Antiwork

Hi all, I've been into FIRE for the last couple of years. VTI, Jim Collins, fear debt like the devil, live humble, etc. Love FIRE. I have a dear, dear friend I'm worried about. She just told me her 13 y/o child got into a private Catholic school that will cost… $13000 per year. That's roughly $78k from when he's 13-18 y/o. Here's the details: 1. She's 45 y/o and single 2. 3 kids – 13, 11, and 2 y/o. – The baby with a separate father. They're in a custodial war that has already cost her $30k this past year. 3. Job – massage therapist making maybe $60-70k per year. 4. Home – Owns a house that her father helps her with the mortgage. House value 500-600k. 5. Student loan debt –  I think $60k 6. Emergency/911 fund – Prob none 7. Retirement savings – none at 45 y/o.…

I had to call in to work today. I felt insanely guilty and even more when I got the mass text requesting for someone to work my shift for an additional $100 bonus pay for being last minute. Then I realized why do I even feel this guilt when I had a legitimate reason for calling in and my employer has plenty of money to pay for this extra money? Now one of my fellow coworkers looking for shifts (as I know at my job many are not getting enough hours) will make an extra $100 for working today. Edit: also wanted to add I have never called in once in 6 months of working here and have come in to work last minute multiple times

I'm sorry, the offer sheet I signed lists my schedule as Monday through Friday. Are we on call? No? OK well then I'm trying to wrap my head around the idea that in taking this job, we already committed to 5 out of 7 days in a week. 5 specific days, mind you. So if we have any personal obligations or appointments for ourselves that we need to schedule in advance, we are only left with Saturday and Sunday, and in most cases, just Saturday as many things are closed, unavailable, or only available in reduced hours on Sunday. In my case, I take guitar lessons on Saturdays. I have no kids and no girlfriend so currently this is the most important thing in MY life. My whole life outside of work revolves around it. Luckily, my teacher granted me a make up but that isn't the point. I know…

Caveat – I think it's abhorrent when ANY person (irrespective of education level) can't afford food, shelter, and medical services. I also hate how poorly educators, people in child services, important areas of research and other truly essential functions are paid in the US. It's a joke. However, there are certain posts in this forum that are irritating and detract from other serious antiwork issues that need more discussion. One is where the degree, masters or PhD in question has an historically crap salary outlook and people are still surprised when they get exactly that. It's like they expect the US government or private industry to all of a sudden make them 'whole' for how much education they got. This is a capitalistic country and there are no safety nets. It's a sad reality but it is the reality. What you can get out of a degree versus what an…