# I'm so broke, I can't even pay attention. Anyone else? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 7, 2000, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-broke-i-cant-even-pay-attention-anyone-else/40066 "2000-11-07T04:10:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2000, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-broke-i-cant-even-pay-attention-anyone-else/40066/1 "2000-11-07T04:10:52Z")
Well, Being a government employee, I can’t really ask for a raise, but I sure as hell will try. Anyone got any suggestions? Thanks in advance, and 2% of the raise to whoever’s suggestion works . . . Tripler ---
**Author:** ![DoZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@DoZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoZ)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2000, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-broke-i-cant-even-pay-attention-anyone-else/40066/2 "2000-11-07T04:14:52Z")
I just live cheap and keep cutting back. ☹ I haven’t had a job long enough to get a raise. ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2000, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-broke-i-cant-even-pay-attention-anyone-else/40066/3 "2000-11-07T04:17:21Z")
My manager always tells me this: go get another offer and the company will match it to keep you. But you should only try this if you are valuable to the company. ---
**Author:** ![Persephone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@Persephone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persephone)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2000, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-broke-i-cant-even-pay-attention-anyone-else/40066/4 "2000-11-07T04:18:04Z")
Sorry, no suggestions, but I do hear you, as another broke government employee. If you find a solution, let me know, okay? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2000, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-broke-i-cant-even-pay-attention-anyone-else/40066/5 "2000-11-07T04:36:26Z")
Today I took out a short-term loan from a respectable financial institution in order to cover a short-term shortfall. The rates are absolutely usurous\* so I will start paying it off BEFORE I get paid on Friday. But the chances of checks bouncing across the landscape started growing. - - Remember usury? It used to be a sin AND illegal. Don Corleone would be embarassed to charge this much! ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2000, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-broke-i-cant-even-pay-attention-anyone-else/40066/6 "2000-11-07T04:42:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by xizor \* > \*\*My manager always tells me this: go get another offer and the company will match it to keep you. But you should only try this if you are valuable to the company. \*\* Let me clarify: When I say “government”, I mean “military”. Trying to get out earlier than my orders state would be bad: 1. I like my job, and don’t really want to change it, 2. If I try to leave, it’s called desertion and I could be shot. I’m just trying to figure out how to weasel the government out of money based on my talents and performance . . . Tripler I think I shouldn’t have said “weasel”. ---
**Author:** ![Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helen_s_Eidolon)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2000, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-broke-i-cant-even-pay-attention-anyone-else/40066/7 "2000-11-07T05:21:41Z")
_ducks and gets ready to run_ You could always do one of those “off your hours” telemarketing things… _runs_ ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2000, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-broke-i-cant-even-pay-attention-anyone-else/40066/8 "2000-11-07T05:32:09Z")
I thought it was, like, against worker’s rights legislation to be forced to stay in your job. How does the military get around this? ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2000, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-broke-i-cant-even-pay-attention-anyone-else/40066/9 "2000-11-07T13:26:53Z")
They’re the military. They’re better armed than the rest of us. ---
**Author:** ![Simetra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Simetra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simetra)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2000, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-broke-i-cant-even-pay-attention-anyone-else/40066/10 "2000-11-07T14:16:37Z")
Woo hoo… Something in which I can participate. **Tripler** , a few quick questions and maybe I can help. What branch? And where are you stationed? What is your rank? And are you OS/O-CONUS qualified? ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2000, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-broke-i-cant-even-pay-attention-anyone-else/40066/11 "2000-11-07T14:32:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tripler \* > \*\*Let me clarify: When I say “government”, I mean “military”. Trying to get out earlier than my orders state would be bad: 1. I like my job, and don’t really want to change it, 2. If I try to leave, it’s called desertion and I could be shot. > \*\* Well, that’s different. How to get more money out of the military, let’s see: 1. Get married. If you already are, have more kids. More family allowance. 2. Get promoted. Higher pay grade. The best way to do that is school. Primary leadership training, that sort of thing. 3. Hazard pay. Volunteer for something dangerous. 4. Moonlight. Start selling insurance or real estate. 5. If you are in the army, go to jump school. Airborne gets you more money per month. I’m sure the other branches have something similar. ---
**Author:** ![Serendipity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Serendipity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Serendipity)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2000, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-broke-i-cant-even-pay-attention-anyone-else/40066/12 "2000-11-07T17:41:20Z")
[hijack] **Tripler** , thank you, thank you, thank you for using “I’m so broke, I can’t even pay attention” as your subject line! My 10th grade biology teacher used to use this phrase (and others, such as “Well, don’t just sit there with your teeth in your mouth and your elbows half way up your arms”) all of the time, and I’ve been trying to remember how it went for the past week. Unfortunately, I don’t have any advice to offer – I just needed to share my gratitude. 🙂 [/hijack] ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2000, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-broke-i-cant-even-pay-attention-anyone-else/40066/13 "2000-11-07T18:01:28Z")
Out your commanding officer to his commanding officer. Now the job’s free. Go get 'em! Ow! Hey, would you please stop hitting me? ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2000, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-broke-i-cant-even-pay-attention-anyone-else/40066/14 "2000-11-07T18:37:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dropzone \* > \*_Today I took out a short-term loan from a respectable financial institution in order to cover a short-term shortfall. The rates are absolutely usurous_ so I will start paying it off BEFORE I get paid on Friday. But the chances of checks bouncing across the landscape started growing. > > - > - Remember usury? It used to be a sin AND illegal. Don Corleone would be embarassed to charge this much! \*\* Does anyone else sense a moneymaking opportunity here?!?! Drop, I’ll shave off 5%. I’ll bet I’ll still make out like a bandit. You really good for it? ---
**Author:** ![Heloise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e36b37/32.png) [@Heloise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heloise)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2000, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-broke-i-cant-even-pay-attention-anyone-else/40066/15 "2000-11-07T19:04:46Z")
Sorry, no advice. I’m so broke, I can’t spend the night. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2000, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-broke-i-cant-even-pay-attention-anyone-else/40066/16 "2000-11-08T00:26:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Simetra \* > \*\*Woo hoo… Something in which I can participate. > > **Tripler** , a few quick questions and maybe I can help. What branch? And where are you stationed? What is your rank? And are you OS/O-CONUS qualified? \*\* Okay, Air Force, Minot AFB North Dakota, LT, and as far as I know I am OS qualified. Tripler And the snow just hit. Damn. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2000, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-broke-i-cant-even-pay-attention-anyone-else/40066/17 "2000-11-08T00:31:40Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by xizor \* \*\* > [@](#): > > Well, that’s different. How to get more money out of the military, let’s see: > > 1. Get married. If you already are, have more kids. More family allowance. > 2. Get promoted. Higher pay grade. The best way to do that is school. Primary leadership training, that sort of thing. > 3. Hazard pay. Volunteer for something dangerous. > 4. Moonlight. Start selling insurance or real estate. > 5. If you are in the army, go to jump school. Airborne gets you more money per month. I’m sure the other branches have something similar. \*\* 1. Hell no. I intend to be a swinging bachelor for the rest of my life. And I don’t think I want kids, if they’ll be anything like I was as a kid. 2. I have 1 1/2 years to wait for that. Promotion is pretty much automatic to Captain/O-3 so long as you don’t screw up big time, or shoot the Colonel’s dog. 3. I’m “too junior” to go to Saudi. Damn them. 4. I tried selling myself for Pez, but the prostitution industry in North Dakota is just too competitive. 5. I’m dying to get my jump wings, but my unit can’t seem to scrape the cash together to send me. I am going TDY in a few days tho . . . And I’m trying to keep this in the realm of what you might call “legal”. No use getting a raise, only to be fired three days later . . . Trip ---
**Author:** ![SwimmingRiddles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SwimmingRiddles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SwimmingRiddles)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2000, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-broke-i-cant-even-pay-attention-anyone-else/40066/18 "2000-11-08T02:37:09Z")
Yea, my best friend volunteered for army duty in Korea, and got hazard pay and oversea pay (or something like that) because no one wants to live in Korea. She was making a shitload. Couldn’t spend it, but she MADE it. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2000, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-broke-i-cant-even-pay-attention-anyone-else/40066/19 "2000-11-08T04:07:22Z")
Oh well. I can just hope our elections turn out so I can get a pay raise. . . Tripler ---
**Author:** ![Eo\_Echo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ebca7d/32.png) [@Eo\_Echo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eo_Echo)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2000, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-broke-i-cant-even-pay-attention-anyone-else/40066/20 "2000-11-08T04:10:58Z")
I understand President Clinton is releasing three million barrels of attention from the national reserves, so you might be able to at least afford that soon.