A lot of folks are talking about increasing the minimum wage or advocating for a living wage. One of my friends who happens to be a single parent of two, wrote this testimony that demonstrates why such reform is necessary: Lets do some math. 3 bedroom, 1,000 sq. foot ranch, single family home- $1,000 per month one months groceries, 3 meals plus snacks per day, fam of 3- $750 per month 3 cellular phone lines- $194.00 per month gasoline expenses at 50 per week- $200 a month car insurance with liability and collision- $125 a month car payment- $169 per month various credit card bills- $100.00 a month the internet- $48.00 a month the gas/electric budget bill- $215.00 a month the water bill- $50.00 a month = $$$ 34,212 a year in total living expenses. This figure does not include clothing, school fees, entertainment, new shoes, school loans, or incidentals. This is simply the total cost of living a relatively moderate lifestyle in the U.S. of A. for a family of 3 renting a small suburban home and leasing a vehicle for reliable transportation. Full car insurance is required to do this. Schools, work, and friends are all beyond walking distance. As a single parent, I feel better about both kids having cell phones during transition times. Shit happens. This was the best deal I could get under my current provider for 3 lines. As far as groceries are concerned, we eat very little meat and I dont even bother with organic produce. But I purchase all whole foods, so its pricey. Were we to be fortunate enough to see a raise in the federal minimum wage; $10.10 an hour, times 40 hours a week, times 4.5 weeks a month, times 12 months a year equals: $21,816 dollars. This is working full-time at the proposed minimum wage. $15.00 an hour for 40 hours a week still falls $2,000 a year short of the actual cost of living (my living anyhow.) It also brings a family directly to the Federal Poverty Line at which point, one loses food stamps, health insurance, child care assistance, and housing assistance. So, you dont actually earn enough to afford living expenses, but you have effectively lost all additional support. What does this even mean for the concept of a living wage? Perhaps all single parent families should be living in shitty apartments eating boxed food and driving unreliable vehicles. Even if theyre working 40 hours a week at $10.00 an hour. Guess I dare live beyond my means in a desperate attempt at the middle class ideal.
Posted on: Sat, 29 Mar 2014 14:54:43 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015