Am I Poor on $6.50 an hour?

[Shell]

:surprise: http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com...urAmIPoor.aspx

Wow. Now that's a tight budget.

[littlemotherhaywood]

I read that not too long ago. She's very inspiring.

[AheeK]

What a eye-opener. But she's right...it could literally happen to anyone. I often wonder how many street people used to be like her before their health went bad and they couldn't work anymore.

[Nada.Leona]

I supported myself and my ex-husband and our cat on $6.10 (before taxes) for two years. I know exactly what she's talking about.

[celina]

great article, i love how she isnt taking her 401ks and her house cause she can better support herself now than at 70...very smart of her...

good for her, i'd love to here an update....

[AmyMCGS]

Great story... and she has a wonderful attitude.

[Tater]

Yep, that's a tight budget, but there are some things she has that are considered "luxuries". She could get rid of the dogs and the internet and lower her monthly expenses. May sound gruff, but if I were in that situation I would only have what was absolutely necessary for survival. I would be looking for ANY way to reduce my expenses in order to improve my circumstances.

Having said that, I DO admire her attitude.

[Jill B.]

I admire her attitude too. I would have dumped the dogs in PA if I couldn't find a place to live. (I think pet lovers wont agree). But I always feel like we are living on the edge too. We are fine now and have money in the bank but if DH or I lose our health and can't work, we will be in trouble. I am trying to stash as much as possible due to this.

[FrugalMomof3]

I used to live off the same amount with me and my 2 sons before I met my DH now and had another baby, so I know it can be done and yes it's very inspiring.

[MC]

All I can say is thank goodness she doesn't have kids! And that she's lucky she had a house to go to. ( DH makes twice that and we're constantly struggling--though it's mainly from bad decisions on his part lol--if he'd live like me we'd be much better off). I certainly hope she makes it okay--but I bet once she gets more money coming in she won't forget the lessons she's learned!

[SammeyG]

I do admire her. My dh and I are just struggling as it is now. I make a little more than that and dh about $4 more than that. But one thing is for sure that I am glad that we do have a roof over our heads.

[Marie78]

I like her story, because it gives me hope that no matter what my financial circumstances are, as long as I am able to work I should be able to put food on the table and pay for rent. When it comes down to the bare bones of it, most people could find alternate public transportation instead of a car which costs gas, auto insurance and general maintenance (that's without taking the major repairs into consideration). I am single with two cats so If I had to pay for only rent, utilities, and food (without cable, internet, cell phone, or a car) I could live on $500/ month. Of course that would not take into consideration: medical or dental bills, clothing, gifts for others, or any entertainment money. Short term though, I could see how it could be done. I am sure it would be difficult after living with all the modern luxuries that I tend to take for granted. I need to be more thankful for what I have now

[iida]

I understand completely why she chooses to keep her dogs. They are her family. Without the dogs she could possibly fall into depression. Dogs are great company for a woman living alone.

iida

[betharoo0]

Isn't she the one that after all her "struggling" has high-speed internet?

[nwmissourigal]

that is an inspiring story. But living within your means is what it is all about...or living under you means is even better. I remember the "lean" years and they were hard, but now that we are better off financially, I still have the frugal habits that got me thru the hard times....Blessings.kathy