nicklel-and dimed on not getting by in america

one would find it almost impossible to live off of minimum wage. Massachusetts has one of the highest at $8.00 an hour, yet that sill doesn’t seem like enough. According to the Coalition for the Homeless, in 1998 it took an hourly wage of $8.89 to afford a one bedroom apartment, Barbara Ehnrenrich said in her essay on not getting by in america. Costs of living have gone up since 1998, and When you add children to the equation, it becomes necessary to work more than one job to make ends meet unless you want to live in the temporary homeless shelters that are sometimes dirty, and full. It then becomes necessary to provide for child care which isn’t cheap. Welfare would be an option but providing for two kids takes money and no matter what aid a mother gets, if she is earning minimum wage, food and basic needs will go unmet.
As much as it would be great for minimum wage to go up, small business owners are strapped already and raising wages would put some businesses under which would be counterproductive. This is why it is important to go to school and get a good education so you can get a good job and provide for yourself and your family.

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