Gaming World Forums
General Category => General Talk => Topic started by: Ryan on July 11, 2009, 02:11:45 am
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okay i've recently been hit with an $18,000 debt from the social security administration due to an error on their part. basically after my father died we started getting social security payments each month based on his last years salary. buuuuuut turns out they fucked up somehow with the W2 information so they were overpaying us by a few thousand dollars each year. this money was vital to my family's income. so a few months ago we got a letter from the social security admin. saying that they had overpaid us about approx. $18,000 the last few years. now my family is getting considerably less money from social security while also being forced to pay back this pretty large debt. we have to make regular payments on this debt or we risk being denied government services (such as student loans, etc)
i've been thinking a lot about WHAT I WANT TO DO IN MY LIFE lately. music school really isn't realistic anymore (i'm not good enough to really do any of the lucrative music related jobs) and is quite expensive. i've always wanted to travel and get out of fucking virginia and now with this debt plus my student loans i will be looking at quite a large debt. i'm not really a big fan of enlisting the military but it really seems like the easiest way to not be completely fucked. i figured the navy would be the least offensive with also the most opportunities to travel around and see shit. i also heard they have a debt repayment incentive and would also obviously help with schooling if i decided to go to grad school or whatever. if i do enlist (i haven't fully decided one way or the other) it would be after i finished a 4 year college.
basically if any of you guys have any information on the military and how much it sucks/rules and more importantly how much money and assistance i would be getting this would be swell. politically and morally i'm not really that gung ho about any military service but C.R.E.A.M ya know?? i would rather be doing some shit job off the coast of southeast asia than doing some shit job in lynchburg virginia.
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also i've googled shit quite extensively but it's full of enlisted guys talking about SERVING YOUR COUNTRY and shit so i'd rather not take anything they say seriously
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What branch are you interested in? I know mostly about the Army since my father was a soldier until I was 16. I would strongly recommend against the Army because the pay sucks and they will eat your soul.
My dad's advice to me about the military was this: if you have to enlist, join either the Coast Guard or Air Force. They provide the best services to the enlistees out of all the branches.
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i said the navy!
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i said the navy!
Ah sorry, I didn't read that closely.
I've heard Navy is the worst.
Buuuuut, if you feel it is your calling, please don't let me dissuade you.
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did you read my post at all man? it is by no means a CALLING.
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i'm getting out of the army soon but there's no place i know with better benefits (read: the greater military in general). just be prepared to deal with a whole lot of bullshit.
What branch are you interested in? I know mostly about the Army since my father was a soldier until I was 16. I would strongly recommend against the Army because the pay sucks and they will eat your soul.
the base pay is actually the same across all five branches. but they'll eat your soul.
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did you read my post at all man? it is by no means a CALLING.
Yes, I read it... I just read it quickly.
It sounds like you're very low on options though, and the Navy seems to be the lesser of all evils for you. The experience you get will be very helpful later in life, and job security is pretty great. It would open up a lot of opportunities the further you go.
A lot of good could come out of it for you, so if you can, talk with a recruiter. Just keep in mind that he needs to recruit X number of people, so they will practically beg you to join.
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A lot of good could come out of it for you, so if you can, talk with a recruiter. Just keep in mind that he needs to recruit X number of people, so they will practically beg you to join.
they are actually cutting mission by a lot. the way it sounds is that they're getting ready for a drawdown. army recruiters will even shut down people with college degrees because they just don't have the slots. if you're going to do it, do it after october.
also the reason job security is great is because they don't fucking let you leave. just in case that isn't clear. i know you probably know but just putting that out there in general
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they are actually cutting mission by a lot. the way it sounds is that they're getting ready for a drawdown. army recruiters will even shut down people with college degrees because they just don't have the slots. if you're going to do it, do it after october.
shit. I was planning to join the Air Force if I end up not being able to get a job in the next five months.
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you live in virginia you fucking dumbass, go to seaschool with the money you were gonna use for college or save up a grand or two, go to maryland and train like I did then go to norfolk and ship out of there, you'll make lots of money and not be a government slave.
Edit: how close are you to norfolk because it is literally the best shipping area in the entire country and you'd be pretty much set after a year and a half of schooling or so.
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lol i have maybe enough money left in my COLLEGE FUND to finish community college. i make minimum wage working at mcdonalds saving up a grand is pretty hard dude. especially when i have to help with a lot of bills and pay social security.
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I'd honestly lend you the money if I had it and knew you'd go through with it and pay me back later. You should atleast visit the hall there and see if you might be interested. I'm sure you could get a loan or something and I might be off on the grand thing but I know its over 500$ but as long as you finish the school its a very very good investment specially if you live in or around norfolk.
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i live several hours away from norfolk
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also man i'm definitely finishing college before i do anything.
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I don't know what the laws are like over there, but over here if the government overpays you due to an error completely on their part - and with you completely unaware there was an error - you are by no means obliged to return the money. Have you checked to see if there's some sort of legal loophole you can get them on to not have to pay it back? I know the government here will try and overcharge as much as possible, and as soon as it's challenged just cough and stumble and let you keep it.
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yes my mom works for a lawyer we checked to see if there were any way we could not repay.
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why are you paying it? You're the son right? its not your responsibility?
I know you prolly don't want to leave your mom hanging and alot of it went to you and your siblings but you're just fucking kids. this seems like total bullshit with you being what 20? and having to deal with this stupid shit.
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funny this is exactly whats happened to me the last few years.
i just took up a full time job and quit school for a while, having part time jobs on the side but taking breaks for a few months at a time. The amount of money I had to pay wasn't near 18 grand but it was still quite a bit, and I am just now to the 500$ mark. I'm hoping to get back into school into spring if I can pay the rest off and raise money for classes.
I think you shouldn't join the military if you don't have to, dude. It's great money sure, not only do you make money and pay debts, but you don't have a living cost. But in the same breath it is really going to change your life and the way you think, for better or for worse.
I took care of my family for a while with rent and groceries and stuff while they paid off debt, and it is hard, but it's something you will probably need to do regardless. My parents debt is still not gone, and it probably won't be before they go, but they've stabilized and I've moved on. I am completely glad I helped out, but I won't deny that I do feel a bit of resentment.
But yeah dude, if you're going to do a 4 year run of school before joining the military, there's no reason you shouldn't be able to find a job in whatever degree you have. If you're not sure about what to go to school for, I suggest just taking a break and getting a full time job. That'll give you time to decide, and you'll be able to pay debt and rent at the same time.
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That's not really true though, I haven't really changed my thoughts since I joined the Air Force, but the military is a difficult life in general if you can't deal with the bullshit they want from you, but if you can, it really isn't a bad life, hell I get to live Germany for free because I'm stationed over here.
I don't know much about the Navy, my brother is in it though, so if you have any questions I'll try and get a hold of him and ask him. But otherwise, talk to a recruiter to see what they have to say, if you finish college first you could go in as an officer, and that's a lot more money there than just enlisting, like a thousand dollars more than I make now after being in for a year just when you would be starting out in basic, so I'd defiantly encourage that.
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why are you paying it? You're the son right? its not your responsibility?
I know you prolly don't want to leave your mom hanging and alot of it went to you and your siblings but you're just fucking kids. this seems like total bullshit with you being what 20? and having to deal with this stupid shit.
most of it was paid to me while i was a minor but they conveniently waited until after i had turned 18 to notify me that i personally owe them too.
also another reason why i want to stay in school is because as long as i'm in school full time i still get a little bit of money each month from social security, albeit a lot less now.
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The Navy is probably your best bet right now. For one, the Army and Marines will make sure you hate your life, no matter what you do. For two, the Navy is the only branch that can guarantee you a specific job (all with useful skillsets). For three, some of the school and experience you earn with the Navy can make you set for life as a civilian. I'm signed up to hit the Nuclear Power School in Charleston, S.C. after basic, which is one of the most challenging and useful schools in the world. If I flunk out of that, I'd end up reclassifying into another good rating. If you're even 1/4 smart, you can rock the ASVAB and be eligible for anything.
The only thing, Navy has stopped recruiting for the next couple of months. I've seen guys with 4-year degrees coming in just begging for a job, it's just that bad right now.
In any case, I'll be done with basic in November, and I'll tell you if it totally sucks.
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you should sue
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from bohemian to soldier? what the hell?
if that's your cup, go for it I guess.
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this really sucks balls. i hope you can figure something out that doesn't totally make you miserable. maybe this is FATE....... think of it that way and you might be happier????
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audit the federal reserve
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dont go into military, get a job in construction or something. you have to deal with a lot of assholes and its pretty soulcrushing and hard but at least its not the military.
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You act like it's the end of the world. You spend your mandatory 4-6 years, and it's an amazing headstart for a young person. Even if you have some horrible experiences, the skills you learn and the things you do can be priceless. I've heard people say their first years travelling with the Navy was the best time of their life. Not to mention, they'll put you through college if you take advantage of that.
It's not for everyone, but I'd urge you to at least check out the jobs available. You might find one that really interests you.
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who said that?
your recruiter? Because I've spoken to a few people in the navy that hated it and some were like "meh" but never BEST TIME OF MY LIFE. And I think the major offputting thing for ryan joining would be the whole BEING PART OF THE WAR MACHINE aspect of it.
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yeah, i've met naysayers as well. i know that i'm not going to be all "hoo-rah" about shit, but i think my first time visiting asia, europe, and australia will mark a pretty big highlight in my life.
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I'm sorry to hear that man.
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You guys act like joining the military is the worst thing in the world.
There are always going be those that hate it and those that don't, its just the aspect of military life. And don't go on about "WAR MACHINE" bull, yes we are the nations way of fighting wars, its a necessary evil, if you think that a country can survive in this modern war without a military, then you mistaken.
Trust me, if we could have world peace right now, I'd gladly give all of this up, but its not going to happen anytime soon sadly.
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I just think its a waste since hes already put so much into being in a musical type life, i dont think military is terrible or anything but i do think it would be a mistake for someone who is artisticly inclined to go that way.
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You can be the hippy anti-war medic type. Haven't you ever seen a movie? Jeez! Those guys are just there because they have to be, they don't believe in "the man's" war.
naw I'm just joshing this sucks a big one.
However, yeah, at the very least, being in the military will give you something interesting to talk about with people you meet in the future. Plus, your grandkids will be fascinated with you (fascinated by you? What's the correct grammar here?).
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i think you have to be drafted to be that guy. kind of like hawkeye on M*A*S*H.
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ryan do not join the military
there are other options
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i was hoping youd post!
by all means lemme know of other options that don't leave me royally fucked!
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well i mean if you are planning on doing this after you complete your 4 year BA or BS, there are a world of options available to you that can offer you potentially richer life experiences than the military. One thing I can think of offhand that my friend is doing is teaching english in south korea, he got set up in a little rent-free apartment in Seoul, gets about 2500 USD monthly on salary and a little under 1000 from private tutoring. All you need is a 4 year degree(in anything) for the visa regulations, an american accent, and preferably white skin(cuz they racist). Lots of people do this to pay off student loans and lately I've been considering it myself if I don't go to grad school soon.
Also the US Peace Corps. will defer your loans while you're doing your two years. I'm not sure if interest accumulates or what, and you're not going to earn any money to pay that stuff back.. but it'll be 2 years to get away from it and look great on a resume.
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oh dang the teaching english thing sounds pretty awesome. do you have any links to whoever is offering this?
i've always wanted to join the peace corp too but idk how the debt to the social security admin would work! they basically said YOU HAVE TO MAKE REGULAR PAYMENTS ON THIS OR WE WILL FUCK YOU OVER
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http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/korea/ here's what i found in a google search
edit: I think currency markets have tanked since i last checked so I don't think 1 million KRW = 1000 USD like it used to, but still not bad considering there's no rent, healthcare is entirely affordable, and the hours are usually good.
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sweet...2.2million won per month
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yeah these actually look like pretty good deals! round trip airfare as well as free medical, 30 hr work week, and free rent. also a lot of them say you get a severance pay but none really give any details on that.
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yeah these actually look like pretty good deals! round trip airfare as well as free medical, 30 hr work week, and free rent. also a lot of them say you get a severance pay but none really give any details on that.
you get a month's salary when your contract is up
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My brother's doing one of those EFL courses atm
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damn man thanks! i'm definitely giving this serious consideration. i'm def. down with korean girls too so heh :cool:
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i'm pretty sure they all look like this:
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2245/1702872752_00de8ada38_o.jpg)
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np ryan. just doin' my part to keep people out of the clutches of THE MACHINE
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there's something wrong with that photo, they're no making a peace sign with their hands.
imposters
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fuck i'm actually really excited about this! i really dreaded having to join the military.
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Don't you have to know the korean language before teaching something to korean people?
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Don't you have to know the korean language before teaching something to korean people?
This is what I thought as well but I suppose it'll just be him screaming random English words into a microphone while an army of Koreans repeat after him. Which isn't a very good way to teach anyone anything, but that's beside the point.
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so what he still said he'd have to finish school first right? Take korean the next year or two and really study it on the side but I have no idea how proficient you'd have to be in it.
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Well if he's going to be IN Korea then he'd probably pick it up pretty quickly, especially if he studies it some before hand. I know a guy who lived in Japan for 2 months and he is pretty fluent in the language.
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It's weird cos I've had an interest in korea recently and I was thinking of visiting there. I have also met people who teach english in south korea, apparently it's real big business. I'd do it, definitely. Sounds good. After university.
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Don't you have to know the korean language before teaching something to korean people?
no. They are taught english throughout their schooling and usually foreigners who go over to teach are teaching kids who have a year or two of classes or adults and don't have to speak a word of korean
the schools basically hire you as a marketing thing. It's common for parents to send their kids to things private institutions called 'hagwon' after their formal education and they're basically little micro-schools that offer additional classes(english, computers, music, math, etc.). It looks really good if they've got a native english speaker on staff and since there's a ton of them in any given area, it's like a little leg up on the competition.
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that didn't make sense to me
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that didn't make sense to me
-koreans are taught english at a young age.
-the classes you teach are filled with students that have taken at least a couple years of english.
-if you decide to go there, you're not required to speak a word of korean.
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okay i get you
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gr8
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hidden job requirement: Learn to like, or at the very least tolerate, the smell and taste of kimchi.
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i really like the smell and taste but it's the texture of that stuff i can't get past. it doesn't feel like something i really should be eating to me, i can't get over it. i bite in and something just makes me want to hurl.
maybe it is the cheapo brand i've been trying i dunno. i'll get it in a restaurant and see if i still want to chuck up.
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kimchi rules
I've seen some of those teach english abroad flyers all around my school too, basically all you need is an undergrad. i'm considering doing something similar too in china after i finish or something.
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i'm pretty sure they all look like this:
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2245/1702872752_00de8ada38_o.jpg)
i have a boner