(don’t) cry on Flickr! by Pedro Klien
Am I only one with a friend who’s overly negative and complains all the time about money? I’m guessing not, but I’ll still share my own “friend-who-bitches-about-money-and-work” story.
I’ve mentioned that I scored a job this summer at the Census Bureau. We can’t move forward until you mail it back,™ by the way. Well Uncle Sam is kind enough to pay me $10/hr for my time. That’s a great rate for someone right out of high school and looking to have some fun this summer and save some cash for college in the fall. Most adults I talk to are impressed that I landed this job. Most of my friends are surprised how much I’m making and how many hours I’m working (35-40).
Yet, there’s one friend of mine who can make me feel like crap about my job. He says all the time how lucky I was to get it. Then he complains how it’s not fair that he only makes $5.50 at his job and gets few hours. Finally, he reminds me how lucky I am – again.
The whole situation annoys me and I hate discussing anything work or money related with this person. While luck and chance do play a part in all of our lives, it’s ignorant to think that I only got the job because I was lucky. I found the Census Bureau’s website and spent a good hour reading over the materials they had. I located my local office’s phone number and street address. I called and scheduled a placement test. I called back a month later to see where I stood.
I did things. No, they weren’t super hard or anything to brag about, but I did them. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned growing up it’s that so much of making life and money work for you is simply doing things. Small things, but things. You have to put some effort out! It was a process and that is why I’m now earning $300 a week and my financial picture has never looked better.
Then there’s the whole issue that my friend only makes $5.50 and “it’s not fair”. Honestly, I want to tell him boo hoo. He didn’t have to take the job in the first place. He could have easily applied at a bigger retailer that pays minimum wage. $5.50 sucks, I won’t deny that. But it’s better than nothing and beggars can’t be choosers.
It frustrates me when people act like the Man is out to get them – especially when the person just graduated high school and has every opportunity in the world to do something great.
Do you know anybody who complains about their situation without doing anything to change it? Is the Man really out to get some people?
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
It’s just jealousy. They wish they had what you had, but don’t want to do anything to change it.
I wish I had the go get it attitude when I just got out of highschool.
The Man that’s out to get them is themselves.
Great post.
You have to admit, luck does have something to do with it. It’s not like your friend wasn’t doing things. In fact, it’s not like the people who don’t have jobs (me being one of them) weren’t doing things either. Do you know how many jobs I applied to this summer? 10. I looked in both traditional and non traditional places. Granted, I did land 2 unpaid internships that should help me with experience for my future career, but in the end I’m still banking nothing.
While I do get how a whiny-complainy friend can be annoying, I just don’t think it’s fair that you can chalk it up to a lack of effort.
Oh I agree 100% that luck is important. The summer of 2009 was the same way for me. I applied for around 10 jobs, had a few interviews but never landed a job.
My point is just that complaining doesn’t help anyone land a job. I just feel like him saying it’s “unfair” cheapens what I’ve done for the past 2 months.
Thanks for commenting!