I live on less than 30/day (including rent) working a poorly paid manual labor part time job in a state with income tax. No, I don't own a car. Yes, I split housing costs with other people.
> What happens when you get sick and have to miss a shift?
As mandated by state law, I get paid for my normal hours.
> It's disingenuous to perpetuate the notion that "discipline" is all that's needed to survive on minimum wage
It's also amusing to be lectured about how your situation is impossible by people who are going into debt making 80k+ a year.
Re:I Used to Be Homeless
by elliekelly on Wednesday November 14, 2018 @01:59PM
(#18452718)
>As mandated by sate law, I get paid for my normal hours.
Paid sick time is not mandated by law in most states. http://www.paidsickdays.org/research-resources/current-sick-...
Re:I Used to Be Homeless
by toasterlovin on Wednesday November 14, 2018 @01:24PM
(#18452308)
Nobody wants to hear that there are some people who are just not equipped for an environment A) with abundant access to addictive substances and B) where economic success is dependent on being reasonably intelligent and able to delay gratification.
Re:I Used to Be Homeless
by Nomentatus on Wednesday November 14, 2018 @04:11PM
(#18453993)
Epigenetic damage can undoubtedly predispose one to addiction, etc. But bad health in general can get you unhoused, and there's an epidemic of chronic illness. Delaying gratification and a good IQ aren't sufficient to pave your way in the world.
If I had to survive on minimum wage, I would do things differently: No airline tickets, no long distance bus tickets and no sightseeing. Cooking ramen noodles instead of eating the dollar burgers at that I bought at McDonalds.
I would also work much more than 40 hours a week.
I would share a flat in a poor neighbourhood with someone.
I'm not saying everyone has the discipline to pull it off. I'm just saying I can see how some immigrants can live off minimum wage and still send money home every year.
It's disingenuous to perpetuate the notion that "discipline" is all that's needed to survive on minimum wage and it's patently ridiculous to suggest that people on minimum wage ought to "wild camp" in order to make ends meet.