Does earning $10/hour 40hr/wk put one at the poverty level?

[Duer 157099]

If so, then isn't that a real basic problem in our country?

[sfwriter]

1. $20,000 a year, before taxes.

I'd say so, but around here (missouri), that is a good wage.

[JanusAscending]

That's why we're called "the working poor"

Cost of living in various parts of the country, make all the difference.

[JanusAscending]

2. Yeah if you're a "one income" family !

This used to be considered "middle income" back in the day!!!!

[Initech]

3. Yes it is. I make $11 / hour with no benefits.

It fucking sucks. I can barely make car payments some months.

[pnwmom]

6. Having good benefits makes a huge difference.

All 40 hr. jobs should include them.

[Initech]

10. We need MANDATORY paid vacation laws in this country.

That would be a huge asset to our failing economy. That would put workers in a better mood, it would put the CEO scumfucks in a better mood... it would improve the quality of travel so much in this country.

[RB TexLa]

12. You know most people lose money taking vacation time. Both by spending and losing overtime.

[Initech]

15. We're one of 3 countries in the world that doesn't have these laws.

The other two are Myanmar and North Korea.

[rurallib]

4. figure your taxes, utilities, food and gas

probably nothing left.

[pnwmom]

5. I would think that depends on the size of your household. n/t

[lurky]

7. The official poverty line is $10,830 for an individual.

Depending on where you live, the real poverty line is a hell of a lot higher than that, IMO. Around here, living on $10/hour full time would be a real struggle, and that's double the poverty line.

[varelse]

8. That depends on the cost of living in your area

where I live, a single person making $10/hr is going to struggle to survive. Anyone attempting to support children on that wage will need assistance.

[rocktivity]

9. Yes

If you're making a household income of less than $30k before taxes ($14/hr), you AREN'T making it.

:(
rocktivity

[dkf]

11. A family in Hawaii qualifies for foodstamps at $50,000.

[Hello_Kitty]

13. Not according to our glorious federal government.

The dude is at 174% FPL, does not qualify for food stamps in most places and the new health care law has determined he can "afford" $84 a month for mandatory insurance premiums.

[Juche]

14. Depends on a variety of factors

Where you live, if you have any dependents, if you have any expensive health problems, etc.

[TreasonousBastard]

16. Depends on where you live. Rent/mortgage and the need for a car take...

up far too much income for many people.

[gateley]

17. I made $10/hr 38 years ago, and it was pretty good money. My rent was $250. nt

[Morning Dew]

18. Oh, amen to that.

I made just over 9.00 per hour back in '78 or so... life was really sweet. my rent was 150. Should have banked some of it, but I was 21... *sigh*.

I left that job and didn't make that much again until '94 or so.

[gateley]

19. It's crazy. I don't think people understand completely when they say salaries have flatlined.

And I know what you mean about being young and not saving. Hell, I was broke half the time!

[Art_from_Ark]

20. In '78, I would have been tickled to get $5/hour

Heck, $4/hour would have seemed like a lot.

[doc03]

23. In 1978 $5 an hour would be the equivalent of

$16.74 today.
http://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm

[Art_from_Ark]

26. That's quite a bit of inflation in 32 years

The dollar has only 30% of the buying power it had back then.

[doc03]

21. In this area if you have a job making $10 an hour with

benefits you have a pretty damn good job.

[johnaries]

22. Yes. Which is why we should start talking about a "living wage".

A high school kid making $10 an hour with no expenses is good money! A working single-income family... forget about it.

and yet the RW wants to talk about "personal responsibility." Personal Responsibility = RW codeword for "screw the little guy".

[killbotfactory]

24. My wife and I make 10/hr, work 35 hrs a week, have a kid

Barely making it, do not qualify for any assistance.

We are rich and have no reason to complain according to republicans making five hundred times as much as us.

[Rex]

25. Working poor level.

It is only part of the problem. The other part is our stupid govt not controlling anything, anymore when it comes to corporations. Evidently we can now have McWalMart as POTUS. Nice.

[backscatter712]

27. In a cheap area, you can subsist, but it's definitely not much money. n/t