Topic: Not enough workers
SparklingCrystal πŸ’–πŸ’Ž's photo
Sat 08/14/21 09:29 AM

I read about a teenager who got a job at a fast-food restaurant
at a good salary and bought a house, rates are so low
to borrow and his work is steady..all you need.

Wow that is really good!!
Over here house prices are insanely high, if you can find one for sale. Most that come up for sale that would be excellent starters homes are bought by corporations that then rent it out for a fortune!
I believe in Amsterdam they put a spanner in the works of these corporations, made it against the law. They should've done that everywhere. Youngsters cannot get a house, not a council house, nor one for sale.
But apart from that, you could never buy one on a restaurant income. You need 2 people with good income, or when alone have a higher income like a manager, would you be able to get a mortgage.

soufiehere's photo
Sat 08/14/21 11:01 AM


I read about a teenager who got a job at a fast-food restaurant
at a good salary and bought a house, rates are so low
to borrow and his work is steady..all you need.

Wow that is really good!!
Over here house prices are insanely high, if you can find one for sale. Most that come up for sale that would be excellent starters homes are bought by corporations that then rent it out for a fortune!
I believe in Amsterdam they put a spanner in the works of these corporations, made it against the law. They should've done that everywhere. Youngsters cannot get a house, not a council house, nor one for sale.
But apart from that, you could never buy one on a restaurant income. You need 2 people with good income, or when alone have a higher income like a manager, would you be able to get a mortgage.

Here, if you get roommates to help pay the mortgage you do not need
to claim their rent as income..they can help with the mortgage
tremendously..and there are a lot of places around that could
use some rehabbing, good match ;-)

So, tell me, how does a 'council house' work? I see they have
them in the UK also and wondered?

Richard 's photo
Sat 08/14/21 01:22 PM


Also, how do you manage to post and have it say "0 posts"?????

It's a glitch with new members ;-(

yah, I'm new.. it took a while for my post count to attach.

no photo
Sat 08/14/21 02:48 PM
Edited by Unknow on Sat 08/14/21 02:56 PM
Some contributing factors might be that people learned to spend less -a household might realize they need only one job rather than two -some might be growing their own food -and some became self-employed or similar.

Decreased dependence on a centralized system is not really a bad thing (the idea behind victory gardens) -as long as the centralized system can adjust and make it an advantage also. If people see they can not count on something, they will be less likely to become dependent.

Those who had least and needed most fared the worst by the initial responses/lack thereof. More focus should have been on relief and aid than stimulus -people first -then the economy. (Poor people can't save stimulus -they spend money like there is no tomorrow -because without that money there really wasn't much of one)

It is good to realize, also, that the big folks are very much dependent on the little folks.

no photo
Sat 08/14/21 03:47 PM
The funny part about all of this, in the US at least, is that the FEDs have openly said they want more people to go to work before they lower rates. The problem is not only the unemployment benefits, the problem is that with delta coming through, the stability of these jobs are practically nothing. As a side effect, with college students coming in wanting a job, they're all disappearing very fast.

The thing is, the job market is unstable right now because practically everything is unstable right now.

Diana 's photo
Sat 08/14/21 11:03 PM
So much help wanted around here in the Dayton, OH area that coffee shops Tim Horton, Starbucks, Waffle House, fast food, shutting their doors at 2 in the afternoon cause No Help! The factories are shutting down shifts due to lack of Help! People rather sit on their tails collecting unemployment

delightfulillusion's photo
Sat 08/14/21 11:47 PM

So, tell me, how does a 'council house' work? I see they have
them in the UK also and wondered?


Council houses are built by the local authorities to house people who cannot afford to buy houses or rent in the private sector. These houses are called social houses. In other words, houses the councils rent out to the general public.

Throughout time, these renters saved to buy their council houses so a lot of the council estates are now privately owned. In the past, councils sold their properties at a reduced cost given that the tenants, over time, had paid a lot of money towards renting. More often than not the council will sell a house when tenants move out rather than rent them back out because the vast majority are now owned. It’s a good way to get your foot on the property ladder. There are also lot of these houses bought privately solely for owners/landlords to rent back out.

There is a wait of many years for council houses here in the UK. I believe there is a point system which can push you further to the top of the list. It’s all based upon one’s personal circumstances.

SparklingCrystal πŸ’–πŸ’Ž's photo
Sun 08/15/21 01:41 AM


So, tell me, how does a 'council house' work? I see they have
them in the UK also and wondered?


Council houses are built by the local authorities to house people who cannot afford to buy houses or rent in the private sector. These houses are called social houses. In other words, houses the councils rent out to the general public.

Throughout time, these renters saved to buy their council houses so a lot of the council estates are now privately owned. In the past, councils sold their properties at a reduced cost given that the tenants, over time, had paid a lot of money towards renting. More often than not the council will sell a house when tenants move out rather than rent them back out because the vast majority are now owned. It’s a good way to get your foot on the property ladder. There are also lot of these houses bought privately solely for owners/landlords to rent back out.

There is a wait of many years for council houses here in the UK. I believe there is a point system which can push you further to the top of the list. It’s all based upon one’s personal circumstances.

Pretty much the same here.
The council corporation has to have houses for all classes of income, including what we call 'social housing' which is for the lower incomes.
If you have a higher income you cannot get one of these houses, only a more expensive one. You then also tend to get a better quality house cause these are usually newer houses.
They only get sold when they're old.
Like my home is from around 1960 and is up for sale. Not as long as I am renting but if I move out... I btw have first option to buy and yes, that is way cheaper than normal.

Council maintains the houses, if something is broken like the heating, you call and someone comes to repair it.
Every 5 yrs the windows & doors get painted, you can choose a colour from about 15 different ones.
Bigger maintenance every 6 yrs approx. I recently had that. New double glazing, better insulation etc.

Most people used to live in a council house but currently things are changing. Not sure why or what they're attempting to do.
They aren't building new council houses, and certainly not the social ones for lower income.
So housing is becoming more and more of a problem.

no photo
Sun 08/15/21 02:25 AM

People rather sit on their tails collecting unemployment


If it pays more than working your butt off for less money it's hard to blame them. Just have to wait it out till those extended unemployment benefits run out next month and everything should be back to normal. Unless of course they extend it.

SparklingCrystal πŸ’–πŸ’Ž's photo
Sun 08/15/21 02:40 AM


People rather sit on their tails collecting unemployment


If it pays more than working your butt off for less money it's hard to blame them. Just have to wait it out till those extended unemployment benefits run out next month and everything should be back to normal. Unless of course they extend it.

Yeah, I agree. I've had unemployment benefit a few times. I never felt bad about it. I paid towards it each month, okay so did the employer, but I always felt I earnt it.
If you haven't worked you aren't entitled to it either. And it's based on how long you have worked. Have you only work a short time, you may only get 1 month or something. Not like working 3 months and you get 1 yrs benefit.
If you yourself quit your job you don't get it either.
It's all calculated and fair.
And these days it's only 70% of your last pay check. So it's quite a step back financially. (that's over here).

What I read in the US on average it's $375 a week, but that's taxable income. That ain't much. And you get it for 26 weeks. So how it would be possible that people are lazy and now everything is falling apart... 26 weeks ain't much.
Of course now it may be different, but that's not people's fault. Chit happens and it happened.
My son works as a cook. He couldn't work as restaurants had to stay closed for months on end. That's not him being lazy. Sure he enjoyed it, but it is 70% of a normally good pay only.
And now he's back at work again :)

no photo
Sun 08/15/21 03:15 AM







What I read in the US on average it's $375 a week, but that's taxable income. That ain't much.


That's just it. It's now basically been doubled due to the covid issues. Some states opted out of this particular federal program and some didn't. Now people are not only taking advantage of the program but are now suing the states that opted out of the program. It's actually a crazy scene from both sides of the fence because people are committing fraud in order to keep the benefits rolling in. Now maybe if the goverment followed through and started checking up on these peoples claims of truly seeking employment it wouldn't be like it is but they don't.


Just a trainwreck type situation all the way around.

SparklingCrystal πŸ’–πŸ’Ž's photo
Sun 08/15/21 04:14 AM
Edited by SparklingCrystal πŸ’–πŸ’Ž on Sun 08/15/21 04:17 AM


What I read in the US on average it's $375 a week, but that's taxable income. That ain't much.


That's just it. It's now basically been doubled due to the covid issues. Some states opted out of this particular federal program and some didn't. Now people are not only taking advantage of the program but are now suing the states that opted out of the program. It's actually a crazy scene from both sides of the fence because people are committing fraud in order to keep the benefits rolling in. Now maybe if the goverment followed through and started checking up on these peoples claims of truly seeking employment it wouldn't be like it is but they don't.


Just a trainwreck type situation all the way around.

Yes then it's understandable it gets out of hand. Here there is follow up and if you do not apply for jobs and send proof of that (all online) you will get fined and get a benefit cut for several months. So the 70% will become maybe 50%. Then you're in chit with paying the bills. And you still have to pay that fine as well.
And they're very strict. There's no talking, explaining. The organisation that is in the charge of it has no mercy, not even if you do have a very good reason. It's black & white. You play by the rules, if you don't you get in chit. And if you bleep up again, even when you're already cut to 50%, they will simply cut you again. They really are ruthless. I know cos I've worked for that government organisation. And sometimes you have crying mothers on the phone who don't have any money to feed their kids, eating from the bins. No mercy... Was a tough job, I can tell you that. One of the reasons I left that job. I'm not a heartless biotch and it grated on me.
But I guess if they cut 1 some slack...

soufiehere's photo
Sun 08/15/21 06:19 AM


So, tell me, how does a 'council house' work? I see they have
them in the UK also and wondered?


Council houses are built by the local authorities to house people who cannot afford to buy houses or rent in the private sector. These houses are called social houses. In other words, houses the councils rent out to the general public.

Throughout time, these renters saved to buy their council houses so a lot of the council estates are now privately owned. In the past, councils sold their properties at a reduced cost given that the tenants, over time, had paid a lot of money towards renting. More often than not the council will sell a house when tenants move out rather than rent them back out because the vast majority are now owned. It’s a good way to get your foot on the property ladder. There are also lot of these houses bought privately solely for owners/landlords to rent back out.

There is a wait of many years for council houses here in the UK. I believe there is a point system which can push you further to the top of the list. It’s all based upon one’s personal circumstances.
Ahhhh so tis like affordable housing in the US,
subsidized for the tenants? I did not know they could buy
them, that does not happen here.

soufiehere's photo
Sun 08/15/21 06:22 AM

Yes then it's understandable it gets out of hand. Here there is follow up and if you do not apply for jobs and send proof of that (all online) you will get fined and get a benefit cut for several months. So the 70% will become maybe 50%. Then you're in chit with paying the bills. And you still have to pay that fine as well.
And they're very strict. There's no talking, explaining. The organisation that is in the charge of it has no mercy, not even if you do have a very good reason. It's black & white. You play by the rules, if you don't you get in chit. And if you bleep up again, even when you're already cut to 50%, they will simply cut you again. They really are ruthless. I know cos I've worked for that government organisation. And sometimes you have crying mothers on the phone who don't have any money to feed their kids, eating from the bins. No mercy... Was a tough job, I can tell you that. One of the reasons I left that job. I'm not a heartless biotch and it grated on me.
But I guess if they cut 1 some slack...

When in college I worked for a nursing home, very sad place.
The rules were impossible..patients would get bed sores and we
were not allowed the time to treat them..had to quit though
I needed the job, just too hard on the heart ;-(

soufiehere's photo
Sun 08/15/21 06:26 AM

Some contributing factors might be that people learned to spend less -a household might realize they need only one job rather than two -some might be growing their own food -and some became self-employed or similar.

Decreased dependence on a centralized system is not really a bad thing (the idea behind victory gardens) -as long as the centralized system can adjust and make it an advantage also. If people see they can not count on something, they will be less likely to become dependent.

Those who had least and needed most fared the worst by the initial responses/lack thereof. More focus should have been on relief and aid than stimulus -people first -then the economy. (Poor people can't save stimulus -they spend money like there is no tomorrow -because without that money there really wasn't much of one)

It is good to realize, also, that the big folks are very much dependent on the little folks.

That is interesting, as I think, why not just save the stimulus, as I did?
But you are right the poor have difficulty saving as they need it more.
Although, a money manager might tell you to save 10% of whatever you
earn/get no matter your circumstances, which seems valid to me.

no photo
Sun 08/15/21 06:53 AM
I can't find help if my life depended on it. Then, most demand more per hour than I make in an hour. And most can't be relied to show up everyday. Some have showed up drunk, or stinking of skunk. (Marijuana) One couldn't put his phone down.I just fired him.

I've told my customers that it's just me, it will get done to your liking. It's going to take that long and not one minute less. My saving on jobs, is that they know I will give them quality.

Companies are crying for good workers. I've got standing offers to come work for them. But it's not being self employed, like I have been for the last 40+ years. I was told once, when times are tight, and jobs scarce, there is always a job for those who want to work.

I wanna work. I've always had jobs.

soufiehere's photo
Sun 08/15/21 08:28 AM

I can't find help if my life depended on it. Then, most demand more per hour than I make in an hour. And most can't be relied to show up everyday. Some have showed up drunk, or stinking of skunk. (Marijuana) One couldn't put his phone down.I just fired him.

I've told my customers that it's just me, it will get done to your liking. It's going to take that long and not one minute less. My saving on jobs, is that they know I will give them quality.

Companies are crying for good workers. I've got standing offers to come work for them. But it's not being self employed, like I have been for the last 40+ years. I was told once, when times are tight, and jobs scarce, there is always a job for those who want to work.

I wanna work. I've always had jobs.

That should earn you customers for life ;-) When everything shakes
out hopefully people will see where true value lays.

We also cannot hire help at $20 an hour just for yardwork.

dust4fun's photo
Sun 08/15/21 10:16 AM


I can't find help if my life depended on it. Then, most demand more per hour than I make in an hour. And most can't be relied to show up everyday. Some have showed up drunk, or stinking of skunk. (Marijuana) One couldn't put his phone down.I just fired him.

I've told my customers that it's just me, it will get done to your liking. It's going to take that long and not one minute less. My saving on jobs, is that they know I will give them quality.

Companies are crying for good workers. I've got standing offers to come work for them. But it's not being self employed, like I have been for the last 40+ years. I was told once, when times are tight, and jobs scarce, there is always a job for those who want to work.

I wanna work. I've always had jobs.

That should earn you customers for life ;-) When everything shakes
out hopefully people will see where true value lays.

We also cannot hire help at $20 an hour just for yardwork.


Even teenagers won't do yard work for $20 an hour anymore, and if they do I think you would be pretty disappointed in what they actually do, and how long it takes. People don't have Pride in their work, they are not willing to start at the bottom and work their way up. Everyone thinks they should get top pay even on days they don't show up, or even if they can not even complete simple tasks. It's like the Millennial population has spread to all generations. Shouldn't you get a participation award just for showing up? Or not even showing up, but just for being? It's been this way for a long time, but it's getting much worse. I've been saying for a long time you can fire half the people and double your production. If somebody F's up more than they accomplish it takes a lot of time to fix things, if somebody wants to sit and BS all day then not only do they not get anything done, but they also keep others from getting anything done. How am I supposed to get anything done if I have to hold somebody's hand all day? Most work is service based now, people feel obligated to tip waitresses because it's considered part of their wage, well I know some pretty poor excuses of waitresses that make $80k a year while the people who actually cook your food and are far more responsible for your experience most likely only make $25k to $30k a year and it's more demanding work. Government hand outs are definitely having an effect on work habit's, but it's societies attitude that has the biggest affect. People think they need the big house and nice car, that the should be able to go out to eat or get coffee whenever they want. They are not willing to work for anything anymore, while some people coming from other countries either legally or illegally are willing to work for low wages, or put it all on the line and start their own businesses because it's still better than where they came from.

no photo
Sun 08/15/21 10:37 AM








Even teenagers won't do yard work for $20 an hour anymore


Your right and that's the sad part. Nowadays people have been adapting to remote work option and I guess they seem to like it better and that's understandable considering they have more freedom and flexibility.

SparklingCrystal πŸ’–πŸ’Ž's photo
Sun 08/15/21 10:56 AM
I just had a guy of approx. 28 here who did my entire garden -which is a lot and was an incredibly mess- for E80.
Teenagers work for minimum wage for their age and usually hard work too. Filling shelves in supermarkets, things in restaurants (like washing dishes) etc.
If it wasn't for them willing to do work for that low price an hour life would get much more expensive for us as they'd then have to get adults in that get more pay.
Even adults do yards for $20 - $25 an hour, which is steep but it is hard physical work too.
Teenagers often get offered like $8, depending on their age of course. And they do take that work.

But that's over here. I wonder if the situation over there that is told is true or more people's own projections. Of late I notice a lot of antipathy concerning teenagers and youngster from people (not here per say) that often is totally out of line and very unfair.
I think that's a shame. We all have been teenagers and youngsters and many of us weren't lovely, willing etc. themselves. Teenage years is meant to rebel, find out how it works, how you like things, and how not. It's not about being on a leash and obeying everything they're told.