Challenge::Live on $5.15 an hour::

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I know I could make it depending on where we live. Currently no, previously yes. Dh's brother in CA lives on $1k/month but it's not pretty. This is after taxes too. So he's close to the minimum wage before taxes. He's thrifty as you can get (really stingy/cheap) to be honest, he used to eat at our house when we lived there a lot. He would come over and refill condiments. He would get us to drive him places to save money on his car. So all in all yes it can be done.

But he also has medical through school. I wonder if people making $5.15 can make it without medical being paid for by the job?

[abowers]

Originally Posted by lrjohnson

I think that internet/computer is becoming more of a necessity, and that we are in a transformational time. As we speak it may be a luxury, but five years...ten years...things are shifting.

It's totally a necessity for me. I get all communication regarding grad school through my email, and I need the internet for research for various papers for grad school.

Plus it's been a great way to keep in touch with friends and family who are out of state.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by abowers

It's totally a necessity for me. I get all communication regarding grad school through my email, and I need the internet for research for various papers for grad school.

And what would happen if you didn't have internet access? The school would mail you those communications and you'd go to the library to do your research.

Just because we use the internet regularly and depend on it for various tasks still doesn't make it a necessity. If you were struggling to get by on minimum wage, internet access would be a luxury you couldn't afford. That's the only point I've been trying to make.

[Ima saver]

It is certainly not a necessity to me. If I was on minimum wage, I would not be able to afford the connection to a computer.

[abowers]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

Just because we use the internet regularly and depend on it for various tasks still doesn't make it a necessity. If you were struggling to get by on minimum wage, internet access would be a luxury you couldn't afford. That's the only point I've been trying to make.

Good point. I do have access to it at work (which is grad school) as well, but my point was that I do need it for what I do, regardless of where I use it.

[uncle_ank]

I just read Lewitt's book Freakonomics, a crack dealer on the street makes about 3,50$ per hour... I think we should tighten our budget

[Broken Arrow]

Originally Posted by uncle_ank

I just read Lewitt's book Freakonomics, a crack dealer on the street makes about 3,50$ per hour... I think we should tighten our budget

Wow, that's way, way less than what I would think is the industry standard. That guy should go to his Colombian employers and demand a pay raise. The money is certainly not worth the related occupational hazards.

[PrincessPerky]

Originally Posted by Broken Arrow

Wow, that's way, way less than what I would think is the industry standard. That guy should go to his Colombian employers and demand a pay raise. The money is certainly not worth the related occupational hazards.

Ah but the benefits.