$1,000 a month

[somdgirl]

I recently stumbled on a blog called under $1,000 a month. This family of five lives on $1,000 a month and only has little to no debt.
Link: http://under1000permonth.blogspot.com
Do you think you could live on that amount of money? What would you have to give up? What are the pros and cons. The little house post made me think of this. This is her budget:
"Rent: $600.00
Phone: $6.09 (low income reduced)
Internet: $19.99
Auto Insurance: $31.22
Electric: $27.00
Satellite Radio: $12.95
.
Total Fixed Expenses: $697.25
.
That leaves us $282.75 for food, gas, any auto repairs, birthdays and holidays, unforeseen needs, and investments. This is more than enough."

[Torch]

That leaves us $282.75 for food, gas, any auto repairs, birthdays and holidays, unforeseen needs, and investments. This is more than enough."

I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry at the bolded statement.

[Oniya]

They are cramming five people into a 'portable home' - I'm translating that as a trailer - and they are part of the same movement that has brought us the Duggars.  They have no health insurance.  Any major auto repair costs far more than 300$. 

Um... No.

[somdgirl]

I think a single person might be able to do it but a family of five is a stretch. Some of her posts make me question the safety of her children but I wonder if anyone would/has tried to live on that little bit of money.

[Pumpkin Seeds]

I do think the woman is being a bit dense by making that final statement.  To say that such a small amount of money is more than enough for so many is kind of an exaggeration there.  People learn to do without when they need to and certainly living on 1000 dollars a month is possible.  There are plenty of people on fixed income disability or Social Security that live on that much.  Yet to say “thriving” or “more than enough” is misrepresentation in my opinion.  According to the blog her oldest sleeps in the bed with them while their youngest sleeps on a mattress kept under the baby’s crib.  A situation suitable for a must event but definitely not ideal or thriving.

Also I find it interesting she doesn’t include food as part of her “fixed” budget.  Food is certainly part of a fixed income because you can’t simply say, “I don’t feel like buying food this month.”  Part of me thinks she is getting food stamps or perhaps WIC (not sure if that’s the title or not).  This would mean she is living on more than 1000 dollars a month.  More than likely she also qualifies for government insurance on that small amount of income. 

With government assistance, I’m sure it can be done but to say thriving is a misrepresentation of her living conditions.  A mother making the worst of a bad situation is fine, but to say that everything is peachy is more than likely putting on a happy face.  Though I admire her ingenuity in some of these activities and hope for the best for her.  As the children get older their expenses will increase and so it will be interesting to see that budget in a couple of years.

[consortium11]

I do think the woman is being a bit dense by making that final statement.  To say that such a small amount of money is more than enough for so many is kind of an exaggeration there.  People learn to do without when they need to and certainly living on 1000 dollars a month is possible.  There are plenty of people on fixed income disability or Social Security that live on that much.  Yet to say “thriving” or “more than enough” is misrepresentation in my opinion.  According to the blog her oldest sleeps in the bed with them while their youngest sleeps on a mattress kept under the baby’s crib.  A situation suitable for a must event but definitely not ideal or thriving.

Also I find it interesting she doesn’t include food as part of her “fixed” budget.  Food is certainly part of a fixed income because you can’t simply say, “I don’t feel like buying food this month.”  Part of me thinks she is getting food stamps or perhaps WIC (not sure if that’s the title or not).  This would mean she is living on more than 1000 dollars a month.  More than likely she also qualifies for government insurance on that small amount of income. 

With government assistance, I’m sure it can be done but to say thriving is a misrepresentation of her living conditions.  A mother making the worst of a bad situation is fine, but to say that everything is peachy is more than likely putting on a happy face.  Though I admire her ingenuity in some of these activities and hope for the best for her.  As the children get older their expenses will increase and so it will be interesting to see that budget in a couple of years.

I browsed the site a little and it appears she doesn't have food as a "fixed" cost because the amount she spends varies month to month... from around $73 to $200... and she's not on any of the government support options (or the Church ones) through choice... and she still pays tithe.

While I'm not a fan she does have some sensible ideas on there about back up jobs, shopping around and raiding reduced to clear counters for food... all of which I do/have done and I'm in a lot better financial position then her family is. Reduced to clear + freezer means you can eat far above your income brand with relative ease. My most recent success was a huge pork leg reduced from £16.65 to £3.50 and there have been better ones then that.

[Torch]

I browsed the site a little and it appears she doesn't have food as a "fixed" cost because the amount she spends varies month to month... from around $73 to $200... and she's not on any of the government support options (or the Church ones) through choice... and she still pays tithe.

While I'm not a fan she does have some sensible ideas on there about back up jobs, shopping around and raiding reduced to clear counters for food... all of which I do/have done and I'm in a lot better financial position then her family is. Reduced to clear + freezer means you can eat far above your income brand with relative ease. My most recent success was a huge pork leg reduced from £16.65 to £3.50 and there have been better ones then that.

That's all well and good, those are saving options any family can put to use. Doesn't excuse the fact that by living so close to the financial edge, she and her family are basically one crisis from homelessness.

And the fact that she doesn't take advantage of a federal program like WIC, which they would certainly be eligible for, tells me it's more a matter of pride for her than caring about her children's welfare. If I was in her shoes, you better believe I'd sign up for WIC, for the free milk alone, since milk costs more than gas nowadays.

[somdgirl]

That's all well and good, those are saving options any family can put to use. Doesn't excuse the fact that by living so close to the financial edge, she and her family are basically one crisis from homelessness.

And the fact that she doesn't take advantage of a federal program like WIC, which they would certainly be eligible for, tells me it's more a matter of pride for her than caring about her children's welfare. If I was in her shoes, you better believe I'd sign up for WIC, for the free milk alone, since milk costs more than gas nowadays.

I read back and I do worry about her kids. One was in intensive care and the doctors said it was from being dehydrated but she refuses to accept that. I am sorry if a doctor told me something his years of study tend to make me believe him.

[jouzinka]

I read back and I do worry about her kids. One was in intensive care and the doctors said it was from being dehydrated but she refuses to accept that. I am sorry if a doctor told me something his years of study tend to make me believe him.

It's not all God's will?

[somdgirl]

It's not all God's will?

LOL. She must in someway know some of the things she does isn't right because she is constantly defending herself. The pictures of her sons room makes me so nervous. I would never have shelves full of toys over my sons crib. He could reach them or god forbid if something goes wrong and they fall at night. But I guess its gods will they don't get hurt.  O:)

[Oniya]

If I was in her shoes, you better believe I'd sign up for WIC, for the free milk alone, since milk costs more than gas nowadays.

Milk normally costs more than gas.  Last year, I was a little concerned when gas seemed to be making a run at passing milk.

I browsed the site a little and it appears she doesn't have food as a "fixed" cost because the amount she spends varies month to month... from around $73 to $200...

Then that means that the 285 and change can really be anything from $212 down to $85 to cover 'gas, any auto repairs, birthdays and holidays, unforeseen needs, and investments.'

[Serephino]

I get about 1k a month from Social Security.  For two of us that would just barely cover the basics; rent, food, and utilities.  My boyfriend works at McDonalds and his salary plus my check just barely covers everything when you add in credit card and loan payments. 

My mom has to buy our heating oil in the winter, and she owns the car and pays insurance and repairs.  I don't like it, but there's not much we can do.  Maybe once we get out of debt things will be better.  The only luxury thing we have is high speed internet.  I can only imagine how that family lives and it scares me.

[The Golden Touch]

I haven't taken a look at her blog yet, and I might not.  I do not really want to see a child in danger from the possibility of falling objects.  A family can live off of $1,000 but it takes the scrimping and good bookkeeping to make sure you do not over spend one month or the next.  Though I am not sure about a family of five... The budget for Sin, myself and baby is roughly that.

Rent: $475
Electric: $70
Cell: $72
Loan payment: $189
Car gas: $60 [Keep in mind that $20 fills our tank from 1/4, so we never let it get past that]
Internet: $39.99
Misc: $108

Total: $1013.99

This is considering that I've taken advantage of EBT, WIC, Childcare (Or will when I go back to work), and Health Care.  It is possible, but maybe not safely if you cut out the things you need most.

[RubySlippers]

I lived on around that a year but am gay with a life partner not a family. There are lots of ways to cut corners and they likely could get food stampls but it would be hard. The big concern most people like them and myself is health care for all family members Medicaid in Florida is stringent on requirements.

[Oniya]

Total: $1013.99

This is considering that I've taken advantage of EBT, WIC, Childcare (Or will when I go back to work), and Health Care.  It is possible, but maybe not safely if you cut out the things you need most.

From what I've read, she has not taken advantage of any of those government programs - and as you said, it's a family of five, not three.  I've also avoided browsing the pictures on that blog - I recall a case where a child was suffocated by pulling down a bucket of toys that ended up pinning him against the crib rail.

[Trieste]

And they don't actually make use of birth control, being of the full quiver persuasion. Yay for them. :)

[The Golden Touch]

I imagine her pride has something to do with why she has not taken advantage of any government funding.  Or perhaps a God-fearing nature?  I cannot say for sure obviously... But I do know that a budget like that is incredibly unsafe for five people.  There may be things she isn't posting in her blog... Donations from churches, family, friends, etc that keep them from using that $200 ish extra per month.

[Doomsday]

282 dollars a month for every other expense?

For five people?

That's crazy. Are they boiling rice and cutting up hot dogs for each meal? My family of four (me, my sister, my parents) scrape by at a little under 4k a month... But we eat well and are provided for. 282 dollars for food and other supplies? I don't want to sound calloused to under-developed countries and needy families abroad, but that's inhumane.

[CaptainErotica]

 I don't know about the States, but here in Japan? no frakking way in hell. I have been trying to support my family of 5 on the equivelent of $2000 / month and there are times when I have no idea how we're going to make it to my next payday.

Monthly Expenditures:
House rent $700
Work Transportation $75
School Lunch Fees (mine) $10
School Lunch (Kids) $120
Parking Space for the car $150
Gas money -Varies, but usually over $100
Work Supplies- varies, but on average $25
Electicity $75
Gas  $50
Water $50
Cable/Internet $40
House phone $30
Cell Phone(Me) $100
Cell Phone (Wife) $100
Credit Card -As much as we can afford (We owe about $7000 on it.)
Food Varies between $200-$400

Total = Between $1800- $2000 (or more /month)

[The Dark Raven]

And they don't actually make use of birth control, being of the full quiver persuasion. Yay for them. :)

Apparently my genetics are of the full quiver persuasion...my grammy's mom had 9 kids, papaw's mom had 6, gramma's mom had 4, grampa's mom had 4, grammy had 4, and gramma had 5...

Genetics makes me a firm believer in birth control *shudder*

[Tachi]

If I could get a lower rent price I'd be happy enough. The lower the rent the more we can save for a house. My financee and I are living off of under $1000 but if there was another person living with us? No way.

[Sasha]

I briefly looked over the blog ...I am not sure what the standards are for a family of 5 ...but do know in my state that making over 450 dollars a month kicks you out of healthcare  financial assistance and foodstamps when you have a family of 2.  Though that may have raised a bit it is doubtful by how much.

Regardless ...WIC should be available to her though it is not only low income that qualifies for that program but a health issue must be present such as anemic or borderline. There is a list of others it has been a long time since I was on the program as my children have grown.

Most communities have a food pantry ...the Methodist church makes that a mission of theirs along with organizations like the Salvation Army, WSOS and several others I could list and name that step in and help at various times of the year. I don't see why one can not swallow their pride to use these institutions and attempt to make life a bit easier especially if you have children. I have used them on and off and also donated back money and that when I was on my feet .

I have made it through earning 1,000 dollars a month ...I am fortunate that my utilities - gas , electric , water , sewer , trash removal are included in my rent and have a landlord that works with me so my budget there to put a roof over my family only cost me $ 450.00 a month. Though no way shape or form would I be able to put 5 people in the apartment and not loose my mind as it only has 2 bedrooms.

Phone is through magic jack so that costs 19.99 for the year .
Cable/Internet - $ 80.00  <probably should get a lower package ...but I love my DVR and high speed internet >

Food and other household necessities ...most likely spend about 300 a month.

The rest of my money goes to help my daughter with gas and catch up the shortages she runs into with her minimum wage job ....cigarettes and the maybe once a week lunch or dinner out . Buying small gifts for birthdays , medcine and the like .

I got bills I can not pay ..lost my car through it all as I tried to rotate payments ..a very humbling experience when at one point I most likely brought home over 3,000 dollars a month. Yes to me ..one can enjoy life on a low income and I am sure you can get to the point where you can make saving , cutting corners an artform in itself . Is it something one would wish to do ..I would think not . Having struggled on and off all my life you just do what it is you need to do and make family and the time you spend with each other the most important thing.

So the comment ...This is more than enough ?  ....is just not in my mind true. I miss getting my nails done , getting my hair done , going shopping for clothes ..buying flowers just because I can ...going on vacations ...actually walking out and getting in my own car and going anywhere I want to go instead of asking for a ride ....being able to help a neighbor out instead of receiving the help . My list goes on ...trust me .

So yea you can live on that amount of money but who wants to . Honestly .

[Dizzi]

I'm living at 1000$ dollars a month right now actually haha

essentially it's: 600$ for rent
400$ for everything else.  somemonths I budget, some months I don't.  The life of a student.

[RubySlippers]

Let me try.

Rent (split so my half, covers utilities and phone) $250
Monthly Bus Pass (reduced fare being disabled) $35
Dial-Up Internet $10.95
Basic Basic Cable (split with companion)  $7.50
IRA $100
Savings $50
Entertainment (assuming getting things from the library and using $1 movie kiosk rentals) $50
Food (shared with some eating out) $100
Health Care $50
Clothes (I go to thrift places mostly) $25

Total $678.45

Money Left Over $321.55

I could do it easily enough alone even without my lover chipping in and I could get food stamps and other aid most likely. That is my current budget BTW with some extra leeway since I earn less than the $12k.

[Torch]

Can someone live on $1000 a month? Sure, it's possible.

But as Sasha said, who would want to? Who really wants to live their life merely scraping by and one crisis from homelessness? I can understand living this way if there was no other option, but by choice? Hell no.

[Oniya]

For those people who have said that they can or are living on $1000 a month - are you taking into account the second adult and three children?  That's what this woman is claiming to be able to support.

[RubySlippers]

I don't call what I do scraping by I consider it living modestly so I can live a Christian example and give away the extra money to help those in real need.

But I do feel this is fine for me if I had a child I would obviously want to make sure they are properly if modestly provided for so would then need to earn more money.

[KittyRivera]

My parents were dirt poor, literally we lived below the poverty line when I was a child and we 'lived' off of much less than a grand a month. My mother, being the shining example of caring motherhood, refused to work, leaving my not-even-high-school-educated but very hardworking father to earn whatever he could. Usually it was minimum wage, due to his lack of GED or equivalent. He worked upwards of 90+ hours a week just to make the bills (and often didn't, due to my mother's terrible habits with money), so he was never home, and I developed a whole host of relationship problems in my teen years due to the fact that I had 'daddy issues'. There were some days I remember going hungry. During school days, sometimes the only meals I would get would be at school. We were evicted from our trailers so many times I couldn't count. For some reason my parents NEVER got WIC or EBT, or asked for help from the Salvation Army or any other charity places. I'm not sure if it was from pride, but if I had been able, I would have gone just to assure I had a full belly on a regular basis. Plus, I was sick of constantly moving. We often had no working vehicle because we couldn't afford repairs or even basic maintenance, and we certainly never had health insurance or a savings account. Because of my family not being able to afford nice clothes and expensive haircuts, I was outcast in school for not fitting into the popular crowds and was painfully shy. I didn't break triple digits in my weight until I was -17- and had been working for nearly a year, making my OWN money for food and clothes.

Nowadays, I am a stay at home mother (only by request of my husband, since I've held my own regular job since I was 16) of a seven-month-old and live in the middle-to-upper-middle class income bracket. My husband is well educated and has a very good job, and I refuse to allow my daughter to live in the same conditions I was forced to live in. If something ever happened to his income, you're damn right I'd ask for charity and government assistance. My little girl will not go hungry, and she will not be teased and bullied at school because she didn't have the right clothes to fit in. As soon as she is old enough to go to school, I am going back to college to get my Masters' so that I have the opportunity to join in the income earning, and we will provide her the opportunities that my parents never could.

Now, my parents live with my husband and I, due to their advanced age, various disabilities and my mother's refusal to care for my father now that he can no longer walk. I watched my dad work himself into early disability while my mother sat by with a perfectly healthy body, and it made me realize as I grew up that one day, I would care for him the way he cared for me so that he wouldn't have to be forced to live in neglect because of my mother.

Our monthly expenses:

625.55 Mortgage
200+ electric (I work to reduce this daily, but with two TVs, two computers, video game systems and appliances running all hours of the day...well, that's not going to happen.)
35 water/trash
115 Cable internet
90 for 3 cell phones (prepaid, to save money)
500 groceries (four adults and a baby, it's one of our biggest but one of the most necessary expenses.)
250+ entertainment (This includes XBOX Live subscriptions, going to the theater, shopping, dining out, haircuts, salon trips, etc.)
200+ for the baby (formula, diapers, juice, and baby food, clothes, baby wipes, and toys.)
40+ for the cats (food, litter, snacks and toys.)
135 car/home insurance
100 gasoline
150+ misc. expenses (toiletry items, birth control, household goods, etc.)



That adds up to well over 2400 a month. But for four grown adults and a baby, with a mortgage and two vehicles, I think that's pretty damn reasonable.

I could not imagine living in a trailer that will not accrue value, unlike a home, living without insurance, or having no extra money for vanity's sake and other miscellaneous purchases.  I feel deeply sorry for her children.

[Red Tressed Imp]

Phone: $6.09 (low income reduced)

They are probably getting some sort of government assistance. Phone companies usually only offer low income reductions when a household is on food stamps, etc.

My budget includes:
Rent (3 bdrm/2 ba): $400
Electric: $300
Water: $60
Internet: $60
Food & household goods: around $200

I don't have a car. I use the computer in place of a phone. We don't have cable (we watch most shows online). I think a lot of people can live on a lot less than what they do; it's just a matter of realizing that you -can- live without the cell phone, the second car, the luxuries that require monthly payments. Of course, if it were up to me, I wouldn't be making ends meet with just a bit over $1000 a month either.

[Ket]

You also have to factor in where someone lives. Where I live, finding a decent apartment under $600 is pretty much impossible. When one is only making $1000 a month, spending 60% of that on rent leaves little room for much of anything else.

[Torch]

it's just a matter of realizing that you -can- live without the cell phone, the second car, the luxuries that require monthly payments.

Well, certainly anyone can live without those things (although one person's luxury is another person's necessity, but I digress).

Why anyone would voluntarily choose to do so unless absolutely necessary because of circumstance is beyond me.

[Red Tressed Imp]

Yes, exactly. I was going to write this and forgot: The cost of living here is low, so it's possible to find a decent home for a low price.

[Trieste]

For reals. I want to be able to rent a 3br/2ba for 400 a month! My little 1br costs 480, and that's after hunting for months and months to find a place in a decent neighborhood that's cheap!

[RubySlippers]

Well, certainly anyone can live without those things (although one person's luxury is another person's necessity, but I digress).

Why anyone would voluntarily choose to do so unless absolutely necessary because of circumstance is beyond me.

I can some people just prefer to work less and have more recreation and free time. In return we may live more modestly but its a legitimate choice. On the other hand being gay with another woman and not having children I can live on far less than other people. And note for Health Care I use the free clinic and if the hospital is needed the state says they can't bill me so just have to worry about doctors, my income is to low and I keep my assets at under the limit. Under state law they can't include retirement accounts so what doesn't go into my savings say when it hits $500 goes into my Roth IRA. Its not doing anything illegal and I have no trouble doing this it is obeying the law. I'm looking forward to the new Health Care Law kicking in it would be better than doing what I'm doing.

[Red Tressed Imp]

Trieste, you could always move to Central Texas :P

[Torch]

And note for Health Care I use the free clinic and if the hospital is needed the state says they can't bill me so just have to worry about doctors

The "free clinic" isn't free. It's subsidized by those of us (myself included) who pay tens of thousands of dollars of state and federal income taxes, along with sales and property taxes.

So in effect, I'm paying for your choice to live "more modestly".

[RubySlippers]

I work, I pay taxes my rent goes to the property taxes my parents pay and the free clinic does charge $5 per visit. Anyway I'm not able to work full time I can likely earn an extra $2000 a year that still would not cover health care insurance. The only chance I have for full coverage is the upcoming Medicaid expansion and then your still going to be paying.  If the extra money won't make a difference why should I work more hours? I'm getting by and living modestly. Using the carbon footprint as a model I'm well under someone earning more using a car and the like so in a way I'm helping society.

And I don't claim all my benefits I could get food stamps but choose not to since I don't need them.

Like I said I'm not breaking any laws and just working within the system when more labor won't make a difference on my end.

[Trieste]

Pssst, the point of becoming an adult and paying rent is to move out of your parents' place.  ::)

Could never comfortably live on less than $1000, let alone want to. Not in my area, not even if it was just me with no dependents. The fact that I do have three cats (who, yes, figure into the bill with food and litter and shots and also I have a vague obsession with buying new cat toys to play with that I let them use sometimes) and I do have an SO with whom I live adds to the bills. We choose to have a car, which easily puts the bill up and over as well between gas and whatever repairs might come up. When I stopped taking the bus and put my old car back on the road, my pocketbook was lighter but my day was fuller; it added a solid three or four hours to my day between bus rides and waiting for buses. That's an extra 28 hours a week that I can spend doing something other than waiting for the bus. My commute went from an hour and a half to 15 minutes! Not to mention the innumerable benefits of not rushing through my classes, worried about missing the last bus. Walking from school to home with a heavy backpack after a long day? Not my cup of tea, thanks.

Like Torch, I could probably scrape by on less than $1k a month if I had to. Hell, I spent a year scraping by on about $500 a month, with friends sending me grocery money every month (so $700, including that). Every time an unexpected expense came up, I had a cold twist in my stomach and my first thought was "How in the world am I going to pay for that?" Yeah, sure, I could live like that for the rest of my life.

Would I want to? No, thank you very much.

Trieste, you could always move to Central Texas :P

I ... have determined that the high rent is an appropriate trade-off for continuing to enjoy the culture that I do. :P

[Scott]

I couldn't do it.

[Torch]

I work, I pay taxes

If someone at your income level is paying taxes, then you are doing something wrong when you file your 1040. Technically, you shouldn't be paying anything. Over 1/3 of households have a zero or negative income tax liability, and I'm willing to bet you are in that 1/3. Yes, if you work then you are responsible for SS and Medicare contributions, but ANYONE who works is responsible for those. 

my rent goes to the property taxes my parents pay

Your parents are paying the property taxes. Not you. Whether you rent from them or not, they would still have the obligation.  Whether you pay or not, they still have the obligation. They could charge you nothing for rent, and they still have to pay the property tax. The fact that you pay rent is irrelevant.

and the free clinic does charge $5 per visit.

*sighs*

Okay, that $5 clinic visit is still subsidized by the taxes I pay.

Anyway I'm not able to work full time I can likely earn an extra $2000 a year that still would not cover health care insurance. The only chance I have for full coverage is the upcoming Medicaid expansion and then your still going to be paying.  If the extra money won't make a difference why should I work more hours? I'm getting by and living modestly. Using the carbon footprint as a model I'm well under someone earning more using a car and the like so in a way I'm helping society.

As this is veering way off-topic, I'm going to defer and not respond point by point, except to say that the choices you make are not made in a vacuum. There is a cost to those services you take advantage of, and someone has to pay. As a member of a high income bracket household, I have no problem with my tax dollars being spent taking care of those who cannot take care of themselves. The elderly, the disabled, children of low-income families. No problem with that whatsoever. But when others choose to simply live off the system because "it's not illegal", I take issue with that choice.

[Red Tressed Imp]

I ... have determined that the high rent is an appropriate trade-off for continuing to enjoy the culture that I do. :P

We have culture! The play Greater Tuna is performed here every so often :P

All kidding aside, and I'm really not trying to convince you to move here... but what I love about living here in that it's rural, cost of living is low, and I can have my pets without someone telling me I have too many. Yet, Austin is an hour drive from me, with plenty of distractions, diversions, and yet.. even culture.

And back on topic. I think it's entirely possible to live under $1000 a month, even with a hubby and three kids, without taking charity. But it would be a lot of work, pretty inconvenient and just not possible for the majority of people.

[RubySlippers]

I'm considered an independant contractor as in self-employed I must pay all my social security taxes and state business income taxes plus Federal taxes, although fairly low.

Not really I chose to rent with them and they said to us we would have to, I could have rented with anyone and have afforded it with the two of us.

There is issues here most workers in retail and food service earn around what I do, Target is a great example. They place hours based on their income each week and the month. In say the Christmas season my lover gets 30 hours a week, off that she works as little as 8 hours if the week is bad like she is schedules this week. Her income is pretty much matching mine. I don't work much during the summer due to the local situation simply doesn't offer me work through my uncles food service business - carts. I mostly earn my money over Saturdays from September through the end of May, save July 4th where I work alot of hours downtown. My other job is a freelance bathroom attendant and I'm not ashamed of the job its honest work but only on Friday nights at a small club in my area for tips and selling things like condoms for a tiny profit.

Did you ever think this family is in the same situation maybe that is all they can earn if the wife worked she would have to get childcare and that would eat up her earnings or have to be subsidized by the state. The same case Torch is making.

I'm of the mind you are wealthy off the backs of the poor here or overseas, you should pay more to provide for everyone if that means I get some help fine. Its better than being on state assistance for everything isn't it?

[Serephino]

I'm bad with money, I admit it.  Still, even if I was capable of making a budget and sticking to it, I still wouldn't want to be poor.  I don't enjoy getting an ulcer when the car breaks down or something in the house needs fixed.  Every fall I wonder if we're going to have heat in the winter. 

I just got a hospital bill for $1100.  Of course that's not too bad considering the total bill was $11,270....  But anyway, emergencies and unexpected things happen.  I'm actually in the process of declaring bankruptcy because I'm so fucked from emergencies it isn't funny.  I didn't want to because it isn't going to help the economy, but I can't live like this anymore. 

[Jude]

I'm bad with money, I admit it.  Still, even if I was capable of making a budget and sticking to it, I still wouldn't want to be poor.  I don't enjoy getting an ulcer when the car breaks down or something in the house needs fixed.  Every fall I wonder if we're going to have heat in the winter. 

I just got a hospital bill for $1100.  Of course that's not too bad considering the total bill was $11,270....  But anyway, emergencies and unexpected things happen.  I'm actually in the process of declaring bankruptcy because I'm so fucked from emergencies it isn't funny.  I didn't want to because it isn't going to help the economy, but I can't live like this anymore. 

Gotta do what you gotta do.  Don't feel bad.  You're backed in a corner and if it's your only choice because of circumstance, it's hardly your fault.  There's a definite difference between declaring bankruptcy because of emergencies and because you maxed out your credit card at JC Penney.  At any rate, my sympathies.

[AmandaBear1776]

It that was me I would be doing every possible thing in my power to make sure my keeps were healthy safe and comfortable granted not spoiled. But just so I know they don't have to live on the streets in a natural disaster or something happening I would have to have financial back up just for their sake.

[Doomsday]

I'm moving out on my own soon. 1000 a month would be a godsend, and it still wouldn't be enough.