How do people survive on wages close to minimum wage?

flutered

Hollister11 wrote: »

Plenty of people I went to school with are working full time in supermarkets. Most would be on circa €10 per hour.

How do people live on roughly 400 quid a week. Now they all live at home with the folks but what are they going to do in the future when they need a mortgage? How are they going to afford it?

I'm in college atm, and earn €50 a week, just to get by, but I'm sacrificing money now to have a good paying job for life.

Would these people not go to college and at least doubt what there on now a few years after graduating?

EDIT: Thread Title should be - How do people survive on wages close to minimum wage?

degrees are like assholes etc

Graces7

Hannibal_Smith wrote: »

So, erm, did we find out how people survive on wages close to minimum wage?

We found more than that. We found that we on low incomes do not just survive, but enjoy life within a tight budget.

Sam Kade

I once knew a man that had plenty money, he told me that when he had no money he thought that he would be happy if he had money but he said he wasn't happy. No wonder he wasn't happy because he never spent any of it, he left half a million punts after him The same man would split a match in two to spare money and he would get gone off meat at the butchers for free :eek:

B.A._Baracus

To answer the question of the thread (only in my opinion) but people on min wage just about survive. Those who don't live at home end up renting some so box that's overpriced (Dublin) and barely any money to do much.

Sunflower 27

It's all relative really. I don't see much difference between 400 a week and 600 a week. On the lower wage, you likely live outside Dublin or a main city centre, drive a smaller car (or don't drive), have far less stress and eat out a bit less and if you do drink, drink at home more than in pubs.

Also, remember that those on 400 a week would pay very little tax.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Graces7 wrote: »

We found more than that. We found that we on low incomes do not just survive, but enjoy life within a tight budget.

But the issue for this thread, is young working people trying to build a life. We pensioners can live on much less. Plus the OAP is not taxed and there are electricity allowances, phone allowance, fuel allowances, free travel etc. Some even get rent allowance. It's a different story for a young person who has to do a full week's graft for a low wage. Comparing their efforts to find a home, have a family etc. to a pensioner is pointless.

Feckoffcup

Part time masters student (distance learning), work a full time job £19k and look after a farm. Saving every penny i have!!!

Feckoffcup

Part time masters student (distance learning), work a full time job £19k and look after a farm. Saving every penny i have!!!

McCrack

History Queen wrote: »

Absolutely correct, we're over paid and under worked. Sure anyone could do what we do. It's a wonder they insist on a professional qualification for the job at all. We are glorified babysitters after all. Nice try at baiting but I am a teacher; it'll take more than a bit of goading ;-)

Those who can do, those who can't teach!!

Filmer Paradise

Edith Tart Thundercloud wrote: »

But the issue for this thread, is young working people trying to build a life. We pensioners can live on much less. Plus the OAP is not taxed and there are electricity allowances, phone allowance, fuel allowances, free travel etc. Some even get rent allowance. It's a different story for a young person who has to do a full week's graft for a low wage. Comparing their efforts to find a home, have a family etc. to a pensioner is pointless.

Also older people would often have the mortgage paid off. That's a major bill for younger people.

Also some younger people fall in for a house. That can make a big difference too.

If you have something like that behind you, a min wage but steady job would go a long way in comparison to most others.

Sunflower 27

Sunflower 27 wrote: »

It's all relative really. I don't see much difference between 400 a week and 600 a week. On the lower wage, you likely live outside Dublin or a main city centre, drive a smaller car (or don't drive), have far less stress and eat out a bit less and if you do drink, drink at home more than in pubs.

Also, remember that those on 400 a week would pay very little tax.

800 extra into your hand per month makes a big difference.

Widdershins

Graces7 wrote: »

We found more than that. We found that we on low incomes do not just survive, but enjoy life within a tight budget.

Some of you..those of you who are renting and can avail of state support, mainly, I think? Or those with grandparents providing childcare, negating the need to pay creche fees. Enjoying life is of course possible with the right frame of mind but financially security is another thing.

It's a good thread. I often think of the overlooked 'working poor' on close to minimum wage, when I say the many threads on social welfare payments.

Widdershins

Sam Kade wrote: »

I once knew a man that had plenty money, he told me that when he had no money he thought that he would be happy if he had money but he said he wasn't happy. No wonder he wasn't happy because he never spent any of it, he left half a million punts after him The same man would split a match in two to spare money and he would get gone off meat at the butchers for free :eek:

I know people like him. One in particular puts on the poor mouth, but she has savings, which she continues to add to with a very extravagant goal in mind, at the same time often complaining of being broke. she would never consider drawing on the savings. I believe the ones who could do with help don't mention money very much at all and some are too afraid to admit they're struggling.

Sunflower 27

Lacey Helpful Sifter wrote: »

800 extra into your hand per month makes a big difference.

I have lived with a good salary and a low one after being made redundant back in 2010. I adjusted. I rented a room to help with my mortgage back then, quit drinking and smoking, stopped buying clothes I didn't need and got a low-paying job where I could walk to work (no need for gym membership then either).
If you break down 800 it doesn't go far, a night out drinks and taxi home is probably 80 euro, a week for some people,. Do we really need these things? There's 320 gone already.
I didn't eat out much, but when I did, i really enjoyed it. In the past I ate out with friends all the time.

I joined my local library (free), had Netflix for movies, TV series. I lived simply but it certainly wasn't the case that I felt I was missing out on a good life. I also shopped in aldi/lidl and was more mindful of the electricity. All these things made a difference.

I knew my situation was only temporary and things would pick up, and they did.

Once you can afford the essentials it comes down to how you feel about the situation. Sitting at home thinking you need 800 more a month would depress anyone. Alternatively, use the situation to motivate yourself.

I'm in a far better situation now financially. I was able to use the redundancy to motivate me to go back to college and get an honours degree in something I always wanted to do (paid for on my credit card) that I have since paid off.

I suppose my point is an extra 800 is not essential to be happy or get the life you want. If i had not been made redundant, if I had not lived on so little, I would not have had the motivation to change.

Does 800 make life easier? Well yes, if you spend it wisely but it isn't necessary to be happy.

Graces7

Widdershins wrote: »

Some of you..those of you who are renting and can avail of state support, mainly, I think? Or those with grandparents providing childcare, negating the need to pay creche fees. Enjoying life is of course possible with the right frame of mind but financially security is another thing.

It's a good thread. I often think of the overlooked 'working poor' on close to minimum wage, when I say the many threads on social welfare payments.

I agree but the principal remains the same. There is no security in renting these days;I was almost made homeless fairly recently and am facing this again now. shudders.

Maybe look up the rates of "state support" too. Far less than minimum wage unless you have a fat pension plan which many of us never got a chance at .

The point is 'survival" and priorities in life. I know many of who you call "working poor" and they know how to enjoy life. The values are straight.

The reality remains; cut your coat according to your cloth. Then you will be content. Seek more than you can afford? Opposite

pilly

Sunflower 27 wrote:

I suppose my point is an extra 800 is not essential to be happy or get the life you want. If i had not been made redundant, if I had not lived on so little, I would not have had the motivation to change.

Totally agree. Having been unemployed for a period of time I soon realised how much money I had previously been spending unnecessarily.

One example being expensive toiletries when the cheap ones were just as good.

It's a real learning experience.

Heckler

When I was earning 400 a week I was renting a (albeit a bit crap) flat for 650 a month. Running a car and all its expenses. Paying VHI private health insurance. Went on at least one foreign holiday a year.

Paying off a credit union loan weekly but had over the balance in savings

Still got out at least once a week. I smoke and drink more than is good for anyone so if I cut that out I imagine the savings would go up.

Like someone said earlier "Cut your cloth".

My car gets me from A to B. I have no care what make or year it is.

Got married and split everything right down the middle even when she was making nearly twice as much (I'd have it no other way).

Got separated so after being kicked out of the martial home and moving around a bit I find myself out of financial necessity back in the family home.

Apart from handing up 100 a week rent (I know its a steal) I'm paying for the broadband, running my car, private health insurance.

I go out about every 2 weeks because at my age all my friends have wives/husbands/kids so I don't see them too often.

Its quite possible to survive and even enjoy yourself on that providing you have no mortgage or kids.

I never cared for either. Happy to rent for all my life.

Earning a bit more now but not enough to allow me to rent a single bed apt. in Cork city. I'm too damn old to be renting with strangers and too damn old to be embarassed about living back with my mother. Shes amazing and saved my bacon when everything went sideways.

30 year mortgage. Not for me but I can understand where people are coming from. Settling down, kids etc. and thats fantastic.

milli milli

Hollister11 wrote: »

So you hate ambitious people? Unless you get a degree, or a trade your not building a career for yourself.

You don't need to go to college to have ambition. Richard Branson dropped out of school and we all know what happened to him.

I have 2 degrees but I went the entrepreneurial route. I am earning much less than minimum wage. It is a struggle but to be honest I'd be delighted to be on €400 a week. Not everyone is materialistic and is tied to the trappings of the rat race.
I am ambitious and fully expect my business to take off. If you free yourself from what society expects of you, you can live a more free and happy life.

Wanderer78

milli milli wrote:

I have 2 degrees but I went the entrepreneurial route. I am earning much less than minimum wage. It is a struggle but to be honest I'd be delighted to be on €400 a week. Not everyone is materialistic and is tied to the trappings of the rat race. I am ambitious and fully expect my business to take off. If you free yourself from what society expects of you, you can live a more free and happy life.

Best of luck with your business

Graces7

pilly wrote: »

Totally agree. Having been unemployed for a period of time I soon realised how much money I had previously been spending unnecessarily.

One example being expensive toiletries when the cheap ones were just as good.

It's a real learning experience.

Agree totally and well done. I am always amazed in Aldi and Lidl at how much food I can get for so little. Buying basics etc and leaving a little room for treats...Altering menu according to what is reduced or on special. It is enjoyable! A challenge and that too is good. Becomes second nature.

beno619

Sofiztikated wrote: »

[/B]

Such as...?

A Computer science degree combined with a decent work ethic and aptitude will almost guarantee you 30k once you graduate.

Sunflower 27

Sunflower 27 wrote: »

I have lived with a good salary and a low one after being made redundant back in 2010. I adjusted. I rented a room to help with my mortgage back then, quit drinking and smoking, stopped buying clothes I didn't need and got a low-paying job where I could walk to work (no need for gym membership then either).
If you break down 800 it doesn't go far, a night out drinks and taxi home is probably 80 euro, a week for some people,. Do we really need these things? There's 320 gone already.
I didn't eat out much, but when I did, i really enjoyed it. In the past I ate out with friends all the time.

I knew my situation was only temporary and things would pick up, and they did.

800 does go far, them extra few nights out a month you can comfortably afford, more eating out, being able to buy things you want/need more often make a big difference in going from "getting through life" and actually enjoying life. It should also mean you are saving more money and when your car breaks down or when you need to buy something it's eliminates the large amount of stress that it causes to people who have no money on hand and are faced with trying to deal with difficult situations. Savings are also required for going for a mortgage and being stuck in renting is a cause of stress for most people therefore 800 extra per month could possibly all being going straight into savings for some people.

jamesthepeach

When I earned 20k i couldnt imagine living on €15k and thought that if I earned €40 id be rich.

When I earned €40k i couldnt imagine living on €30k and thought that if I earned €60 id be rich.

And it just keeps going on like that when you earn more.

Sam Kade

Lacey Helpful Sifter wrote: »

800 does go far, them extra few nights out a month you can comfortably afford, more eating out, being able to buy things you want/need more often make a big difference in going from "getting through life" and actually enjoying life. It should also mean you are saving more money and when your car breaks down or when you need to buy something it's eliminates the large amount of stress that it causes to people who have no money on hand and are faced with trying to deal with difficult situations. Savings are also required for going for a mortgage and being stuck in renting is a cause of stress for most people therefore 800 extra per month could possibly all being going straight into savings for some people.

What's the fascination with eating out?

PowerToWait

steddyeddy wrote: »

The guy who designed it actually failed his exams again and again in UCD. My former supervisor tried to deny him the chance to resit again and again but he eventually got through with a 2.2. Then he went straight into the department of education because of someone he was related to and eventually designed the curriculum. He was an idiot and the curriculum is idiotic. Let scientists design science curriculum.

I find it hard to believe a serious scientist would accept this thesis as fact and without further investigation or proof whatsoever, simply report same on a public forum.

It's such a laughable college bar rumour / legend.

Graces7

Sam Kade wrote: »

What's the fascination with eating out?

A good question and something I too often wonder about. Is this an Irish status symbol? I see how popular it is ..

Parchment

Graces7 wrote: »

A good question and something I too often wonder about. Is this an Irish status symbol? I see how popular it is ..

Popular? its a common thing in most developed countries. Its hardly a fad.

Graces7

Lacey Helpful Sifter wrote: »

800 does go far, them extra few nights out a month you can comfortably afford, more eating out, being able to buy things you want/need more often make a big difference in going from "getting through life" and actually enjoying life. It should also mean you are saving more money and when your car breaks down or when you need to buy something it's eliminates the large amount of stress that it causes to people who have no money on hand and are faced with trying to deal with difficult situations. Savings are also required for going for a mortgage and being stuck in renting is a cause of stress for most people therefore 800 extra per month could possibly all being going straight into savings for some people.

stats for that please as many here have said else .. the clear message here is that you stay within your income. Learn what really matters in life.

Graces7

Parchment wrote: »

Popular? its a common thing in most developed countries. Its hardly a fad.

Where did i say " fad" please?

Just asking as it is something that is completely alien to me. Always has been as a way of life. Very occasionally in my younger days. Seems a passion here?

Heckler

Graces7 wrote: »

A good question and something I too often wonder about. Is this an Irish status symbol? I see how popular it is ..

The Ladies love it.