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over 55 can afford to do jobs like cashier because they likely don't have to rent (in most cases). All our problems are laid at the door of land price ramping.

Retric 10y ago
Land is really cheap in most of the US, that does not really help as much as you might think. Sure, your house might be 40-80k but good luck finding a good job or customers. IMO, a lot of this has to do with housing subsides keeping people near city's who don't need to be near city's. If your rent has not kept up with inflation for the last 20+ years then why move? You don't have any equity to liquidate and rent control is keeping the price stable so just stay.
sharemywin 10y ago
If you take SSN early you can only make so much before feds take back 50% of it for each dollar you earn. So, why lose 1/2 or more of your benefit and take a more stressful job.
- deleted 10y ago
  [deleted]
mikestew 10y ago
over 55 can afford to do jobs like cashier because they likely don't have to rent (in most cases) Anecdotally, I know an astounding number of people over 55 that still hold a mortgage. Hell, I've known people who retired with a mortgage. So I'm guessing that in many cases they're a cashier because if they don't work they'll lose the house.
- lettercarrier 10y ago
  <<< So I'm guessing that in many cases they're a cashier because if they don't work they'll lose the house. Heck no! Stop working, start dying.
- antisthenes 10y ago
  > So I'm guessing that in many cases they're a cashier because if they don't work they'll lose the house. The thing to do here is to sell the house and move to a lower COL area, like all the HN threads that mention SF housing advise.
  - mikestew 10y ago
    You and I know that to be the wiser course of action, but tell that to the lady who lived in the house for 30 years and raised her family there. Maybe a low wage job is the more appealing option to that person. But that all assumes rational actors to begin with. Or for that matter, tell that to the person who already lives in Bumphuck, IN. My wife has high school friends in situations like that. There is no cheaper place to live, but that mortgage still needs to be paid.

Retric 10y ago

Land is really cheap in most of the US, that does not really help as much as you might think. Sure, your house might be 40-80k but good luck finding a good job or customers. IMO, a lot of this has to do with housing subsides keeping people near city's who don't need to be near city's. If your rent has not kept up with inflation for the last 20+ years then why move? You don't have any equity to liquidate and rent control is keeping the price stable so just stay.

sharemywin 10y ago

If you take SSN early you can only make so much before feds take back 50% of it for each dollar you earn. So, why lose 1/2 or more of your benefit and take a more stressful job.

deleted 10y ago
[deleted]

mikestew 10y ago

over 55 can afford to do jobs like cashier because they likely don't have to rent (in most cases) Anecdotally, I know an astounding number of people over 55 that still hold a mortgage. Hell, I've known people who retired with a mortgage. So I'm guessing that in many cases they're a cashier because if they don't work they'll lose the house.

lettercarrier 10y ago
<<< So I'm guessing that in many cases they're a cashier because if they don't work they'll lose the house. Heck no! Stop working, start dying.
antisthenes 10y ago
> So I'm guessing that in many cases they're a cashier because if they don't work they'll lose the house. The thing to do here is to sell the house and move to a lower COL area, like all the HN threads that mention SF housing advise.
- mikestew 10y ago
  You and I know that to be the wiser course of action, but tell that to the lady who lived in the house for 30 years and raised her family there. Maybe a low wage job is the more appealing option to that person. But that all assumes rational actors to begin with. Or for that matter, tell that to the person who already lives in Bumphuck, IN. My wife has high school friends in situations like that. There is no cheaper place to live, but that mortgage still needs to be paid.