History of this group, and ideas

[w0nderer]

This discussion thread is pinned.

---History---
Hi, all
I'm glad this seems as popular as i hoped it would be (i thought there might be a large crowd of us that fall between the cracks in Frugal and EE group...which is good but still more of a lifestyle choice. That being said F and EE is also a good group.)

For Historical purposes
http://www.democraticunderground.com/12598762 Where It was suggested to admins

since a new group needs some 'provable' support
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027231530
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027219226
http://www.democraticunderground.com/11283695

And that's how it started, let's hope it grows and we all have fun
---End history---

---ideas---
i would like volunteers for more hosts, i'm thinking rotation to make it easier on folks but this is all of our group so let's argue it friendly like

Idea posts <<<---how to's, how to deal with social services, how to deal with the homes we live in, the cars some drive, the bicycles we ride, how to fix food cheaper, deal with child care, healh care. and so much more

Support: working poor are more of a clan than anything, we have more in common than the stuff the politicians use to try to split us up with

a place to rant and rave without people giving 'answers' from a place that didn't 'walk the walk'
It's nice for someone who hasn't to say: eat beans and rice...it's another to eat beans rice and veggies 100 days straight
it's nice for someone never having been working poor to say, "get another job"...not the same when you've pounded tarmac for 6 months and no one calls back

and so much more
---not an end to ideas, just for now an end to what i could think up---

---My thoughts--
I'm so happy to see the group well received.
I'm sure we'll disagree at times (all families/clans do).
I'm sure we'll learn from each other.

I asked for this group because every time (see above in ideas) I saw a 'working poor' post, it was instantly followed by 'possibly well meaning but useless posts from middle or upper class with no ideas on realities we live in'


It warms my heart and put a big grin on my face to see the response the first 24 hours and i'm hoping for more
---end thoughs---

Ladies, Gentlemen, Guys, Gals Welcome!

[F4lconF16]

1. K&R

I'm really excited about this group.

[w0nderer]

2. So am I k/r

[Aristus]

3. I hope you'll allow me as a member.

I'm not a member of the working poor. I'm solidly middle-class. I'm a Physician Assistant practicing clinical medicine, and getting a pretty decent salary to do so. But for the first four years of my practice, and for three years of my career as a Medical Assistant before going back to school, I worked at a clinic providing health care exclusively for homeless people.

I loved the job, and my patients. It created in me forever a desire to support the causes important to the working poor. The 1% can kiss my ass. I stand with working people.

I have vivid memories of the day-to-day struggle working minimum wage in a dead-end job.

[w0nderer]

4. aristus

are you going to complain about people working 40+ hours and not making it?
no?
you are accepted
we like you already!

[Aristus]

5. Thank you.

[ladyVet]

6. I always hated those responses from folks who just don't get it.

New job? What, like we aren't looking?

Move to where the jobs are. With what money? Remember the no/low-paying job thing?

Ride a bike to work. On a rural highway, with logging trucks, dump trucks and good ol' boys driving like they're at a Nascar track? Are you serious?

Eat cheaper. How much cheaper can you get than rice and beans? Ramen noodles? Spaghetti with no meat? Soup with no meat? And forget that farmer's markets shit. They are so expensive around here, I don't even look at them when I drive by.

Buy good clothes and make them last. Again, with what money? I'd much rather have nice clothes that last, rather than whatever I'm lucky enough to get (which I make last for years, anyway).

Though, if you can keep up with a good thrift store or two, you can often find quality clothes. And truth be told, most of the "good" clothes I see aren't any better made than the $5 tees and cheap jeans at Wal Mart.

[w0nderer]

9. OMG i can't believe i missed replying to you

this is one of those super good posts

i do ride a bike to work, but not a logging road (mainstream south florida isn't that nice either)

your points are so valid and those points were a large reason i asked for this group

i think i welcomed you ladyvet, but if i didn't (and it's way late now) my apologies it was a rushed time and i missed people
so if i missed, welcome

[LWolf]

7. I'm interested in

where this group will go.

I'm not the working poor any more. I am, though, the first person on either side of my family to attend college, and I come from generations of working poor. I WAS working poor while putting myself through college and raising my children.

Now I'm a teacher, which means I'm "middle class," but on the lower end of that designation.

I haven't forgotten the realities.

[w0nderer]

8. welcome, have a seat, chill out, relax, hang out :-) n/t