A List Of Things State Workers Can Do To Avoid The Food Line
Flabbergasted.
Flummoxed. 
Absolutely STUNNED, I am, to see the photo that adorned the front page of PennLive tonight.
Are State Workers SO broke and SO poor and SO disadvantaged that nearly five hundred of them needed to take advantage of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank’s offer to provide boxes of food after only one missed paycheck?
Those folks look pretty well dressed to be seeking that sort of assistance. I wonder if any of them cut back their cable package? Internet? Cell phone?
Lemme tell ya…as a self-employed individual who consistently hovers right around the poverty line AND has mouths to feed, I’ve NEVER been so broke and had my cubbards become SO bare that I’ve needed to get free groceries from a Food Bank.
Could State Workers, with their modest salaries, generous sick-days and vacation time and full health insurance be SO fragile and unprepared for the worst that with a single missed paycheck they find themselves in a G-D BREADLINE?
Is this 1930’s America?
State Workers: here’s a little tip sheet – from me to you- on how to survive on limited income for an extended period of time.
1. Shop at Weis instead of Giant. (And definitely DON’T go to Wegmans)
Weis is usually a bit cheaper than the cushy, bright and brand-new Giant stores.
2. Clip Coupons.
Seriously. Mom used to do it and would get a HUGE cart full of goodness for a family of six for less than a hundred bucks. (Sometimes, it’s the only reason I buy the Sunday paper)
3. Eat less, fattie.
Do you normally have three eggs for breakfast? Eat two. Get a gallon of Haagen Daas to keep in the freezer? Skip it. Absolutely HAVE to have Diet Pepsi? Switch to whatever is onsale for a buck a bottle.
4. Buy generic.
It’s the exact same shit. Really. There’s no difference between Weis brand Fruity O’s and Fruit Loops. ZERO difference between Weis brand OJ and Tropicana.
5. Two words: Ramen Noodles.
Act like you’re back in college. The kids won’t mind.
6. Shop midweek.
This isn’t scientific, by any means, but I’ve always found that the discounts are more prevalent on a Tuesday than they are on a Saturday (when EVERYONE else goes shopping).
7. Skip the sweets, tubby.
Frill-filled items are luxuries. I know you think you might not make it through the day without that Pepperidge Farms Seven Layer Cake, but in trying times, you should at least try.
8. If you smoke, smoke generic.
It might take some getting used to, but a USA Gold is essentially the same thing as a Camel Light.
9. Bring lunch to work.
Don’t go out to eat. Pack a PB&J, an apple and a bottle of water.
10. And finally, LEARN TO LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS.
I am a state worker and I can’t agree MORE with you. It makes me sick to think that state workers are out there getting free food. Sure some of them might need it..thats fine but not many I can assure you.
I have 2 children at home, my wife does not work, and I am not getting paid either but there is NO WAY I want the free food at the food banks. That is there for people who have no other options…not people who have had their pay delayed.
Many of the people in these lines surely have credit card debt due to TV’s and other amenities that they don’t need. So why not use your credit card for a month or two to get groceries. Leave the free food to people that don’t have jobs and won’t have money coming in a few weeks.
My wife overheard some woman talking about how her husband, who is a MANAGER at the state, wasn’t getting paid and how she was making him go get free food. Really? Your in management and you don’t have a few bucks or credit to get food. Quit complaining!
It’s disgraceful.
The last time I saw pay figures, which was about three years ago, Pennsylvania state workers were 47th on the list of average salaries among states. They were 50th in the amount of employees per-capita. The ranking for saleries is probably worse since they haven’t gotten raises in two years.
And to add to this…these State Workers ARE going to get paid…but it will be after the budget is passed.
It’s not as if they’re just volunteering for a month.
The money IS there…it’s just delayed a couple of weeks.
(I’m going to boil and bake another batch of bagels. 8 bagels made at home costs about $2.50)
Boy do I agree. I am also a state worker.
If this does last for awhile, THEN I could understand. For now, cut some corners (or coupons)!
The only way I could see people needing this now, is if both husband and wife do work for the state, or it is a single parent household. Then, I can understand. Even so, there has not even been one late pay (it was 70% of a full pay received on Friday).
This will be a wake up call for all those needing to learn how to live within their means.
OK – so i’m a single mother (not by choice, my husband passed away in the line of duty) of 2 small children, I have a second job, and I’m going to school part-time yet my so called “cushy” state job barely pays enough to pay for bills, yet I make “just enough” not to qualify for ANY help with daycare or school costs. (to quote the letter, I’m 1% above the poverty line – so no go)
And I have been cutting coupons, eating frugally, shopping at goodwill even before the state stopped paying us. I don’t have the luxury to afford cable or to eat out. And since I’ve only been at the state for less than 3 years, when one child gets sick that wipes out my entire leave quota until the next time the other kid gets sick. Forget even regular doctor appts, only for the extremely necessary. Yes, we have insurance, but those copays add up. (2 kids X $15 copay X $20 prescriptions = spaghetti week).
I have never owned a credit card in my life, my car is paid off and the only debt I have are school loans. Yet I do not have enough credit history for PSECU to extend a loan to me. So yes, I will be proudly standing in that food line because every little bit helps. Not every state worker is the same, and most people do not even know the situation I am in – BECAUSE IT’S NOT THEIR BUSINESS. I’m not trying to win sympathy from anyone, but it really angers me when people assume just by looking at someone that they do not need help. None of us know the situation that other people are in, and the only one who should pass judgement is the one who will meet you the day you die.
LA-
Thanks for the comments…and I commend you for working so hard to raise your children.
Trust me- I know the meaning of the phrase “things are tight” –
And I’m pretty sure it’s been made clear that this post isn’t directed at EVERY person who stood in that line…but judging by the comments, it sounds like a good majority of those with their hands out should have just kept their hands in their pockets and walked to their car to drive home to their cable TV and big leather couches.
I’m not directing my comments to your post, but rather comments I read on pennlive (sorry). I have yet to call the food bank, but seeing as a lot of state workers are jumping on the bandwagon I feel as if I don’t go now, there won’t be anything left for those who *really* need it. I’m also in a management position (albeit the lowest level you can get)so the comments about managers don’t sit well with me either (which by the way, is barely over $30K *Before taxes)
Jersey, I can’t help myself… Weis? Wheres the love for Karns, man?!!?
Karns is probably as “local” and affordable as one can get in this day of “big box food stores”. Fresh meats, good variety, usually a deal (or three) on your favorite boxed item, and NO frequent shopper card required!
LA – I recommend you reapply at least for food stamps. They are increasing the income limit to 160% FPIG, so you will probably qualify even when receiving your full pays.
For 3 people, the income limit goes up to $2347 gross/mo on July 27.
Not everyone’s situation is the same, most of us are just embarassed that so many people showed up on the first day, when we haven’t even been without a full pay yet.
Well….look who’s shaking things up! Some valid points my friend!
ease up on the fat kid comments though
Everyone needs to use their moral compass to decide if they need to be in the free food line. Some people do and that’s just fine. there is a myth that state workers are living in the lap of luxury…..not true for the most part.
at any rate…..can i get some bagels?