent” yourself.   There are cheap community colleges and grant money, so that, anyone with determination, can get an associates degree without getting into debt.  The person would have to work and go to school but it can be done.

There has also been a lot of talk about natural disasters and political turmoil.  Is the world going to end? Yes. Will there be turmoil, natural disasters and social unrest? Yes, yes, and yes – The earth travels around the sun and the universe, at speeds that you can’t imagine so something is going to get knocked around but no one can predict when or how – scientists, psychics and prophets have a so-so track record. 

We are human and most don’t know how to get along. There will be nut cases and haters and crazies – just learn about them and keep your distance.  It is true what “they” say – life goes on – don’t fall into hysterics and go hiding into a bunker just yet.  Civilization has gone through similar times, repeatedly.  If a comet or some other celestial body decides that were the cue ball, then there is not much anyone can do at this time but we are already working on being able to deflect it, so there is hope.

In conclusion, what is a person to do? First, realize that our true enemy is fear.  It paralyzes us into inactivity, while others move on with their lives.  Be informed but do not allow anyone to scare you into paralysis. Stop making excuses – some will say that I had the VA money to go to school.  Yes, and no.  I did not have that money to buy my first house.  I went to college on a Pell grant and loans.  I chose to get the loans to have an easier life.   I did not want to have to work full time, raise a toddler and go to school.  Then I realized that the VA would pay for all college expenses, so I decided that it was a much better deal and patiently waited for approval.