poa wrote: » My opinion may be an unpopular one; but its the truth. I am 39 years old and the dole. I resigned from my job as I had enough of it. Am I fit and able to work? Yes. Do I want to? No. The thing is, I am happier on the dole and not stressed. When I worked I didn't have a work/life balance. I left home at 7.00am and got home 7.00pm. I did an honest days work for an honest days pay; about 5 hours out of my 8 hour shift would be productive if I am honest. But I always remembered working with my father; as a moody teenager; and he said, son if your heart isn't in a job don't do it. And he sent me into the house. Its very true that, if a mans heart isn't in a job then its not worth doing. I know mortgages need paying, and kids need feeding etc. But I don't have either, so I can live without much income. Would I take a 9.15 Euro per hour job? No. I could do it but would only last say 2-3 months until I either got sacked or jacked it in due to it not being rewarding or stimulating enough; that's the reality. The problem is; once you have been a manager and earned good money, it's hard to ever go back to less money in a lower position. But then you get the stage where you think; do I want to do this job any more? And be stressed every day, leaving home at 7.00am for the big money? I did in my early 30's but now at 39 I don't. I wake up around 10.00am naturally, and have a lay in when I want now. After 20 years of getting up at 5.30am that is priceless to me; honestly that's the truth. Maybe I worked too hard and burned myself out? I don't know. My father had a very strong worth ethic; as many men of the 50's did. He did the work of 2 men to support our family and mortgage through tough recessions long before the Celtic Tiger boom and bust. I worked hard from 21 to 38 in career jobs; but if I am honest it was more to live up to my parents and friends expectations; rather than my own aspirations or ambition. I am happier on the dole than I ever was when I worked, that's the reality. OK I don't have the money, but I have time; and at 39 its more time I want not money. So am I allergic to work? Yes, I suppose I am. I only did it because I had to. Now I regret all the years I spent working doing something I didn't really enjoy. I changed jobs, but that was never the answer I hoped it would be. The truth is, I just hate work. The way I see it is this; if you want to work then fair play to you. And if you don't then that's fine too. One shouldn't try to impose one's views on another man; its freedom of choice. When I worked I paid my taxes and supported the sponges on the dole, the lifers that have never worked. And now I am one of them. I probably won't ever work again. Do I feel any guilt in being fit and able to work, but choosing not to? None at all. I suppose if I had a mortgage and kids I would have to, but I don't have to; that's the point. I never got into debt or borrowed money. I saved. I lived within my means. I see the dole like a weekly pension really. I just think its like retiring early at 39 rather than 65. If I kept working like I was I would probably have a heart attack or breakdown from it. Having a strong work ethic is admirable, but it ruined my father's health. And when he retired at 65 he wasn't able to enjoy it as a result. I always swore to myself that I would never make the same mistake, and would retire at 50. But then last year at 38 I thought; fk this man. I am done working in this office or any office until I am 65. And so I resigned. My friends all think I am mad, and can't understand how I could be happy not working. The truth is, there isn't a job out there I want to do. Yesterday I was listening to the radio laying on my sunlounger in the sun, drinking a mug of tea. I could have been stuck in that office. I thought about that. Money isn't everything you know, happiness is worth more.
Joshua J wrote: » Well said buddy and brave too on boards.ie lol. Prepare yourself. I'm in the same boat as yourself, worked for years but on the dole now. No wife kids just myself and am happy out. Do what I want, go running, play music, chill out, visit the mother, take dog to the beach whatever really. No ones going to build a statue to you for paying tax, and like you watched my dad work himself to the bone and die early. Life is for living and I found it hard to rationalise why I had to go and do something I didn't enjoy everyday not getting nearly compensated for my time which is incredibly valuable.
poa wrote: » Ask yourself this; honestly, you are raging that people like me sponge off the dole. And I am apathetic whether people work or sponge in life. So who is the happier one? The man who is raging, or the man who is apathetic? Serious questions. You see working if it makes you rage about sponges on the dole isn't making you happy. But I am sponging, and feel nothing either way about workers/spongers. But I am happy, that is a given. Doing what is right for you, is fair enough. But expecting all men to do what you feel is right, isn't. Freedom of choice, doesn't mean we all work. It means choice; work/sponge. We live in a society where one can choose, so I take full advantage of it. There is no shame in doing so.
poa wrote: » I worked and paid 40% tax myself. Then had enough of it. When I worked I felt the same about dole spongers. But then I thought I would be happier not working, and so I resigned. The way I see it is this, I paid my taxes for 20 years; and now I am sponging off those taxes. Fair's fair. I don't want to go on working until 65 then sit in the sun, I want that now at 39. That's the reality.
Cabaal wrote: » No doubt you'll be quick to bitch and moan when you are older when they cut medical card and that basic state pension you'll be on because you didn't bother your arse to save into your own pension. Also you'll be setting a fine example to any kids you may have in the future, "hey kids, don't work....leave everyone else pay for your lifestyle". :rolleyes: You'll also no doubt bitch when they cut education and how it affects any kids you might have, something you won't be contributing to at the same time.
MRnotlob606 wrote: » No wonder we have such a problem in this country with mental health. People flippantly being called lazy for being unemployed or being told to stick a in a job they don't like.
poa wrote: » Its not a popular view with the majority; but you speak the word of truth. My best friend struggles to hold down 3 jobs at the same time. He bought a big house in the Celtic Tiger on a 30 year mortgage. His wife can't work due to depression, so he has her and 2 kids on the payroll; hence the 3 jobs. I never met a more stressed out man in my life. When I go for a pint with him; he talks about his work; all 3 jobs, and its hard to steer him off the subject. He talks about bills, taxes, money, mortgage; and work. Same age as me, and about half a million in debt. He will probably have it all paid off by 65. But at what cost to his mental health? He thinks I am mad having resigned from my job last year. Sponging off his taxes etc. But my mental health has never been better; while he suffers (often in silence). I am no psychologist, but he is a ripe candidate for suicide. Pride as a man means he can't confide to his already depressed wife. She has her own problems. But when I look at them all; the whole family, none of them are happy. The 2 kids with a depressed mother and stressed out father; worried about money. The truth is, they would be happier and less stressed on the dole. But you can't tell people that, its their choice. I think good mental health is priceless. More important to me than paying tax, and living up to my friends and families expectation that I should be doing well in my career. I have gone past caring what people think of me at 39. I care less, and am happier as a result. Now don't get me wrong, I don't have the 500K house, wife and 2 kids, new BMW 520d my friend has etc. All I have is my freedom and my happiness. But if you asked me to trade places with him? I wouldn't at any price. People often let their mental health slip for money. But it's not so easy to buy it back after.
eviltwin wrote: » How are you surviving on 188 a week? How are you paying for your accommodation, food etc?
poa wrote: » I worked hard for 20 years and saved. I bought my apartment with my savings, so no mortgage required. As I have stated before, I don't have kids; so it's just me to support. So that is how I survive.
poa wrote: » Max respect to you man. There are many like us who know the score, but often afraid to tell it how it is; due to it being unpopular with the majority. Work is like prostituting yourself, doing something you hate because you need money. My freedom is worth more to me than 9.15 Euro per hour. 500 Euro per week won't buy 40 hours of my freedom any more. It used to, but these days I want time to do what I want. Say I had a mortgage and kids, I would work until 65 for sure. But I don't, and so don't see why I should bother. Be unhappy for another 26 years, and have money in the bank for what? I don't have any kids to pass it on to. So it's all pointless. Working hard then having a heart attack on the golf course at 65? No thanks. I want to enjoy my health now while I have it. I did 20 years stuck in offices on sunny days, when I could have been out in the sun. I won't ever go back to work, I am done with taking orders from the man.
Joshua J wrote: » I don't bitch and moan, in fact I got away from everyone who does that. No time for it now just enjoying my life.
Joshua J wrote: » Yeah once you get over the "what will the neighbours think" you realise society is somewhat self-policing. The norms of how you are supposed to live your life have been set down and if you deviate from the norm the people will be there to brow beat you back into line. Many people do jobs they despise for fear of being thought ill of should they go on the dole and their health/mind suffers as a result.
Cabaal wrote: » Don't think you'll be bitching and moaning when you're 70 and the basic state pension is cut in the budget, other benefits are cut and you find you have no medical card and you can't afford a decent health insurance plan? You're deluded if you think you'll be happy about it. Anyone I know of on a basic state pension wishes they put more money aside in their youth,
Noddy33 wrote: » That kind of attitude is why this country was driven to almost financial ruin. I have no problem with you choosing to retire early at 39 if you were continuing to live off your life savings but you are using dole payments to allow you live your life of leisure when you are completely capable of working and contributing to society. The dole allowance is suppose to be a means of helping the less fortunate to make end meat in every day life and pay bills while being expected to actively seek a return to the work force of which you clearly have indicated that you are doing. You should be aware people get their welfare payments cut if they are seen to not being making a genuine effort in a finding new employment
MacauDragon wrote: » Could agree, however, he worked 20 years/paid in for 20 years ...the money he's receiving is the money he made/paid in. Therefore he's not taking from anyone but himself. Additionally, hes likely paying vat and indirect taxes on daily purchases and will pay for land and other charges if he ever buys a gaff. So probably net contributor after all considered.
poa wrote: » Agreed. My parents put huge pressure on me to marry young and have kids (as they did). And then get a mortgage as soon as possible to get on the property ladder (as they did). It was their culture and work ethic, they tried to breed into me too. I decided to take a different path in life; and never married or had kids. I worked hard for 20 years and saved, rather than borrowing money from the bank. Then I bought my apartment with my savings. They still don't agree with my way, and that's that. They pity me for not having a wife and kids, and not working, and that's that. I suppose in my 20's it bothered me, but at 39 I am gone past caring what they or anyone thinks. I have my freedom, and do what I want when I want. Each to their own. I am not going to rage over whether someone works and pays tax, or sponges on the dole. It really doesn't matter to me either way at this stage. I worked and was unhappy, and now I don't work and am happy. So that is all there is to it. I just do what makes me feel happier. I have learned to take the path of least resistance in life, just like electricity.
maudgonner wrote: » That doesn't come close to adding up. How much income tax was he paying? Income tax is used to pay for all kinds of services, as well as funding social welfare, so not all of his income tax can be counted against dole. He's planning on never working again. Let's say he dies at 80 - between dole and pension that's more than 40 years drawing out of the system - do you really think he paid enough income tax in 20 years working to cover that?
fin12 wrote: » well there are people who have never paid in, will get payments for their entire life, so don't be having a go at someone who has already worked.
Chiorino wrote: » The dole isn't an open ended benefit, you will get cut off after a certain point.
fin12 wrote: » No he wont, if he continues satisfy the requirements of his job seekers allowance or whatever payment he is on.
Penny Tration wrote: » One of the requirements is to actually be seeking work!
