How do people survive on wages close to minimum wage?

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Bam Bam Mickey wrote: »

Sounds unhealthy.
From affecting iron absorption to digestive problems and weight gain, I couldn't drink so much milk.

Weight gain? I wish. I'm 73, 6ft 1 and just under 12 stone. And that's the heaviest I've ever been. Cereal for breakfast and supper, a glass of milk with dinner, plus custard etc through the week doesn't be long running through the milk.

KERSPLAT!

Burn him at the stake I say.

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

Edith Tart Thundercloud

Edith Tart Thundercloud wrote: »

Weight gain? I wish. I'm 73, 6ft 1 and just under 12 stone. And that's the heaviest I've ever been. Cereal for breakfast and supper, a glass of milk with dinner, plus custard etc through the week doesn't be long running through the milk.

Just sounds like a lot when it's monetary amount.

Mr.S

Mr.S wrote: »

I like how this thread has progressed from surviving on minimum wage to questioning how much milk should be bought a week.

Hehe.
It's amazing how much you can live on if you take away convenience.

osarusan

People who do not live the way I live or have values similar to mine should be stoned to death.

I used to be able to spend €20 on food a week when I was a student. Less even! I don't eat meat (I eat fish these days but didn't back then). Also used to have a very small appetite so was grand.

These days I go out for food at least once a week. I can cook and do eat home cooked dinners most of the time. I love going out for food though! We luckily have some great restaurants in Cork and it's nice to eat out every so often. Not just for the food but for the social aspect also.

I also buy lunches at work 5 days a week. We have a great subsidised canteen which is the same quality as restaurant food. Yes, I could probably make cheaper meals at home and bring them to work...but I can afford to eat at work everyday so why not.

Oh and in our house of two people we probably spend about €3 a week on milk. My grandmother spends a lot on milk though. She only buys Lee Strand for some reason and drinks a lot of it!

KERSPLAT!

I'd spend around €50-60 easy on food for myself a week. Add in a night out or takeaway and you're talking €100 easy.

The more money you have the more you spend. When I was on SW I bought everything cheap, once I was fed I didn't care. Now I have a half decent salary I buy better foods, better ingredients, eat out more, etc.

Things I don't need I still buy because I like to treat myself. What's the use in working 40+ hours a week breaking your bollox if there's nothing to enjoy at the end of it.

Just to stay on topic... I drink about 3L of milk a week.

Widdershins

I'm not fantastic at maths but I think if everyone wanted to live off the much-vaunted Reduced Aisle, then there might be a bit of a supply problem. I do know people who used to tear into Tesco at stupid o'clock in the morning, back when they opened 24 hours, to snatch up the 'bargains'. They often ended up spending time and money on hunting these bargains and ending up with stuff they wouldn't have spent any money at all on if it didn't have a reduced sticker on it. Aldi seems like a good option for those on a budget.

Murrisk

When I was a teenager, there was five of us in the house and we went through 28 litres of milk a week, every week. :eek:

Murrisk

Murrisk wrote: »

When I was a teenager, there was five of us in the house and we went through 28 litres of milk a week, every week. :eek:

That's 6 litres per person on average.
Wow

Widdershins

Graces7 wrote: »

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

That depends on who you ask-take a look at the Landlords threads and see how easy or hard they say it is to evict someone.

To suggest people who are struggling and don't appear to ''know how to enjoy life'' and their ''values'' aren't ''straight'' is highly obnoxious. You really have no idea what and who you're dismissing there.

State support comes with the right to Rent Allowance, bringing the total to far more than what the working poor could hope to earn or have at their disposal. Not to mention numerous other additional allowances like Back to School. If you have access to Rent Allowance then you have as much or more security than a low-paid mortgage holder, who isn't entitled to any such support. I'd like to see you running peoples' budgets and lives after walking a mile in their shoes. The reality: Some people don't have enough cloth.

Hollister11

Murrisk wrote: »

When I was a teenager, there was five of us in the house and we went through 28 litres of milk a week, every week. :eek:

There's 5 in ares and we use roughly 20L between us.

skankkuvhima

Not that milk has much to do with the topic at hand but we easily go through 2L of milk a day (family of 5). Between tea/coffee, breakfast cereal, glasses of milk with lunch, glasses of milk with dinner and, hot chocolate we'd easily do it.

Graces7

Mr.S wrote: »

€12 a week on milk for 1 person!? 12 litres of milk!?!



You live frugally, which is fine but a lot of people do not want to go into Dunnes to buy reduced food thats going off on the same day. Most people will spend a little more for convenience.

OK.but far from "going off" and not on the same day either. Bananas are a good eg. always stray ones that will keep a few days.

Mister Vain

The latest status symbol is the size of your drone. I have the second biggest drone on my estate.

qo2cj1dsne8y4k

Graces7 wrote: »

:rolleyes: Your idea of "little pleasures" !!! Not my idea of pleasure either thankfully. Far better things to do with my money and time and that was so when I was earning.

E20 for a takeaway! My word! Would feed me HAPPILY and well for a week and I know what is in the food..

No need for the eye roll Grace, you're coming across as condescending and I'm sure that's not your intention.
20 euro for a week? If you choose to live like that, that's your business but it sounds like hell to me. I spend 84 euro just over every 2 weeks on a bag of dog food for my dogs. That's 42 euro per dog. 21 euro per dog per week. So I couldn't even feed my dogs healthy food on 20 euro a week and they only eat two meals per day.

Little pleasures differ for everyone. For me, its clothes, makeup, a new pair of shoes, getting my nails done, having a massage, a nice bottle of wine.
For himself, it's a new PlayStation/Xbox game (sometimes he'll spend more to get the special edition box), going away to matches, drinking craft beer, going to a cross fit gym.
Sometimes we have "together" pleasures, a weekend away where I go to the spa and he flakes out in the pool/gym/golf course, going out for dinner, going to the cinema, going to nice bars, going to shopping centres, day trips etc

I'm well aware people have different pleasures but I indulge other people's and they indulge mine.

I work 40+ hours a week. So does he. It's nice to get up on a Sunday, meet the girls for brunch, head to newbridge/Liffey valley/dundrum/blanch for a day's shopping, going for food (and cocktails or wine when someone else is driving) and deciding on the way home if there's anything worth seeing in the cinema. A Sunday with the girls from brunch to cinema could set me back 200+ euro depending on if there was anything nice in the shops or not.

Why not though? I'm a young girl. I work extremely hard. Why would I kill myself working to go buy food down the reduced aisle because it's about to go off? What's so wrong with saying "I feel like a chicken curry" and going buying the freshest ingredients? Why does it come across as you judge those who don't live a frugal lifestyle?

Graces7

Widdershins wrote: »

I'm not fantastic at maths but I think if everyone wanted to live off the much-vaunted Reduced Aisle, then there might be a bit of a supply problem. I do know people who used to tear into Tesco at stupid o'clock in the morning, back when they opened 24 hours, to snatch up the 'bargains'. They often ended up spending time and money on hunting these bargains and ending up with stuff they wouldn't have spent any money at all on if it didn't have a reduced sticker on it. Aldi seems like a good option for those on a budget.

I look only the maybe once in ten days I am out .. yes it could an become an obsession indeed., rather than useful fun. Sometimes there is something I really . love but that is not worth the usual price.

Each of the 4 main shops has its own attractions and I enjoy the hunt Takes any drudgery out of shopping too.. Rarely Dunnes as far too far away Was in Dunne;s this week and was reaching out for a reduced ham fillet when an old man beat me to it! Bless him, he was thrilled. Really thrilled.

And all the main shops have basics at the same low prices; milk, butter, bread etc. so ALDI is no cheaper for basics. But I love ALDI too..

If there is nothing, fine, but fun and more.

Graces7

[QUOTE=LexieOnRale;103304324]No need for the eye roll Grace, you're coming across as condescending and I'm sure that's not your intention.
20 euro for a week? If you choose to live like that, that's your business but it sounds like hell to me. I spend 84 euro just over every 2 weeks on a bag of dog food for my dogs. That's 42 euro per dog. 21 euro per dog per week. So I couldn't even feed my dogs healthy food on 20 euro a week and they only eat two meals per day.

Little pleasures differ for everyone. For me, its clothes, makeup, a new pair of shoes, getting my nails done, having a massage, a nice bottle of wine.
For himself, it's a new PlayStation/Xbox game (sometimes he'll spend more to get the special edition box), going away to matches, drinking craft beer, going to a cross fit gym.
Sometimes we have "together" pleasures, a weekend away where I go to the spa and he flakes out in the pool/gym/golf course, going out for dinner, going to the cinema, going to nice bars, going to shopping centres, day trips etc

I'm well aware people have different pleasures but I indulge other people's and they indulge mine.

I work 40+ hours a week. So does he. It's nice to get up on a Sunday, meet the girls for brunch, head to newbridge/Liffey valley/dundrum/blanch for a day's shopping, going for food (and cocktails or wine when someone else is driving) and deciding on the way home if there's anything worth seeing in the cinema. A Sunday with the girls from brunch to cinema could set me back 200+ euro depending on if there was anything nice in the shops or not.

Why not though? I'm a young girl. I work extremely hard. Why would I kill myself working to go buy food down the reduced aisle because it's about to go off? What's so wrong with saying "I feel like a chicken curry" and going buying the freshest ingredients? [/QUOTE]

As you say; that is in your interpreataion not my intention. Wonder what you are though getting at here? If that is how you choose then why worry if someone else thinks so differently?

I am not being judgemental; are you? So many live as I do and enjoy it. And would not enjoy what you live. and you would not enjoy how I live. OK? OK!

The thread is about living on a low income; as if that is some kind of deprivation. It is not is what I am many others are saying.

Widdershins

Graces7 wrote: »

I look only the maybe once in ten days I am out .. yes it could an become an obsession indeed., rather than useful fun. Sometimes there is something I really . love but that is not worth the usual price.

Each of the 4 main shops has its own attractions and I enjoy the hunt Takes any drudgery out of shopping too.. Rarely Dunnes as far too far away Was in Dunne;s this week and was reaching out for a reduced ham fillet when an old man beat me to it! Bless him, he was thrilled. Really thrilled.

And all the main shops have basics at the same low prices; milk, butter, bread etc. so ALDI is no cheaper for basics. But I love ALDI too..

If there is nothing, fine, but fun and more.

:pac: I do my shopping online now, to avoid town altogether. I just can't stand dealing with traffic and crowds. I don't think we have anything like the Extreme Coupon-ing they do over in the U.S but the Clubcard does come in handy when the discount vouchers arrive every few months.

Sam Kade

Parchment wrote: »

If going to a restaurant is "big" to you we are on totally different wavelengths.

"if they earned enough they could do it every so often" - what does that even mean? Most of my friends enjoy a night off from cooking now and then, thats not really a status symbol. They dont ring around to let everyone know they are going out for food.

You must internally implode when you see someone driving a Lexus if you think eating out is a status symbol.

What the hell are you on about? You reckon my world is small when I said it's big you change it to this nosense to suit your argument :rolleyes:

neonsofa

LexieOnRale wrote: »

No need for the eye roll Grace, you're coming across as condescending and I'm sure that's not your intention.
20 euro for a week? If you choose to live like that, that's your business but it sounds like hell to me. I spend 84 euro just over every 2 weeks on a bag of dog food for my dogs. That's 42 euro per dog. 21 euro per dog per week. So I couldn't even feed my dogs healthy food on 20 euro a week and they only eat two meals per day.

Little pleasures differ for everyone. For me, its clothes, makeup, a new pair of shoes, getting my nails done, having a massage, a nice bottle of wine.
For himself, it's a new PlayStation/Xbox game (sometimes he'll spend more to get the special edition box), going away to matches, drinking craft beer, going to a cross fit gym.
Sometimes we have "together" pleasures, a weekend away where I go to the spa and he flakes out in the pool/gym/golf course, going out for dinner, going to the cinema, going to nice bars, going to shopping centres, day trips etc

I'm well aware people have different pleasures but I indulge other people's and they indulge mine.

I work 40+ hours a week. So does he. It's nice to get up on a Sunday, meet the girls for brunch, head to newbridge/Liffey valley/dundrum/blanch for a day's shopping, going for food (and cocktails or wine when someone else is driving) and deciding on the way home if there's anything worth seeing in the cinema. A Sunday with the girls from brunch to cinema could set me back 200+ euro depending on if there was anything nice in the shops or not.

Why not though? I'm a young girl. I work extremely hard. Why would I kill myself working to go buy food down the reduced aisle because it's about to go off? What's so wrong with saying "I feel like a chicken curry" and going buying the freshest ingredients? Why does it come across as you judge those who don't live a frugal lifestyle?

Exactly, if you work hard for the money and it's yours to spend then why not spend it on things that make you feel happy and content. You can't bring it with you when you die and we're only here for a short time so may as well enjoy that time. I love eating out, getting nicely cooked food served up while I relax and then not having to wash up after. I am the one who gets up early and spends a lot of my time doing work (which I admittedly enjoy) in order to earn the money so why should I then limit my spending?

I hate when people act like a person spending their own money on their own interests/pleasures is selfish or frivolous or something. It would be a lot more sad imo if someone worked hard every day and didn't even get a little bit of enjoyment as a reward.

Graces7

Murrisk wrote: »

When I was a teenager, there was five of us in the house and we went through 28 litres of milk a week, every week. :eek:

A cow would have been handy!

Graces7

Graces7 wrote: »

A cow would have been handy!

Probably need 2 for that amount.

Sam Kade

Bam Bam Mickey wrote: »

Probably need 2 for that amount.

A decent cow will milk 30 litres a day.

qo2cj1dsne8y4k

Graces7 wrote: »

As you say; that is in your interpreataion not my intention. Wonder what you are though getting at here? If that is how you choose then why worry if someone else thinks so differently?

I am not being judgemental; are you? So many live as I do and enjoy it. And would not enjoy what you live. and you would not enjoy how I live. OK? OK!

The thread is about living on a low income; as if that is some kind of deprivation. It is not is what I am many others are saying.

Where have I judged? I'm merely pointing out there's no need to berate others for where they find enjoyment in life. Life is for living, not enduring. I don't believe there's a special place in heaven for those who've lived a martyr life.

Getting back on topic, there's a difference between living on a low income that you're earning and a state funded income. If a person is on social welfare they're more protected. If a person had to pay full rent on a home, full ESB, TV licence, full price for dr dentist and medication on a low wage, they're a lot more squeezed than someone who is having their lifestyle subsidised.

Graces7

Widdershins wrote: »

:pac: I do my shopping online now, to avoid town altogether. I just can't stand dealing with traffic and crowds. I don't think we have anything like the Extreme Coupon-ing they do over in the U.S but the Clubcard does come in handy when the discount vouchers arrive every few months.

I was in Galway City yesterday afternoon; must have been mad ..oh there was a reason but !

I gave up rather soon after getting blasted a few times for being in the wrong lane ..

Usually I am there as soon as eg LIDL opens at 8 am and out before it gets hectic.

Time is coming when I will need help with shopping as my mobility is getting harder. No idea if they will deliver out here but else can get help. Lived housebound many years and to shop now is a treat in itself . and it will increase costs for me too. No more bargains
Hate the idea so am razzling as much as I can now. Out with the trolley and charge! And seeing the huge selections of produce etc.. wonderful. Anyone can window shop...

qo2cj1dsne8y4k

Sam Kade wrote: »

A decent cow will milk 30 litres a day.

Who wants a fresian looking like Kate moss in the garden though

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Bam Bam Mickey wrote: »

Probably need 2 for that amount.

Not at all. We had a cow many years back and got 2 to 3 gallons per day for 10 months of the year. More than enough to also make our own butter. A lot of work is involved in keeping one though. The daily milkman is much easier.
My grandmother's goats only yielded about a gallon but it was inconsistent and horrible stuff anyway.

Graces7

LexieOnRale wrote: »

Where have I judged? I'm merely pointing out there's no need to berate others for where they find enjoyment in life. Life is for living, not enduring. I don't believe there's a special place in heaven for those who've lived a martyr life.

Getting back on topic, there's a difference between living on a low income that you're earning and a state funded income. If a person is on social welfare they're more protected. If a person had to pay full rent on a home, full ESB, TV licence, full price for dr dentist and medication on a low wage, they're a lot more squeezed than someone who is having their lifestyle subsidised.

Peace, please. Just peace, Some of this post is....and you are missing the point that like many I ENJOY life. I really do. Fully and wholly and entirely.

Maybe you forget I am nearly 80? and in increasingly challenged health and life is precious in itself.

Peace please.