This is always an interesting topic to discuss. I think at one point or another we have almost all had some exposure to a mooch in our lives, whether it be spouse, friend, or family member.
One of my best friends was a mooch. I use the word "was" because he is one of those people who actually "woke up" and turned everything around. At first, he couldn't hold down a job, keep a place to live, or keep and maintain a car for more than a year. Almost literally every time you saw him he was changing jobs, in-between jobs, etc.. He totaled three cars in as many years at one point due to poor maintenance and irresponsible driving habits. He was evicted from several apartments for nonpayment of rent due to brief, spotty employment. He got involved with a teenager when he was well into his 20's and has since married this girl and had four kids by her. Not good when you or your wife for that matter have no education beyond high school and no valuable job skills. Kids are obviously expensive!
Interestingly, these kids became his wake-up call. He now has kept a job as a security supervisor for a local industrial factory for the past 2 1/2 years. He was moved up there awhile ago because he actually worked hard and tried to do a good job unlike at almost all of his previous jobs where he would quit after a month or two due to boredom, personality clashes with Mgmt., etc.. Also, he more recently took a full time job at a retail establishment. He is now working TWO full-time jobs! He is also managing his money much more efficiently now, paying bills first before indulging in fun stuff if he can do so. Sure, him and his family still struggle quite a bit, but he has dropped the tag of "mooch"! More power to him!
Also, I think it was Dan that mentioned that the area in which he lived, Wichita, was a really tight job market. I can identify with this. Pennsylvania, the state in which I currently reside, has been a tight job market with a depressed economy for some time now. Pennsylvania was a BIG state for industry back in the day, mainly steel and coal. When the bottom fell out of the domestic steel industry, Pennsylvania's economy was severly crippled. Shortly after that, the coal mines all started cutting back as well, compounding Pennsylvania's economic woes. Although Pennsylvania has made some progress toward fixing this in recent years, the state is still struggling. One indicator of this is the fact that tons of college graduates relocate from Pennsylvania as soon as they graduate due to the fact that jobs are scarce and usually pay below the national average for their specific occupation. For a long time, Pennsylvania was either dead last or in the bottom five for job growth, rates of pay, and attracting new jobs.
However, I get the point that some mooches use this as an excuse to not try and find work. Work can be found if you live in an area with a depressed economy, it just takes a little while longer and requires a bit more effort. However, I do realize that sometime if the situation seems hopeless, relocation might be necessary. I'm looking toward this possibility myself. But I wholeheartedly agree that a supposedly weak economy is no excuse to be a mooch! I say supposedly because I'm not familiar with Wichita!
(Original Air Date: 02/15/06) Dr. Phil talks to women who are the family breadwinners and are sick of living with freeloaders. Sarah says she's tired of supporting the man in her life -- and she's not even married to him yet! Her fiancé, Dan, worked just four weeks last year -- and only because he was ordered to by the courts. Sarah constantly begs him to get a job, has kicked him out three times, and says that if she doesn't hide her purse, he'll steal her money! Should she walk down the aisle with a man who wanted her to buy her own engagement ring? Then, Tricia makes three times as much as her husband, Glenn. She also does all the housework, takes care of their daughter and manages the finances -- after working a 12- to 16-hour day. Will Glenn ever step up to the plate? Share your thoughts, join the discussion.
