That's the sad part. I didn't qualify for any type of financial aid because they said my Mom and I had too large of a combined income. I had to work in high school otherwise I would have starved. My mom did the best she could to make ends meet, but as soon as I turned 16, I had to kind of fend for myself. She provided the roof over my head, I had to provide everything else. And she only made like 30,000 a year and I still didn't qualify for anything.
- HonkFortheGoose

I was in a similar siutation. Maybe a touch less serious but none the less If I wanted to have things of my own and have nice clothes to be socially accepted I had to work from a young age. It sets you back educationally. There should be a system in place that rewards those who work and contribute to society. It would just be nice.

though i am an independent, i lean left because i don't want my political affiliation and beliefs being skewed by people who use religious rhetoric.

this country has far too many different races, religions, etc and to think that the only people suitable for office are white Catholics is just a hair on the short-sighted side.
- EricNearBuffalo

I hate classifying myself but I suppose I have to say I'm conservative just because of the economics... Social issues I just go with how I feel, not my party line

Abortion: Not my decision. If you can live with yourself its YOUR CHOICE. Who am I to tell you what to do with your body? However, I do not believe taxpayers should pay for them. It's not meant to be birth control.

Gay Marriage: Who am I to tell you who you love or who you should marry? I could care less, if you're happy, you're happy. But you need to know that with marriage you must go through the same things straight couples do. Divorce and such.

Environmental issues: Sure we could all be a little bit more helpful, everyone should do there fair share to pitch in to make our world a better place. But please, do not tell me that we've caused global warming. In the 1930's is was global warming, in the 1960-70's it was the ice age. Now it's back to global warming. For christ sakes the #1 greenhouse gas is Water Vapor, not Carbon Dioxide. Did you guys know that electric cars, from production to usage cause more pollution than regular gas fueled vehicles? Why is our GOVERNMENT investing billions in all of this? This should be done by the private sector, not our govt.

That's the sad part. I didn't qualify for any type of financial aid because they said my Mom and I had too large of a combined income. I had to work in high school otherwise I would have starved. My mom did the best she could to make ends meet, but as soon as I turned 16, I had to kind of fend for myself. She provided the roof over my head, I had to provide everything else. And she only made like 30,000 a year and I still didn't qualify for anything.
- HonkFortheGoose

sometimes you have to wonder if the system is rigged to crush the very people it preys upon. how far can this vicious cycle keep going before you have a complete and total collapse?

That's the sad part. I didn't qualify for any type of financial aid because they said my Mom and I had too large of a combined income. I had to work in high school otherwise I would have starved. My mom did the best she could to make ends meet, but as soon as I turned 16, I had to kind of fend for myself. She provided the roof over my head, I had to provide everything else. And she only made like 30,000 a year and I still didn't qualify for anything.
- HonkFortheGoose

At least we have Pegula. He's like an eccentric rich Uncle who will live out our dreams blowing big dough on our hockey team for us.

I was in a similar siutation. Maybe a touch less serious but none the less If I wanted to have things of my own and have nice clothes to be socially accepted I had to work from a young age. It sets you back educationally. There should be a system in place that rewards those who work and contribute to society. It would just be nice.
- Buffalo--Sabres

I hated group work. Everyone else was always like "I'm available whenever." I was actually working 2 jobs and taking class. And I was an English major. I had literally NO time to sit down and do a group project. Not to mention that I was a commuter (because it was cheaper) and everyone else always seemed to live on campus.

At least we have Pegula. He's like an eccentric rich Uncle who will live out our dreams blowing big dough on our hockey team for us.
- Buffalo--Sabres

I'd like to email him and ask him to pay my student loans.

Then I'd be really happy.

The student loan market can't collapse. Its the only loan you cant file bankruptcy on and they have crazy power when it comes to seizing your assets. Meanwhile if my parents made 2 thousand dollars less a year(166 bucks a month) or if they were just lazier people I would have had college financial help or free schooling. Some of my friends from the same area(Kenmore) got seriously reduced or free college, meanwhile the rest of us will pay loans back at interest for 10 + years. And this is for State schools. Growing up they really didn't have anything different than I did. I dont understand why the dividing line for free college is drawn there.
- Buffalo--Sabres

My parents being small business owners and having a stretch of about 5 years of tough times helped me out big time... I went to community college and actually received money back to pay for my books for one of the years, the 2nd year I had to loan. Then when I transferred I got some nice aid and scholarships to cut my bill in half... Really made it easier.

This is one of the few places I think the govt should invest. Train people for jobs. Make stipulations to people. ie. "We'll give you XX amount if you do XX majors"

Newt Gingrich said it perfectly when discussing the 99 week rule for unemployment. 99 Weeks is an associates degree... Give these people the Unemployment but make them hireable. Give them the training and they can go out and get a job.

I'd like to email him and ask him to pay my student loans.

Then I'd be really happy.
- HonkFortheGoose

If I hit the powerball I'll pay your student loans

I hated group work. Everyone else was always like "I'm available whenever." I was actually working 2 jobs and taking class. And I was an English major. I had literally NO time to sit down and do a group project. Not to mention that I was a commuter (because it was cheaper) and everyone else always seemed to live on campus.
- HonkFortheGoose

I remember during a six week strech during school I was unemployed and commuting from home. Minus being broke it was the best six weeks of college(academically, not socially). I wanted to be in school, I loved being there. I would show up early and left late, had good grades. Then my mom told me I had to get a full time job or she would throw me out of the house. Said she wasn't going to keep giving me gas money all the time(it was 1.10 a gallon) and paying my insurance. I got one, I started hating my life again, grades dropped, started showing up late and skipping classes. Stress, burn out set it in. But I had more dough to go drinking.

My mother meant well but she just has skewed views of how the world works.

I remember during a six week strech during school I was unemployed and commuting from home. Minus being broke it was the best six weeks of college(academically, not socially). I wanted to be in school, I loved being there. I would show up early and left late, had good grades. Then my mom told me I had to get a full time job or she would throw me out of the house. Said she wasn't going to keep giving me gas money all the time(it was 1.10 a gallon) and paying my insurance. I got one, I started hating my life again, grades dropped, started showing up late and skipping classes. Stress, burn out set it in. But I had more dough to go drinking.

My mother meant well but she just has skewed views of how the world works.
- Buffalo--Sabres

My parents have been super supportive, and I'm very thankful for that. Whenever I've been short on dough they've let me "work" and they'd give me some... I put say it like that because it was hardly doing much... I'd go there for like 4 hours, do odd jobs and a couple deliveries and they'd give me cash... It was nice of them.

My parents being small business owners and having a stretch of about 5 years of tough times helped me out big time... I went to community college and actually received money back to pay for my books for one of the years, the 2nd year I had to loan. Then when I transferred I got some nice aid and scholarships to cut my bill in half... Really made it easier.

This is one of the few places I think the govt should invest. Train people for jobs. Make stipulations to people. ie. "We'll give you XX amount if you do XX majors"

Newt Gingrich said it perfectly when discussing the 99 week rule for unemployment. 99 Weeks is an associates degree... Give these people the Unemployment but make them hireable. Give them the training and they can go out and get a job.
- Fotes18

When I found out that I was getting laid off last summer, I did think about just taking the unemployment and going back to school for a bit. It also would have deferred my student loan payments. Thought about going for nursing or something like that. I just couldn't do it though. It's just not how I'm wired. I proactively went looking for work well in advance of my layoff. Got hired and started a new job 2 months after finding out about the layoff. Was told May 2nd that I would be without employment as of August 31st. Started the new job on July 5th. I did, however, have to take almost a $3.00 per hour pay cut, but the perks and stuff pretty much make up for it.

When I found out that I was getting laid off last summer, I did think about just taking the unemployment and going back to school for a bit. It also would have deferred my student loan payments. Thought about going for nursing or something like that. I just couldn't do it though. It's just not how I'm wired. I proactively went looking for work well in advance of my layoff. Got hired and started a new job 2 months after finding out about the layoff. Was told May 2nd that I would be without employment as of August 31st. Started the new job on July 5th. I did, however, have to take almost a $3.00 per hour pay cut, but the perks and stuff pretty much make up for it.
- HonkFortheGoose

Thats how canucks players feel after they sign....

When I found out that I was getting laid off last summer, I did think about just taking the unemployment and going back to school for a bit. It also would have deferred my student loan payments. Thought about going for nursing or something like that. I just couldn't do it though. It's just not how I'm wired. I proactively went looking for work well in advance of my layoff. Got hired and started a new job 2 months after finding out about the layoff. Was told May 2nd that I would be without employment as of August 31st. Started the new job on July 5th. I did, however, have to take almost a $3.00 per hour pay cut, but the perks and stuff pretty much make up for it.
- HonkFortheGoose

Let's throw some paper at Ryan O'Reilly in June.

I remember during a six week strech during school I was unemployed and commuting from home. Minus being broke it was the best six weeks of college(academically, not socially). I wanted to be in school, I loved being there. I would show up early and left late, had good grades. Then my mom told me I had to get a full time job or she would throw me out of the house. Said she wasn't going to keep giving me gas money all the time(it was 1.10 a gallon) and paying my insurance. I got one, I started hating my life again, grades dropped, started showing up late and skipping classes. Stress, burn out set it in. But I had more dough to go drinking.

My mother meant well but she just has skewed views of how the world works.
- Buffalo--Sabres

I know what you mean. I had a semester that I ended up with a large gap between classes, and it was my best semester. I got all my stuff done while I was at school and actually really enjoyed myself. I got to spend more time on campus than normal. My late class wasn't one I could skip at all because of the way it was set up, but I really appreciated it in that I felt really good about myself that semester. I always had to have my classes on the same days though. Couldn't do the 5 day a week thing. I commuted to Fredonia from Angola, so the drive wasn't terrible but it certainly wasn't great either and I had to work in order to provide for myself.

The guy I go to the games with is my best friend. He was lucky and grew up in a house where he was able to save his money while he worked. He gets on some of our other friends about their financial situation, but he never gets on me about mine. He always says that he knows I work hard and do what I can to be able to have a good time and still pay my bills. He knows I don't have anything in savings, but he understands why.

When I found out that I was getting laid off last summer, I did think about just taking the unemployment and going back to school for a bit. It also would have deferred my student loan payments. Thought about going for nursing or something like that. I just couldn't do it though. It's just not how I'm wired. I proactively went looking for work well in advance of my layoff. Got hired and started a new job 2 months after finding out about the layoff. Was told May 2nd that I would be without employment as of August 31st. Started the new job on July 5th. I did, however, have to take almost a $3.00 per hour pay cut, but the perks and stuff pretty much make up for it.
- HonkFortheGoose

Good for you Goose!

I would not have minded the idea that you were on unemployment, however. Re-training yourself is something I'm all for.
Times change and different needs are apparent in different times. You've worked all your life, you deserve the opportunity to be employed.

Let's throw some paper at Ryan O'Reilly in June.
- Purple Eagle

Don't we have to wait til July 1st for that?

I like O'Reilly, but I think no matter what Colorado matches. They've got plenty of cap space right now. They do have a poop ton of players that need to be signed though (or new players to replace the ones they don't sign)

Let's throw some paper at Ryan O'Reilly in June.
- Purple Eagle

TAKE THAT RYAN!

Good for you Goose!

I would not have minded the idea that you were on unemployment, however. Re-training yourself is something I'm all for.
Times change and different needs are apparent in different times. You've worked all your life, you deserve the opportunity to be employed.
- Fotes18

I get commissions and monthly bonuses and stuff so really I'm making the same amount for the most part. Plus the fact that for the 2 DVRs and 1 HD box and my internet service, I pay about $23.00 per month. And my cable is fully loaded. The only things I don't get are the PPV type of channels.

Don't we have to wait til July 1st for that?

I like O'Reilly, but I think no matter what Colorado matches. They've got plenty of cap space right now. They do have a poop ton of players that need to be signed though (or new players to replace the ones they don't sign)
- HonkFortheGoose

We'll drop it in the mailbox on June 28.

When I found out that I was getting laid off last summer, I did think about just taking the unemployment and going back to school for a bit. It also would have deferred my student loan payments. Thought about going for nursing or something like that. I just couldn't do it though. It's just not how I'm wired. I proactively went looking for work well in advance of my layoff. Got hired and started a new job 2 months after finding out about the layoff. Was told May 2nd that I would be without employment as of August 31st. Started the new job on July 5th. I did, however, have to take almost a $3.00 per hour pay cut, but the perks and stuff pretty much make up for it.
- HonkFortheGoose

i graduated high school and got a job in the business my uncle owned. now my cousins are running it. we're starting to take off, but are having a slow year thus far because we deal with alot of defense contractors, gov't and military sectors. one of our other major customers is going thru bankruptcy. not fun. another major customer is having supply/product development issues. all of these things are leaving me working one less day a week (NYS Shared Work program). to combat that, i got a job at Consumers to try to supplement that lost pay. i'm working an average of 95 hours over the course of 2 weeks and really just barely covering my losses at my full time job.

i'm finally reaching my breaking point after the wife and i purchased our first home last May. i've begun looking into skilled trades because i figure most people are funnelling into technology and business management areas.

We'll drop it in the mailbox on June 28.
- Purple Eagle

Is he eligible for team elected arbitration at all?

I know what you mean. I had a semester that I ended up with a large gap between classes, and it was my best semester. I got all my stuff done while I was at school and actually really enjoyed myself. I got to spend more time on campus than normal. My late class wasn't one I could skip at all because of the way it was set up, but I really appreciated it in that I felt really good about myself that semester. I always had to have my classes on the same days though. Couldn't do the 5 day a week thing. I commuted to Fredonia from Angola, so the drive wasn't terrible but it certainly wasn't great either and I had to work in order to provide for myself.

The guy I go to the games with is my best friend. He was lucky and grew up in a house where he was able to save his money while he worked. He gets on some of our other friends about their financial situation, but he never gets on me about mine. He always says that he knows I work hard and do what I can to be able to have a good time and still pay my bills. He knows I don't have anything in savings, but he understands why.
- HonkFortheGoose

I went to Fredonia! You missed out on a great time not living there! haha

I have friends who are the same way... I've never received big $ on my Bdays, and some of mine would get upwards of $500 bucks from family on their bdays... 10 year olds can't spend that much and they were able to save. Their parents also paid for their schooling and gave them cars with gas. They understand though... I had to buy my own car, and gas, and have had to take loans for school. Only one time one of them kinda got on me, after I explained why I can't/haven't been able to save he kindly shut up about it.

I did however receive some money from my nana when she passed. That's how I bought my first car! I also bought a couple things that would last me, and I would enjoy because well, that's what she would have told me to do. I played golf in Community college with inferior equipment, so for my second year I bought my golf clubs. I won't have to buy those for many years. I knew I would be transfering so I bought my own TV. Again, something I have no need to buy for many years.

Is he eligible for team elected arbitration at all?
- HonkFortheGoose

Did I just smoke a joint?

i graduated high school and got a job in the business my uncle owned. now my cousins are running it. we're starting to take off, but are having a slow year thus far because we deal with alot of defense contractors, gov't and military sectors. one of our other major customers is going thru bankruptcy. not fun. another major customer is having supply/product development issues. all of these things are leaving me working one less day a week (NYS Shared Work program). to combat that, i got a job at Consumers to try to supplement that lost pay. i'm working an average of 95 hours over the course of 2 weeks and really just barely covering my losses at my full time job.

i'm finally reaching my breaking point after the wife and i purchased our first home last May. i've begun looking into skilled trades because i figure most people are funnelling into technology and business management areas.
- EricNearBuffalo

That's why I was looking at nursing. Those types of fields have maintained and/or grown over the years. I'm not really a huge fan of it, but if it makes me live more comfortably, I'm all for it.

I'm considering looking for a second job. I have a set schedule so it's wouldn't be too bad to try and find something else. Just to put a little extra cash in my pocket. I'm able to pay my bills and whatnot right now, but things are definitely tight. The only reason I can afford to do season tickets is because they're in my best friends name and he'll let me pay for them as I have the money for it. I almost always give him the money early or at least on time, but knowing that he's got my back if need be makes it easier.

Is he eligible for team elected arbitration at all?
- HonkFortheGoose

You must have 4 yrs as an NHLer to be eligible