September 19, 2005
Working poor
I am wondering just how many working poor there are in North America. People like myself who work and work and never manage to have much of anything. Much of anything? How about basically nothing. I think I will do some research into this to see. I am going to have to take another job... which seems particularly unfair to the family. I can surely manage to work more than 40 hours a week but not being home for Billy can't be good. I know that I spend too much on this shitty smoking habit, which I need to quit for more reasons than just financial. I am so sick of NOT having any money at all. Not being able to buy anything extra. Basic living expenses are horrific in these times.
Rent:800 (more than a full paycheck every month)
Food:400 (rarely this much as we are living on/eating all the things which are not good for you but rather inexpensive)
Heat:100
Car fuel:120 (115.9/L right now) (there are 3.78L per gallon)*the price charts on the station signs don't even have a 3 or 4 number slot* (thats $4.38/G!!)
Car insurance:50
Meds *if I can afford them* 300/month
TOTAL thus far:1770
I make approx $1500/m working
The government sends me a cheque once a month for approx 200 dollars. This is what we used to call "family allowance" and is now known as CCTC (canada child tax credit) so the total is now 1700/m and with the 200 dollars I receive for Billy, now I make 1900/m, which sounds awesome and amazing. I know there a lots of people who live on a lot less than me. And somehow manage. Somehow manage? HOW!? I can barely do this. I am exhausted from trying to make ends meet. I am mentally wrecked each month from trying to play "catch up" with bills and bill collectors. I have no phone, can't afford the added expense. I haven't bought clothes in eons. Billy bought his own school clothes this year, from monies I gave him for his visit with his dad. Pathetic.
I am pathetic
Posted by hellonwhls on September 19, 2005 06:02 AM
I think there are lots of people in the same boat. I'm unable to work right now, and luckily, my husband's job covers our expenses, but certainly not all of them. We got really behind on 2 credit cards, and now the finance rate is atrocious. We're going to see if another credit card will raise our credit line so we can transfer the balances. Maybe that's something to look into. Still, we have no savings and he has barely anything in his 401(k).
Posted by: Barb at September 19, 2005 12:57 PM
sure there are but down here in the states they pretend that working people don't exist anymore. if you don't have all the stuff and make 150 thousand a year you are a bottom feeder. what has happened to our values as a society? i think the future looks bleak. Drop me an email sometime I would love to share my bipolar existance and medication experiences.
Posted by: ron at September 20, 2005 06:29 PM
I understand, have lived with the same relization all my life. Due to depression and social anxiety I have never been able to hold a job for long. They (corprate America) sense and prey on your weakness. It's not fair that some make so much $, while you are working so hard, and they can't even do your job, but most likely you can do thier's. I wish there were something I could do about this injustness, I'm open to suggestions!
Posted by: Pamela at November 18, 2005 12:37 PM
Hi hellonwhls, I thought you might like to use this to further your bible studies!
Shepherd's Chapel
http://www.shepherdschapel.com/
Enjoy your studies! alisicia
Posted by: alisicia at December 12, 2006 05:48 AM