Could you put your hands on $2,000?

Parent Cafe
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<p>"yes romani, choice can be a factor. I use the word factor because choices affect poverty, but I realize no one wakes up in the morning and makes the active choice- I want to be poor!</p>

<h2>How much education a person has, if they have children, when they have children, how many children, if they marry, if they are tobacco users, if they drink alcohol or use illegal drugs, those are examples of choices that affect the likelihood of being in poverty. Add those items to choices mom2 listed that affect paycheck-to-paycheck living(though not poverty)."</h2>

<p>the one factor that most-likely leads to child poverty is single-motherhood (young single moms…not talking about single professionals who raise a child alone). when there are two parents, the child is far less likely to be raised in poverty. Are there poor families with two parents? Yes. But, those situations are not the norm and often the poverty is transitional.</p>

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<p>Not only from pay check to pay check, but withdrawing on a regular basis. Not many out there can pay tuition without withdrawals. Or pay off the property without withdrawals. Or course, you can choose not to send kids to schools or not to pay for them or not to buy properties…but then you do not need an income in this country to live much much better than in the most of the world, I mean, you do not need to work at all and many are just completely satisfied with this option.<br>
One fact from our family life will REMAIN in my head forever. D. has lost her first job when the min. wage was raised. These positions are for the beginners in life. I such a beginner decided to stay in this position for the rest of his/her life…why in a world it is somebody else’s fault? Everybody is aware of the fact that money do not grow on trees…or I am wrong in this assumption? If somebody is demanding hihher wage than money have to come from somebody else’s pocket. Many college educated in private businesses in professional positions, including those with te huge student loans, did not see increase in many years. Many of them are getting about $15 (or maybe below) for the work/position that requires a 4 years degree. How could a minimum wage be brought to this level? I am completely lost with this.<br>
Go back to school, get educated, move in a world. If your wage is low, your education will be free.<br>
I know that I will be hit time and again for this completely politically incorrect remarks. I am a bad person…</p>

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<p>I cant find it right now, but I just read about income levels of couples with kids.
Both income & education levels of those who chose to have children are lower than those without.</p>

<p>It certainly was true in our case. Not only did we vastly underestimate the amount of money and time that it took to raise a child, but we did so because we thought that was what came next, not because we were well suited.</p>

<p>We need much more information in the schools about sex education, and adult responsibilities, ( to raise educated, thoughtful voters).
Neither one of our families gave us guidance on those points and they were in a much better position to than many families. </p>

<p>Not the article I was looking for but interesting.

<a href=“Long-term Effects of Parents’ Education on Children’s Educational and Occupational Success: Mediation by Family Interactions, Child Aggression, and Teenage Aspirations - PMC”>Long-term Effects of Parents’ Education on Children’s Educational and Occupational Success: Mediation by Family Interactions, Child Aggression, and Teenage Aspirations - PMC;

<p>One thing that hurts so many folks is that they don’t embrace the concept that it “pays” to watch your nickels and dimes. Too many people don’t realize that a dollar here and a dollar there…really add up…especially when frequently wasted.</p>

<p>Good point & compared to in the 60’s, we have so many more things we can drop[starbucks] $10 on everyday without even realizing it. [/starbucks]</p>

<p>On the other hand, without much disposable income, you think you are saving money but it costs more in the long run.
D didnt have medical insurance for several years & so didnt go to a dr., a dentist or even an eye dr.
She also didnt buy books for a class that she really should have because it was $300, instead thinking she could use the library copy. She failed the class & had to come home for a year.</p>

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<p>One thing that hurts so many folks is that they don’t embrace the concept that it “pays” to watch your nickels and dimes. Too many people don’t realize that a dollar here and a dollar there…really add up…especially when frequently wasted.</p>

<p>my H came from a family that wasted money left and right. I came from a family with a cheap Italian dad (love you dad), and a very economical mom (she recycled/repurposed stuff before that was cool.) If my dad could save 25 cents by filling his gas tank at the station across the street rather than the station in front of him, he’d go to the cheaper station. Too many people would say, “Oh, it’s just a quarter!” … and that would be true if you only had to buy gas once a year. But, with several cars in the family, and tanks being filled weekly, a year’s worth of purchases made a difference. And applying that philosophy to all of the family’s frequent purchases saved money. </p>

<p>Nowadays, gas stations can differ by 20 cents a gallon per station within a short distance. Many folks think it’s no big deal to spend $3 more to put 15 gallons in their tank at the first station they see. But, if they fill their tanks weekly, that’s over $150 wasted in a year. And that’s just for one car. And that’s just one tiny area in a family’s life where money can be saved.</p>

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<p>Miami,</p>

<p>Those college graduates making $15 an hour are making $31,200 a year. They are living paycheck to paycheck. One hospitalization, one traffic accident, the car they need to get to work finally dying (we wont even talk divorce)…these are all events that can put them under and make it almost impossible to recover from. </p>

<p>Many people do not have family backing them up financially for them to overcome unexpected financial hardships. </p>

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<p>Actually, a 25-year old college graduate should be able to figure out how to recover from a financial setback. Maybe, we don’t give people enough credit. Tell them it’s impossible and it will be. Just a thought.</p>

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<p><<<<
Those college graduates making $15 an hour are making $31,200 a year. They are living paycheck to paycheck. One hospitalization, one traffic accident, the car they need to get to work finally dying (we wont even talk divorce)…these are all events that can put them under and make it almost impossible to recover from.
<<<<</p>

<p>Well, hopefully, that is just a new-grad income that will rise over time. And, once married, then there can be two incomes. </p>

<p>Yes, a new grad making that little would have a rough time if a big unexpected expense happens. hopefully, the person isn’t living alone. Sharing an apt or living at home until paycheck rises can help reduce living expenses. </p>

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<p>yes flossy, it IS the basis for the argument. Whether or not it applies specifically to the 16 yr old you know, unmarried teen mothers often fall into poverty far more often than those that wait for pregnancies and often marry.
Emer4 points out what I believe is an exception to the norm- I don’t believe most in poverty are that way because of properly used birth control that failed. Perhaps emer4 brought it up because they think so? Otherwise, the example has no real meaning to most everyone that can’t support their child.
Maybe I should have said “many in poverty…” to clarify my thought, but I sure didn’t say “everyone in poverty…”
Of course there are those that have had birth control fail, I didn’t need to be told that today to know. But I really doubt that the vast majority of those with children they can’t afford fell into that category.
Someone may be unaware they are pregnant, but they made choices before they got pregnant, and that is the heart of my point.</p>

<p>I don’t mind the question, but I do not wish to reveal my address to answer the question- where my local health department is.</p>

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<p>Starbucks is probably the poster child for why too many decent-income people live paycheck to paycheck. Paying $4+ for a beverage that costs pennies to make is just the most glaring example. Sure, if the person goes rarely as a treat, no biggie. But near-daily purchases be $100 a month…for one person.</p>

<p>Starbucks just symbolizes all that kind of spending. Don’t we know folks who buy their work-lunches everyday? Even a “cheap” $6 fast food lunch is $120 a month. And a $3 soft drink purchased 20 times per month is another $60.</p>

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<p>Yup, and two college debts. </p>

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<p>As careful readers know, my thoughts expressed weren’t just about children someone can’t afford. It was also many other choices that can lead to poverty. “I have a family of 4 and can’t live on minimum wage- so raise the minimum wage!” doesn’t hold water for me, UNTIL I find out more. If someone is truly forced into that position, I can feel for them. If someone made a series of poor financial decisions to wind up in that situation, then not so much. </p>

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<p><a href=“http://www.tlnt.com/2012/11/08/remember-those-3-salary-increases-now-theyre-the-new-normal/”>http://www.tlnt.com/2012/11/08/remember-those-3-salary-increases-now-theyre-the-new-normal/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>3% average raises </p>

<p><a href=“Current US Inflation Rates: 2000-2023”>http://www.usinflationcalculator.com/inflation/current-inflation-rates/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>2% avg inflation</p>

<p>wonderful</p>

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<p>*Actually, a 25-year old college graduate should be able to figure out how to recover from a financial *</p>

<p>Although it may not seem like it in some circles, certainly not on CC, or in my area, but most people do not have a college degree. While it *is * increasing, only about 33% of those 25-29, have a degree.
Neither my H or I have ever attended a 4 yr school, my brother got his degree over many years in the military, and neither of Hs sisters ( or mine) have a degree.</p>

<p>Another thing I want to mention, not because I am complaining ( although I do wish things had been different) , but because my experience seems to be very dissimilar from others on CC and I sense a curiousity.
But jobs that are available for people without a degree, are often irregular hours &/or long, which not only impacts health, but their ability to contribute to the community.</p>

<p>My H had a good manufacturing job, which required not only forced overtime of at least two weekends a month, but it was 2nd shift, for *many * years. I attempted to work and go back to school during this time, but my marriage really suffered since I could go weeks without seeing my H awake. He also didnt get to see the kids when they were awake & we couldnt afford childcare past preschool.
It was very rough on everyone, but not atypical for blue collar families.
How I envy countries with parental leave and consideration of the demands on families when scheduling worker hours.</p>

<p>Nowadays, gas stations can differ by 20 cents a gallon per station within a short distance. Many folks think it’s no big deal to spend $3 more to put 15 gallons in their tank at the first station they see. But, if they fill their tanks weekly, that’s over $150 wasted in a year. And that’s just for one car. And that’s just one tiny area in a family’s life where money can be saved.</p>

<p>My mom always had a gas card, but we mostly go to stations that have customer discounts. Safeway often will give you $.10 off a gallon, and Fred Meyer & QFC will give you money off at Shell.
There are also apps that tell you where the cheapest gas is.
Technology can actually save you a lot of money.
Since I have a smart phone, I can do a search right in the store, for prices & reviews which have forstalled many purchases. ( especially at Costco!)
But the biggest way my kids are saving money, is that I dont expect either of them to have children.
Which unfortunately, I can relate to.</p>

<p>( I do wish there were better birth control choices, so men can take more responsibility)
When are men going on the pill?</p>

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<p>People aren’t MEANT to feed their families on minimum wage. Those jobs are for kids and the tiny percent of the population who can’t do anything more skilled for higher pay. If people worked hard and procreated less until they could afford to take care of a family the country would be in a much better place. </p>

<p>These “poor people” that you’re describing likely have cell phones and cable tv, yet their kids are getting gov’t subsidized school lunches. It’s just sad.</p>

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And part of the scam is also that it’s apparently going to illegal workers.</p>

<p><a href=“Home | U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration OIG”>Home | U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration OIG;

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<p>Are there no workhouses?</p>

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<p>There are definitely income groups for whom it would be much more difficult to get their hands on $2000 than others. I still see decisions they make affecting their ability to save money or their level of debt. Cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption are two that I see quite often. I know of a number of people all making near minimum wage who would probably have about $2000/year more in disposable income if they didn’t smoke or drink. That is a hefty portion of ones income to dedicate to what are at best habits that provide little benefit and at worst are dangerous. For many the decision is immediate gratification over planning. It might be fun to have that latte at lunch but if it becomes something you do daily you’ve got the price of a semester of books tied up in fancy coffee.</p>

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<p>* If people worked hard and procreated less until they could afford to take care of a family the country would be in a much better place.*</p>

<p>Wondering what income this would be?
Are we interested in having a middle class? ( & not talking about middle class as defined on CC which seems to include those making 6figures, which is actually the top 20%)</p>

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<p>The poll didn’t ask “do you have at least $2000 in cash or credit?” It asked “How confident are you that you could come up with $2000 if an unexpected need arose within the next month?”</p>

<p>BIG difference…because the latter implies that you can tap family, friends, loans, credit for that $2k. If everyone around you is tapped out, and you have no access to credit (or your cards are charged up to the max)…that’s not just living paycheck to paycheck. That’s a seriously impoverished community. I’ve never, ever been that poor, even during my leanest (literally and metaphorically, lol) years as a college student. </p>

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<p>I always thought people spend way too much time focusing on the price difference for a gallon of gas myself. Sure, they vary a little, but on what used to be my way to/from work (on my current way I pass no gas stations) I would see 6 different gas stations, and I’ve never seen gas between them vary by more than 6 cents a gallon (and yes, I’ve been paying attention), filling up 3 times a month (as I was then, roughly) I’d save about $2.70 a month going to the cheapest one, if it was always 6 cents cheaper (though it wasn’t always 6 cents cheaper). Not worth thinking about in my opinion.</p>

<p>I also don’t really see $6 for lunch a day as a big problem… If you’re literally making minimum wage, sure, you should be careful of it. But if you’re making, say, $12/hr, then the difference between that and making your lunch every day is pretty negligible. I’d say myself I’m more inclined to try to save on rent and use that money on food, and I realize that not everyone is the same, but seriously, you can’t do a whole lot cheaper than $6 (with an appropriate amount of meat and vegetables) making a meal yourself. </p>

<p>Myself, I think rent is probably one of the biggest wastes a lot of people make. I know a guy who spends $1200/month on rent, for himself alone, here in the same city (and same part of the city - I live maybe 20 minutes walk from him) where I have a very nice place for $500 a month. That’s just $700 a month that doesn’t need to be spent. Two of my friends, one just bought brand new $26,000 car and the other a brand new $32,000 car, when a used $6000 car does just as good a job at getting you from A to B. My roommate has lots of expensive clothes, spends probably a few hundred a month on clothes, when clothes from Mejier (which we unfortunately don’t have here - but there are equivalent stores) keep you just as warm for a fraction of the cost. </p>

<p>Chasing nickles and dimes seems silly to me. I have my expenditures that may seem wasteful (mainly food and drink) but these are far less wasteful and far more beneficial to my quality of life then these other silly expensive things. </p>