Oprah - Living on Minimum Wage

[GoodBuyGirl]

Re: Oprah - Living on Minimum Wage

The last time they raised the minimum wage. I was told that I wouldn't get my yearly wage that I earned because I got a cost of living wage. So what good does it do to get it if people get screwed out of wages that they actually earn?

[rusty@saving]

Re: Oprah - Living on Minimum Wage

i quit a job making good $ to move back home when my Mom got sick. thankfully, she is fine now, but i would make that decisiona thousand times over again and again.yes, i realize i put myself in that situation)
since moving back into the area, i have put out a hundred apps and gotten no responses EXCEPT one. working minimun wage part time.
i took the job. and to say the least, times have been hard for the last 2 years.
i could sit around and complain about it, or try to make the most with what i have. i had my own apartment, living to the penny for over a year. putting out apps left and right, praying for SOMETHING to come through.
it is doable, but you have to sacrifice a lot. eat a lot of ramen and tuna.
recently, i got an offer(only because a company was expanding) for $10/hr starting. i have no idea what the heck i am going to do with so much money, but i know that i am truly grateful. i am working every bit of overtime i can get and trying to save up as much as i can so i am never in that position again.
in 6 months, i will get a $2 dollar raise.
i will NEVER again take anything for granted, OR even begin to think less of people on minimum wage....sometimes, the jobs just aren't available.
move? how the heck do you rent a u-haul when you are living to the penny? sell everything? how to put a downpayment when the u-haul will cost around $100 minumim and everything you own will get 25% of what you payed for it? unless you own thousands of dollars worth of stuff already, you are in trouble....
someday i hope everyone here remembers what they say about others and their plights, they might get a rude awakening someday.
by the way....i am a big tipper, those waitresses and pizza guys don't make what you think they do.

[sweeps]

Re: Oprah - Living on Minimum Wage

Tips at issue in minimum wage bill currently in Congress.... Link

[Amorphous02]

Re: Oprah - Living on Minimum Wage

I Completely Agree With Goodbuygirl. I Used To Feel So Pressed For Money When I Was A Student.

[rob62521]

Re: Oprah - Living on Minimum Wage

I think we also have to realize some parts of the country are still having problems economically. In the past five years, we have lost big employers who pay decent wages -- Firestone, Zexel, Climate Control. That leaves mostly jobs that pay around minimum wage which is a big difference. The people who know had these jobs were originally making better money, but because there aren't places paying, they have no choice than to take minimum wage. Is it their fault. I would say no. They are at least trying to work and many are taking on 2 jobs to make ends meet.

I was fortunate -- my parents saw a value in an education and pushed me to it. I had to work to get it, but I did. But, I was a lucky one. Otherwise, I would probably be working at a minimum wage job unless I relocated.

[PrincessPerky]

Re: Oprah - Living on Minimum Wage

Unfortunatly saying 'we need to educate them' is wasted..do you know how many thoushands of dollars per student are spent on babysitting rignt now? we don't need mroe money we need a system that acutally works.

Education is not about sitting kids in classrooms while a teacher prevents them from killing each other..

URG now I am getting all mean and political again...sigh, I try to avoid it I really do but I have no willpower. Honestly, more classrooms (do you know why they use old jail plans to make schools?) is NOT the answer, niether is legeslating the big buisness, hello they don't care one hoot about the lower class (take a look at what the egyptians did to get those pyramids built..pretty much the same here)

We need to stop using old systems that FAIL to try and fix a real problem that has been around since eve grabbed that apple.

Yeah I have plenty of ideas, non of them perfect, but all of them dependant on people working together, not asking the almightly government to do it for you!

If you want to help people they have to first want to help themselves...offer opportunies not handouts. NOt perfect, not easy, not eden, but better than enabeling people to continue on the road to nowhere.

[Thrifty Ray]

Re: Oprah - Living on Minimum Wage

One day, if I am lucky, I will be reflecting on my life and here is what I hope to see:

Someone whose family flourished under her love and care.
Whose lives she touched were made a little brighter because she did so.
Someone who will be remembered for her joy and spirit.
Someone who contributed to family and community.
Someone who encouraged her children to be successful- so they werent reliant on an inheritance and then fought over it.
Someone who left some values worth passing on to the next generation(s)

I feel pity for the one whose only accomplishment is:
Amassed as much money and material possessions as I wanted...and used anyone and everyone to get them.

Oh well, to each his own.

[boefixepa]

Re: Oprah - Living on Minimum Wage

Princess Perky hit on the head!! That's exactly it....minimum wage is not the ROOT of the problem! If just keep treating the symptoms, then you stay the way you are!

She's also right in that there is no easy answer.

My aunt was here recently and we were debating this whole issue and since she had been in school wroking on her associates (she's in her 50s....go girl) and is just starting her BA. She has taken many classes where the issues of poverty have been debated. This is what I have decided.

If an individual has the PERSONAL drive and ambition to change their situation...THEY CAN. It may mean sacrifice, it may mean extremly hard work, but they can do it.

Now that said....most will not make the choice to do that. Most can not grasp that they can do that. Many are not willing to do that. That does not make them lesser people, it's just how it is.

The answers are just as complicated as the problem....and I'd bet as a nation we aren't willing to do it. You can see small groups and the like out there trying to make a difference and they help a few here and there. I wish there were more programs like that!

[Ima saver]

Re: Oprah - Living on Minimum Wage

Over the past several years, I have applied for many jobs that probably would only pay minimum wage. Jobs are really hard to get, especially if you are not computer oriented. I have never been called for any job that I have applied for. We are 2 hours away from a big city and jobs are scarce.

[Ima saver]

Re: Oprah - Living on Minimum Wage

Bt the way, waiters and waitresses are paid $2.13 and hour. I appreciate you people that tip 20%.

[MarianneJ]

Re: Oprah - Living on Minimum Wage

In response to the people who mentioned that you can get out of poverty/minimum wage type jobs with extreme personal motivation, I saw a preview for a new Will Smith movie called "Pursuit of Happyness" (don't ask me why they chose to misspell happiness). I believe it is based on a true story and it looks incredibly motivating and uplifting.

You can see the trailer here: http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1808722062/trailer

[getforfree]

Re: Oprah - Living on Minimum Wage

Anyways at most jobs by working hard, not showing up late, not calling off sick, etc. just being a good employee you can move up and make more money

That's not exactly true. Some companies give only a few cents raise once a year. So if you are really-really good employee, you will get maybe 30c raise, and if you are average employee, you will get 20c raise. so, sometimes people don't want to work extra hard for nothing.

[Ima saver]

Re: Oprah - Living on Minimum Wage

Thanks marianne, that looks good!

[getforfree]

Re: Oprah - Living on Minimum Wage

I am makind more than mininmum wage, and I could make even more than now per hour if I would work ft. But, to work ft, I would have to most of my paycheck on daycare. So, I choose to work nights for lower pay, but it saves me more.

[Ima saver]

Re: Oprah - Living on Minimum Wage

Yes, paying for child care seems to really eat up a paycheck. I guess that is why many single moms are on welfare. It is more money than having a job.