Can A Person Really Survive On Minimum Wage? - Comments

Oh wow. Apparently the minimum wage where I live is around $3.57 per DAY.

You can live to a certain extent. You won't have the best stuff to provide but on average enough to feed a 4 person family.

And I know you mean JUST ONE PERSON but a family can live off minimum wage. My mom pays the bills. I'm not starving, I'm not unhappy.

My mom's a waitress. She depends on tips because minimum wage sucks!
And she's taking care of me and my brother, we are both teenagers.
We're not starving and we get a lot of things.
I'm happy with the way we live.
But then again....my dad pays child support. But besides the point, it is possible. If you manage your money carefully.

Move to Australia. The minimum wage isnt that low, I am not sure what the minimum wage acctually is, but jobs here are well more avaliable then in the states.
I am 17 and get paid just over $12 (US$11.90 on 22/10/09) an hour tho i only work one shift a week because of school.
Also Medicare is free basic health insurance/fund for all australian citizens.

Okay.!
I think imma live at home for a while.lol

I'm going to win the lottery and buy a purple convertable!

I missed that last part in your article.

(9$ in washington)

Of course orgen doesnt have sales tax at all...

Most states do not tax grocieries,

idk where you live but rent in indiana for a one bedroom apt is $500 with utility paid. my mortgage payment is only $400 a month and the house isnt that old.

The last time I checked (when I wrote this) it was $8 an hour IN CALIFORNIA. Which I mentioned. Yes, prices and wage changes almost continously, but at the moment, in the area I am talking about [as an exaple] it is $8, though I thank you for pointing out it is $9 elsewhere. Groceries do charge tax, at least where I am, though I have never heard of more than one (1) state not having tax on items, though I will be looking into it. Yes, most people on minimum wage ARE single people, living alone. But with the economy today, it might be there are people with families only being able to get a minimum wage job to try and support them, in which case it would be even harder to get by on the limited funds. Also, the purpose of this article was not to say we need minimum wage to increase, it was to give examples, and make people think about money, the economy, healthy living, and work.

JUst so you know, minimum wage changes- but in many states its 9$.

Also- Groceries dont charge tax (not in washington minisota, idaho or any of the other 30 states i have been too)

Most people on minimum wage are single people. High school students, college students or part time workers. So, let's not rush into an increase right away.

It's possible, yes.

But it's a very hard and difficult life, especially if you have a family to support.

And if you had a family I mean it'd be very hard on the kids.

Besides that money you have to spend it on needed things never anything you want.

I have a scholarship from the college university I attend now, and I get a little over $1200 each month.
When the rent is paid, which is about $500, I have around $700 left to spend that month, and I don't have a job right now.
I mean, I can live on that amount on money, but it's not like I can spend it on whatever I want.
I have to be economical in order to actually "make it through" the month, but it's actually not that bad at all. (':

In washington state the min wage is like 10 dollars

Thank you for this article, I was wondering this very same thing this past week. I'm thinking about moving out of my family home in a few months and this was something I felt the need to consider. So thanks, you've enlightened me. :)

I never thought someone could, or would try to really love off of min. wage so technically you've give me even more to consider.

@ScarletFire Do you all earn minimum wage or is your mother the only one who works? Because the article asks if [i]one[/i] person can live on minimum wage, not if more can.

No you can't survive on minimum wage my mother gets food stamps, disability and we live with my sister and her almost hubby, yet we barely make it every week. So no you can't

I would like to say you saved my ass on my intro to biz. class Im so using this article for my report XD

I'm well aware of our economy's standings. There aren't available jobs for anyone to come by at the moment. I know, I've been looking as well.