All Forum Posts by: Ryan R.

@Karen Margrave No the point of the post is how to circumvent the rules in place. 

What about a heart for the young couple with three kids whom both parents work full time to support thier family in addition to this 80 year old man's food stamps? Where is their compassion?

How many families are out there struglling to make ends meet who don't have $30,000 in savings but are supposed to work to provide for this mans food stamps? How is that fair? 

Nothing is free. And that's the problem with these types of programs; it's subjective as to who really deserves it. 

"To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical." - Thomas Jefferson

 Please show me where I suggest he's wealthy? Yes, $20,000 is suffiecient for one not to receive food stamps. 

 Hey Chris, you ever hear of a rhetorical question? You're obviously clueless!

 I'm incredulous that you believe an 80 year old man who has real assets that exceed the limits set forth by the federal governement for receiving benefits is poor. The whole question here is one of fraud; how can the buyer launder money to this 80 year old man without the federal governement finding out. 

And yes, any person who has their own money, such as $30,000, and decides to take food stamps is disgraceful. Nothing is free, not even food stamps. When a person uses food stamps, they're taking food that someone else worked to provide for. That's a serious act and it should only be accepted in the most severe situations. 

Since when does owning land disqualify a person form SSI? Unless the value is such that he doesn't and shouldn't qualify for SSI.?

Food Stamps are for people whom are poor. Not for people who sell houses and pocket $30,000. 

@Pat L. The system is rewarding failure and laziness and is penalizing success and hard work. 

I'm all for helping people who need it; but this system is isn't helping anyone. It's putting a strain on the producers and giving the takers a false sense of reality. 

This thread eiptomizes the problem we are facing in this country. It's insulting to those of us paying for these freeloaders. What a disgrace. 

Yes, he's trying to take advantage of you. Call him on it.

@Katharine Chartrand I was in a similar situation a few months back. I had a span a little over 12' that I needed to bridge with 2"x6" floor joists due to other limiting factors. 

I ended up doubling 2x6s, gluing them and nailing them together. (the force working against these two members is shear, so nails are better than screws). I set them 12' on center. I decked it with .75 plywood (not osb) and glued and nailed/screwed it down. It was solid and everyone who walked on it commented on how sturdy the floor felt.

Another option would have been to also deck the bottom (underside) of the floor joists. Sandwiching these joists creates an even stronger floor (think I-beam). 

You can also look into using a flitch plate in between your joists. This wouldn't be cheap but it should satisfy any structural engineer while keeping your 8" height. 

They also make some LVL beams that are 7.25" deep and would work great, but they are expensive.

As @Kimberly T.   mentioned, the load on this space will greatly influence your design. 

I would be focused on getting the student loan debt knocked out while you can.  After that, you will have more flexibility to invest and have better options for financing. 

Whatever you do, keep sufficient reserves. Be the tortoise not the hare. Slow and steady.