We live in Canada where there are ZERO health care costs and a higher minimum wage, so it's a little easier here.

__________________

I read that book when it first came out. If i remember right some of the coworkers mentioned in the writer's book lived in their cars, or rented rundown motel rooms by the week. I don't think you could live on min. wage here and be able to afford rent on anything, and we aren't a big city but rent keeps climbing in this area, so does the price of gas,electric, groceries,etc.

__________________
"Go on, get outside, get the stink blown off ya!!"

I think you can do quite well if you're a teenager, live at home with your parents and you're on their health insurance plan!

No, I don't think so. Not if you have to pay rent

__________________
~Happiness is a large family~

I also think its all very relative to where you live in the country. Here in CT, minimum wage is I think 7.50, or close to that. If you have no kids, it would be hard, but I think it could be doable. If you are trying to support kids on that, no way. AT my job, starting rate for an entry level position is $9. I do know people that live on that.

__________________
~Missy~Mommy
Meghan8.Samantha7,Cameron4

I really don't think it would work without assistance, unless you somehow had somehow inherited a car or house or something to that effect

__________________
Heather

In the book, those were usually the biggest issues. People who had housing or roommates usually did better. Also, transportation really limited where people could work. If you didn't have a car, you had to work within walking distance or at least where you could get to w/public transportation. That's something I think most of us don't consider.

__________________
Read my Mommysavers Blog: Forget the Joneses
Check out the Mommysavers Group on Facebook

Download my free eBook full of savings ideas for the holidays Click Here

we are a family of 4 and live on just over $30,000 and with no public assistance and have to pay for lunch for my kids....but we already own everything we have and do not use credit cards.....do I think you can do min. wage yes...would it be hard ..most definatley.....places here you can sign up for sliding fee at the drs. to help with that..... and it is cheaper to live here I do believe but prices seem to be rising every day.

__________________
CHOOSE TODAY WHOM YOU WILL SERVE!!!

Yes with arrangements If you own a house in full or have room mates I can see it and No
If you have one min wage income and are trying to do it alone You couldn't even afford to rent a place here

__________________
Kimberly Proud Mommy to Bethany Rose April 2006

I am sure it is possible, depending on where you live in the country. If you actually got about 40 hours a week, and lived by yourself. Take the closest town to me. I think minimum wage here is at least 6.15, but I am not positive. So that would be 246 a week. I am going to guess 200 after taxes, but I can't be positive, just thinking back to when I had a job. There are apartments in town that you could get for 400 a month that include everything. A bus pass must be about 30 dollars now. 150 for food. That still leaves you with some money to decide what to do with. Savings, cable, phone entertainment.
It all boils down what you are willing to live with.

__________________
I have nothing to declare except my genius."
- Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) upon arriving at U.S. customs 1882