Challenge::Live on $5.15 an hour::

[laceshawl]

Re: Challenge::Live on $5.15 an hour::

Oh my, I get $173.29 NZ per week from the New Zealand Govt because of disability. This is equivalent to $116.10 US. My plan is to live on that and save anything extra that comes my way.

[lrjohnson]

Re: Challenge::Live on $5.15 an hour::

I am planning on doing this challenge. I am modifying it to be California minimum wage (my State) less taxes, for $1073 a month. I started a Savings Blog to give all details, and then track my progress. I'm new at the blog so it's not so pretty as far as formatting.

If I can pull this off, I should be able to save significant amounts of money.

My Savings Blog

[Ima saver]

Re: Challenge::Live on $5.15 an hour::

Abowers, I live about 10 miles from the North Carolina line, up in the mountains of North Georgia. We are a good two hours from Atlanta. We have been here 22 years and have always had to beg for people to work. They will work a few hours a week for beer money and that is all. People here inherit their grandma's house, hunt for their food and have a garden. They don't pay rent, they heat with wood they chop, they just don't want to work. they could easily live on minimum wage, but they won't work that many hours.

[seaar2000]

Re: Challenge::Live on $5.15 an hour::

What type of work does your husband do. My god, if I lived near you guys and did the type of work your husband does I would definetly work for you guys. Don't hunt for food, don't live at grandma's house, (own my house), will work money hours, want to work. LOL!

[Ima saver]

Re: Challenge::Live on $5.15 an hour::

My husband is a builder, only one custom or spec house so he can be there all the time. He does all the work he can by himself, does the cabinets, rock work, hardwood flooring, tile work, marble work, painting,. But he needs one guy to help him with the high stuff, the heavy stuff.

[Firefly]

Re: Challenge::Live on $5.15 an hour::

I don't think we could. I think that they really need to raise minimum wage.

[cercis]

Re: Challenge::Live on $5.15 an hour::

You know what Ima? If I could live that and not have welfare, etc, I'd do it in a heartbeat. It sounds marvelous. Back to the land and all. I certainly wouldn't consider someone living like that lazy - hunting, gardening and preserving are all hard work. A lot harder than what I do for a living.

[lrjohnson]

Re: Challenge::Live on $5.15 an hour::

cercis, I'm with ya-it sounds like a nice life, in fact, similar to my "someday" dream.

(Modified) Minimum Wage Challenge

[acezz4e_tish]

Re: Challenge::Live on $5.15 an hour::

my other half, builds barges. he makes 14 an hour doing that. the plant is off 1 55 at exit 19, caruthersville.

[Kirby]

Re: Challenge::Live on $5.15 an hour::

Just take out a few things like your mortgage, health care and try it. Maybe take off a couple hundred and see what happens. It's the spirit of the challenge that he's currious about!

[debtfreeme]

Re: Challenge::Live on $5.15 an hour::

i would love to tyr but right now it would be impossible.!

[IDream]

Re: Challenge::Live on $5.15 an hour::

Well I live well within this limit..of course it helps that I am single, living with a room-mate and don't have a car
Here is the split of the $890 on offer here..
Rent $350
Utilities $150 (electric, water, phone, dsl)
Groceries $120
Eating out $90
Transport $50 (public transport)
Fun Money $40 (Shopping, Movies)
Savings $90

Total $890!

[Tightwad Kitty]

Re: Challenge::Live on $5.15 an hour::

Yes, I can do this one, if I use US dollars but I do live in single household and debt free.

My last year’s total annual amount was about $12000 AUS. ($10476 less saving)
It’s averaged out to $923 less saving $50 per month to $873.
Using Australian Dollar, which are worth 75 cent to US dollar at the moment.

Equals about $9000 US is about $692 US. per month. It’s Around $8550 US $657 US per month with saving.

[AmberW]

Re: Challenge::Live on $5.15 an hour::

If a mortgage is the only obstacle you could still kind of so the challenge if you really wanted to try. Just subtract $400 from the $890 per month as if that was your rent. Life off of the balance for everything but the mortgage. Of course, I don't think you'd really have $890 a month because that doesn't account for taxes.

[WellManicuredMan]

Re: Challenge::Live on $5.15 an hour::

Hi, I'm new to the boards but I've been reading them for awhile. Lots of good info.

As far as this challenge, I think I'm already doing it.

My share of the following monthly bills (divided by 2 as I have a roommate):

Rent: $242.50
Satellite TV: $20.50
Cell Phone: $24
Cable Internet: $21.25
Energy Bill: $25
Food, Gas, Etc: $250 (rough estimate)
2 Cats (food, litter, etc): $75 (rough estimate)
Health/Dental/Eye Benefits: $20
Car Loan: $0 (own my car free and clear)
Credit Cards: $0 (pay off in full every month)
Student Loans: $0 (very fortunate)

Total = $678.25 (LOL, did I miss something? Seems too low)

I'm single and a HUGE saver. I like saving money more than I like spending it.

Household income currently much higher than 2 people making minimum wage would be so I'm really lucky