TOTALLY GEEKED!

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

RE: Dear Prudie: Charity Tightwad

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

huskerbb wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
jlbear71 wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
I am a conservative, yet i have no problem with a social safety net and neither do most conservatives. The point of that is a "minimum" to keep you sustained. Not to scam and have all the goodies of life and sit on your arse for 30 yrs. But, a safety net to help you out. A couple of months or weeks of unemployent, fine. 99 weeks of it? Hell no.
And I am grateful that there was 99 weeks of Unemployment Comp available for DH when he was out of work for 2.5 years several years ago. DH paid into that system for 30 years and only collected one other time briefly. He PAID into the system more than he ever got out of it.
He is in the IT field and it had crashed. He tried to get jobs in other fields only to be told he was way over-qualified. No one offered him work. He did a few contract jobs here and there for a week or two. That is all that was offered to him. No, wait, there were a few job offers. Being paid $8/hour at a location almost 100 miles away on a toll road making it so that he would LOSE money if he took the job.
Several local shops all turned him down. He won't work with food or directly with the public and I understand that because it is not his personality.
All our bills were paid, I covered the medical insurance thru my job. We had no other assistance.
I have paid into this system ALL of my life. Then unemployed in 2013, i couldn't get umemployment because i was an partial owner/stockholder in my small business. So, guess what? I lost money. I had to suddenly redirect my career. So, i PAID into it for what exactly? I didn't have the safety net. So how is that "fair"?
The "system" for unemployment isn't funded by employees

We were owner employees with W2 and other compensation.

-- Edited by Lady Gaga Snerd on Saturday 5th of December 2015 07:52:41 PM

jlbear71 · Guru

huskerbb wrote:
The Federal unemployment Tax Act:

Federal Unemployment Tax Liability
The Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) imposes a payroll tax on employers, based on the wages they pay to their employees. Unlike some other payroll taxes, the business itself must pay the FUTA tax. You do not withhold the FUTA tax from an employee's wages.

They may not withhold FUTA Federal but they do withhold Pennsylvania State Unemployment Insurance PA SUI from both the employer and the employee. Not all states do that. New Jersey does not but they do withhold a disability tax in NJ.

Each state is different.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

I think giving to charity is personal. You should give where and how you are comfortable.

The gifts asked for on those trees, usually you can tell when a kid is asking or an adult.

Yes, every kid wants what the other kids have. That's just a kid being a kid. That doesn't bother me.

If you have a card for a 12 yr old asking for an ipod, that's normal and if you know where and how to shop, you can get one for about $50.

But if a 3 yr old is asking for an xbox, that's mom or dad and it's going to be pawned.

Nobody Just Nobody · Rib-it! Rrrib-it!

I think that this lady in the OP just needs to give where her heart leads her to give and tell her kids that this is where she has chosen to help. There are many people out there who legitimately need help during the Christmas season. And there will always be the scammers. That's just a part of life. But there are so many charities out there. I'm sure she can find one she can get behind. It can't be that hard.

I will be honest in saying that when I was single and in college I put my kids on the Angel Tree program two years. I NEVER allowed them to ask for anything expensive. They did verify my income but did not talk to the kids. When they asked me what the kids wanted I gave very generic answers. Barbies, matchbox cars, legos, etc. I never asked for a specific item. I felt it was up to the giver to decide what and how much to spend. I do know one year I was at the very end of the line. When I got up there they gave me the gifts and then asked me if my kids had bikes. I was honest and said no. I did not, had not, and would not have asked for bikes for my kids. But apparently some company had donated a bunch of various bikes. They checked my kids ages and gave each of them a bike. They had a really good Christmas that year.

weltschmerz · Guru

When I was little, I wasn't allowed to ride a bike. I grew up in downtown Montreal, with a lot of crazy drivers around. My mom was afraid I'd get hit by a car.
We did have a stable across the street, where people would rent horses to ride on Mount Royal. I rode a lot of horses.

Nobody Just Nobody · Rib-it! Rrrib-it!

I had a horse growing up!

weltschmerz · Guru

So did I. My Godfather lived in the country and I had my own horse. Well, he told me it was mine.
Couldn't sleep in my room, though.

FNW · Guru

We picked two "angels" from the tree at the club to donate to via the Salvation Army. One child wanted socks. Another wanted bed sheets. That just broke my heart.

Mellow Momma · Sniff...sniff, sniff. Yay! A Bum!

FNW wrote:
We picked two "angels" from the tree at the club to donate to via the Salvation Army. One child wanted socks. Another wanted bed sheets. That just broke my heart.

Thank you.

THIS is the type of family I would buy for. And I would get the kids other things as well obviously. But this family is truly needy.

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

Mellow Momma wrote:
FNW wrote:
We picked two "angels" from the tree at the club to donate to via the Salvation Army. One child wanted socks. Another wanted bed sheets. That just broke my heart.
Thank you.
THIS is the type of family I would buy for. And I would get the kids other things as well obviously. But this family is truly needy.

Yes, this is type of requests from the charity I donate to are like. I get them what they ask for and then some. Like the sheets; I would pick out an age appropriate bedding ensemble and pajamas and of course candy.

huskerbb · Guru

Lawyerlady wrote:
huskerbb wrote:
No, it isn't. There is not a line item for unemployment that is taken out of employee's checks--unless you have a separate state system that is wholly distinct from the federal system.
It's still factored into the overall compensation package b/c it is a cost of having that employee. My employer pays my health insurance 100% as one of my benefits - it is getting paid, I'm not on government insurance. So, the cost of unemployment insurance, while paid by the employer, is paid for the employee's benefit whether it comes out of his check or not. It's like any other benefit that the employer pays - part of FICA (self-employed have to pay the entire amount instead of half), employer contributions to the 401K, etc.

It's figured into the compensation package by the company--but it doesn't come out of the employee's paycheck.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

huskerbb wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
huskerbb wrote:
No, it isn't. There is not a line item for unemployment that is taken out of employee's checks--unless you have a separate state system that is wholly distinct from the federal system.
It's still factored into the overall compensation package b/c it is a cost of having that employee. My employer pays my health insurance 100% as one of my benefits - it is getting paid, I'm not on government insurance. So, the cost of unemployment insurance, while paid by the employer, is paid for the employee's benefit whether it comes out of his check or not. It's like any other benefit that the employer pays - part of FICA (self-employed have to pay the entire amount instead of half), employer contributions to the 401K, etc.
It's figured into the compensation package by the company--but it doesn't come out of the employee's paycheck.

So? It is still paid because the person is employed. Therefore - it is insurance for that employment. To me, it's really no different than short term disability insurance, which, BTW - is paid by many employers, too.

NAOW · Vette's SS

I'm a little bummed, the angel tree I went to only had kids ages and genders without the wishlist. I like trying g to buy what they ask for.

huskerbb · Guru

Lawyerlady wrote:
huskerbb wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
huskerbb wrote:
No, it isn't. There is not a line item for unemployment that is taken out of employee's checks--unless you have a separate state system that is wholly distinct from the federal system.
It's still factored into the overall compensation package b/c it is a cost of having that employee. My employer pays my health insurance 100% as one of my benefits - it is getting paid, I'm not on government insurance. So, the cost of unemployment insurance, while paid by the employer, is paid for the employee's benefit whether it comes out of his check or not. It's like any other benefit that the employer pays - part of FICA (self-employed have to pay the entire amount instead of half), employer contributions to the 401K, etc.
It's figured into the compensation package by the company--but it doesn't come out of the employee's paycheck.
So? It is still paid because the person is employed. Therefore - it is insurance for that employment. To me, it's really no different than short term disability insurance, which, BTW - is paid by many employers, too.

So...the point would be that to say YOU (meaning an employee) paid into the system is not true.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

I was both Employer and Employee so yeah.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

huskerbb wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
huskerbb wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
huskerbb wrote:
No, it isn't. There is not a line item for unemployment that is taken out of employee's checks--unless you have a separate state system that is wholly distinct from the federal system.
It's still factored into the overall compensation package b/c it is a cost of having that employee. My employer pays my health insurance 100% as one of my benefits - it is getting paid, I'm not on government insurance. So, the cost of unemployment insurance, while paid by the employer, is paid for the employee's benefit whether it comes out of his check or not. It's like any other benefit that the employer pays - part of FICA (self-employed have to pay the entire amount instead of half), employer contributions to the 401K, etc.
It's figured into the compensation package by the company--but it doesn't come out of the employee's paycheck.
So? It is still paid because the person is employed. Therefore - it is insurance for that employment. To me, it's really no different than short term disability insurance, which, BTW - is paid by many employers, too.
So...the point would be that to say YOU (meaning an employee) paid into the system is not true.

It is paid on my behalf. Same damn thing. If I wasn't employed, it wouldn't be paid.

huskerbb · Guru

Lawyerlady wrote:
huskerbb wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
huskerbb wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
huskerbb wrote:
No, it isn't. There is not a line item for unemployment that is taken out of employee's checks--unless you have a separate state system that is wholly distinct from the federal system.
It's still factored into the overall compensation package b/c it is a cost of having that employee. My employer pays my health insurance 100% as one of my benefits - it is getting paid, I'm not on government insurance. So, the cost of unemployment insurance, while paid by the employer, is paid for the employee's benefit whether it comes out of his check or not. It's like any other benefit that the employer pays - part of FICA (self-employed have to pay the entire amount instead of half), employer contributions to the 401K, etc.
It's figured into the compensation package by the company--but it doesn't come out of the employee's paycheck.
So? It is still paid because the person is employed. Therefore - it is insurance for that employment. To me, it's really no different than short term disability insurance, which, BTW - is paid by many employers, too.
So...the point would be that to say YOU (meaning an employee) paid into the system is not true.
It is paid on my behalf. Same damn thing. If I wasn't employed, it wouldn't be paid.

No. It's not the same thing. YOU are not paying it which was what was stated.

Mellow Momma · Sniff...sniff, sniff. Yay! A Bum!

I dont think that what an employer pays on your behalf is the same as what is subtracted from your earnings at all. And I think that's husker's point. One is earned by the employee and taken and the other is paid in my the employer.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Mellow Momma wrote:
I dont think that what an employer pays on your behalf is the same as what is subtracted from your earnings at all. And I think that's husker's point. One is earned by the employee and taken and the other is paid in my the employer.

But you are ignoring that it is paid BECAUSE you are employed. You get the credits for the FICA your employer pays on your behalf. You get the insurance benefits paid for by your employer. If you were not employed, they would not be paid, so it is a DIRECT RESULT of your employment, and therefore earned, not welfare. Unemployment insurance is no different than disability insurance paid by your employer ON YOUR BEHALF.

huskerbb · Guru

Lawyerlady wrote:
Mellow Momma wrote:
I dont think that what an employer pays on your behalf is the same as what is subtracted from your earnings at all. And I think that's husker's point. One is earned by the employee and taken and the other is paid in my the employer.
But you are ignoring that it is paid BECAUSE you are employed. You get the credits for the FICA your employer pays on your behalf. You get the insurance benefits paid for by your employer. If you were not employed, they would not be paid, so it is a DIRECT RESULT of your employment, and therefore earned, not welfare. Unemployment insurance is no different than disability insurance paid by your employer ON YOUR BEHALF.

So what? It was stated that it was something "you" paid (meaning the employee)--which is not the case. YOU did not pay into that system.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

huskerbb wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
Mellow Momma wrote:
I dont think that what an employer pays on your behalf is the same as what is subtracted from your earnings at all. And I think that's husker's point. One is earned by the employee and taken and the other is paid in my the employer.
But you are ignoring that it is paid BECAUSE you are employed. You get the credits for the FICA your employer pays on your behalf. You get the insurance benefits paid for by your employer. If you were not employed, they would not be paid, so it is a DIRECT RESULT of your employment, and therefore earned, not welfare. Unemployment insurance is no different than disability insurance paid by your employer ON YOUR BEHALF.
So what? It was stated that it was something "you" paid (meaning the employee)--which is not the case. YOU did not pay into that system.

No, I did not. I have said all along the employers paid it. When was your last eye exam?

huskerbb · Guru

Lawyerlady wrote:
huskerbb wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
Mellow Momma wrote:
I dont think that what an employer pays on your behalf is the same as what is subtracted from your earnings at all. And I think that's husker's point. One is earned by the employee and taken and the other is paid in my the employer.
But you are ignoring that it is paid BECAUSE you are employed. You get the credits for the FICA your employer pays on your behalf. You get the insurance benefits paid for by your employer. If you were not employed, they would not be paid, so it is a DIRECT RESULT of your employment, and therefore earned, not welfare. Unemployment insurance is no different than disability insurance paid by your employer ON YOUR BEHALF.
So what? It was stated that it was something "you" paid (meaning the employee)--which is not the case. YOU did not pay into that system.
No, I did not. I have said all along the employers paid it. When was your last eye exam?

LOL!!!! When was your last eye exam? I never said YOU stated that--I said IT WAS STATED.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

huskerbb wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
huskerbb wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
Mellow Momma wrote:
I dont think that what an employer pays on your behalf is the same as what is subtracted from your earnings at all. And I think that's husker's point. One is earned by the employee and taken and the other is paid in my the employer.
But you are ignoring that it is paid BECAUSE you are employed. You get the credits for the FICA your employer pays on your behalf. You get the insurance benefits paid for by your employer. If you were not employed, they would not be paid, so it is a DIRECT RESULT of your employment, and therefore earned, not welfare. Unemployment insurance is no different than disability insurance paid by your employer ON YOUR BEHALF.
So what? It was stated that it was something "you" paid (meaning the employee)--which is not the case. YOU did not pay into that system.
No, I did not. I have said all along the employers paid it. When was your last eye exam?
LOL!!!! When was your last eye exam? I never said YOU stated that--I said IT WAS STATED.

You have been quoting and arguing with ME on the subject. If you are going to argue with me, stick to what I'm talking about - I am not responsible for what other people say.

huskerbb · Guru

Lawyerlady wrote:
huskerbb wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
huskerbb wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
Mellow Momma wrote:
I dont think that what an employer pays on your behalf is the same as what is subtracted from your earnings at all. And I think that's husker's point. One is earned by the employee and taken and the other is paid in my the employer.
But you are ignoring that it is paid BECAUSE you are employed. You get the credits for the FICA your employer pays on your behalf. You get the insurance benefits paid for by your employer. If you were not employed, they would not be paid, so it is a DIRECT RESULT of your employment, and therefore earned, not welfare. Unemployment insurance is no different than disability insurance paid by your employer ON YOUR BEHALF.
So what? It was stated that it was something "you" paid (meaning the employee)--which is not the case. YOU did not pay into that system.
No, I did not. I have said all along the employers paid it. When was your last eye exam?
LOL!!!! When was your last eye exam? I never said YOU stated that--I said IT WAS STATED.
You have been quoting and arguing with ME on the subject. If you are going to argue with me, stick to what I'm talking about - I am not responsible for what other people say.

I was responding to another person--YOU jumped into the middle of it.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

huskerbb wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
huskerbb wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
huskerbb wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
Mellow Momma wrote:
I dont think that what an employer pays on your behalf is the same as what is subtracted from your earnings at all. And I think that's husker's point. One is earned by the employee and taken and the other is paid in my the employer.
But you are ignoring that it is paid BECAUSE you are employed. You get the credits for the FICA your employer pays on your behalf. You get the insurance benefits paid for by your employer. If you were not employed, they would not be paid, so it is a DIRECT RESULT of your employment, and therefore earned, not welfare. Unemployment insurance is no different than disability insurance paid by your employer ON YOUR BEHALF.
So what? It was stated that it was something "you" paid (meaning the employee)--which is not the case. YOU did not pay into that system.
No, I did not. I have said all along the employers paid it. When was your last eye exam?
LOL!!!! When was your last eye exam? I never said YOU stated that--I said IT WAS STATED.
You have been quoting and arguing with ME on the subject. If you are going to argue with me, stick to what I'm talking about - I am not responsible for what other people say.
I was responding to another person--YOU jumped into the middle of it.

And in her state - the employee DOES pay it. Or did you miss that part?

huskerbb · Guru

Lawyerlady wrote:
huskerbb wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
huskerbb wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
huskerbb wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
Mellow Momma wrote:
I dont think that what an employer pays on your behalf is the same as what is subtracted from your earnings at all. And I think that's husker's point. One is earned by the employee and taken and the other is paid in my the employer.
But you are ignoring that it is paid BECAUSE you are employed. You get the credits for the FICA your employer pays on your behalf. You get the insurance benefits paid for by your employer. If you were not employed, they would not be paid, so it is a DIRECT RESULT of your employment, and therefore earned, not welfare. Unemployment insurance is no different than disability insurance paid by your employer ON YOUR BEHALF.
So what? It was stated that it was something "you" paid (meaning the employee)--which is not the case. YOU did not pay into that system.
No, I did not. I have said all along the employers paid it. When was your last eye exam?
LOL!!!! When was your last eye exam? I never said YOU stated that--I said IT WAS STATED.
You have been quoting and arguing with ME on the subject. If you are going to argue with me, stick to what I'm talking about - I am not responsible for what other people say.
I was responding to another person--YOU jumped into the middle of it.
And in her state - the employee DOES pay it. Or did you miss that part?

Good God--no. Try READING the posts. I said that possibly her state was different.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

There are 3 states that the employee pays part of the unemployment insurance. The others, the employers pay it on your behalf. But what they pay goes into the total budget of what they can afford with an employee as part of their benefits package. If they didn't have to pay it, they could pay higher salaries, contribute more to 401ks, provide better insurance. So, yes, if affects your bottom line. It's a pretty basic economic principle. It's an employee benefit, and therefore part of your compensation.

huskerbb · Guru

Lawyerlady wrote:
There are 3 states that the employee pays part of the unemployment insurance. The others, the employers pay it on your behalf. But what they pay goes into the total budget of what they can afford with an employee as part of their benefits package. If they didn't have to pay it, they could pay higher salaries, contribute more to 401ks, provide better insurance. So, yes, if affects your bottom line. It's a pretty basic economic principle. It's an employee benefit, and therefore part of your compensation.

Never said otherwise. I said that you don't pay for it.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

huskerbb wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
There are 3 states that the employee pays part of the unemployment insurance. The others, the employers pay it on your behalf. But what they pay goes into the total budget of what they can afford with an employee as part of their benefits package. If they didn't have to pay it, they could pay higher salaries, contribute more to 401ks, provide better insurance. So, yes, if affects your bottom line. It's a pretty basic economic principle. It's an employee benefit, and therefore part of your compensation.
Never said otherwise. I said that you don't pay for it.

It is an insurance that is paid privately, and therefore it is not welfare.

huskerbb · Guru

It's welfare. Especially when the government extends the benefits and has to subsidize it.

jlbear71 · Guru

No, it's insurance here in PA. Pennsylvania State Unemployment Insurance. The federal is a social welfare benefit but it is NOT the same type of welfare benefit that you are talking about. Also, it does not kick in until after state benefits are exhausted, usually after 26 weeks and usually only lasts for an additional 20 weeks.