A minimum-wage worker needs 2.5 full-time jobs to afford 1-bedroom home in most of US

[man down]

The minimum wage in Tennessee is $7.25 per hour. That is $1,160 per month before taxes. So let’s say $950 after taxes. What’s left after that $790 rent? $160 for the month.

I’m not a proponent of raising minimum wages too high. There is no incentive to better yourself or learn something new if you are content to make $15 per hour bagging groceries. The bigger problem is how the cost of housing got so out of control, particularly in big cities around the country.

I think what people have to look at is who is paying min wage these days? Min wage jobs are now paying much more and they're not required.

[JimRaynor]

Here is some info about where people live in the US



Big percentage living in large cities or suburbs of large cities, where housing in more expensive. Scranton? Who the hell lives in Scranton?

Bolded is my case and point, if all you are able to make is minimum wage then perhaps your ass should consider Scranton a possible destination and not NYC or Philly, but then again if you are living by NYC or Philly chances are it pays far greater than minimum wage. Thus lies the error in a lot of these studies, they take the minimum wage and apply it to the most expensive areas of the country.

There are 210,000 people living in Lackawana County, where Scranton is located. Not a metropolis by any means, but also not a deserted wasteland either. Scranton is a typical reflection of middle America.

[JimRaynor]

The minimum wage in Tennessee is $7.25 per hour. That is $1,160 per month before taxes. So let’s say $950 after taxes. What’s left after that $790 rent? $160 for the month.

I’m not a proponent of raising minimum wages too high. There is no incentive to better yourself or learn something new if you are content to make $15 per hour bagging groceries. The bigger problem is how the cost of housing got so out of control, particularly in big cities around the country.

The cost of housing is set by the markets. If cost of housing is this high that means there must be enough people willing to pay that price. And there are, the Median Household income in Tennessee is 51K, and median individual income for a single male is 43K. Only 4% of Tennessee population actually make minimum wage, and most of them are kids or people with very little skills.

[Eff Pandas]

I think what people have to look at is who is paying min wage these days? Min wage jobs are now paying much more and they're not required.

23M people make $11 or less.

42% of the workforce is making $15 or less an hour.

[man down]

23M people make $11 or less.

42% of the workforce is making $15 or less an hour.

Do you think those jobs should be for adults? How much should you make to work at good burger?

Do you think a teens first job should pay more than 11hr?

When I was a teen it was like 4.00hr I said screw that and started a lawn business lol.

[Eff Pandas]

The bigger problem is how the cost of housing got so out of control, particularly in big cities around the country.

The housing market surely has some sketchy pricing tactics, but they also are allowed to price for inflation.

Inflation is a thing. And its the main thing here as I see it. You cant have a stagnant min. wage for too long or these types of problems arise. Its surely a part of the homeless problem many bigger cities have as we speak too.

Mfers too into the unemployment rate over a liveable wage for US citizens. Sure if you bump up min. wage there will be some layoffs or hiring freezes but more people will be better off then those lesser numbers who will need to get public assistance & likely some job training to catch the next wave in some industry they are new too.

[Eff Pandas]

Do you think those jobs should be for adults?

Look around. Adults are doing those jobs now unless McDonalds & Walmart are paying more than I suspect they are. I remember when only HS kids were handing me my cajun rice. Now I regularly get some 25 to 60 year old handing me my cajun rice.

How much should you make to work at good burger?

Well McDonalds is making 20B a year so its hardly just a run of the mill burger joint. I think with stockholders being more valuable to companies than the US citizens they employ is problematic & a change from back in the day when it was easier to win in this country. But basically if you are making profit year in & year out & you arent paying your employees more money its bad form, but great for stockholders.

Do you think a teens first job should pay more than 11hr?

I think this is bigger than what a teens first job should pay. I got no horse in that race & dont think its THAT relevant to the conversation when 42% of US citizens are making 15/hr.

When I was a teen it was like 4.00hr I said screw that and started a lawn business lol.

Thats great man. Everyone isnt an enterprenuer doe. Idek if its feasible for everyone to be an entreprenuer although Ive wondered that with the coming boom with automation.

To me company workers are gonna get f#cked either way due to automation so thats another reason Im for min. wage being adjusted for inflation on a regular basis for the few who dont flip to the gig economy or do their own thing.

[man down]

The housing market surely has some sketchy pricing tactics, but they also are allowed to price for inflation.

Inflation is a thing. And its the main thing here as I see it. You cant have a stagnant min. wage for too long or these types of problems arise. Its surely a part of the homeless problem many bigger cities have as we speak too.

Mfers too into the unemployment rate over a liveable wage for US citizens. Sure if you bump up min. wage there will be some layoffs or hiring freezes but more people will be better off then those lesser numbers who will need to get public assistance & likely some job training to catch the next wave in some industry they are new too.

Good points.
That said things are going really well for markets including housing. SO, lets say we raise min wage to 17hr and the market crashes a year later then what? Rent goes down, sales go down, people dont eat out as much so business suffers. So on and on.

So now we have folks making 17hr min wage and no one to pay the wage because of a recession.


Its a tricky thing and its why I support a raise in min wage of a couple bucks. The markets will decide the rest much like its doing now with MFs making 17.50 a hr cooking chicken or taking your order.

The lower unemployment, the more they have to pay or else they wont have anyone to work.

[Eff Pandas]

Good points.
That said things are going really well for markets including housing. SO, lets say we raise min wage to 17hr and the market crashes a year later then what? Rent goes down, sales go down, people dont eat out as much so business suffers. So on and on.

So now we have folks making 17hr min wage and no one to pay the wage because of a recession.


Its a tricky thing and its why I support a raise in min wage of a couple bucks. The markets will decide the rest much like its doing now with MFs making 17.50 a hr cooking chicken or taking your order.

The lower unemployment, the more they have to pay or else they wont have anyone to work.

Well we are gonna have a recession sooner or later. Its all a cycle & sometimes things need to be adjusted up or down. Right now what needs to be adjusted the most is min. wage. If its a couple bucks or 15/hr I wont claim to know cuz I believe it to be more intricate a matter, but too many people are struggling right now & too many companies are thriving & becoming bigger. The scales are outta wack & need adjusting.

[man down]

Well we are gonna have a recession sooner or later. Its all a cycle & sometimes things need to be adjusted up or down. Right now what needs to be adjusted the most is min. wage. If its a couple bucks or 15/hr I wont claim to know cuz I believe it to be more intricate a matter, but too many people are struggling right now & too many companies are thriving & becoming bigger. The scales are outta wack & need adjusting.

Bro household income is up 6k. thats 500.00 a month more money. Gas prices are also low. Sure upper middle class that own rentals are taking renters to the cleaners but that has nothing to do with government or big business screwing people.

Yes we will have a recession sooner or later for sure. It would be nice to have a sliding min wage depending on the economy but we dont.

If you're in a ****ty area move. Yeah I know "I cant afford to move" but some how some way illegals get from Mexico to the US and they have no money to start with.