So anyways I worked the drilling rigs this summer and made a lot of money. I had given my notice to quit to go back to school and 5 days before I actually quit my rig got shut down and I got a lay off notice. With that lay off slip I applied for unemployment and am no on unemployment and getting $377 a WEEK. I told a buddy of mine and he is pissed and his girlfriend is pissed as well because "why should I get it and they shouldn't." But these are the same two people, that one (my buddy) who has gotten life handed to him on a silver plate with his parents paying for his school, plus his truck, plus his snowmobile, plus, plus plus. Yes he is working but that is only his "play" money because his mom and dad pay for everything. Also his girlfriend who is on student loans and only has to pay back half of whatever they give her. Me, I have had to pay for everything I have, my truck, my apartment, my schooling, my snowmobile etc. The only thing I get from my parents is some left overs and baked goods etc when I go home.

I think the reason he is pissed is because of the money that I made this summer working 12 hours a day 7 days a week I could afford to do everything all year like pay for my insurance on my truck, my rent, and my schooling. I think that another reason may be that I had intentions on quitting but got a layoff slip instead. technically I did get laid off.

what do you guys think about my situation.

 

I'd tell'em to suck it up and get over it. Kick back and enjoy it while it lasts. We all pay plenty of EI and how many times to we ever collect? Most people it's 0 times. Think of it as your investment finally showing a return. Besides that, what is our federal surplus this year going to be? Somewhere around 13 billion $$ last I heard. I don't think the feds will miss it.
You were still offically employed when you got the notice so I don't even think it's a moral issue. At least to me it wouldn't be but that's between you and yourself to decide.

 

Honestly this is what I was thinking but he (he is also my roommate) was trying to make me out like a lesser of a being for catching a break. I also really don't see much of a difference between me and any apprentice that is on EI while going to school.

 

yeah, we pay lots of taxes as the surplus shows. You should see the taxes on alcohol and cigarettes. $80.00+ for a carton of smokes and $20.00 for a 12 pack of decent beer. I think it all goes into "General Revenue" just like the extra 20.00 they added onto airline tickets for the cost of "security" after 911.

 

I'm sure if it was your roommate who caught the break he would be all over it like white on rice. I would rub it in every chance I got just because he can't be happy that something good fell your way.

 

I know he would. I think he is just pissed because I made a lot of money ($20,000) in not even 2.5 months. and I am also looking at a 4.5k (it will probably go down now that I am on EI) income tax return because of me being a full time student and that being a nice write off.

I just needed an outsiders opinion because we have been very good friends for over 10 years now and have for the most part seen eye to eye on almost everything.

 

Not much of a "buddy" if you ask me. If the guy was true a friend, he'd be happy for you and not jealous that you're getting a payment. Even though you've known the guy for 10 years, it sounds like it might be time to move on, no one needs friends like that.

 

I don't know this guy but know many like him. They somehow don't understand the value of hard work, contribution, value and the concept of money.

I didn't grow up with a silver spoon or a crest on my jacket that had to be worn at supper or join meetings at the country club, but i did come from a family with high values and life lessons.

Finish school and take all these lessons you have learned on the way and apply them, expand on them, take them to new levels. Prove yourself by your actions and work ethic and being a "nice person". Continue to learn and listen to your senior peers.

Everyone's environment is different, the only similarity we all share is the opportunity. Your chance is to capitalize on every opportunity.

Work hard. If it was easy, everyone would do it right?



Cheers

 

Jealousy and contempt are not characteristics of good friends.

You had the right to change your mind after giving your notice. They could have made you some kind of offer that would have made you stay or you could have just changed your mind. But you got laid off. Sounds OK to me.