POLL: Wages

[Always The Herd]

There has been much discussion regarding the "What's the future for this state?" started by Herdstruck in another message/subject.

I brought up wages in WV.........so I would like to put some backbone to my statement that their is basically no way that younger people cannot thrive on wages that only pay approx. $10-15 dollars per hour.

So if you would choose to participate......What is your (not you and your spouse combined if you are married) "hourly" rate of pay if you work and live in WV?

 

[houston_herd_fan]

you should have asked everyone who votes to post at least that they voted. Barring that you will have those voting particular ways based on their personal opinion on the matter. so this poll is most likely worthless.

BTW, I did not vote cause I do not live in WV.

 

[ggmike1992]

I put myself through college (2 years JUCO, 2 years FSU) working full-time at the usual minimum wage jobs (fast food and bagging groceries) and going to school part-time. Only took out $2500 in student loans to transition during my first semester at FSU. People can live off minimum wage jobs, they just choose not to. What I mean by that is living within your means and making the tough choices that come with that kind of lifestyle. The younger generation does not seem to comprehend the difference between "wants" and "needs".

Not sure if this is the kind of reply you're looking for, just wanted to throw my 2 cents out.

 

[Herdstruck]

Just factor in the cost of living around here and put that with the demographic you're likely to encounter...single working male/female...college degree.
Now, their type of degree...unless it's professional, doesn't matter. I know Exercise Science majors who are selling Real Estate.

I think a big thing needs to be how Marshall and Huntington market themselves...that both are reactive AND proactive towards the interests of their students/residents.

I know, I know, Marshall seems to get the wrong kind of office phones and someone complains about it on here...and whenever Huntington seems to do something right...ie Riverfront project...some dumbfu.ck on here complains.

Coal doesn't quite do that..."Coal keeps the lights on" alright great...but it can't seem to keep you from doing pills...or the fact that literally all of the coal field areas...are completely undeveloped leaving the people with really nothing to do in their lives.

But rewarding people with things like that, is whats going to give
them faith in it. Saying you're doing a riverfront project "to help
people out, give them something to do, possibly a better place to live,
etc" makes them feel better, and you need that.
How would you feel is Mayor Williams actually said,
"The people of Huntington deserve a better place to spend their weekends...that's why I'm going to do this project" it'd make me feel pretty damn special and certainly curious as to how one could impact this whole thing.


As for the topic at hand? I make $40.00 an hour...as soon as I get licensed it'll go up to $60.00+ an hour. I got this job with a Master's from Marshall. Folks were well off, saved up for me to go to Harvard. Once they realized I wasn't going to get in, they still had the capital to pay my entire way through college...on their credit card...which got them major miles...which got them nice tropical trips in February...while I froze to death, lol, but they deserved that.

You're likely going to find teachers in the younger crowd...my generation...because that's what several ended up going into. Some healthcare people as well...lots of nurses. While it's not Shark Tank money, it's not just chump change either.

 

[Always The Herd]

ggmike1992...........I certainly agree with most of what you said......but I don't thing you can "make it" on minimum wage jobs AND pay rent, vehicle payment, gas, insurance, food, utilities, etc. WITHOUT help from family, friends or government assistance.

Congratulations on your accomplishment(s) and best wishes to you in the future.
This post was edited on 2/24 11:52 AM by Always The Herd

 

[raleighherdfan]

Originally posted by Always The Herd:
ggmike1992...........I certainly agree with most of what you said......but I don't thing you can "make it" on minimum wage jobs AND pay rent, vehicle payment, gas, insurance, food, utilities, etc. WITHOUT help from family, friends or government assistance.

Congratulations on your accomplishment(s) and best wishes to you in the future.

This post was edited on 2/24 11:52 AM by Always The Herd

$10-15 is minimum wage in WV?? Damn. Who knew?

 

[ggmike1992]

Originally posted by Always The Herd:
ggmike1992...........I certainly agree with most of what you said......but I don't thing you can "make it" on minimum wage jobs AND pay rent, vehicle payment, gas, insurance, food, utilities, etc. WITHOUT help from family, friends or government assistance.

Congratulations on your accomplishment(s) and best wishes to you in the future.

This post was edited on 2/24 11:52 AM by Always The Herd

I could not have made it on my own. That's why I said to live within one's means. I needed roommates to help defray the costs of housing and utilities. Those were within my means while I worked these types of jobs so I could educate myself for a more lucrative career. Lost in all this is the fact that minimum wage is not designed to be a living wage. It's meant for younger workers to gain job experience. Part time workers trying to make a few bucks. Sometimes it's tough, but I've done it so I know others can, too. You got to want to do it though and until that becomes the prevailing attitude, things will never change.

 

[Always The Herd]

bbmike1992.....another good post by you. There are other "college boys and girls" who just don't understand it.

I worked with a guy who made approx. $130,000 per year. He would always complain about people wound't work for $10.00 per hour.

So....I just had to verbalize my opinion to him like I have on this site. I said they couldn't make it on $10.00 per hour. He expected people to drive approx. 40 miles round trip on $10.00 per hour and "get by". I again told him like I have to those of you.....that you couldn't pay for car gas, rent payment, insurance, groceries, etc. and that one would have to have a 4-wheel drive vehicle.....he said I basically didn't know what I was talking about.........my comment again today is "you just can't make it on that".

Now if some of you financial guru's can tell me how you can I would like to hear your discussion.

 

[raleighherdfan]

Originally posted by Always The Herd:


Now if some of you financial guru's can tell me how you can I would like to hear your discussion.

BBmike just told you.............Live within your means. Must of us pulled it off early in our careers, businesses, etc. It might mean no $600 phones, no $150 month cable packages, no going out every Friday night, driving around in a beater instead of a beamer, finding a roommate, eating more PBJs than filet mignons, not procreating before you actually have a career, etc. It can be done. Read, comprehend, learn ATH.

Who actually works for minimum wage jobs anyway? Hell, even the evil Walmart pays more than minimum wage.

 

[Always The Herd]

raleighherdfan......you didn't even make a legitimate response.

 

[raleighherdfan]

BBmike just told you.............Live within your means. Must of us pulled it off early in our careers, businesses, etc. It might mean no $600 phones, no $150 month cable packages, no going out every Friday night, driving around in a beater instead of a beamer, finding a roommate, eating more PBJs than filet mignons, not procreating before you actually have a career, etc. It can be done. Read, comprehend, learn ATH.

Who actually works for minimum wage jobs anyway? Hell, even the evil Walmart pays more than minimum wage.

 

[riflearm2]

"ILLEGITIMATE POST"

 

[Greenbloodedstill]

When I was an undergaduate, I wasted the money that my father had given me for college and I had a year to go. I was ashamed to ask for more so, like the poster above, I made do on minimum wages. My job carried medical insurance so I was not worried about some unexpected expense from that quarter. I finished my degree in good order and I had a very flat belly.

Had I had responsibilities other than to myself, I could not have done it. The idea that people other than the young, healthy and unencumbered can make it on minimum wage is utterly preposterous.

Also, the minimum wage of today is substantially lower than the minimum wage in 1957 in terms of purchasing power. I don't recall just what the comparative figures are, but I was surprised to learn that some time back.

 

[Always The Herd]

Greenbloodedstill......very true and informative view. You and I are in agreement.
Thanks for your post.

 

[houston_herd_fan]

I think that actual problem in WV is not so much the lack of jobs but the lack of expansion of jobs. This is the reason people who want to be productive members of society leave.

The lack of any significant expansion of technical and good paying positions in WV is a large part of the problem. which in my opinion is in a large part the fault of the state and local government not doing enough to promote that: from legislation to courting businesses.

I have not lived there for almost 20 years. I do have family and friends I talk with regularly, some have good jobs, some live off the government.

from personal experience I left in the early 80's because I could not find a decent job past minimum wage in the early 80's. in the late 80's I came back because I wanted more than just a job in the 15 to 20 dollar range and I wanted a profession. I came back and attended and graduated with 2 degrees. While finishing my masters I started looking for a job and there was very little out there in WV or even the general area. The only job offers I had were in FL, OK, TX, and NC. I took the one in TX.

From my conversations with friends and family, the situation has not changed regarding expansion of employment.

The fact that those of you that have good jobs in WV is not the issue. The fact is there is not an expansion of those good jobs for those coming out of college, or those who would enjoy moving back home. for practical purposes the vast majority of good jobs that are available in WV are those where someone retired or moved on somewhere else and that position needs to be replaced.

WV is not the only state with that problem look at most of the north east. If you look to the south and west (except most of the areas of CA) that's where all the jobs are.

And I say his quietly(SHHHHH). most of those are areas with right to work laws and under republican state governments are the more successful at this time.

I personally have the opinion that neither party works towards a focus to the working middle class, however my personal opinion is the majority of the democrats focus of the people who prefer to live off the government, and the republicans focus on enhancing businesses. for those of us with a good work ethic we should choose those who want businesses to succeed so we have good jobs. (off my soapbox now).