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by DougN7 1839 days ago
But don’t they have to eat and pay rent? I keep wondering where all these people that have decided previous jobs aren’t for them are getting by.
2 comments

When you loose your job, that tends to give you a jolt that forces you to change your life. When the government gives you money at the same time, you go improve your situation in a way you couldn't before because you didn't have a spare $100.
I’m not sure I follow? Can you give an example? Do you means people are learning skills and moving up? That doesn’t seem like it could account for all the help wanted signs I see all over.
That, or taking the time to start their own business (you don't have to see a lot of success to beat serving), or etc.

But part of it is also that the government has continued unemployment past the point they normally would, due to the pandemic. The decision between working 40 hours a week for $400, or being paid $300 a week and not working, is pretty obvious. It will be interesting (in a cynical "oh my God what the hell is wrong with this country" sort of way) to see what happens in the states that are slashing those benefits, and whether that leads to reduced help wanted or not.

>and whether that leads to reduced help wanted or not.

It will but not by a significant amount, on the other hand those states will see more stagnating wages.

>But don’t they have ... pay rent?

Not until this month, there are lots of bets on what's going to happen to the housing market but I'm glad I don't own a house.