Sitting on the fence of poverty

**Shell** · 08-20-2006, 12:50 PM

http://sharonhr.blogspot.com/2006/08...f-poverty.html

Sounds like a interesting show is coming out, showing people that have to survive on minimum wage.

What do you think?

**Valerie in WA** · 08-20-2006, 02:03 PM

I think it's an interesting question. There is little doubt in my mind that it's next to impossible to live on minimum wage. But what are the solutions?

Should everyone go to college and get a better job? Who would pay for that education? The government? Guess what! The government doesn't have any money of its own - that all our money. And then who would do the minimum wage jobs? We all need and want janitors and fast food workers.

Should we raise minimum wage? Where's that money going to come from? Companies will have to pass the cost on to the consumer. That means things will cost more and poor people still won't be able to afford things.

I don't know what the solution is, but this documentary looks interesting.

Morgan Spurlock (formerly of Fast Food Nation) has a show called Thirty Days. In the pilot episode (aired last year), he and his girlfriend arrived in a small city on the bus, with very little resources and obtained and tried to make it on minimum wage jobs - for thirty days. It was a mess, in the end. She got sick and both missed work to take her to the ER (she had a kidney infection), and of course the bills were piling in for the ER visit and her meds. Their apartment was infested and they ate little more than rice & beans.

Tough issues.

**Michelle68** · 08-20-2006, 02:30 PM

This sounds like it will be an interesting program. Right now I'm reading a very interesting book called "Inequality Matters", a series of essays regarding the working poor in America and how difficult it is with the rising cost of housing, education, etc. to really get ahead in America. Very interesting subject matter. I think, as a start, the minimun wage should be raised. Although consumers might feel a bit of an increase in prices from businesses, the last time the minimum wage was increased (around 10 years ago.) I do not recall a dramatic increase in what I was paying at stores and for services. Using the argument of increasing costs to consumers to detract from an increase of minimum wage, IMHO, is not relevant. Costs are rising all the time, even without an increase in wages. If wages do not keep up with rising costs then eventually people will be earning last century paychecks and struggling to pay 21st century prices for goods, housing and education. Thanks for the link, Shell.

--Michelle

**dwallyfam** · 08-20-2006, 02:32 PM

interesting shows.

Kellie

**baxjul** · 08-20-2006, 03:04 PM

Sounds interesting!

**autumnlynn** · 08-20-2006, 03:09 PM

It does sound interesting. I don't know how anyone can survive, let alone lead a decent life, on minimum wage. In the case of Jerry, the security guard, he lives in San Francisco which is one of the most expensive areas in the country.

**i.m.cheap** · 08-20-2006, 04:25 PM

Well, that really hit home for us. DH is attending college full-time, while working as a fry cook for $9.00 an hour. I work as a cashier (part-time) and make $8.00 an hour. Our rent and utilities consume over half of our take home pay. My main worry is that DH will finish school, and not make much more, if he can even find a job. Then we will have student loans to repay. We are not just starting out, either, we have been married eleven years.

Most of our friends work the same kind of jobs we do, with no health insurance, paid vacation or any other benefits.

**kabin63** · 08-20-2006, 04:46 PM

interesting stories.

**Frugal Duchess** · 08-27-2006, 04:32 PM

Thanks to Shell for mentioning this topic with the link to my blog.

The stories summarized from the PBS show chilled me because I thought about how close many of us are to the poverty line.

From minimum-wage employees to six-digit income executives, there are a lot of us who are just a paycheck or two away from financial ruin.

Your comments gave me a lot to think about and I will try to watch the show.

Thanks again Shell.
I registered on this forum to thank you and I will continue to participate.

**bee9984** · 08-27-2006, 08:24 PM

Thanks Shell for posting this and Welcome Frugal Duchess

I will be reading your blog often

I can't wait to see this show, I love the PBS station

**brenda67** · 08-27-2006, 08:35 PM

This is a very interesting subject...And very sad at the same time...With the rising cost of everything lately...I can't see how anyone can make it even with higher paying jobs...take the cost of home heating fuel for example to heat my home this winter(thats if we have a mild winter)will be over a $1000.00...thats scary!!! Now mind you we live below are means and have money put away....But that could easily wipeout anyones savings... Yesterday I over heard a co-worker of mine say that her Boyfriend had his fuel tank filled and had to pay over $4500.00..OMG...I could of fell off my chair..

Rents around here are more than mortgages.....a little one bedroom apartment is no less then $800.00 a month with nothing included...

I'm a CNA I don't have a high school diploma or a GED...my job is very physical and can be very mentally overwhelming...I often think that I just don't get paid enough for what I do ( I love taking care of the elderly)...But then that would require me going back to school...which is not an option for me right now..I work in Conn and live in NY..and found out that I make more then most LPN'S in NY State.. Kind of shocking to hear that when you don't have any education and someone else does and you make more money then they do... by the way in case your wondering I make $15.50 an hr...I guess I shouldn't complain....

**AmyBoz** · 08-27-2006, 08:45 PM

Thanks, Shell! I'm really hoping that I remember to watch!

**Frugal Duchess** · 08-27-2006, 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by bee9984

Thanks Shell for posting this and Welcome Frugal Duchess

I will be reading your blog often

I can't wait to see this show, I love the PBS station

Thanks for such a warm welcome Bee9984 (and company) I appreciate the wave.
take care!!

**Frugal Duchess** · 08-27-2006, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by brenda67

This is a very interesting subject...And very sad at the same time...With the rising cost of everything lately...I can't see how anyone can make it even with higher paying jobs...take the cost of home heating fuel for example to heat my home this winter(thats if we have a mild winter)will be over a $1000.00...thats scary!!! Now mind you we live below are means and have money put away....But that could easily wipeout anyones savings... Yesterday I over heard a co-worker of mine say that her Boyfriend had his fuel tank filled and had to pay over $4500.00..OMG...I could of fell off my chair..

Rents around here are more than mortgages.....a little one bedroom apartment is no less then $800.00 a month with nothing included...

I'm a CNA I don't have a high school diploma or a GED...my job is very physical and can be very mentally overwhelming...I often think that I just don't get paid enough for what I do ( I love taking care of the elderly)...But then that would require me going back to school...which is not an option for me right now..I work in Conn and live in NY..and found out that I make more then most LPN'S in NY State.. Kind of shocking to hear that when you don't have any education and someone else does and you make more money then they do... by the way in case your wondering I make $15.50 an hr...I guess I shouldn't complain....

Rents are also climbing in Miami and many people live in low-income hotels because they can't afford to get together three months rent (security deposit) for a regular apartment. And these are hard-working people with steady, but low to medium-wage jobs.

I know a woman, with a very decent income, who has recently stopped driving her car because she can no longer afford the gas for the auto. She takes a scooter around and saves her car for bad weather.

**Shell** · 08-27-2006, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by Frugal Duchess

Thanks to Shell for mentioning this topic with the link to my blog.

The stories summarized from the PBS show chilled me because I thought about how close many of us are to the poverty line.

From minimum-wage employees to six-digit income executives, there are a lot of us who are just a paycheck or two away from financial ruin.

Your comments gave me a lot to think about and I will try to watch the show.

Thanks again Shell.
I registered on this forum to thank you and I will continue to participate.

It's great to have you here and you're welcome!