Called out some friends on wasting their tax return

[Kunra9]

Two different friends, both have children, are getting a nice big fat tax return because of their kids.

One plans to upgrade his car stereo (speakers, amp, deck, the whole shabang)

The other is going "all out" in Vegas for her birthday.

It's their money, they can do what they want. True. It's not my business, nor place to tell them HOW to spend their money. True.

Buuuuuuuut when I see Facebook posts on a monthly basis about how tight money is, you can't take the kid to the dentist cuz you have no insurance and can't afford, using food stamps to buy your groceries... I don't think getting a full sleeve tat on your left arm is the way to go when the government writes you that check.

#peoplemakemeangry

 

[PlayboyMegan]

I agree.
But on the other hand, when you are always broke, it gets so depressing. Sometimes when you get that little bit of cash you have to be selfish, just to keep your sanity. However, kids health should come first.

 

[AnaVictoriaXO]

It does sound stupid, and I agree its irresponsible to be doing that if their kids have needs..... BUT, you don't know if they're spending all of their tax money on the things they mentioned. Its possible they're just using some of it for play and the rest for necessities :twocents-02cents:

 

[Anonymous]

Buuuuuuuut when I see Facebook posts on a monthly basis about how tight money is, you can't take the kid to the dentist cuz you have no insurance and can't afford, using food stamps to buy your groceries... I don't think getting a full sleeve tat on your left arm is the way to go when the government writes you that check.

#peoplemakemeangry

Not directed at you personally, Kunra, but a lot of people talk about food stamps like it's a dirty word. Their rants are fine when they're just talking about the actual lazy people who refuse to get a job. But there are also hard-working people who get food stamps, and it's a little irritating when I hear NON-food stamp recipients whine "People shouldn't be allowed to buy potato chips with their food stamps!" Excuse me? A long time ago when I had gotten food stamps, I used them to buy meat, fruit, veggies, bread, orange juice, soda, chips, etc. Chips and soda can very well be part of a person's snack/meal. If a shopper checks out with potato chips, peas, carrots, allergy medicine, and baby wipes, the food stamps card/cashier's register automatically detects the chips, peas, and carrots as FOOD items anyway. So when they swipe their card, the chips, peas, and carrots are paid for, and the remaining balance is what they have to pay out of pocket for the allergy medicine and baby wipes.

If a person is dumb enough to spend all their food stamps on Kit Kat bars, and then they get home and whine "Dammit, I forgot to get stuff off the grocery list!," then that's their own damn fault. They'll just have to go back to the store and buy that stuff out of pocket, or wait an entire month for when they get food stamps added to their card again. 'Food stamps' should only be a dirty word if we're talking about a lazy person (who's capable of working) who refuses to get a job, and sits around at home all day playing Xbox 360...lol.

Happy Friday, folks! :hello2:

 

[Anonymous]

It does sound stupid, and I agree its irresponsible to be doing that if their kids have needs..... BUT, you don't know if they're spending all of their tax money on the things they mentioned. Its possible they're just using some of it for play and the rest for necessities :twocents-02cents:

This.

Truthfully, if I was that person getting the tax refund, I wouldn't even announce it on Facebook. One reason is that some people always got their hand out when they hear that you've come into money, and another reason is that I'd rather not have people telling me what they think I should do with it...when I've already made a decision what's gonna happen with the money.

 

[Mirra]

I have money issues and the last few years my tax returns have gone towards things like car repairs and catching up on rent/utility payments... but there was a year I spent most of my return on a television. You can call that dumb if you want, but the use and enjoyment I've gotten from upgrading my old CRT set to an HD LCD has been worth it over the last few years. Them being your friends, I think it's good that you care enough to have concern but I hope when you say "call out" you didn't try to make them feel badly about their decision. It's one thing to question it in an amicable conversation. It's another to try and guilt them about their choice.

 

[Kradek]

If you're getting a big tax return, you're doing it wrong. Why lend money to the government?

 

[Kunra9]

I think the food stamp program is great. And really food stamp isn't even the proper term because it's more like a debit card that's issued. But anyway, I don't judge them for using it. My point is, if you HAVE to use it, I imagine a large tax refund would be a nice way to get ahead of things. Especially if you have a child.

That's my main point on this quick little rant. If you struggle paycheck to paycheck to make rent, keep up with your bills, keep gas in your car, and clothes on your child's back... I just don't see the point in vanity spending.

If you already live like a fat cat and the kid has everything he/she needs with no worries, then enjoy.

That's the REASON people with children get large returns. It's a credit built into the system because it's fucking expensive to raise a child. So the government is giving you a break. Just don't squander it.

It scares me to think what would happen if the economy truly took a shit and the government went belly up.

 

[dustinxxxizzle]

I know what you mean. A family member of mine has done this for years with my Mother. They'll take practically half her check one week to pay their bills, food expenses, etc., and then the very next week buy a WiiU or something and tell my Mom that they can't pay her back yet, and eventually my Mom just drops it, because it's family, you know? Kinda irritates me.

 

[Teagan]

I know what you mean to Kunra. I had a friend on FB who i ended up deleting out of sheer stupidity last year over her tax return posts. Long story short she had 2 kids and was getting a hefty return from them. However the kids got taken away in October from her cause she was a terrible parent. They got put in foster care. Instead of using the money to fix up her place to be suitable for them she would go on and on every day about how much she was getting back because she could still claim them the year before. She went into details of how much and that she was going to use it to buy a new car, get her hair done, buy new clothes, and make up for herself. She mathed it out and not a penny was going to anything to get the kids back. It made me sick to watch and i just felt so bad for the kids to have a mom like that.
Some people just aren't good with money at all. Sadly though it's the kids who suffer most from it.

 

[Just Me]

If you're getting a big tax return, you're doing it wrong. Why lend money to the government?

I completely agree with you and if not for certain tax breaks I would owe $43 dollars to the government. BUT, if it is the only way some people can save some money so they can have fun or buy a higher ticket item, I really can't fault them for it.

 

[Evvie]

If you're getting a big tax return, you're doing it wrong. Why lend money to the government?

Because the government is trustworthy and would never steal from you.

 

[SoTxBob]

If you're getting a big tax return, you're doing it wrong. Why lend money to the government?

Because the government is trustworthy and would never steal from you.

:laughing-rolling: :laughing-rofl: :laughing-lmao: :laughing-lettersrofl: :laughing-rolling: :laughing-rofl:

 

[Mirra]

If you're getting a big tax return, you're doing it wrong. Why lend money to the government?

Because the government is trustworthy and would never steal from you.

I trust them as much as I trust the banks to be honest. To put that into perspective slightly, I trust Google more than I trust either of the previously mentioned institutions.

 

[JerryBoBerry]

It scares me to think what would happen if the economy truly took a shit and the government went belly up.

Not 'If' but when. 16.5 trillion in debt, balanced budget is a pipe dream, 48 million on food stamps, 22 million unemployed, and only 143 out of 315 million actually in the work force paying for everything. Anyone who's looked at the numbers seriously immediately starts stocking up food and toilet paper for a reason. When it happens you will see all those millions on food stamps and ssi immediately rioting and burning in every town.

Seriously look at every number on this page and think about what they mean. It's truly depressing. http://www.usdebtclock.org/ Hover over any number and the description is at the top if you need more info.

 

[Diana Blake]

When I was young my dad raised me and my brother and sister by himself. There wasn't an option to work more than one job because we needed care and having a babysitter all the time wasn't an option. He worked as much as he could while still taking care of us. He would scrimp and save all year long to make sure we had a good Christmas, good birthdays, clothes and supplies for school. He wore the same damn shoes for ten years, every day. The bottom of them were duct taped. :lol: He spent all his extra money on us. Buying me boat loads of books and taking us to the movies every few months when something awesome was coming out. Buuuuut...when tax return came, that was his money.

It was the only money he ever spent on himself. And even then he usually got something all of us could enjoy. He'd get a new computer one year. A PS2 the next. I think when all your time, energy and money goes to someone else selflessly then you deserve to take your little bit of extra money per year and do something fun and frivolous with it. :twocents-02cents:

 

[Kunra9]

When I was young my dad raised me and my brother and sister by himself. There wasn't an option to work more than one job because we needed care and having a babysitter all the time wasn't an option. He worked as much as he could while still taking care of us. He would scrimp and save all year long to make sure we had a good Christmas, good birthdays, clothes and supplies for school. He wore the same damn shoes for ten years, every day. The bottom of them were duct taped. :lol: He spent all his extra money on us. Buying me boat loads of books and taking us to the movies every few months when something awesome was coming out. Buuuuut...when tax return came, that was his money.

It was the only money he ever spent on himself. And even then he usually got something all of us could enjoy. He'd get a new computer one year. A PS2 the next. I think when all your time, energy and money goes to someone else selflessly then you deserve to take your little bit of extra money per year and do something fun and frivolous with it. :twocents-02cents:

Which I totally get. Even the items you mentioned, while perhaps not "necessary" still benefit the children as well in some way.

The examples I provided.. not so much.

 

[SweepTheLeg]

I have no kids, only time i'm in debt is when i need to pay off my credit card, already have my car paid off and for now renting an apartment complex BUT yet when it comes to tax returns my favorite thing to do is to put in my savings and see that number get even bigger. It brings a smile to this face just seeing a few more thousand dollars added to the pile.

 

[MollyJayd]

She went into details of how much and that she was going to use it to buy a new car, get her hair done, buy new clothes, and make up for herself. She mathed it out and not a penny was going to anything to get the kids back.

Sometimes I feel like you should have some sort of license to be allowed to reproduce. :?

I'll be using my tax return to pay money back to my father, AND get a new tattoo. It's hard to not spend it on something fun when you get a big chunk of money like that, at least for me. Although the adult part of me tells me to at least use some of it responsibly..

 

[SweepTheLeg]

I'll be using my tax return to pay money back to my father, AND get a new tattoo. It's hard to not spend it on something fun when you get a big chunk of money like that, at least for me. Although the adult part of me tells me to at least use some of it responsibly..

I'd have used some of my tax return to pay my dad back too, but I'll have him paid back before I even get my return. I hate owing money THAT much.

 

[MollyJayd]

I hate it also, but I owe him lots right now >.< part of why I started camming. Hopefully the tax return will put a dent in it. Yay for not owing money!

 

[SweepTheLeg]

I've resorted to camming too. How else would you explain me being able to pay him back so quickly? :dance:

 

[Just Me]

If you're getting a big tax return, you're doing it wrong. Why lend money to the government?

Because the government is trustworthy and would never steal from you.

Not sure if you are being sarcastic or not. :lol: Apologies if so.

The point with not lending money to the government is not that you can't trust them, but that you get nothing back on your money. You are lending the government money and you get no interest back. Of course it only makes a difference if you actually save they extra money you are sending to Uncle Sam and put it to some use that makes you more money in return. :twocents-02cents:

 

[Elysia36]

This


Not directed at you personally, Kunra, but a lot of people talk about food stamps like it's a dirty word. Their rants are fine when they're just talking about the actual lazy people who refuse to get a job. But there are also hard-working people who get food stamps, and it's a little irritating when I hear NON-food stamp recipients whine "People shouldn't be allowed to buy potato chips with their food stamps!" Excuse me? A long time ago when I had gotten food stamps, I used them to buy meat, fruit, veggies, bread, orange juice, soda, chips, etc. Chips and soda can very well be part of a person's snack/meal. If a shopper checks out with potato chips, peas, carrots, allergy medicine, and baby wipes, the food stamps card/cashier's register automatically detects the chips, peas, and carrots as FOOD items anyway. So when they swipe their card, the chips, peas, and carrots are paid for, and the remaining balance is what they have to pay out of pocket for the allergy medicine and baby wipes.

If a person is dumb enough to spend all their food stamps on Kit Kat bars, and then they get home and whine "Dammit, I forgot to get stuff off the grocery list!," then that's their own damn fault. They'll just have to go back to the store and buy that stuff out of pocket, or wait an entire month for when they get food stamps added to their card again. 'Food stamps' should only be a dirty word if we're talking about a lazy person (who's capable of working) who refuses to get a job, and sits around at home all day playing Xbox 360...lol.

Happy Friday, folks! :hello2:[/quote]

 

[southsamurai]

ummm. as a currently broke, disabled but not on disability yet sort of person i gotta know... how the frak do you get foodstamps? ive applied twice and been refused. 0 income, and the total income of the other people in the house is way under 30k a year (unless they're lying to me). i hear all the time about people abusing this that or the other part of the system and i have no effin idea how. medicaid? nope, cant get it. foodstamps? same. disability? 4 effin years and counting. what the hell do these people do to get on these programs? is there some trick ive yet to hear of

 

[Jupiter551]

I'll be using my tax return to pay money back to my father, AND get a new tattoo. It's hard to not spend it on something fun when you get a big chunk of money like that, at least for me. Although the adult part of me tells me to at least use some of it responsibly..

I'd have used some of my tax return to pay my dad back too, but I'll have him paid back before I even get my return. I hate owing money THAT much.

your avatar. wtf. I finally got over collossus suddenly turning gay after 30 years of being straight, and he's feeling up whatever xwoman that is? what's next, Nick Fury turning white again?

 

[Rose]

ummm. as a currently broke, disabled but not on disability yet sort of person i gotta know... how the frak do you get foodstamps? ive applied twice and been refused. 0 income, and the total income of the other people in the house is way under 30k a year (unless they're lying to me). i hear all the time about people abusing this that or the other part of the system and i have no effin idea how. medicaid? nope, cant get it. foodstamps? same. disability? 4 effin years and counting. what the hell do these people do to get on these programs? is there some trick ive yet to hear of

All I know is it took us 4 attempts to apply and me ending up in the hospital before they finally approved us for our state's version of medicaid. You'd think they'd be willing to do something before then.

As for food stamps, I have no flipping idea. We applied a few times when we had first moved into our apartment and before I started camming and were rejected every single time. That was when we were still earning $2000 below the poverty line every month and were both in school. :roll: Me thinks the system is rigged or something.

 

[Mirra]

Yeah, I was living with some guys in a house back in the day. All of them were university students working part time at best without scholarships. Two of them applied for food stamps and apparently weren't even close to qualifying.

 

[MollyJayd]

How the fuck do all these little hippie children I know have food stamps so easily if people like you guys are actually working hard and not getting approved... something is wrong with the system, definitely.. as if we didn't already know

 

[RogueWarrior]

Really?

This has become all about Food Stamps?

The Food Stamp comment in the OP was merely to illuminate the point. Nowhere did I infer an all-out assualt on food stamp recipeints.

Does the word context resonate with anyone?