NationStates Jolt Archive

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070425/ap_on_re_us/a_week_on_food_stamps

Okay, not exactly. :p

Personally, I think this is a good example of an exercise more politicians should engage in. In fact, I think it would be healthy for them to take it one step further and spend a few months living as the lower to lower-middle class does. It would be a real treat to see politicians that actually understand their constituents(assuming they actually care).

What's a food stamp?

What's a food stamp?

http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/221612/2/istockphoto_221612_food_stamp.jpg

What's a food stamp?

Food stamps are the name for the coupons given to low income families by local or state governments to help buy groceries. Even some lower-middle class families in neighborhoods with high costs of living sometimes qualify for and receive food stamps. *nod*

http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/221612/2/istockphoto_221612_food_stamp.jpg

Oh, there are food coupons distributed like in or after war times? I thought the US was such a wealthy country? Or is it just a measure to keep recipients of social welfare from buying other stuff like alcohol or drugs?

Oh, there are food coupons distributed like in or after war times? I thought the US was such a wealthy country? Or is it just a measure to keep recipients of social welfare from buying other stuff like alcohol or drugs?

Yes, food stamps can't be used for alcohol, cigarettes, etc. *nod*

Poverty is a matter of degree. Here, you could earn $15,000 a year and not make ends meet. Especially if you have a child. Elsewhere, that'd be a comforable living.

Consider:

Rent: $400 per month. $4800 per year.
Electricity and phone: $75 per month. $900 per year.
Transportation(busses, subways and cabs or car payment, property taxes and fuel): $300 per month. $3600 per year
Child care: $300 per month. $3600 per year.

These are just bare essentials: A way to get to and from work, a place to live, light and heat, someone to watch the kid, etc. That leaves $2100 a year. That would be $42 per week if spent entirely on food. That's a stretch. Add in healthcare costs, clothing or any other expenses of life and that food budget becomes even tighter.

Food stamps are a necessary evil to families like these.

Yes, food stamps can't be used for alcohol, cigarettes, etc. *nod*

Poverty is a matter of degree. Here, you could earn $15,000 a year and not make ends meet. Especially if you have a child. Elsewhere, that'd be a comforable living.

Consider:

Rent: $400 per month. $4800 per year.
Electricity and phone: $75 per month. $900 per year.
Transportation(busses, subways and cabs or car payment, property taxes and fuel): $300 per month. $3600 per year
Child care: $300 per month. $3600 per year.

These are just bare essentials: A way to get to and from work, a place to live, light and heat, someone to watch the kid, etc. That leaves $2100 a year. That would be $42 per week if spent entirely on food. That's a stretch. Add in healthcare costs, clothing or any other expenses of life and that food budget becomes even tighter.

Food stamps are a necessary evil to families like these.God bless America, huh?

Wow an American politician finally decided that it's pretty shamefull that the USA has one of the highest poverty levels in the western world while also having one of the lowest poverty line in the western world. Go go go Ted Kulongoski

Rent: $400 per month. $4800 per year.
Electricity and phone: $75 per month. $900 per year.

Your living costs are so low. Especially the rent ><

I think it's the kind of exercise politicians should engage in more regularly - especially those that bang on about scroungers and welfare queens. It's important that politicians actually know what it's like to be the people that they represent, whether they voted for them or not.

I think it's the kind of exercise politicians should engage in more regularly - especially those that bang on about scroungers and welfare queens. It's important that politicians actually know what it's like to be the people that they represent, whether they voted for them or not.

Sadly, the ones who need to understand the most are usually the ones least likely to take part in this kind of exercise. Anyone remember 1992 when Poppy Bush was amazed by a grocery store bar code scanner?

Anyone else watch Morgan Sperlock's show on FX, 30 Days?

The first episode was rather interesting

FX began airing the show on June 15, 2005, with the pilot episode "Minimum Wage," in which Morgan and his fiancée, Alex, lived for 30 days in the Bottoms neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio, trying to get by on minimum wage ($5.15 an hour). They had no access to prior cash and credit cards and lived in an apartment whose rent was less than their combined wages for one week.

Rules:

1. They have to work minimum-wage jobs.
2. They must start off with only one week's minimum wage pay (about $300).
3. They must get rid of all their credit cards and other money.


I'm of the opinion that anyone who seeks public office should be forced to do the same...I'm guessing it would help keep D.C. from getting too stupid.

Sadly, the ones who need to understand the most are usually the ones least likely to take part in this kind of exercise. Anyone remember 1992 when Poppy Bush was amazed by a grocery store bar code scanner?
Well, I was about three and living in a country 2000 miles away, but I still get the picture...

Sadly, the ones who need to understand the most are usually the ones least likely to take part in this kind of exercise. Anyone remember 1992 when Poppy Bush was amazed by a grocery store bar code scanner?
Um, Nazz, that didn't happen. It's another urban legend: http://www.snopes.com/history/american/bushscan.htm

You made a good point though.

I'm guessing he will last about half an hour :p

also peanut butter and jelly is disgusting whats wrong with American taste buds?!

A reporter for a local weekly already did that experiment for a month. As she noted, she had an advantage over most food stamp recipients, as does the Oregon Gov. Many of those who qualify for the maximum food stamp allotment don't have transportation to shop for the best deals (food stamps don't pay for gas to get to the grocery store even if you have a car), so they end up shopping at small closer convenience stores with smaller selections and higher prices. They often are one step from homelessness, residence hotels don't have kitchens ya' know. That kind of limits what you can prepare. I bet the Gov. has a fully stocked kitchen with a pantry full of condiments to prepare his 'food stamp' meal in. The list goes on.

Lets just say that even if he sticks to his 'food stamp' budget, he's not really even coming close to the experiance of your typical food stamp recipient.

Given British food, I don't think you have a right to complain there Bub. ;)

ZING!!!

EDIT: WARP!!! :p

also peanut butter and jelly is disgusting whats wrong with American taste buds?!
Given British food, I don't think you have a right to complain there Bub. ;)

Given British food, I don't think you have a right to complain there Bub. ;)

yeah but where paid to take food from the supermarket :p

Given British food, I don't think you have a right to complain there Bub. ;)

I protest sir.

For a start we have the national dish, chicken tikka masala and the most commonly eaten dish spagetti bolognese. They're both pretty good.

Even if it's for a week, good for him for recognising that this is a real problem. Now the real results come after he's tried it for a week. Too bad he didn't do it for a month otherwise there would have been a real change.

Given British food, I don't think you have a right to complain there Bub. ;)

*Launches the nukes*

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070425/ap_on_re_us/a_week_on_food_stamps

Okay, not exactly. :p

Personally, I think this is a good example of an exercise more politicians should engage in. In fact, I think it would be healthy for them to take it one step further and spend a few months living as the lower to lower-middle class does. It would be a real treat to see politicians that actually understand their constituents(assuming they actually care).

All political campaigns should be a season of Fox's "the Simple Life."

Lets just say that even if he sticks to his 'food stamp' budget, he's not really even coming close to the experiance of your typical food stamp recipient.

Especially the part where the typical food stamp recipient won't be off them in a week and back to eating the sort of fare I'm sure the Governor is accustomed to. It's an interesting idea, but it won't give him any idea what poverty is like because a large part of it is the anxiety and worry that having no money causes.

*Launches the nukes*

British food can be pretty horrible. I mean... blood sausage? Haggis...? I'll take a Beaver Tail any day. :p

British food can be pretty horrible. I mean... blood sausage? Haggis...? I'll take a Beaver Tail any day. :p

Have you tried them? They're brilliant! Especially with brown sauce :)

I've never tried Beaver Tail...

Your living costs are so low. Especially the rent ><

Aye, in the tri-state area, 30k a year is arguably poverty level. My boss makes 80k a year and he's struggling to find a decently priced house in the area.

I'm all good with the food stamps when you have a personal economic problem and need them for a term. The problem is when people get on them and stay there because they learn it is a trough that never runs dry. Meanwhile people who loose a job and need help until they gain new employment can't get them. It is a stupid stupid system.
I think it should be a revamped system. If you are of an employable age (the elderly are a bit different) then you have a year without fuss. At the end of that year you had better be employed or in some training. I don't even mind the govt footing the bill for the training. In the end the sooner they get back to being a tax payer the sooner they stop being a drain. If you are training for new marketable job skills then you are good. Cough up the proof and you can keep your stamps. Refuse to get training and after a year you are history. Cut off. No more free ride. If you are still looking after a year you seriously need to consider the fact that you may not be skilled enough.
So, there you go. Stop the stamp stupidity that it is now.

For the smug Brits...just remember, if it weren't for us you would be reading English history in German...

Aye, in the tri-state area, 30k a year is arguably poverty level. My boss makes 80k a year and he's struggling to find a decently priced house in the area.

Almost as bad as London... Just one more good reason not to live in a city, they're stupidly expensive.

But I live near a rubbishy town in the Midlands, and my rent is quite cheap at £360/month.

Um, Nazz, that didn't happen. It's another urban legend: http://www.snopes.com/history/american/bushscan.htm

You made a good point though.

Learn something new every day. Thanks for that.

Given British food, I don't think you have a right to complain there Bub. ;)

Oi oi, there is nowt wrong with British food man! Umm good old British stodge!

Aye, in the tri-state area, 30k a year is arguably poverty level. My boss makes 80k a year and he's struggling to find a decently priced house in the area.

It's the same down here in south Florida. My girlfriend and I make about that much between us, and we can't even sniff a house. We might be able to afford a crappy condo, and forget about anything as luxurious as a new car. We both drive vehicles built last century.

Almost as bad as London... Just one more good reason not to live in a city, they're stupidly expensive.

But I live near a rubbishy town in the Midlands, and my rent is quite cheap at £360/month.

Heheh which one? Ohhh that's right they all are!

Bwhahahah

also peanut butter and jelly is disgusting whats wrong with American taste buds?!

Say what you will about the country but leave peanut butter and jelly out of this!

I'm guessing he will last about half an hour :p

also peanut butter and jelly is disgusting whats wrong with American taste buds?!

It's decent cheap food. Protein and carbs. Beats the hell out of instant ramen. It'll keep you alive for a long time.

Rent: $400 per month. $4800 per year.
Electricity and phone: $75 per month. $900 per year.Your living costs are so low. Especially the rent ><
Not sure where LG got his figures, but my experience says that most urban areas have base rents at least twice that figure, and more likely 3 or 4 times higher for a two bedroom apartment.

I also challenge anyone to live in the southern US without air conditioning. It's not a luxury in many areas, it's a necessity; and your power bill will easily double that $75 even at minimal use levels. His example also didn't include heating costs (unless the power & phone were intended to cover that). You can spend $200-300 / month easily for the coldest six months of the year.

No, our living costs aren't that low.

So the Gov wants to raise awareness about the plight of the poor, huh? Well, before we start feeling too sorry for these folks, let's make it clear that a good number of them make choices that make and keep them poor. How about these choices for starters?

1. Decide to have a few children you cannot afford to raise.

2. Avoid a work ethic.

3. Avoid education.

4. Prefer to risk your future on lottery tickets.

Sure, that's harsh, but it's about time we stopped trying put band-aids on a problem that needs surgery.

So the Gov wants to raise awareness about the plight of the poor, huh? Well, before we start feeling too sorry for these folks, let's make it clear that a good number of them make choices that make and keep them poor. How about these choices for starters?

1. Decide to have a few children you cannot afford to raise.So I presume you support easy access to abortion, contraception, and full-on sex education, not that abstinence only crap.

2. Avoid a work ethic.Sorry to burst your bubble, but when it comes to work ethic, it's hard to top the working poor, and they suffer more than most.

3. Avoid education.So you're all for funding quality education, too? Damn, you're starting to sound like a liberal.

4. Prefer to risk your future on lottery tickets.Hmm, I've never heard a single story where a broke ass person was spending the rent money on the lottery. You'd begrudge someone a couple of bucks a week when they've got no realistic hope of getting out of their economic situation otherwise?

Sure, that's harsh, but it's about time we stopped trying put band-aids on a problem that needs surgery.
Must be nice to be have all the answers, as vague as they are. :rolleyes:

So the Gov wants to raise awareness about the plight of the poor, huh? Well, before we start feeling too sorry for these folks, let's make it clear that a good number of them make choices that make and keep them poor. How about these choices for starters?

1. Decide to have a few children you cannot afford to raise.

2. Avoid a work ethic.

3. Avoid education.

4. Prefer to risk your future on lottery tickets.

Sure, that's harsh, but it's about time we stopped trying put band-aids on a problem that needs surgery.

Ah, the myth that those who are poor deserve to be so. What a crock. In answer to your 'points':
1) My husband and I are childless, and will remain so. And if you have the stones to bitch at people who have children they can't afford, I had better not hear any codswallop about pro-life coming out of your mouth. Because I will reach right through this computer screen and smack you.
2) I was laid off my last job after being injured (it was a temp job, but they hire-in. :()
3) Once the college upgrades their financial aid computers and I know how much I can get in Pell Grants, I will be registering at my local college.
4)And no, we don't buy lottery tickets.
We're still poor. Michigan has a crappy economy.

Tell me about it. It took me 3 months to get a job at a KFC last year. Not only is it bad now, it's only going to get worse before it gets better.

This is why I'm going to school. It'll probably take four years to get a two year degree, thanks to my 'no loans' limitation, but at least I'll have one! Hopefully, I'll be able to get a job in a... not a better state, because I love MI, but a state with a better economy.

EDIT: Let's do the Time Warp again! It's just a jump to the left...

We're still poor. Michigan has a crappy economy.

Tell me about it. It took me 3 months to get a job at a KFC last year. Not only is it bad now, it's only going to get worse before it gets better.

snip.

Lets just say that even if he sticks to his 'food stamp' budget, he's not really even coming close to the experiance of your typical food stamp recipient.
true, very true.
But then it is more a photo op to make people aware of how bad it is at that end of the spectrum - and in this it works well.

I'm reminded of a right-wing politician back in NZ a few years ago who was going to live off the DPB (Domestic Purposes Benefit, handed out to solo mums) fpr a couple of weeks to show how 'comfortable' and 'easy' it was.
She never went through with it though. Before starting she found out during a routine check-up she needed some hospital treatment (forget what it was for, nothing life-threatening unfortunately).
She claimed it wouldn't be fair on her and her family to live on the DPB while undergoing hospital treatment (she went private too, iirc).
The irony/hypocrisy of her statement was lost completely on her.

I think we all want the same things. I just want to avoid the institutional poverty that has been created by the so-called Great Society. Forty years later, can we really claim to be better off? I don't think so, all these programs have accomplished is to make it easier to be poor and to be less accountable for your choices.
So I presume you support easy access to abortion, contraception, and full-on sex education, not that abstinence only crap.

I unequivocally agree.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but when it comes to work ethic, it's hard to top the working poor, and they suffer more than most.

So let's help them. Let's remove their entire federal tax burden, income and payroll. Let's pay them for purchasing the basic necessities of life. Let's enact the FairTax.

So you're all for funding quality education, too? Damn, you're starting to sound like a liberal.

But let's do it right. Let's not ignore the fact the more money down the same drain hasn't changed things. Let's enact school choice.

Hmm, I've never heard a single story where a broke ass person was spending the rent money on the lottery. You'd begrudge someone a couple of bucks a week when they've got no realistic hope of getting out of their economic situation otherwise?

It's not all that uncommon knowledge that a great number of people prefer to rely on the chance of winning the lottery over saving for their retirement. Old and poor is poor just the same. Bad decisions lead to bad consequences.


Must be nice to be have all the answers, as vague as they are. :rolleyes:
No reason the Democratic party and the American liberals should have a corner on that market. Is there?

The irony/hypocrisy of her statement was lost completely on her.
It generally is. And sadly, there's rarely any way to get them to understand it short of having them experience it on their own. Empathy seems to be nearly non-existent on the right, for some reason. There's usually plenty of blame and finger-pointing, though.

I think we all want the same things. I just want to avoid the institutional poverty that has been created by the so-called Great Society. Forty years later, can we really claim to be better off? I don't think so, all these programs have accomplished is to make it easier to be poor and to be less accountable for your choices.

I'll tell what--you go back and look at the poverty numbers pre and post "Great Society." When you're finished, come back, admit that you don't know what the fuck you're criticizing, and then we can get into a reasonable discussion.

This is why I'm going to school. It'll probably take four years to get a two year degree, thanks to my 'no loans' limitation, but at least I'll have one! Hopefully, I'll be able to get a job in a... not a better state, because I love MI, but a state with a better economy.

EDIT: Let's do the Time Warp again! It's just a jump to the left...

I'm going to school too, but I couldn't do the 'no loans' thing, even with the GI Bill as my program (French) requires me to study abroad (where I am now). When I get back I may sell my soul to Jenny Granholm and go in the Guard for my last 3 years of school (assuming I only hang on for a Masters) so they'll forgive my loans. Uncle Sam owned my soul for a few years, so it won't be such a change selling it to Jenny.

The last thing I want to do is move to a different state, but you do what you have to. I wouldn't terribly mind moving permanently to France but their economy isn't exactly booming either.

I'm going to school too, but I couldn't do the 'no loans' thing, even with the GI Bill as my program (French) requires me to study abroad (where I am now). When I get back I may sell my soul to Jenny Granholm and go in the Guard for my last 3 years of school (assuming I only hang on for a Masters) so they'll forgive my loans. Uncle Sam owned my soul for a few years, so it won't be such a change selling it to Jenny.

The last thing I want to do is move to a different state, but you do what you have to. I wouldn't terribly mind moving permanently to France but their economy isn't exactly booming either.

I haven't done well with the whole school loan thing. I figure, MCC is cheap, I should be able to get by on Pell grants. Better if Granholm gets off her ass and passes that thing where they'd give you tuition money if you do well on a test... Maybe that was for recent HS grads...

There are lots of states doing better than MI. We moved out here because my grandma isn't doing so hot, and she has an apt free. A sneaky way for us to keep an eye on her, you see.

I haven't done well with the whole school loan thing. I figure, MCC is cheap, I should be able to get by on Pell grants. Better if Granholm gets off her ass and passes that thing where they'd give you tuition money if you do well on a test... Maybe that was for recent HS grads...

There are lots of states doing better than MI. We moved out here because my grandma isn't doing so hot, and she has an apt free. A sneaky way for us to keep an eye on her, you see.

When I was an undergrad a dozen years ago, Pell Grants just about covered my tuition at a small state school in Louisiana. Today, the same amount wouldn't cover half at the same school, and it's the cheapest 4 year college in the state. Meanwhile, I'm through grad school, working in my field, have six figures in student loan debt as a result, and my earnings allow me to take an economic hardship deferment on my loans. How messed up is our system?

I haven't done well with the whole school loan thing. I figure, MCC is cheap, I should be able to get by on Pell grants. Better if Granholm gets off her ass and passes that thing where they'd give you tuition money if you do well on a test... Maybe that was for recent HS grads...

I think that program is still in the planning stages. Pity because it could really help a lot of people get the education they need to find work.

There are lots of states doing better than MI. We moved out here because my grandma isn't doing so hot, and she has an apt free. A sneaky way for us to keep an eye on her, you see.

If you believe the papers all of them are doing better than us. Still, these things are cyclical and eventually we'll dig ourselves out of it. If this decade is like the 80s hopefully we'll have another 90s ahead of us.

When I was an undergrad a dozen years ago, Pell Grants just about covered my tuition at a small state school in Louisiana. Today, the same amount wouldn't cover half at the same school, and it's the cheapest 4 year college in the state. Meanwhile, I'm through grad school, working in my field, have six figures in student loan debt as a result, and my earnings allow me to take an economic hardship deferment on my loans. How messed up is our system?

Amen to that! I'd need to look it up, but I think between Pells and work-study, I should just be able to make it at a community college. Full-time tuition here is less than $2k, so half time... I should be all right, esp, if redwulf finally gets work!

EDIT: Checked, and the maximum for Pell grants is something like $4350. Since I'm doing half time, that'll be reduced, but not too shabby!

Hmm, I've never heard a single story where a broke ass person was spending the rent money on the lottery. You'd begrudge someone a couple of bucks a week when they've got no realistic hope of getting out of their economic situation otherwise?


Sometimes I have to laugh at my own stupidity. This makes a great lesson on why people that make good decisions with money aren't poor. It also makes a great lesson on what drives liberals, but that's for later.

Let's say, I'm just getting by, but at the end of every week, I could count on having $10 left over. Should I go buy some beer, a lottery ticket, or should I save the money? The right answer is that I should save the money. If I can put that $10 away in an account every week, I'm going to have a little over $520 at the end of a year. How much would I have if I had bought beer, cigarettes, or lottery tickets? The right answer is $0.

The moral is that doing the right thing isn't always doing the thing that gives us immediate gratification.

Now, how about that lesson on liberals? Well, we see that they want to avoid the hard decisions, too. Spending my surplus on a lottery ticket is harmless and it gives me a little pleasant diversion. Does it do anything for me in the long run? No, of course not.

I'll tell what--you go back and look at the poverty numbers pre and post "Great Society." When you're finished, come back, admit that you don't know what the fuck you're criticizing, and then we can get into a reasonable discussion.

I don't think a reasonable discussion is possible. For someone who claims to deal with words for a living, you don't appear to have a very big vocabulary.

I don't think a reasonable discussion is possible. For someone who claims to deal with words for a living, you don't appear to have a very big vocabulary.

I try to keep it simple so you can understand me. It's my way of looking out for you.

And I gather you haven't looked at the numbers either, or you'd have to admit that pre-Great Society, poverty was around 30%, and post Great Society, it dropped to about 18%. It's hovered around that rate ever since, going as low as 14% a few years ago I believe. So much for that whole "people are worse off than before," though. Guess you'll have to find something else to blame poor on, since the Great Society is not to blame.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070425/ap_on_re_us/a_week_on_food_stamps

Okay, not exactly. :p

Personally, I think this is a good example of an exercise more politicians should engage in. In fact, I think it would be healthy for them to take it one step further and spend a few months living as the lower to lower-middle class does. It would be a real treat to see politicians that actually understand their constituents(assuming they actually care).

WTF? You get more than that in Oregon. I was sick of eating out of dumpsters and all my money was going to rent and uni. I applied, i figured I'd get squat since I was working 40 hrs a week. I ended up with $150/mo. And no, they didn't care that I was spending my $$ on school, that didn't factor into the equation. My friend was a single mom and got well over $300. She was working full time as well.

I call bupkiss on this story.

Sometimes I have to laugh at my own stupidity. This makes a great lesson on why people that make good decisions with money aren't poor. It also makes a great lesson on what drives liberals, but that's for later.

Let's say, I'm just getting by, but at the end of every week, I could count on having $10 left over. Should I go buy some beer, a lottery ticket, or should I save the money? The right answer is that I should save the money. If I can put that $10 away in an account every week, I'm going to have a little over $520 at the end of a year. How much would I have if I had bought beer, cigarettes, or lottery tickets? The right answer is $0.

The moral is that doing the right thing isn't always doing the thing that gives us immediate gratification.

Now, how about that lesson on liberals? Well, we see that they want to avoid the hard decisions, too. Spending my surplus on a lottery ticket is harmless and it gives me a little pleasant diversion. Does it do anything for me in the long run? No, of course not.

Speaking as someone who's been truley poor (I let pride get in the way of my proper nutrition for quite some time). When I had an extra $10 at the end of the month I'd buy some fruit, milk, or maybe some beef if I could find an especially good deal.

It wasn't worth it to me to save money when I was mal nourished.

why do they still call them food stamps? hasnt every state switched over to the EBT card?

why do they still call them food stamps? hasnt every state switched over to the EBT card?

That's what it is in Oregon. It's usually called the EBT or Oregon Trail card.

Speaking as someone who's been truley poor (I let pride get in the way of my proper nutrition for quite some time). When I had an extra $10 at the end of the month I'd buy some fruit, milk, or maybe some beef if I could find an especially good deal.

It wasn't worth it to me to save money when I was mal nourished.

$520 a year surplus, why that'd almost pay for a pair of glasses, or a bit of dental work. God help you if you need real medical care.

$520 a year surplus, why that'd almost pay for a pair of glasses, or a bit of dental work. God help you if you need real medical care.

It was wonderful! I didn't qualify for the Oregon Health Plan. Either my stress or severe lack of sleep and nutrition kept me constantly sick. Hooray for a $500 minimum at the ER! Actually, OHSU is pretty nice to you if you're uninsured. I am forever endebted to them. I should have many times the medical debt than I have now.

It was wonderful! I didn't qualify for the Oregon Health Plan. Either my stress or severe lack of sleep and nutrition kept me constantly sick. Hooray for a $500 minimum at the ER! Actually, OHSU is pretty nice to you if you're uninsured. I am forever endebted to them. I should have many times the medical debt than I have now.

That's why no one goes to a doctor in this country. God knows I can't afford to get sick and I'm better off than most.

That's why no one goes to a doctor in this country. God knows I can't afford to get sick and I'm better off than most.

I have a fairly decent job now. Guess how much my annual deductible is?
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$5,000!

Your living costs are so low. Especially the rent ><

I used very conservative numbers. In my part of the country, rent is more in the $600-$700 per month range for 1 bedroom. :(

what the hell, $21 dollar week? That's how much poor folks on food stamps spend on weekly groceries? I spend that daily on fast food and other stupid junk. If I had the power to change the funding schemes, I would at least make the weekly grocery money to $81. Peanut butter & jam is not food and it sure doesn't provide the nutritional requirement for both adults and children. Put your damn war money into good use!!!

what the hell, $21 dollar week? That's how much poor folks on food stamps spend on weekly groceries? I spend that daily on fast food and other stupid junk. If I had the power to change the funding schemes, I would at least make the weekly grocery money to $81. Peanut butter & jam is not food and it sure doesn't provide the nutritional requirement for both adults and children. Put your damn war money into good use!!!
Yup. When I left home I was on a $20 a week food budget. Got by on frozen Mac and Cheese dinners at $0.69 per.

Now my family, when I was small, used a wee bit more money, we had a $40 a week budget for 3 people and had to take government assistance for a number of years. I can still taste that horrible government cheese (What that stuff was made from, I do not know) and the local soup kitchen.

It really puts things in perspective now when my wife and I, together, spend about $100 a week for the two of us.

what the hell, $21 dollar week? That's how much poor folks on food stamps spend on weekly groceries? I spend that daily on fast food and other stupid junk. If I had the power to change the funding schemes, I would at least make the weekly grocery money to $81. Peanut butter & jam is not food and it sure doesn't provide the nutritional requirement for both adults and children. Put your damn war money into good use!!!

when I was younger hubby and I had a food budget of $30 a week, we ate a lot of Ramen. ;)

we spend a LOT more than that now, with a family of 4 on a restricted diet, we are doing about $150 a week.

This is good. It also shows what middle class people have to go through. And most politicians apparently don't know the prices of food as Rudy Giuliani has shown us.

Apparently Governer Kulongoski doesn't know how much people get in EBT benefits in his own state.

I remember a time when my family was on food stamps. My dad lost his job, and my mom was out with a bad back, so income was limited to nearly nothing, and it was right around xmas too. I hated that year. I had to wear clothes two days in a row. I didn't have any jeans, only sweat pants, and a pair of courderoys, which i only wore to church. Yeah, being poor sucks.

Keep in mind nowadays you can get away with about a $14.60 food budget. Basically if you just eat ramen three meals a day that's $3.60 per week. The other $11 is for nutritional pills/powders/etc. to keep you from dying of malnutrition, and for eating out at cheap places once in a while.

Lessee here, only have lights on when absolutely necessary could halve your electrical bill, so that's probably like $40 a month then. Bathe in a small amount of water could probably drop your water bill like a brick, so that's about $25, get a cell phone but only use it when minutes are free, so let's say $30 a month for that.

Let's see here, that'll bring your monthly expenses down to about $155, so that brings your disposable income at $5 an hour (rounded for ease of math) and a 40 hour work week to (Let's say taxes eat about a fourth of it)...$45.

And that's for one person. Anyone on minimum wage should be looking for a new job.

And that's for one person. Anyone on minimum wage should be looking for a new job.

Such as a higher paying job? Or another min. wage job?

Case 1, is a little bit easier said, than done. Sometimes, you have to take whatever can get you money, and if that's flipping burgers for 6.50, then so be it.

Case 2, many people have done already. You know, single black moms with 3 jobs? Yeah, that happens all the time, but still doesn't pay for ALL the expenses. Say your son breaks his leg? You're so f*cked.