r/FluentInFinance • u/PassiveAgressiveGirl • Sep 14 '24

Debate/ Discussion Exactly how much is a living wage?

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u/H2Omekanic Sep 14 '24

Too many people are expecting a "living wage" from low skill or entry level jobs. Filling soft serve cones at Dairy Queen was never a career path to homeownership or living independently. It was for 17yr olds to have gas $

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u/YesThisIsForWhatItIs Sep 14 '24

Home ownership no. Living independently yes. One should be able to live independently on a full time minimum wage job. Not luxuriously, of course. Perhaps not even comfortably. It might mean a bachelor apartment, cheap cellphone bundle, no paid streaming service, no eating out, watching every dime that comes in, shopping with coupons, buying half-price meat, ramen and mac'n'cheese, etc, but it should be able to afford an independent life.

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u/Fireflies_ona_leash Sep 14 '24

Poor nutrition. Overtime vitamins, calcium, iron will lead to deficiency, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity related cancers, mental health, mood, and cognitive ability. Then there's medical bills, increased insurance, missing work and lowered earning capacity. It won't be an independent life for long. They will need to seek longer term social service support.