Julie Bove wrote:

>I believe it. Some years ago, many of the
> people I worked with worked on fishing
> boats in various capacities that went to
> AK. They worked at our store during the
> down time. They had heard about high
> paying jobs in AK. So the moved there
> and discovered that had they been
> getting that pay in WA they would have
> been living well! But it wasn't so great
> for AK because the prices were so much
> higher.

I would be very interested in knowing where some of the people were
traveling from out of Alaska to buy supplies in WA., as that makes no
sense to me? Maybe they live in remote islands and villages, but even
those people come to Juneau often (especially in the summer) and stock
up at our Costco store to take back home.

Not sure either where these fisherman were at, but the big highliners,
fishing the outside waters around Alaska and in the Bering Sea, make a
fortune during a fishing season. My foster brother has been a fisherman
for many years, as are his two sons, and they have a HUGE income, but
they work hard for it too.

My hubby retired from the City 23 years ago, and with his retirement,
which is very good, and our Social Security, we have no financial
problems whatsoever, and want for nothing. We buy what we want, and
never have to worry about where our next meal is going to come from, or
if we can buy heating fuel for the house in the winter, etc. With all
the benefits seniors get in Alaska, we feel this is the "land of
wealth", but I can't speak for residents living out in the "bush" in
Timbuktu.

Judy

Judy Haffner wrote:
> Julie Bove wrote:
>
>> I believe it. Some years ago, many of the
>> people I worked with worked on fishing
>> boats in various capacities that went to
>> AK. They worked at our store during the
>> down time. They had heard about high
>> paying jobs in AK. So the moved there
>> and discovered that had they been
>> getting that pay in WA they would have
>> been living well! But it wasn't so great
>> for AK because the prices were so much
>> higher.
>
> I would be very interested in knowing where some of the people were
> traveling from out of Alaska to buy supplies in WA., as that makes no
> sense to me? Maybe they live in remote islands and villages, but even
> those people come to Juneau often (especially in the summer) and stock
> up at our Costco store to take back home.

Well that I don't know. Some of the people who worked on the fishing boats
were from Sitka.
>
> Not sure either where these fisherman were at, but the big highliners,
> fishing the outside waters around Alaska and in the Bering Sea, make a
> fortune during a fishing season. My foster brother has been a
> fisherman for many years, as are his two sons, and they have a HUGE
> income, but they work hard for it too.

These were not the fishermen. One lady did the cooking on the boat. I am
not sure what the others did but more menial things.

I have known a few fishermen over the years. Yes they made good money. But
they were not at all good at bugeting. And they seemed to have big drinking
problems and in some cases drug problems, at least when they were not
working. So no matter how much money they made, as soon as they were in
port, they would spend it. And then they'd be in financial trouble. I sure
won't say all fishermen are like this. Just the ones I've met.
>
> My hubby retired from the City 23 years ago, and with his retirement,
> which is very good, and our Social Security, we have no financial
> problems whatsoever, and want for nothing. We buy what we want, and
> never have to worry about where our next meal is going to come from,
> or if we can buy heating fuel for the house in the winter, etc. With
> all the benefits seniors get in Alaska, we feel this is the "land of
> wealth", but I can't speak for residents living out in the "bush" in
> Timbuktu.

T/hat's good!

Julie Bove wrote:

>I have known a few fishermen over the
> years. Yes they made good money. But
> they were not at all good at bugeting.
> And they seemed to have big drinking
> problems and in some cases drug
> problems, at least when they were not
> working. So no matter how much money
> they made, as soon as they were in
> port, they would spend it. And then
> they'd be in financial trouble. I sure
> won't say all fishermen are like this.
> Just the ones I've met.

Yes, I certainly hear you there, as we've also known some that make big
money, but just seem to "blow it" when they aren't out fishing, and
really is a shame. It was the same years ago, when my one brother in law
worked on the North Slope oil fields. His paychecks weekly were really
large, but he told about some of the workers, during their "down time"
when was off work, they would just throw it around like water. Luckily
he and his wife were thrifty, and they had a real nice sized "next egg"
in the bank, after he no longer worked there.

As my hubby often says, "poor people" often have poor ways.

Judy