How Much Income Would You Need to Survive?

[DC Al Fine]

Got the idea from an old Updates where some posters were arguing about how much income they'd need to live. There are a few rules:

1) You are working, so commuting needs to be taken into account
2) You can get rid of some debt (sell house/car) but you have to keep making payments on stuff like credit cards and student loans
3) Americans need bare bones health insurance or medicaid if their income is low enough.

In my case:

Rent: $400 (roomy!!!)
Food: $200
Cell Phone: $30
Bus Pass: $70
Misc: $100 (Small emergencies, clothes etc.)
Total: $800/month or $9600 annually

I'd need to work about 18 hours per week at minimum wage to survive after taxes/government benefits.

How about you?

[DC Al Fine]

Where the heck do you guys live? My rent is $1500 a month and its considered a very good deal.

A lot of us are assuming that we'd live with a roommate. Plus you're in VA; NS rents are pretty cheap. You can get a 1BR in a decent neighbourhood walking distance from downtown for <$1k.

[DC Al Fine]

Where the heck do you guys live? My rent is $1500 a month and its considered a very good deal.

A lot of us are assuming that we'd live with a roommate. Plus you're in VA; NS rents are pretty cheap. You can get a 1BR in a decent neighbourhood walking distance from downtown for <$1k.

I was under the impression that rent was expensive in Halifax.

I did some research and you're right. Now houses on the other hand... I don't know how you people buy homes in Ontario.

[DC Al Fine]

I must be the only poster who ever gets sick.

Well some of us are internationals... In the OP I said Americans either had to be on Medicaid or have a barebones plan.

[DC Al Fine]

So you think improving your skills that are in demand in the marketplace has no correlation with subsequent income levels?  Really?

What 'skills are in demand' in the 'marketplace', and the wage rates that they are paid, are entirely determined by State policy, and changing that policy is the key to reducing poverty.   To use one example - Bushie and his 'CAD'.  This kind of woebegone struggle of the working class for the 'brass ring' is an utterly hopeless dead end.

At least try to address the question.

[DC Al Fine]

alone?  barely anything.  I can find a roommate, I can ride the bus/ride a bike, I already eat cheap.  I don't need much for entertainment as long as the internet is available.  With a little luck, I could probably "survive" on 3 or 400 bucks a month. 

As it is now in my life if we moved to a cheap apartment and got rid of a lot of life's "extras" like cell phones, cable, soda, we could probably do it on $1200 or so.


(some people's level of "survive" is sadly high....you should try being poor for a time, it doesn't have to be as bad as it seems.  It's a good life lesson and makes you appreciate the good sh**t more.  Those of you that grew up in an upper middle class home or higher and have never really suffered a day of labor in your life are missing out.)

Indeed. Hell you wind up spending less just by doing an honest day's work. I was always too tired to party when I worked as a labourer for the water utility.