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January 2011 Moms
MarSamWhitney
member
CP: Collecting Unemployment
MarSamWhitney
member
Word on the street is that my department will be downsized in Jan. My supervisor said it is a 75 percent possibility, as we lost some major business. I was off 6 months on bedrest/12 weeks PP and wished more than anything they did not need me to come back, and would just lay me off so I could collect Unemployment and be home with LO.
I went back to work, and 3 days has been nice. We have some extra money, and I get out of the house a bit. I went from a decision maker to a copy machine b!tch, with the same hourly rate. Although the work is dull and there is no more excitement, the money is good and the people are ok.
If you were in my shoes, what would you do?
[Poll]
This discussion has been closed.
Re: CP: Collecting Unemployment
When I worked (before LO came) I took a layoff every winter and collected unemployment. I made more money than what I would have made while working through the winter...so I enjoyed it. I say if you can afford it than do it. Being a stay at home mom is truly a gift
Im trying to word this w/o sounding stuck up or something..
But my check does not determine whether we eat dinner or not. We live pretty frugaly. My checks pay for the new floor we are putting down, hammering out the car payment, a trip to the cabin, crap like that.
So- I guess I dont HAVE to work..but it does help.
There is really no way to say that that right way. lol
I understand what you are saying. I would love two years with her, or 18 months, whatever the cutoff is. I hate to milk it like that, but it sure sounds nice. Who knows, there are so many factors, a great job could come up for all I know. But...who ISN'T milking unemployment in the state of mich right now!? lol I could name 10 people who didnt start looking for work until a year into it. Crazy. Then they started to panic the week their unemployment was running out.
Ok. This might not come out right, and I apologize in advance because I think you ladies are great
Being a SAHM is NOT being unemployed.
If you are not actively looking for work and unable to find it, then you should not be collecting unemployment. Staying at home may be a "gift" to you (and it is, don't get me wrong), but why should the state foot the bill for that gift? Pay you to SAH with your kids? I consider that unethical. Just because you CAN do something, doesn't mean you SHOULD.
Do you WANT to work or SAH? If y'all don't need your income, and you want to SAH, then SAH. If you SAH for a while and decide you want to work, then start looking for work. If money gets legitimately tight, THEN file for unemployment.
I completely understand where you are coming from. But I figure you are paying into while you work and the company you work for is paying into it so use it.
I get that. I just think there's a difference between getting laid off, being pissed and collecting for a couple months vs wanting to be a SAHM, being able to afford it, and still collecting for as long as you can, kwim?
HonkyTonk
While I understand your argument semantically, I categorically disagree with it.
I feel like if you are able to stay home and take care of your child so much the better. We invest far to little in this country in mother's being able to be with their children in the formative years. Other countries such as Germany have amazing programs such as Kindergeld that pay parents to invest in the future citizens of their country. If some money from unemployment will help one family do that then I am all for it. Unemployment is not a welfare program it is insurance that is paid into and should be collected upon in the event that it is needed. I say please mama take advantage of a system that allows you to spend this precious time with your little one, you can never get it back so don't regret missing out on it.
Beautifully said.
Well dang... I definitely don't disagree with this.
But part of my point is that I find it of questionable ethics to take money and SAH when you could afford to SAH without it.
OHHH can I come???
Ive worked for 15 years- Ive definitley paid my fair share into this program and have never once collected unemployment. This would be different in my eyes if I was working under the table and yet receiving the benefits of WIC. I always have my eyes out for a job that would make me truley happy. There is nothing to say that I could be off for say 18 months, actively looking for work, and find nothing. What if I did not find a job for four years? It would probably be a good idea to sock away the unemployment money in case that happened, or use it towards finishing my masters degree.
If you want to talk about milking the system, lets talk financial aid. lol.
There are so many factors here, there really isnt a need to imply that SAH coincides with collecting unemployment. I was more so asking if you would actively look for work and jump back into something part time. I am due the unemployment because I have worked my a** off for many years. I suppose the real question here would be how picky would I be when jobs came along.
Our alone time has been a long time coming, but I do like me some Rosie.
Well thank you Marsam. ffejsgirl:
I guess my CP was too vague. All in all, the idea is to not sit home and eat ho ho's on the couch all day, collecting my $350 a week with a smug look on my face.
I more so was wondering how soon I would look for work.
You bet your a** I would collect that check. There is no doubt in my mind I have earned it.
I hope you can collect severance AND unemployment!!
If I were you I wouldn't start looking until I had to (well, that's what my plan is right now). But if you really want flexibility, maybe start keeping your eye out sooner than later so you can be picky. Who knows - maybe you won't want to go back!