5 ms·

How is a living wage defined, precisely? Is it defined as the wage an "average" person would need to earn to live? Or the wage a "frugal" person would need to e

• monocasa 7y ago
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_wage https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_wage
  • the_gastropod 7y ago
    From this page: "Due to the flexible nature of the term "needs", there is not one universally accepted measure of what a living wage is and as such it varies by location and household type" Which I think is to the gp's point...
    • monocasa 7y ago
      Cool, the lack of a living wage _under all of those definitions_ means the lack of ability to save.
      • tdhoot 7y ago
        Is your claim that there is no way to live under a minimum wage in America right now?
        • monocasa 7y ago
          For the vast majority of people in the US, completely supporting themselves on 40 hours a week of a minimum wage is impossible, yes.
          • the_gastropod 7y ago
            I have a book recommendation that may help you think a little outside the box when it comes to living expenses: https://www.amazon.com/dp/145360121X/?tag=oildepletio03-20 https://www.amazon.com/dp/145360121X/?tag=oildepletio03-20 Not only is 40 hours / week of a minimum wage job totally livable, the author of this book would be able to save over 50% of such salary. Is it unusual? Yes. Is it easy? Haaaail no. But impossible? Please.
            • monocasa 7y ago
              The average cost of healthcare is more than his yearly expenses. Here's a hint, pithy books written by those born into wealth about how the poor just don't have discipline aren't generally worth the paper they're printed on.
              • the_gastropod 7y ago
                This is why we can’t have difficult conversations about these things. My family was on food stamps when I was growing up. I’m a Bernie supporting über-liberal. I do not think the poor are poor because of lack of discipline. I understand, and share, your frustration with poor shaming. But please understand nobody here is doing that.
                • monocasa 7y ago
                  Literally the average cost of healthcare is more than all of this guy's expenses. His experiences don't line up with reality for most people in the US. The one avoiding difficult conversations is you.
                  • the_gastropod 7y ago
                    This’ll be my final response to you: those making minimum wage don’t typically pay the average cost for anything. Their healthcare will either be: - Covered (at least partially) by their employer (like most Americans) - Covered by Medicaid - Heavily subsidized under the ACA
              • 7y ago