Feels like I am gonna be out of the hobby for a while

Umortal377

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Feels like I am gonna be out of the hobby for a while

Unfortunately, I dont think I can buy any new toys for a while. Already sold off a bunch, and might have to let go off most of what I have left.

It sucks, but got to do whats best.

My sister in law is one of those people you hear about that abuse the welfare system and such. Uses everybody. She has 4 kids. Child Protective Services took them for the second time this year from her due to the nasty living conditions. I mean flies in the house, trash everywhere, mold covered mattresses, etc. She lets the kids run wild since she sleeps all day and plays Call of Duty on her Xbox all night every night. My wife has just filed for custody and her sister is mad now. It will make things rough for us, but got to think whats in the best interest for the kids. They dont need to live like that. So it would be selfish I feel to spend my free cash on games when we need to get them taken care off.

Already coverted a good portion of the basement to a big play area for the kids. They love it. I have most of my games just shoved in a corner.

But man this sucks, we have 2 kids of our own, so that gives us 6 kids. And until we go to court, we get no assistance, but in the meantime, her sister still gets all her govt help since she still technically has custody.

Sorry for the rant. Just needed to vent a little.

It would be nice if this would cause her sister to wake up and take care of her kids, but I dont see that happening.
 
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Understood. Kids are more important than arcade games. You're doing God's work my friend. You will be rewarded in the end. Probably with a grail of some sort.

Oh yeah, I can't stand people who abuse the Welfare system....
 
Understood. Kids are more important than arcade games. You're doing God's work my friend. You will be rewarded in the end. Probably with a grail of some sort.

Oh yeah, I can't stand people who abuse the Welfare system....

it annoys me that she abuses it. I couldnt tell you how long she has been on it. I know its been since she had her 1st which is not 7. And since she keeps having kids while on the system, she gets more and more. Makes me wonder why I work and try to make things better. Much easier to just sit on your butt and let the govt take care of you.
 
I'm thinking a covert operation to steal that XBOX is in order...
 
You are doing the right thing dude. I just hope that if i were in your shoes that i would step up like you have!
 
I'm thinking a covert operation to steal that XBOX is in order...

She would just get another one somehow. I know she has had like 3 or 4. The last one she got from rentacenter. When they came to take it back, she gave them a broken one she had in the back since they didnt check the serial #s.

She is really big into COD. From the way she talks, she is ranked up there pretty high worldwide. I was thinking more about taking a magnet to the hard drive of her xbox since that should have all her data on it. I just dont know much about xbox and if she can retrieve any of the data from online or not.
 
You are doing the right thing dude. I just hope that if i were in your shoes that i would step up like you have!

Thanks. Its one of those things where I wish we didnt have to. But no one else in her family is stepping up and doing anything about it. They bitch about it, but that doesnt fix anything with the kids. I could give a crap less what happens to her. But none of this is the kids fault. They shouldnt have to live like that.
 
Convert the Mortal Kombat and Pinball to bedroom funiture.

I couldnt do that to an innocent game. lol. Would have to sell them first. But I have a 4 bedroom house so we are looking to put 2 kids in each room. At there previous house, all of them had to share a room.
 
No worries I shared a room for years. It make you appreciate quiet time. Look at it as a new adventure. Unfortunately every family has thier 'problems' just be glad you can help.
 
Makes me wonder why I work and try to make things better. Much easier to just sit on your butt and let the govt take care of you.

Because you have morals my friend. Which is what prompted you to step up and take care of those kids. Well done.

God bless you man. I'll be praying for you.
 
yeah, I can't stand people who abuse the Welfare system....

Keep in mind that for every person like this guy's sister-in-law, there are probably a thousand hard-working people that aren't slackers and are just trying to keep their head above water.

Also keep in mind that "Welfare" as most people envision it, no longer exists. The new program, enacted by Bill Clinton in 1996 is called, "Temporary Assistance To Needy Families" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temporary_Assistance_to_Needy_Families). It puts limitations on how long people can collect money and they must try to work.

Perhaps what this guy needs to do is report the in-law to the Office of Family services? See: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/opa/fact_sheets/tanf_factsheet.html
 
What you are doing is absolutely amazing. Those kids may not realize this now but when they get older they will remember what you guys did for them and how their mom didnt care.

Games can always wait and nowadays games are sold to someone in good hands instead of crappy arcades where they are abused. You will get your collection back after you handle the important business.

Keep us updated dude.
 
What you are doing is absolutely amazing. Those kids may not realize this now but when they get older they will remember what you guys did for them and how their mom didnt care.

Games can always wait and nowadays games are sold to someone in good hands instead of crappy arcades where they are abused. You will get your collection back after you handle the important business.

Keep us updated dude.

I will say it is amazing how quickly kids adapt. You should have seen how crazy they acted. Running around when going out to eat, doing what they want, etc. Now that we have them and the mom is not around. They have a bedtime, get up at a certain time, say please, yes sir, no sir, yes mam, no mam. I mean they still act a little crazy some, but they are kids and that is expected to some extent. But whenever they spend time with her, they start acting the bad way again and we have to start all over.
 
Also keep in mind that "Welfare" as most people envision it, no longer exists. The new program, enacted by Bill Clinton in 1996 is called, "Temporary Assistance To Needy Families" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temporary_Assistance_to_Needy_Families). It puts limitations on how long people can collect money and they must try to work.

And that is only a PIECE of it, don't be mislead into thinking that it's an all inclusive program.
However, welfare recipients under TANF are actually in completely different programs depending on their state of residence, with different social services available to them and different requirements for maintaining aid.

For that reason some people DO NOT qualify for it, it varies from state to state. Just like many other Federal programs, it's handed down to each state to decide on it's rules.
Our state has a stipulation that requires filing for child support from the other biological parent. I refused to do that when I took custody of my 3 oldest kids from my ex..... guess what...... no benefits.

Perhaps what this guy needs to do is report the in-law to the Office of Family services? See: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/opa/fact_sheets/tanf_factsheet.html

Yes, he should.
Most states have rules that give the person with PHYSICAL custody of the children get the benefits. (each state varies as to what) Most of the time "biological" means squat if the kids aren't actually living with you. So if nothing else at least she would lose her free ride, or at least a majority of it.

I'm all for the welfare system, people do come into times of need.
But I have zero tolerance for flat out abusing the system, let alone allowing children to suffer in any way because someone (parent) is a slack ass.

Kudos to you Umortal377.... very worthy thing you AND your family have decided to do.
 
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Its unfortunate that the children are always the ones who suffer...
I applaud your efforts to do whats right, keeping that family together.
I got into this hobby for my own selfish reasons (I had a messed up childhood too)
But now that I have returned to my hometown, My nieces and nephews are enjoying the hard work and money I and along with help from people on this forum, have put into these machines, and let me tell you brother, I didnt know what happy was until I was able to share this with others, especially my brothers kids, to see there faces light up and to be able to make others happy is truly rewarding to me today...
Keep your head held up high and know that your reward will be a clear conscience, and satisfaction that you are doing the next right thing.
 
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Umortal, you are doing the right thing. I have seen people abuse the system in ways that would curl your hair and then make you so mad steam would come out your ears like a Popeye cartoon. Until there is a way to provide true oversight, these sorts of things will continue. Fortunately for your nieces and nephews, they have you and your wife.

Sit down now and set up a realistic budget based on your current incomes. You will need that information when you go to court anyway. Count every kind of expense from car payments, credit cards, loans, mortgage payments, utility bills, food, clothing. Everything. And track everything you have to buy for your nieces and nephews. Those expenses should be reimbursable. Things like clothes, toys, towels, sheets, beds, food, medicine. Again everything. The more ammo you have going into court the better you will be.

As to arcade games, don't sell them unless necessary. They are an asset and you shouldn't be forced to dispose of assets unless absolutely necessary to meet financial obligations. If you get rid of them now, you will not have them later when you may absolutely need them. In the meantime, shove them into corners of the playroom and don't worry about them.

You are doing the right thing for the right reasons. You and your wife have big hearts for taking this on. You are to be commended.

Please don't just disappear. Stop by and chat. Let us know how you are doing and if we can help.

Good luck. You have my best wishes and my deepest admiration for the way you guys are stepping up.

ken
 
Oh, I will probably still be around a little on the chat board. This may just be a hiccup where I step out of the hobby for a bit till we get situated.

I am not in a rush to sell everything off. But I am gonna start getting rid of alot of stuff I can easily rebuy later if need be.
 
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