I live in one of the largest counties in the state of Missouri and this county is nearly always at the top or close to the top in people living on welfare. What I have observed down through the years here is that younger people learn from their parents and for many of these living on welfare it is a way of life. They live on welfare because thats the way they were brought up, their parents did, their grandparents did and now they do it. They continue to have children and absolutely think nothing about the financial responsibilities that comes with raising a family. They start out on WIC and welfare then as their children grow older then rely on welfare and outreach programs.

I am a believer in welfare for people who really need it but just for one generation after another generation to constantly live off the system is so wrong, IMO. I can walk down the street of this very small town and point out the ones who are abusing the system. I could go through the local phone book and tell by the last name whether it's a one, two or three generation of welfare users. It's really sad.

I don't think a stigma should be put on people using food stamps but in many situations in my area, some of the people using food stamps have put the stigma on themselves. Having lived in Houston, Tx for years and having a houshold income of over $80,000 yr., getting used to social security retirement benefits and a pension from a small investment, there sure are times when I'd like to have that welfare card to pay for groceries so I can use my money to buy my grandchildren more things than I can do now. I can't go into a store now just buy what I want when I want to like I used to when I was working. What I have to do now is budget things into each check and eventually get what I want.

I hope to buy everything I could possibly want or need for the rest of my life, before I retire. Has anyone here tried that? Looking for advice.

Before my husband and I retired nearly three years ago, we had a new house built and it took us nearly two years to get it done because we didn't want to retire with a mortgage so we'd have part of it built and pay for that then we'd have another part built and pay for that until finally it was all completed. We also paid off the credit cards and now only use them to purchase things online or for airline tickets, hotels, etc. We realized our lifestyle was going to change once we were retired but I think the biggest adjustment I have had to make hasn't been about money but the convenience of once having shopping so close by before and now I have to drive 62 miles one way just to shop at a mall.

Sooz... I can so relate to your statement "it's amazing to me how little I actually need or really want now" and your list is so much like mine. I think I live in jeans, t-shirts, boots these days. I have recently donated many of my business suites and high heel shoes to an organization that helps peoples women who have gotten new jobs but don't have the clothes to wear to these jobs.

I was actually joking, but thanks for the advice. I've lived in poverty and plenty and I much prefer plenty. I think we're going to be OK as long as we DON'T try to buy everything that strikes our fancy, now or after retirement. We're both delaying retirement for a few years past the time we could retire. We've timed the mortgage to expire before we do...just before we retire. We'll have no car or other loans. If we can avoid helping our kids too much, we'll be OK.

I know people who should use food stamps but don't out of pride or ignorance of their availability, or whatever. I haven't ever known anyone who scammed the system. I have known someone who made the choice not go from a part-time job to a full time job at low wage, because the expense of doing so (child care, loss of food stamp or other aid) put her and her kids in worse shape than before. Is she scamming the system? It's a complicated question. Sometimes there are no good choices available, and one has to choose the least bad option. I don't harbor even one tiny, teensy bit of animosty toward her for her use of my tax dollars.

Soos, Dee, Grampatom and the rest of you too numerous to mention...

This must be the norm, since I do with a whole lot less that I use to and I need less money then I get, and I use the rest of it to help others or treat them in some fashion, that is useful, and will be doing the same over Christmas... I will admit to buying something to enjoy myself with along with others... I did buy a Mustang Convertible that I am sure you may have heard about and I do extensive travelling, while helping others at the same time...
Keep up the good work you all...

I think everyone in here would be surprised by the amount of fraud that is taking place in the welfare system. I know, because my gf is a welfare fraud investigator. There are people living in mansions in gated communities that are on the dole. Then there are those that are living in squalor that don't take advantage of the various programs out there. And I am totally against career welfare recipients (cwr). But here is a major problem, the children of these cwr's have to be taken care of. So the cwr gets the money and can spend it however they please. They don't get stamps anymore, they get a card that works like a debit card. It is hard for the average shopper to tell who is on welfare and who isn't. So the stigma is pretty much gone.

I believe fraud is rampant, monster ~ but I'd probably be rabid if I knew the real amount ~ all of our social programs need very deep review and significant revamping ~ and the problem with using children is one of the thorniest problems there is ~ sadly, I believe that there are mindsets that view whatever controls are in place as a challenge to beat ~ ~

Sooz