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I hope this pandemic forces more folks to realize that it's possible to do everything right and still need help or a safety net. Who am I kidding though. . . F

by diob 6y ago

I hope this pandemic forces more folks to realize that it's possible to do everything right and still need help or a safety net. Who am I kidding though. . . Folks will continue to think that anyone down on their luck deserves it. I'm a damn hard worker, and I've saved a shit ton of money, but don't think I fool myself into knowing that's enough. If I got cancer tomorrow, it'd all be a big fucking waste.

copperx 6y ago
I don't follow you last sentence. Why would it be a waste?
- diob 6y ago
  I would be utterly drained financially. Most bankruptcy in the USA is due to healthcare. So after diligently saving / working hard / "doing things right" I'd end up in the same situation as someone who lives paycheck to paycheck. My family and I would very likely lose all our assets / financial security in the long run. That to me would be one hell of a waste. It's why I'm a huge believer in social safety nets / programs. They help everyone. You may be lucky today, but believe me, most people hit snake eyes eventually. If not you, a loved one will.
fred_is_fred 6y ago
The best safety net is the one you weave yourself in the form of 3-6 months of savings. I know this is difficult to do but it is not impossible - it does require sacrificing some things. I drive an 11 year old car for example. I am hopeful that between unemployment I can stretch my 4 months savings to 6 or 8 before having to tap my 401k.
- diob 6y ago
  I don't think you read my comment closely. I have almost 4 years of savings right now that I could depend if I wanted to (hell, I could pay off my house if I wanted to, but I know it's better to keep this money in case I need it for an "emergency"). My point was that it doesn't end up making as big a difference as the "personal responsibility" folks like to claim. Don't fall into the trap of thinking you're an island, or that you're to blame if things go utterly sideways. It's possible to do everything "right" and still need help from society at some point. If I got cancer tomorrow (and the odds of cancer eventually are damn high), I could almost guarantee you that I'd be declaring bankruptcy in the long term. I would lose everything. To be honest, it upsets me that you're falling into the trap of thinking fiscal responsibility is the end all be all, even after witnessing this pandemic destroy hard working folks like yourself. Yes, people need to save for things. But folks shouldn't be bankrupted or ruined by uncontrollable forces, that's what societal safety nets are for. It's not one or the other (fiscal responsibility or societal safety nets), we can do both!

by diob 6y ago

copperx 6y ago

I don't follow you last sentence. Why would it be a waste?

diob 6y ago
I would be utterly drained financially. Most bankruptcy in the USA is due to healthcare. So after diligently saving / working hard / "doing things right" I'd end up in the same situation as someone who lives paycheck to paycheck. My family and I would very likely lose all our assets / financial security in the long run. That to me would be one hell of a waste. It's why I'm a huge believer in social safety nets / programs. They help everyone. You may be lucky today, but believe me, most people hit snake eyes eventually. If not you, a loved one will.

fred_is_fred 6y ago

The best safety net is the one you weave yourself in the form of 3-6 months of savings. I know this is difficult to do but it is not impossible - it does require sacrificing some things. I drive an 11 year old car for example. I am hopeful that between unemployment I can stretch my 4 months savings to 6 or 8 before having to tap my 401k.

diob 6y ago
I don't think you read my comment closely. I have almost 4 years of savings right now that I could depend if I wanted to (hell, I could pay off my house if I wanted to, but I know it's better to keep this money in case I need it for an "emergency"). My point was that it doesn't end up making as big a difference as the "personal responsibility" folks like to claim. Don't fall into the trap of thinking you're an island, or that you're to blame if things go utterly sideways. It's possible to do everything "right" and still need help from society at some point. If I got cancer tomorrow (and the odds of cancer eventually are damn high), I could almost guarantee you that I'd be declaring bankruptcy in the long term. I would lose everything. To be honest, it upsets me that you're falling into the trap of thinking fiscal responsibility is the end all be all, even after witnessing this pandemic destroy hard working folks like yourself. Yes, people need to save for things. But folks shouldn't be bankrupted or ruined by uncontrollable forces, that's what societal safety nets are for. It's not one or the other (fiscal responsibility or societal safety nets), we can do both!