All Hollowed Out: The lonely poverty of America’s white working class

Re:All Hollowed Out: The lonely poverty of America’s white w... by 746F7475 on Tuesday January 19, 2016 @07:01AM (#10930126)

I currently work in Finland and earn $35k/year, but granted I currently live alone in a small flat. I own older model car. I don't consume a lot of food. Which leaves me with most of my salary to spend/save as I see fit. Maybe in time I come to see lack of my salary, but for past ~4 years I only had student welfare which left me with little less than 200€/mo (~$220) after rent and stuff for food and what little hobbies I could support. So the change has been huge

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Re:All Hollowed Out: The lonely poverty of America’s white w... by Kurtz79 on Tuesday January 19, 2016 @09:09AM (#10930812)

As other people have said, it makes little sense comparing wages between states in the same country, even less between countries...

If I´m not mistaken, Finland has free healthcare, education and generous welfare system (that you said you benefited from, as you should), all of these should be taken into account when making comparisons, since they factor in the taxes companies have to pay for hiring people.

That said, it still seems a bit low for Finland, but ok for a recent graduate.

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Re:All Hollowed Out: The lonely poverty of America’s white w... by 746F7475 on Tuesday January 19, 2016 @11:09AM (#10931596)

I did some checking after work and apparently I'm earning what Finnish Engineering Union suggests for new engineer without working experience.

Other sources aren't nearly as helpful, but they put me somewhere in the middle of all people (or something).

I'm sure some people earn more, especially closer to Helsinki, but currently I'm content with my earnings.

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Re:All Hollowed Out: The lonely poverty of America’s white w... by zardo on Tuesday January 19, 2016 @09:20AM (#10930875)

In Finland you have a social safety net. In the US if you're out of a job you have to pay your own health insurance, you have to keep paying down your student loans, and if you ever want to retire you should probably save and invest the money yourself.

So don't be surprised we worry about money.

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Re:All Hollowed Out: The lonely poverty of America’s white w... by iambateman on Tuesday January 19, 2016 @09:07AM (#10930797)

I came out of school making $34k and did wonderfully. I was/am happy. After 2 years I bought a house. Making more money doesn't necessarily make life better ;)

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