US NationalChange
Fast Money vs. Hard Work?
posted by Community Manager
posted on Mon, 10/06/2008 - 11:24
posted on Mon, 10/06/2008 - 11:24
A young man recently asked me if I thought it would be okay for him to earn some 'fast money' to help ends meet since he recently had a child? He currently has a labor job with FedEx and works all kind of hours, but doesn't feel he will be able to manage without some extra money.
He said that they (FedEx) are cutting back on overtime, so he needs to find that extra money soon. He expressed that his cousin has a 'hustle' that is easy work and will help him out until he finds another alternative. I expressed my thoughts with him about 'easy money.'
He said,"In today's economy, why work hard for pennies? If you can't get it today, that money might not be there tomorrow." Please help me advise this young man properly. Thoughts?
posted on Mon, 12/08/2008 - 17:11
A hustle that is illegal is against the law for a reason. It hurts other people. Even if you don't get caught, you know in your heart that you have exploited other people. If you don't like the evil that others do to you, don't do evil actions to other people.
Also, there is a saying: You can't con an honest man. The people who are encouraging you to con others are probably going to con you, too. Your cousin might get conned by the people organizing the hustle, or he might try to con you, or both. Either way, bad feelings at family gatherings.
Even if the hustle is not technically illegal, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. "TEST PRODUCTS AT HOME! FANTASTIC PROFITS! JUST SEND $50 TO GET YOUR BOOK TO FIND OUT HOW!" are traps in the back of classified ads and on telephone poles.
You might remember the story of the man who stole a loaf of bread to feed his starving family and then he got imprisoned, broke out of prison, and was chased through the slimy sewers of Paris by a hateful, trigger-happy police inspector. That story was written in the 1800s. We have MFIP, General Assistance and whatnot now in 2008 so we don't need to get that sewer-crawling desperate. It takes loads of paperwork to apply for, but if you really need help making ends meet for your kid, apply for government assistance, or have the child's mother apply for it.
If you are ineligible or can't wait, belonging to a church or other group can help. In the Bible, it says "Faith without good works is dead". Ask the clergy and congregation for help. Maybe they can organize a fundraiser not just for you, but for other families in a similar situation.