Most people here seem to carry the theme:
"There is poverty, and then there is self inflicted poverty."
And you are absolutely right. Stats SA reported 60% unemployment in early 2000, but they had to rectify the statistic by stating, that of those 60% less than 10% actually wanted to find work in the first place.
It has happened on 3 separate occasions that I know of and could confirm, where white beggars at traffic lights were offered jobs, and promptly denied the opportunity, due to them making more money begging than they would with an honest job.
I have never heard of any adult beggar being offered a permanent job, actually taking it.
The reason for this is rather simple. If you wanted a job, you wouldn't be begging, you'd be out looking for a job.
Having said that though, I've been in the position where I have been un-employed, as was my father and mother.
From personal experience I can state that it's not a nice position to be in, life becomes very difficult very quickly.
The difference between myself and others, that have failed to get out of the situation, is that I cut every possible expense
down to the bone.
Believe it or not, it's the small things that make the difference. If you are a smoker, you should quit, immediately! The R25 spent on a pack of fags can feed a family of 4 for a day. If you are living on your own, renting a place, get a flat mate ASAP!
If you can, terminate your rental and move in with a friend or family member, BUT DON'T BECOME A FREELOADER!
If you can't afford to contribute financially towards the household, be prepared to do the chores around the house.
And don't stop looking for a job, ANY JOB! If you can earn R100 by washing a few cars, then bloody well do it. That R100 is a day well spent, because you now have petrol money to get to your next interview.
Another significant factor, was that I refused to buy anything on credit If I didn't absolutely have too. To date, there have only been two items I purchased on a payment plan bases, my house is one, my previous car the other. Today, I refuse to purchase anything I can not buy cash.
That meant when the
hit the fan, I was able to walk away clean and come back smelling like roses, because nobody
could hound me for money.
And then there is probably the most significant factor of all, the one thing that saw me through 12 months of unemployment without so much as a scratch.
I was in the habit of working my budget on half of my income. I.E. Food, rent, car, fuel, electricity ... EVERYTHING. Had to be payed out of 50% of my actual income in any one month. I was rather anal about this! The rest was left in the bank, being saved for exactly the type of emergency it ended up being used for.
Many people would say that I could do it because I earned enough to do it, but that's plain ignorance. When I earned R3000, I lived on R1500. When I earned 10k, I lived on 5... When I earned 15k, I lived on 7.5k.
Today I'm still following that same strategy, although I don't manage 50% anymore.
I've seen what un-employment did to my parents, and that's what set me on this course and although I don't quite manage the 50% barrier, I do my damnedest to get as close as possible. The strategy has saved me once already, I hope it does not need to do so again. But if it does, I know I'll have time and space to take the actions needed in order to keep the things I consider important.
Yes, it requires discipline and a crap load of patience, because you can't go out and get that 80cm Plasma TV you desperately want. You have to save up for it and only then can you have it.
I'll be 34 years old in on the 22nd of April. There are three decisions I've made in life, that have saved me great pain and suffering, while bringing me happiness and peace.
1. I don't concern myself with the Joneses, they have what they have because they live in a perpetual state of dept. It will catch up to them.
2. I married a woman that agrees with the fiscal policies I set in place for myself.
3. I refuse to father children until I'm both financially and emotionally ready, and due to the fact that I'll never be emotionally ready... I refuse to father children, period!
I never intended for this post to get this long... sorry.
dsan, you have made me day 