Do you think there’s anything morally wrong with accepting unemployment benefits?

Dear Dave,

We’ve been pursuing your scheme for a while. We’re debt-free, isolated from for our home, and we person six months of expenses group speech successful our emergency fund. Recently, I mislaid my job. I’m luckier than some, because received a generous severance package from my erstwhile employer, positive my woman still has a bully job. My parents ever raised maine to return attraction of things myself and not trust connected others. I suppose it’s because of this I consciousness a small blameworthy astir filing for unemployment compensation. Do you deliberation there’s thing morally incorrect pinch accepting unemployment benefits?

Brandt

Dear Brandt,

I really admit your self-sufficient attitude. I don’t cognize what happened astatine your past job, but I’ve sewage a emotion you’re a difficult worker and a decent guy. I’m sorry you and your woman are having to woody pinch this benignant of situation.

The Social Security strategy successful this state is simply a mathematical failure. But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to return my money erstwhile I merit it. The authorities took it from maine successful nan first place, truthful I don’t person a problem pinch accepting thing I’ve already paid into.

Now, I’ll propulsion retired a informing here. Sometimes erstwhile group commencement receiving unemployment benefits, it causes them to return their ft disconnected nan gas. The thought that “free” money is coming successful tin thief them rationalize sitting astatine location connected nan couch, alternatively of moving difficult to find different occupation and being other observant pinch their finances. I’m not proceeding that benignant of mentality from you, though. And it’s evident you and your woman person been beautiful smart pinch your finances.

One much point I’d propose is making judge you look astatine your severance package arsenic endurance money only. Make a strict fund and instrumentality to it. Cut retired each excess spending. That intends nary eating out, vacations aliases thing for illustration that until you’re moving again and everything’s backmost connected coagulated ground. Right now, attraction connected covering your Four Walls. By that, I mean food, utilities, shelter and transportation. Feed your family, support nan energy on, salary nan owe and put capable state successful nan car to get wherever you request to go.

Everyone hits a unsmooth agelong of roadworthy successful life from clip to time, Brandt. But you 2 are successful a position to grip it amended than most. Just retrieve what sewage you to specified a bully spot pinch your finances successful nan first place. The subject musculus is already there, and it’s strong. Just flex it, and it’ll thief get you done this and backmost connected your feet again!

— Dave