Would you rather: Be homeless or have a job you hate?

[dwixi]

Quote now

[lifetimelearner]

some people say they would rather be homeless than get a 'job'

but would they really ,really do that if they had kids to feed and clothe ?

[funchy]

What about option #3: change your outlook about the job and find the good things about it. You can choose to be unhappy or you can rise above it.

[dwixi]

Originally Posted by funchy

What about option #3: change your outlook about the job and find the good things about it. You can choose to be unhappy or you can rise above it.

The job is working in a box factory lol

[Cyllya]

Hmm, it's hard to say. It depends a lot on specifics. e.g.

You hate your job, but just how much?
How suitable is the weather in your area for homelessness? Are you willing to migrate for better weather?
Do you have kids that would be forced into homelessness with you?
Do you very much enjoy some hobby that's difficult without a home? (console video games come to mind)
Are you going to keep your car? (This requires money.)
Do you have a place to receive mail at?

I considered keeping my job, buying a cheap ($3000) minivan, and going homeless just to save money, but then I realized I'd only be saving $300 per month, so it'd take me 10 months just to break even on that plan. :P

I don't like my current job, but I pick it over homelessness. I could imagine a really bad job being worse than homelessness though. However, it's more likely there's a happy midpoint of finding a better job. :P (Part-time, if time is of concern to you.)

I would rather live in my car than live with my mom and siblings.

What about option #3: change your outlook about the job and find the good things about it. You can choose to be unhappy or you can rise above it.

Hmm, why do you make that suggestion about the job but not about the homelessness? (i.e. Change your outlook about being homeless and find the good things about it.)

[funchy]

Originally Posted by dwixi

The job is working in a box factory lol

Then I'll make the best damn boxes the world has ever seen! And I'll get promoted first to General Manager of Boxes, then to Box Regional Distribution Manager. From there I can influence upper management to make boxes with less pollution, thereby saving the environment. I'll also develop a Boxes For The Homeless program that gives free boxes to people sleeping on streets. I'll make so much money making the best boxes that my company can start up a Foundation for kids in need. We'll also sell our boxes at a discount to the malaria drug companies and in return they'll promise to ship some of their drug at no cost to the 3rd world as a donation. Eventually I'll become the CEO of The Box Factory, and I'll use my new-found resources to really change the world.

Or I can use my time folding boxes on the line to think. On break, I'll scribble down my ideas. In my spare time I'll organize the ideas into a new invention, service, or process. I could invent the next Tickle-Me-Elmo or Shamwow.

Or I could use the time to write poetry. How will I be able to create prose if I can't write things down the moment they come to me, you might ask? One of the world's most famous poets, John Milton, became blind. He composed poetry all day and evening and the next morning someone came by to write down his thoughts. If he could write Paradise Lost that way, why can't I write something amazing in my head while mindlessly moving cardboard around?

Or perhaps I am just a low energy type person. I'm content with a stress-free mindless job all day. When I get home, I'll get my excitement then, through my hobbies. Some people really are happy this way. I might use my day job to finance dreams: putting most of it into investments. I might use it to buy a rental house, and when that started paying for itself, I'd buy another rental house. By the time I'd ready for retirement I could own 10 houses.

The box factory worker is only as limited as he makes himself be.

[Slamboard]

I spent ten years working in a place that was much worse than a box factory. I was a lumber grader. Towards the end of that decade, I was in an unstable state of mind after being on the committee investigating an accident where one stoned guy had run over another stoned guy with his front-end loader late at night. The drug issue was behind a veil of innuendo and the people who weren't part of the drug culture (me for instance) let it lie because we liked the guy that was lying in a hospital bed and we liked the guy that was sitting at home feeling guilty. The things that were left unsaid during the investigation got more than enough airtime in the lunchroom. I got to hear how the stoner supervisor had the foresight to remove the papers from the dashboard of the machine after the driver had left, etc.

I ended up doing something stupid in that atmosphere. I let myself get very resentful towards the people around me who were putting themselves and others at risk and I confronted my foreman about his inaction while I knew that his friend and another worker were standing outside smoking marijuana. I was playing games with him because I referred to a potential fire hazard rather than the real issue. Basically, he could have chosen not to take the action technically required by his position and be fairly sure that I would let it lie and just quietly judge him for it. He went out and brought them in and sent them home. The guy who was not his friend was already almost out of a job because of an absenteeism policy. His suspension for the drugs put him on his last legs. I will never know exactly how my foreman characterized my part in the situation, but the employee is still waiting for the day that he meets me in an alley. I was at the receiving end of some pretty expert intimidation. If I respect him for anything, it is the fact that he kept it personal and didn't threaten my family. Oh yeah, my family would be the reason why I kept working there for a long time even after that episode.

I guess I would rather work at a job I hate than have my family be homeless.

Eventually I snagged a position as the roaster for a Fair Trade Coffee Roastery. That was a great job with some really respectful and interesting people.

[openeyes]

If a job you hate is all that's available where you currently live, maybe consider being homeless in an area with better prospects and good environs, such as San Diego, CA. Homelessness isn't so bad if you have a PO Box, cell phone, gym membership, car, savings, and no dependents, particularly in an area where the weather is good. It's the life of a modern nomad, moving to wherever life is best. Once you find a place you really like, there's nothing wrong with finally setting down roots, but if things change you can always just get back in your car (at least until you have kids/pets).

[Slamboard]

Originally Posted by funchy

...Or I can use my time folding boxes on the line to think. On break, I'll scribble down my ideas. In my spare time I'll organize the ideas into a new invention, service, or process. I could invent the next Tickle-Me-Elmo or Shamwow

Or I could use the time to write poetry. How will I be able to create prose if I can't write things down the moment they come to me, you might ask? One of the world's most famous poets, John Milton, became blind. He composed poetry all day and evening and the next morning someone came by to write down his thoughts. If he could write Paradise Lost that way, why can't I write something amazing in my head while mindlessly moving cardboard around?

Or perhaps I am just a low energy type person. I'm content with a stress-free mindless job all day. When I get home, I'll get my excitement then, through my hobbies. Some people really are happy this way. I might use my day job to finance dreams: putting most of it into investments. I might use it to buy a rental house, and when that started paying for itself, I'd buy another rental house. By the time I'd ready for retirement I could own 10 houses.

The box factory worker is only as limited as he makes himself be.

You're describing how I dealt with my job almost to a T, except I built birdhouses during breaks and sang a lot while I was working

[MagicalRealist]

I've been homeless. I've worked at jobs I hated. This is a no-brainer.

Neither condition has to be permanent, if you don't want it to be.

A job you dislike is just that--it's just something that you're doing on the way to something better. It's not a big deal, unless you make it so. I've done fast food, I've done retail, I've done all kinds of work I didn't much enjoy. It paid the bills, gave me some friends, and provided a steady employment history so I could more easily move on to other work. It also gave me something productive and useful to do with my time when I didn't know what else to do, and taught me things I might not have learned otherwise. I am grateful for all of those jobs I didn't like.

And yes, I occasionally got bogged down, telling stories of how I was stuck in a crappy job I hated, and how few opportunities I had, and all the reasons why I couldn't get a better job--but they were just that. Stories. When I started changing the stories I told about my life and my work, things got better. I recognized opportunities. I gained a sense of purpose and satisfaction, even if I still had the same job.

Yes, I wanted a better, more satisfying job. But nobody was forcibly holding me in the one I had, except myself. If I wanted better, I was capable of finding better.

As for being homeless, it was terrifying, exhausting, and humiliating. I could have easily given up. But to do that would have only made my situation worse. So instead, I looked at everything I had going for me--I was not a drug user or alcoholic; I was a citizen and native English speaker; I was literate; I was healthy; I knew how to get and hold a job. Rather than tell stories about how hard it was being homeless, I told stories about how I'd made mistakes, but was getting my life back on track. I found a job. It wasn't my dream job, but it paid well and offered lots of overtime. I worked as many hours as I could, saved up money, and got off the street. I have never been back.

Yes, I was reduced to sleeping in a broken-down van on the street, but nobody was forcibly holding me there. I wanted a secure roof over my head, so I focused on getting one, using all the legitimate means at my disposal.

It is much easier to change jobs than it is to get off the streets. However, it is also much easier to make excuses for not changing jobs, and to put off taking necessary action, which is why people who end up homeless are more likely to get off the streets than people who hate their jobs are likely to seek new employment.

So I'll take the job I dislike over homelessness, simply because for me it's an easier condition to change.

[Jay Pavlina]

I'd definitely be homeless. Actually, I just did that about two months ago and it worked out pretty well. I had a membership at the YMCA for showering, I had a storage space, and I slept in a park. It definitely beat paying rent. I really enjoyed that time and would do it again in a heartbeat if I had to. It was a growing experience for sure.

I think this decision depends 100% on the person. I'd never take a job I hated because it'd be going against who I am. I could never live with that, not even for a little while. I can't not be me.

But either way, these situations can be temporary if you want them to be. Choose both, choose none, or do something entirely different. All that really matters is that you enjoy the experience and grow from it.

[Geovani]

Originally Posted by lifetimelearner

some people say they would rather be homeless than get a 'job'

but would they really ,really do that if they had kids to feed and clothe ?

That's not the question, and not important if the person doesn't have any kids to feed and clothe. Imagine if we had to decide anything considering all the things that could happen, even things that are not part of our current reality – it's impossible.

[Geovani]

A "job I hate" is something I couldn't tolerate at all. I can't imagine myself waking up every day knowing that I'd have to do something I truly hate, by my own choice, for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week (or more, what's even worse), probably feeling awful after doing something with real disgust for so long, for no other reason than just a fear of being homeless.

A job I don't hate, well, that would be better than homelessness and not very hard to find, but if I only had those two options, I'd rather be homeless, at least for a while. Not that I'd want to be homeless – I really don't – but working in a job I hate so much it's not in my plans.

[Holistic Star]

I've left jobs I hated. I managed a week working as a cashier in bank. That was depressing.

Currently I have a job that's not quite right for me, but there are benefits to staying. It's that problem Steve identifies in the book as a 7 out of 10, really being a 1.

By no, I wouldn't rather be homeless. Just coz Steve says it is ok, doesn't mean I'm going to jump ship tomorrow. Which is why I'm guessing I'm finding it hard to do what I really want to do because I'm not willing to risk everything.

Besides which it's below freezing outside at the moment!

[Steven Dent]

Being single I would rather be honeless than have a job I didn't love. However, if the situation was different and I had a family to care and provide for I would almost certainly feel differently.

[TropicThink]

I've tried both. Neither option will kill ya, but it really does suck to have a job you hate. And being homeless isn't really practical, but it can be refreshing experience that you'll later look back on with joy.

[lifetimelearner]

Originally Posted by Geovani

That's not the question, and not important if the person doesn't have any kids to feed and clothe. Imagine if we had to decide anything considering all the things that could happen, even things that are not part of our current reality – it's impossible.

obviously you do not have kids

[lifetimelearner]

Originally Posted by Steven Dent

Being single I would rather be honeless than have a job I didn't love. However, if the situation was different and I had a family to care and provide for I would almost certainly feel differently.

yes that is all I was trying to convey

[Geovani]

Originally Posted by lifetimelearner

obviously you do not have kids

Of course! And I don't plan to anytime soon...

[silicon toad2000]

I guess I'd like to clarify if the choice is bewteen having a home / working a job you don't like and working a job you like / living at no fixed abode.

Or are the choices between having a job you hate / roof over your head or no job at all/ being penniless.

I'm sure being homeless and being pennyless are very different.

[C33]

A few months ago; I would have chosen the homeless option, but after spending one night sleeping on a bench, this would be my last resort.

However, if I hated a job because it would completely contradict my values, like killing animals, manufacturing drugs that leave people crippled, or something generating huge negative consequences for the wellbeing of others,than I would not hesitate to hit the streets.

[sbdiane]

I live somewhere where it's very easy and possible to be fully employed AND homeless. I have feared homelessness in the past. I don't fear it anymore. The only thing I would not like about it is trying to figure out what to do with my pet parrots. I love them too much to get rid of them.

But leaving a job I do not like to become homeless is not something I would choose. I would choose to find a different job instead.

[Lupe]

Originally Posted by C33

However, if I hated a job because it would completely contradict my values, like killing animals, manufacturing drugs that leave people crippled, or something generating huge negative consequences for the wellbeing of others,than I would not hesitate to hit the streets.

What about working for McDonalds? They're always hiring new people, and although their service is bad for health... if that's the only job available?

[Lupe]

I'm not sure. It seems that if I had the self-discipline to make some major strides in starting/advancing my online business, I would rather keep doing it in the side (as long as I devoted a good 2 hour at least everyday into it) until I get sufficient income from it.

But seeing as I don't have the self-discipline and most often I am unfocused when living at environment of ease (no worries about food), perhaps forcing myself into an environment where I am forced to think for preservation of my life would catalyze my growth.

I once read an analogy about cooking frogs to death.

They put the frogs in warm water and increase the temperature bit by bit, (because if they increase it by too much, frog hops out), and they eventually boil to death.

Going homeless is like increasing the temperature suddenly, and frog hopping out is like getting out of wage-slavery.

[bluedragon]

Originally Posted by funchy

What about option #3: change your outlook about the job and find the good things about it. You can choose to be unhappy or you can rise above it.

Exactly what I was thinking.
Or, option nr. 4 - quit your job without becoming homeless.
I can't vote on this one, as voting would be denying those two alternatives.

[A.K.Light]

I'd have to stay employed. And then do work on doing what I love without becoming homeless.

[Acting Like Godot]

People usually underestimate their ability to change a job they hate, into a job they like or love.

It is possible to be very systematic and methodical about it. For example, you begin by identifying the top 10 things you dislike about your job, and then you change all 10 things.

Working too many hours? Then improve your time management, raise your productivity, and go home earlier.

Not getting paid enough? Then perform well, get a pay increase.

Colleagues suck? Then set a good example of friendliness, helpfulness and cooperation, and inspire others to follow your example.

Job is too boring? Then make it exciting - come up with new ideas; drive them and bring them to life, in your workplace.

Etc.

[dice]

Very subjective, but in the circumstances i'm in right now: Homeless.

Either way I would end up homeless - if I hate a job (and can't do anything to change it) I tend to get fired very, very quickly.

[Dimond]

If you mean living on the streets homeless, definitely a job I hate would always be better. It's way more uncomfortable and miserable being homeless especially if you're female. I worked at tons of jobs I didn't like prior to running my own business. It's easier because I know I'll never stay at the job for long and while I'm there I would work on ideas to make money elsewhere. So it's quite simple. Being homeless is way more complicated. I've moved a lot and just doing that was stressful enough, but having no home would be worse. If homeless meant staying at someone's home temporarily, then possibly because you still get to experience some comforts. It also would buy me some time to make money. In that case it would depend on the situation. For me it's doubtful I'd have to make the choice. There are way too many ways one can make money without having a job. Hopefully I'll never have to worry about it.

[funchy]

Originally Posted by Lupe

What about working for McDonalds? They're always hiring new people, and although their service is bad for health... if that's the only job available?

I could argue that many industries are bad for the health, environment, and or quality of life of people. You could work at Walmart to help the slave-powered sweatshops sell their cheap goods. You could work for a bank which is taking peoples' homes away. You could work for a gas station that is supporting one of the most polluting industries. Most businesses in America are only concerned with selling a product, not with peoples' health. Even pharmaceuticals and hospitals, who should be worried about health, sell drugs people don't need and deny life-saving treatment to poor people. You can't win.

Isn't it more important that consumers don't support a bad business such as McDonald's? It's income that keeps them open. They only need a few workers to keep the place open.

I admit there are a few jobs I don't think I could ever do. No amount of money could pay me to work in a commercial slaughterhouse. Unless the US was invaded, I don't think I could be a soldier; I can't kill people in the name of "peace".