The Family Budget Calculator estimates the resources families need to make ends meet across the United States. This report explains how policymakers, employers, and advocates can set meaningful living wage standards using the calculator.
I wish we treated “minimum wage” in the US like the name was supposed to imply, i.e., the minimum wage needed to survive. I would be okay with minimum wage if it allowed someone to afford shelter (maybe with roommates), food (cooking at home), utilities (electric, gas, internet), and other basic necessities like clothing. I would have included health care, but that’s a whole different topic. Minimum wage in Bumfuck, Texas should be different from Cityfuck, California. But instead we treat it as the minimum employers can pay someone, regardless of a typical human’s everyday needs.
Now, a “living wage” might be a step above that minimum, covering amenities/situations like living alone, having kids, entertainment, travel, advanced education, etc. The kind of things that are a step up from the survival-based minimum, but things everyone needs for a fulfilling life. But I want to start with a minimum, because that’s more achievable in US politics right now, has wide support, and is truly necessary for the people struggling right now.
Humbly, I have to disagree that a minimum wage should be a survival wage.
If a job is important enough to society to actually do it, it should pay enough to live a good life, not just living to work. And of course this would be based on the local economy and not a national minimum.
I don’t believe anyone should have to forgo basic comforts (small trip, eating out, etc) or pursuit of personal goals (like raising a family) in their one life just because they don’t have other employment opportunities - something not necessarily within their control at all.
Nobody asked to be here, and we really need to stop acting like they have a choice but to participate. Let’s give people some dignity. If a job is worth doing, it’s worth a living wage, full stop.
I wish we treated “minimum wage” in the US like the name was supposed to imply, i.e., the minimum wage needed to survive. I would be okay with minimum wage if it allowed someone to afford shelter (maybe with roommates), food (cooking at home), utilities (electric, gas, internet), and other basic necessities like clothing. I would have included health care, but that’s a whole different topic. Minimum wage in Bumfuck, Texas should be different from Cityfuck, California. But instead we treat it as the minimum employers can pay someone, regardless of a typical human’s everyday needs.
Now, a “living wage” might be a step above that minimum, covering amenities/situations like living alone, having kids, entertainment, travel, advanced education, etc. The kind of things that are a step up from the survival-based minimum, but things everyone needs for a fulfilling life. But I want to start with a minimum, because that’s more achievable in US politics right now, has wide support, and is truly necessary for the people struggling right now.
Humbly, I have to disagree that a minimum wage should be a survival wage.
If a job is important enough to society to actually do it, it should pay enough to live a good life, not just living to work. And of course this would be based on the local economy and not a national minimum.
I don’t believe anyone should have to forgo basic comforts (small trip, eating out, etc) or pursuit of personal goals (like raising a family) in their one life just because they don’t have other employment opportunities - something not necessarily within their control at all.
Nobody asked to be here, and we really need to stop acting like they have a choice but to participate. Let’s give people some dignity. If a job is worth doing, it’s worth a living wage, full stop.