Re: MSNBC (Oberg) - Deadly space lessons go unheeded

From: Terrell Miller (millerto_at_bellsouth.net)
Date: 01/29/05 

Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2005 00:31:56 -0500

JazzMan wrote:

> I challenge all you allegedly intelligent people here to sit
> down and write out a simple budget using real world numbers
> and show proof that someone making minimum wage can afford
> health insurance and live a minimal life out of the rain on
> at least 1,600 calories a day. Electricity, phone, entertainment,
> and education costs extra, of course.

well, it *can* be done depending on where you live and work. You'd have
to put in 50-hour weeks (i.e. work two minimum wage jobs) and keep your
expenses to the bare minimum, but it would go something like this:

income:
annual wages (2600 hours x $5.15) = $13,390
wages per month = $1116
taxes at 28% = $312
monthly take-home = $803

expenses:
housing (share of rent and utilities) = $450
basic health insurance = $150
food (a boring but nutritious diet) = $100
automotive or public transport = $50
clothing and toiletries = $30
PC and dial-up internet = $20
Total monthly expenses = $800

Some of this might be unreasonable, granted. When I was laid off a
couple years ago I was paying about twice per month in COBRA what I show
above, but then I could have chosen less coverage, so I dunno.

I have no idea how to figure in "education", that could mean anything.
If you mean taking night classes, I would assume you would get financial
assistance and pay back the loans when you get a higher-paying job.
Sorry, it's been so long since I was in school I really have no idea.
You can learn an awful lot on the internet, though. 

-- 
Terrell Miller
millerto@bellsouth.net
"Every gardener knows nature's random cruelty"
-Paul Simon RE: George Harrison

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