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How the "poor" spend their money

Discussion in 'News & Current Events' started by Mexdeaf, Jan 6, 2013.

  1. Mexdeaf

    Mexdeaf New Member

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  2. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    How are they getting cash from EBTs?
     
  3. LadyEagle

    LadyEagle <b>Moderator</b> <img src =/israel.gif>

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    From the state, hooked to the EBT card? Here's what New York has to offer:

    http://www.nyc.gov/html/hra/html/directory/cash.shtml
     
  4. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    OK - So I looked some more into this. We don't know for sure that the people are spending their money in these places but that EBT ATMs are located inside of them. For many in the city, they would go to the closest location to get to the ATM and that just might be a not so great place if it's right under their apartment or closer to them than another location. Yes, I'm sure some might be spending their money in these places - which means that they have less money to spend on food and shelter and that I guess is their choice. But if I had children and needed to grab cash, I just might go into a bar to grab the cash rather than crossing a busy city street to get to another location. I wouldn't just assume that every single person getting cash in these locations will be spending it on booze and lapdances.
     
  5. mont974x4

    mont974x4 New Member

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    No, not all. However understanding the sinful heart of man we can make an assumption about the majority of those events.
     
  6. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    I understand but unless you've been in the City, it's hard to explain how many times it works to go someplace. For me, I'd have to drive to a store like that and purposefully go in to do that. But for them, it's likely the closest location to grab cash. The next choice might be blocks away or across a major intersection so you suck it up and grab your moolah.
     
  7. Mexdeaf

    Mexdeaf New Member

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    Ann, thanks for lending some perspective here. I had not thought of that possibility.
     
  8. Mexdeaf

    Mexdeaf New Member

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  9. Oldtimer

    Oldtimer New Member

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    Thanks for bringing in the rest of the story.

    Common sense says that given the opportunity sinful mankind will continue to sin. Think about it for a moment.

    There are non-drinking purposes for going to an ABC store. Making vanilla from vanilla beans for example. Yet, I hesitate to enter because of the impact it may have on my testimony to someone who sees me go there.

    Sometimes while waiting for better half to do some grocery shopping I wait in the truck. There's a steady stream of people going into the ABC store next door. Common sense tells me they aren't all going in for ingredients to make vanilla flavoring. Common sense tells me that using ATM's in strip joints, with an ATM around the corner is the same thing for most using them.

    Our church works with a ministry that gives new toys to children at Christmas. At the location where all of these are collected and prepared for distribution, there's a group of volunteers with a specific job. Use permanent markers to cover the bar codes on the packaging. They have learned that parents will take the toys from the kids and return them to stores for refunds. Then use the funds for themselves.

    Too many times I've seen purchases at the grocery store divided. Peas and beans in the first group. Cases of beer in the second. First paid with a card, second paid with cash. Can't help but notice while standing in line waiting for cashier to check them out.

    This isn't the first news story about this. I don't remember the details (getting old), but a little while with a search engine, should bring up stories of disaster relief monies being spent in places like those mentioned in the article.

    What bothers me most is mentioned in the second link. Rather than limiting the opportunities for the sinner to sin (using other people's money), liberal society is enabling instead. It is wrong to take money from one person and give it to another and enable them to easily pay for lap dances.

    IMO.
     
  10. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    My question is why are these government machines allowed in strip joints? Why are they not allowed in only certain businesses?

    Again, the article says "presumably" in the idea of people spending their money there but neither article has any proof at all of even one person who DID spend money there. Again, if I lived in the city and the strip joint was the closest place for me to grab cash, I'd run in there fast. I'd not be participating in the activities in the bar but just getting the cash at the most convenient location possible.
     
  11. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    Being there is enough evidence that money was spent there. One does not go to there places for any other reason. Let's not be gullible.
     
  12. mont974x4

    mont974x4 New Member

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    In my rebel years I was also poor. Why? Because a great deal of my budget went to keeping the party going.

    It should surprise noone, but sadly it usually does, to find how much better off we are financially when we quit funding our idolatry and generally sinful lifestyle choices.


    Now, should we expect unsaved and otherwise rebellious people to behave any differently?
     
  13. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    That would be true in a place like where you live but life in NYC is considerably different than most places around this country.
     
  14. Mexdeaf

    Mexdeaf New Member

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    Having been to the Bronx for ministry a few times I have found this to be true.
     
  15. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    Even living so close to NYC, I forget many times as well but a visit a few times a year brings it to stark reality. Personally, I'd not miss it if I could never go into the city again - it's such a different world and not one I like. When my daughter was in the hospital there, I learned quickly where the closest anything was. :) Closest bank, food, coffee, grocery store, etc. I didn't venture past those places that I needed to go to when I ran out fast.
     
  16. saturneptune

    saturneptune New Member

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    In addition to the facts presented in the article, there is a mindset of people who remain poor all of their life. It really has very little to do with education or social status, but common sense.

    Consider some spending habits:

    1. Those living paycheck to paycheck buy small packages of a product because the total price is less, and end up spending twice the amount on that product than if they had bought a larger quantity. For example, one can get a package of 13 gallon trash bags, say eight bags, for around $2. Twenty bags costs about $3. The same principle holds for foods of all types.

    2. People who are always struggling do not have a budget, and have no idea how much income is being brought in, or how much is being spent.

    3. Some will actually rent furniture, and will end up costing multiple times more than if they had bought the furniture, especially if it is used.

    4. Many will sign up for car payments on a new car that they know they cannot afford, when they could have bought a reliable used car for a fraction of the cost.

    5. Many apply for multiple credit cards and pay bills by rotating the cards and transferring funds, all the while racking up interest charges and other fees.

    6. Very few of them save anything. Look at the number today in the older generation that never saved anything and live off Social Security, some that have collected mulitiples of what they paid in. The population has been told from day one that Social Security was a supplement, not a retirement, yet few listened.

    I could go on and on. The point is, if one thinks poor, they will always be poor. One cannot spend more than they make and expect to make any progress. I guess what drives me up the wall more than anything are people who do things like charge Christmas gifts, vacations, going out to eat, and other such frivilous activities when they cannot even provide basic needs for their families. The same principle can be applied to cell phone, cable, and internet bills.
     
  17. Oldtimer

    Oldtimer New Member

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    One more point, if you won't mind. No make that, two.

    Gotta have it NOW.

    Can't live without it. It is a necessity and I'm "entitled" to it.

    It says a lot when people come to our church requesting food to feed their children. Help them carry a box to food to their car that's littered with fast food wrappers. Have to wait while they answer their cell phone. While waiting can't help but notice their sport's team jacket and cap.

    And, to see the same ones buying lottery tickets where we stop to buy gas.
     
  18. Mexdeaf

    Mexdeaf New Member

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    Don't forget the $150 Nikes they are wearing. :smilewinkgrin:

    Yes, I see the same but that does not preclude us from helping them. They will answer to God for wasting the resources He has given them just as we will answer for what we waste- and Christians and churches waste a LOT! (Preaching to self here- been mulling over our consuming habits lately.)
     
  19. Oldtimer

    Oldtimer New Member

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    Like I said, noticed those things while helping to carry food to their car. :)

    You're not the only one. Been doing some preaching to self as of late, too. Quite a lot in fact and not only about over consuming habits. Gotta long way to go on many fronts. :tear:

    One thing about the new year is that it gives another opportunity to reflect.
     
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