Liberal in LA upset about some guy working 4 jobs, has a degree

[I_B_Perky]

Boring at the dump tonite. I did find this:

The headline of the OP:
college educated guy works 60hrs, 4 jobs, makes 20k/year - what his life looks like:

The link:
At least the guy is working!

Of course the OP says his degree is in liberal arts. what a waste. Something tells me though that this guy will make it. He is 37 years old.

The OP:

Liberal_in_LA (31,150 posts)

college educated guy works 60hrs, 4 jobs, makes 20k/year - what his life looks like:
http://money.cnn.com/2013/12/12/news/economy/4-low-wage-part-time-jobs/index.html?hpt=hp_t5

Bobby Bingham works four jobs in Kansas City, Missouri, yet he has very little to show for it.
Bingham is 37 years old and has a college degree, but like many Americans, is stuck working many hours in low wage, part-time jobs.

Each week, he works a total of about 60 hours in his jobs as a massage therapist, a waiter at a Mexican restaurant, a delivery man for sandwich chain Jimmy John's and a receptionist at his massage school.
He brings home about $400 a week, or $20,000 per year, and has joined the nationwide movement of fast food protests fighting for higher wages.
"I've come to the point in my life where I wonder if I can ever support a family," he said. "I have no idea how that's ever going to logically happen."
Bingham's is an increasingly common story. The share of part-time workers who couldn't find full-time jobs surged during the Great Recession, more than double what it was in the preceding decade. Though their situation is improving now, more than 7.7 million Americans are still settling for part-time work, compared to about 4.1 million on average in 2006.



Here's what one week of juggling schedules and part-time paychecks looks like for Bingham:
- 24 hours waiting tables at Mexican restaurant Taco Republic. He makes tips plus $2.13, which is the federal minimum wage for tipped employees, like waiters.
-30 hours delivering sandwiches for Jimmy John's, which pays him $7.35 an hour, plus tips.
-3 one-hour massages, for a total of $60.
-9 hours as a receptionist at his former massage school. (The amount of money he makes working at the school isn't included in his $400 weekly pay, since it goes directly to repay $9,500 worth of student loans.)

------

Bingham shares a one-bedroom apartment with a roommate, has virtually no money saved and can't remember the last time he took a vacation.
This is not where Bingham thought he'd be. After struggling to make ends meet while also intermittently attending college, he finally graduated in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in liberal arts from University of Missouri, Kansas City. He had even higher hopes from his massage therapy degree.
"My family told me, 'just get your degree and it will be fine,'" he said. "A degree looks very nice, but I don't have a job to show for it."

Maybe you should have gotten it in something besides liberal arts? Like maybe CS or Engineering?

The comments:

Bigredhunk (296 posts)
17. There's Another Sandwich Chain Around Here, Milio's (Formerly Big Mike's)

One of the people there told me that they'd have drivers go out on $300 deliveries and get $0 tips, and this is a fairly affluent area.

People are ****ing tightwads. They expect everything cheap/free.

I wonder if that area is liberal?

enlightenment (7,241 posts)
2. Word to the wise for folks who read this article:

For the love of god, do NOT read the comments. They are stomach-churning.

LALALALALALALALALA!!! I can't hear you!!!! I'm sure those commenters asked the same thing I did.

Bryce Butler (3 posts)
5. After seeing...

the story was on CNN, I had a good idea what some of the comments would be like. Yahoo News is another one to stay away from.

My new mole? You decide.

niyad (27,782 posts)
23. welcome to DU

A welcome from one mole to another. 

aikoaiko (17,513 posts)
3. I guess its not surprising that someone who struggled to get by before his degree...


... would struggle after earning his degree in this economy.

And who is prezzzident?

MrModerate (8,310 posts)
4. With that kind of work ethic . . .

And a better-than-average education, I'd think lots of employers would want him — if they're hiring at all. Maybe he's looking in the wrong places.

Troll!

niyad (27,782 posts)
25. perhaps you could tell us what firms are actually hiring at decent, living wages in his area?

My mole getting some cred for a later reality check.

Orsino (26,643 posts)
6. Our economic game of musical chairs, brought to you by our ruling class.

No jobs, no progress, no hope.

Who has been prezzzident for the last 5 years?

Drahthaardogs (1,431 posts)
22. It is our own fault.

I hate to say it, but even DU is not exactly a bastion of pro-union sentiment. What can you say when 1/2 the Democrats do not support labor...

Troll!!!!!

Beaverhausen (20,795 posts)
7. He could be making $60 plus per massage

Hope he can get that career going. It dhod help him out.

Methinks that Beaverhouse runs a brothel.

Curmudgeoness (12,181 posts)
9. I was thinking the same thing.

Where can I get an hour massage for $20? I'm in.

No happy ending for anything less than $60!

ohheckyeah (6,771 posts)
12. He is probably just getting a cut

out of the fee and the rest goes to the owner of the massage parlor owner.

Pimps will get their money!

pangaia (1,908 posts)
11. I was thinking the same.

Of I live in a town of about 20,000.. Massages go for $60 easy...

The only brothel in town. Gotta pay off the cops!

Initech (41,867 posts)
8. He picked a major that must have a huge influx of graduates.

In my most recent accounting class they took a survey of who was majoring in what. Out of a class of 38 there were 27 business majors. 3 (including me) actually majoring in accounting.

I also read somewhere that like for every 100 math, science, engineering, and accounting majors, there's like 5000 liberal arts or business or even something like media arts design.

Another one of my moles bringing reality to the dump!

blur256 (203 posts)
24. Holy s*&%!

I know this guy! The school he works at is the piece of crap place I got fired from for trying to not gouge students. I guess they still are! And because I got fired from there, I have had trouble getting a decent paying job since. In fact, I am working 2 jobs right now, 7 days a week, and average 60 hours myself. And I feel bad for the guy! I really do, because I know how much schools like that gouge students. In fact, I remember that one of the things I think led to my getting fired is that they wanted me to arbitrarily charge a student and I wouldn't go along with it (plus they weren't fans of the whole gay thing either). Just crazy! He is a good guy and I wish all the luck in the world to him.

Translation: I got fired for showing up drunk.

Historic NY (20,856 posts)
26. Well he needs to strike out on his own as a massage therapist...

the average here in upstate NY is at least 50-55 for an hour.

Put in the cost of living and that is basically min wage here in WV.

niyad (27,782 posts)
29. it's a really easy thing to say. I know a fair number of massage therapists in this area, and even

the long-established ones with impeccable reputations are having a rough go. many people see massage as a luxury, and one of the first things to go in a tight economy.

My mole bringing some more reality to DU. Ya all just gotta know how to do it!!!

GoldenOldie (1,517 posts)
28. Where oh where are the street protests?

Being well along Into my retirement years and extremely grateful of a protected pension, I am furious that the college graduate engineers, teachers , firemen, Family Practitioners, all highly trained and educated American citizens, are having to work 3-4 jobs to simply exist.and this is even if they can get these burger flipping slots. While there are the babbling blowhards such as Hannity, O'reilly, Limbaugh, and the ever increasing flock of blond bimbos, callings themselves journalists, who wouldn't know a fact or the truth if it bit them in the ass. Thet sit and spout the latest Corporate script not caring who they hurt or the harm they do to our Country? It isn't only the Corporate Heads that are receiving multi-million dollar salaries, but also these bloviating talking heads. I'll O'Reilly at $38.million, a failed high school history teacher , who doesn't let facts get into the way of money. While skilled journalists are ignored or work for so little and the millions of truly skilled workers have lost well paying jobs due to outsourcing for profit. Please question why corporations are unwilling to pay for teachers, firefighters, engineers, yet they pay millions to the talking heads who produce nothing for the advancement of our society.

Translation: I got mine, screw you!!!!

That is it for now. I'm sure it will grow. I was a little disappointed though... didn't see any dummies crying about their desperate situation.

[Big Dog]

niyad (27,782 posts)
29. it's a really easy thing to say. I know a fair number of massage therapists in this area, and even

the long-established ones with impeccable reputations are having a rough go. many people see massage as a luxury, and one of the first things to go in a tight economy.

As long as hookers on The Paseo are charging $20 a blowjob, Kansas City's massage therapists will go hungry.

[obumazombie]

I do 14 12's a month. That's 168 hours. And that's bare minimum. Many months I'm well over 170 hours. None of it is overtime until I have put in a minimum of 208 hours. The 9 to 5 M-F guy is putting in 120 hours a month.

Suck it libs.

[I_B_Perky]

As long as hookers on The Paseo are charging $20 a blowjob, Kansas City's massage therapists will go hungry.

 

 H5!!!

Things are tough all over, BD.

Yes I stole that from Cheech and Chong. 

[freedumb2003b]

I do 14 12's a month. That's 168 hours. And that's bare minimum. Many months I'm well over 170 hours a week. None of it is overtime until I have put in a minimum of 208 hours. The 9 to 5 M-F guy is putting in 120 hours a month.

Suck it libs.

I put in a crapload of time too but you do know if you are hourly (which I can infer from your "none of it is overtime until...") your employer is in violation of both federal and every state law of which I am aware...?

[I_B_Perky]

I put in a crapload of time too but you do know if you are hourly (which I can infer from your "none of it is overtime until...") your employer is in violation of both federal and every state law of which I am aware...?

Unless he is in one of the "Professional classifications". You can thank Bush for that... I think it was. Can't remember now. Might have been Clintoon.  Can't remember when it happened now. The years all run together anymore and I'm too lazy to look it up. I do remember I got screwed on that deal as did the rest of my crew. I'll say the boss did up the salary to make up for the OT we lost... after a bunch of us started looking for another job.

[Dori]

I don't buy any of this.  A good massage therapist in L.A. can make good money.  Emphasis is on good.  I know one that makes a grand a month on just one client.  It's like anything.  You have to establish yourself through marketing and word of mouth and go where the money is.

But this whole part time thingy is bugging me.  If someone is working 4 part time jobs, are they counted as four bodies in the work force?  If so, this country is in a hell of lot worse shape than the bogus numbers they put out.

 

[freedumb2003b]

Unless he is in one of the "Professional classifications". You can thank Bush for that... I think it was. Can't remember now. Might have been Clintoon.  Can't remember when it happened now. The years all run together anymore and I'm too lazy to look it up. I do remember I got screwed on that deal as did the rest of my crew. I'll say the boss did up the salary to make up for the OT we lost... after a bunch of us started looking for another job.

It is worth your while to unlazy yourself and look it up.

If you are Nonexempt (subject to OT), there are very specific laws that govern hours worked, breaks, and OT.  If you are "Professional" then you are not subject to OT.

The line, once determined, is clean.  The only soft issue is subcontractors (see Vizcaino v. Microsoft) which was decided 10 years ago.

I am a big believer in free market and at will employment, but the employee should be put on notice on exactly what the employment contract is.

Highe thee to an attorney known to these demesnes.

[dane]

I do 14 12's a month. That's 168 hours. And that's bare minimum. Many months I'm well over 170 hours a week. None of it is overtime until I have put in a minimum of 208 hours. The 9 to 5 M-F guy is putting in 120 hours a month.

Suck it libs.

That's a VERY long work week, even more than 24 hours a day, all week.

[diesel driver]

enlightenment (7,241 posts)
2. Word to the wise for folks who read this article:

For the love of god, do NOT read the comments. They are stomach-churning.

Well, I DID, and from what I read, I can see why you would avoid them.

They made PERFECT SENSE to regular, normal, tea-baggers types, like me.

DUmbasses like you, not so much.

[ColonelCarrots]

Liberal Arts... well there's your problem.

[Karin]

I went over to the CNN article.  First of all, they show a photo of him holding a sign saying he's fighting for "free healthcare."  Slavery for doctors and nurses?  Secondly, I don't like the way he looks, I wouldn't want a massage from him.  He creeps me out. 

What about those "stomach churning" comments that the DUmmie found so awful?

Liberal arts degree...that's the key right there. The cold hard truth is you can't study whatever you want and expect society to reward you for something it doesn't value as much as something else.

First as a masseuse, why only three hours? Hasn't he been able to find satisfied customers that would give him referrals?

Minimum wage = 'Entry-Level Wage'. Do entry level work = get entry level pay. It's a Ladder. Not a bed..It's not the employer's responsibility to pay more - they have a ladder. You figure out how to add value so you can climb it or you find another place where you can..

37 years old with no marketable skills worth more than minimum wage? Kinda sad, but completely 100% his own fault.

etc.  This is how normal people think, DUmmies.  And there over 5000 comments.

[Linda]

Here's what one week of juggling schedules and part-time paychecks looks like for Bingham:
- 24 hours waiting tables at Mexican restaurant Taco Republic. He makes tips plus $2.13, which is the federal minimum wage for tipped employees, like waiters.
-30 hours delivering sandwiches for Jimmy John's, which pays him $7.35 an hour, plus tips.
-3 one-hour massages, for a total of $60.
-9 hours as a receptionist at his former massage school. (The amount of money he makes working at the school isn't included in his $400 weekly pay, since it goes directly to repay $9,500 worth of student loans.)

Sorry DUmmie, but the 9 hours as a receptionist at his former massage school, does count as part of his weekly pay. It is going to pay one of HIS bills. Same as the rest of HIS pay goes for rent and food etc.
So the guy is making well above $400 a week. Looks like he should do more time doing massages than working for the sandwich shop....Won't ask him to reduce his hours at the Mexican restaurant, his tips may well pass up his reported $400 a week salary...depending his service.

[DumbAss Tanker]

Each week, he works a total of about 60 hours in his jobs as a massage therapist, a waiter at a Mexican restaurant, a delivery man for sandwich chain Jimmy John's and a receptionist at his massage school.
He brings home about $400 a week, or $20,000 per year, and has joined the nationwide movement of fast food protests fighting for higher wages.

Since none of those positions are actually the kind of 'Fast food jobs' he's demonstrating about, he apparently still has quite a bit of time on his hands, making me doubt the veracity of that 60 hour schtick.  And he must either really suck as a waiter, or be hiding his tips from the calculation to poor-mouth it.

[Skul]

That's a VERY long work week, even more than 24 hours a day, all week.

I'm pretty sure those are business hours.


I do have a hard time thinking of massage school as being anywhere related to a college degree.
He would have been better off learning a marketable trade.

[Dori]

I'm pretty sure those are business hours.


I do have a hard time thinking of massage school as being anywhere related to a college degree.
He would have been better off learning a marketable trade.

I know someone in that field.  The school offers several courses in massage therapy.  From basic Swedish up through deep muscle massage and sports injury massages.  Most of his clients have physical problems and are looking mostly for pain relief and mobility. He is signed up with spas, chiropractic clinics and sports clubs, setting his own schedule. A good therapist doesn't make $20 a session.   

There are all kinds of ways to augment one's career. By learning the operations of managing a business and taking related courses in business management.

Like anything, you just have to set realistic goals and work hard at it.

     
       

[jtyangel]

Initech (41,867 posts)
8. He picked a major that must have a huge influx of graduates.

In my most recent accounting class they took a survey of who was majoring in what. Out of a class of 38 there were 27 business majors. 3 (including me) actually majoring in accounting.

I also read somewhere that like for every 100 math, science, engineering, and accounting majors, there's like 5000 liberal arts or business or even something like media arts design.

Did any of the dumpsters even acknowledge this actual nugget of truth? I'll one up him too and point out that there are even less in the specialty fields of those degrees so if you can specialize in that general area of accounting or engineering even better. I am in a specialty and it is a b*tch--the work is hard and it really is like a 2nd full time job, but I have some faith that this specialty even if I never obtain a masters(which is doubtful at my age) will help me make my way back. But, the key thing here is there is a reason few people go into any of the degrees he mentioned--they are hard...I mean pull the hair out and cry some days hard(hey, I'm a girl so I'm allowed ) but I keep reminding  myself for the hard work that goes into this; the days I'm mentally exhausted, this will pay off someday. And I do this stuff for a living already, but want to increase my advancement opportunities, and it's still tough. I know I could just get a piece of paper, but if the loans are going to be the same, why not make it something that has a pretty good chance of payback because of the sheer lack of numbers for the specialty?

[obumazombie]

That's a VERY long work week, even more than 24 hours a day, all week.

I meant that to convey hours per month. Good catch though. I amended the original to convey my intention.

[GOBUCKS]

Secondly, I don't like the way he looks, I wouldn't want a massage from him.  He creeps me out. 

That is a creepy-looking guy.

Can you get a massage without taking off any clothes?

I think I'll hold out for a cute little Asian girl.

[Mike220]

That's the chance you take. I started school back in 2008 right before the economy went into the shitter once the Dims took over Congress. Decided to get my degree in Poli Sci, but specialize in legal studies so it included a paralegal certificate. When I started, there was still a market for new paralegals. Once the economy went into the toilet, the market had largely dried up for new graduates. I was too invested at that point so I bit the bullet and completed my degree in 2012 in an area I'll probably never work in.

Occasionally jobs pop up for new graduates, but they often pay <$10/hr. The only way to really break in at this point is either take a temp-to-perm job and hope you get an offer or be friends with an attorney.

Decided to continue on to graduate school and study economics and international relations with an emphasis in international business. Thanks to the Hazlewood Act, it's not costing me anything but books and the market for economists is somewhat better than paralegals, especially working for the government.

I really wanted to be an architect.

I should have studied something different, probably CS but I also thought about aeronautical engineering. I know my limits. I suck at math. No matter how hard I apply myself, I just can't get it. The next two semesters of stats is going to suck. C'est la vie, it happens. I did something I thought would pan out. It didn't. Adapt and overcome.

In the meantime, I work a job I absolutely despise, but it pays the bills and I'm good at it. Started with no experience a year ago, got my first promotion before completing my 90 day probationary period, got my my second promotion and took over my own shift in May, then was promoted to manage my own site along with five officers in August. I don't make enough for the headaches I deal with sometimes, but my boss (the company owner) likes me and comes to me to help problem-solve. He has guys that have been doing this for years, and he still asks for my help over them.

For the math challenged DUmmys, that's 9 months from brand new, no experience to manager. Hard work DUmmys. You may hate your job. You may think it "beneath" you (hint: it's not). But if you work hard, you won't stay minimum wage for long. And if you do the bare minimum and stay at minimum wage, that's your own damn fault.

At this point I'm looking at getting my Merchant Mariner credentials and going back to sea. Sometimes you gotta think outside the box...

[Ralph Wiggum]

-3 one-hour massages, for a total of $60.

Did this guy go to Dr. Nick's upstairs massage academy?  Most licensed massage therapists in the Midwest gross at least $60 for a one-hour massage.

[Chris_]

Did this guy go to Dr. Nick's upstairs massage academy?  Most licensed massage therapists in the Midwest gross at least $60 for a one-hour massage.

We have a local masseuse that makes appointments and does massages here in the office.  She charges $60/hr as well.

California... the recession state.

[BlueStateSaint]

We have a local masseuse that makes appointments and does massages here in the office.  She charges $60/hr as well.

California... the recession state.

Hell, that's the going rate in NY, as well.

[DumbAss Tanker]

That's the chance you take. I started school back in 2008 right before the economy went into the shitter once the Dims took over Congress. Decided to get my degree in Poli Sci, but specialize in legal studies so it included a paralegal certificate. When I started, there was still a market for new paralegals. Once the economy went into the toilet, the market had largely dried up for new graduates. I was too invested at that point so I bit the bullet and completed my degree in 2012 in an area I'll probably never work in.

Occasionally jobs pop up for new graduates, but they often pay <$10/hr. The only way to really break in at this point is either take a temp-to-perm job and hope you get an offer or be friends with an attorney.

Decided to continue on to graduate school and study economics and international relations with an emphasis in international business. Thanks to the Hazlewood Act, it's not costing me anything but books and the market for economists is somewhat better than paralegals, especially working for the government.

I really wanted to be an architect.

I should have studied something different, probably CS but I also thought about aeronautical engineering. I know my limits. I suck at math. No matter how hard I apply myself, I just can't get it. The next two semesters of stats is going to suck. C'est la vie, it happens. I did something I thought would pan out. It didn't. Adapt and overcome.

In the meantime, I work a job I absolutely despise, but it pays the bills and I'm good at it. Started with no experience a year ago, got my first promotion before completing my 90 day probationary period, got my my second promotion and took over my own shift in May, then was promoted to manage my own site along with five officers in August. I don't make enough for the headaches I deal with sometimes, but my boss (the company owner) likes me and comes to me to help problem-solve. He has guys that have been doing this for years, and he still asks for my help over them.

For the math challenged DUmmys, that's 9 months from brand new, no experience to manager. Hard work DUmmys. You may hate your job. You may think it "beneath" you (hint: it's not). But if you work hard, you won't stay minimum wage for long. And if you do the bare minimum and stay at minimum wage, that's your own damn fault.

At this point I'm looking at getting my Merchant Mariner credentials and going back to sea. Sometimes you gotta think outside the box...

I retired last year, most of my career being as an attorney, though I did start out in engineering myself.  It's been my experience that listening when opportunity knocks - mainly in the form of jumping into challenges and any offered new responsibilities willingly and all-in, and just generally being willing to adapt, improvise, and overcome, counts for a damn' sight more than rigidly following a carefully-structured life plan and then going to pieces when it doesn't work out.

[I_B_Perky]

It is worth your while to unlazy yourself and look it up.

If you are Nonexempt (subject to OT), there are very specific laws that govern hours worked, breaks, and OT.  If you are "Professional" then you are not subject to OT.

The line, once determined, is clean.  The only soft issue is subcontractors (see Vizcaino v. Microsoft) which was decided 10 years ago.

I am a big believer in free market and at will employment, but the employee should be put on notice on exactly what the employment contract is.

Highe thee to an attorney known to these demesnes.

What I meant was I can't remember what year it took effect and was too lazy to look it up.