Since 2009, the federal minimum wage has remained at $7.25 per hour, with no adjustments to account for inflation. Over the same period, the U.S. dollar has lost roughly 17% of its value, as noted by the Economic Policy Institute. For this reason, many politicians and policy analysts argue that the minimum wage no longer qualifies as a “living wage”—one that covers basic living costs.
Yet millions of Americans still get by on this wage. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 1.1 million workers—about 1.5% of the nation’s workforce—earned wages at or below the federal minimum in 2020. Notably, in certain cases, tipped employees, full-time students, and other specific groups can legally be paid less than this baseline.
Somehow, these 1.1 million workers manage to survive on $7.25 an hour, week in and week out. How do they do it?
A Budget on Minimum Wage
By official government standards, single individuals supporting themselves on minimum wage aren’t technically considered to be living in poverty. Working a standard 40-hour week at $7.25 an hour brings in $290. Assuming 52 weeks of work per year—with no time off for vacations, illness, or family emergencies—that totals $15,080 annually. This amount puts a single worker about $2,200 above the official poverty threshold set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for most of the country.
However, this changes drastically for single parents. A minimum wage income falls below the poverty line by over $2,000 for a two-person household, more than $6,000 for a three-person household, and upwards of $11,000 for a family of four.
A 2017 study from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that around half of single-parent families where the parent earned minimum wage were living in poverty in 2016. Most of these families relied on various government assistance programs to get by.
But for single people with no dependents, the government claims the federal minimum wage is sufficient to avoid poverty. To test this, let’s look at the budget of a fictional minimum wage worker we’ll call Kai. Kai lives alone, has no children, and earns $15,080 per year. We can estimate Kai’s budget using guidelines from Quicken, which outlines typical percentage allocations for different expenses like housing, transportation, and food.
Taxes
Quicken’s budget percentages are based on disposable income—what’s left after taxes and deductions. So first, we need to calculate how much of Kai’s paycheck goes to taxes.
Even minimum wage earners pay federal income tax. Per the Tax Foundation, Kai can use the standard deduction to exclude the first $12,550 of annual income from taxation. The remaining $2,530 is taxed at 10%, totaling $253 in federal income tax. This reduces Kai’s net earnings to $14,827.
Kai also qualifies for little help from the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which primarily aids low-income parents. With no children, Kai would need to earn far less than minimum wage to get the full credit. In fact, if Kai is under 25 or over 65, they can’t claim the EITC at all. Assuming Kai is between 25 and 64, the IRS’s EITC Assistant shows a maximum credit of $57 with an income of $15,080, bringing net earnings up to $14,884.
But taxes don’t stop there. The IRS imposes a 6.2% Social Security payroll tax on the first $142,800 of income (no deductions allowed) and a 1.45% Medicare payroll tax on all income. Together, these take another $1,154 from Kai, leaving net pay at $13,730.
In many states, Kai would also owe state income tax. The federal minimum wage applies in 23 states and territories, per the U.S. Department of Labor. Three of these—Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming—have no state income tax; New Hampshire only taxes interest and dividends, which Kai likely doesn’t have. In other states, though, Kai would pay at least some. For example, in North Carolina, Kai would pay 5.25% on income above the $10,750 standard deduction for single filers, adding $227 in taxes and bringing total income down to $13,503.
Divided over 12 months, Kai’s disposable income is roughly $1,125 per month. Let’s break down how this might be spent.
Housing
A common guideline suggests spending no more than one-third of after-tax income on housing. Quicken’s budget follows this loosely, allocating 25–35% for housing (just rent or mortgage—most likely rent for someone like Kai; home insurance and utilities fall under other categories).
For Kai, one-third of take-home pay is $375 per month. But in many cities, finding housing at that price is impossible. For example, on Apartments.com, the cheapest studio in Asheville, North Carolina (a state under the federal minimum wage), costs $550 per month.
Kai could save by sharing an apartment. One two-bedroom listing there is $750—exactly $375 per person—but it’s unavailable; the next cheapest is $789, or $394.50 per person, still over budget.
Kai might try government housing aid, like the Housing Choice Voucher Program (once called Section 8), but many areas have long waiting lists, and even voucher holders often struggle to find housing.
Realistically, Kai will likely spend more than one-third of take-home pay on housing. The BLS’s Consumer Expenditure (CEX) Survey shows that in 2019, households with under $15,000 in income spent an average of $6,671 on shelter—over 44% of earnings.
Thankfully, with no kids, Kai could do slightly better by sharing a two-bedroom for $395 per month (around 35% of income), leaving $730 monthly for other expenses.
Utilities
Quicken’s housing budget doesn’t include utilities like heat, electricity, water, phone, or internet—they recommend 5–10% of after-tax income for these, which would be $56–$113 per month for Kai.
But this is unrealistic. The 2019 CEX Survey found that workers earning under $15,000 spent an average of $2,313 annually on “utilities, fuels, and public services”—including $290 for fuel/natural gas, $977 for electricity, $681 for phone service, and $366 for water.
Kai could cut costs with strategies like:
- Phone and internet: A basic cellphone plan (e.g., through Ting) for $10/month, plus a subsidized low-income internet plan for $5/month, totaling $15/month.
- Heating/cooling: Keeping the apartment cooler in winter (with window insulation) and warmer in summer (with open windows), or applying for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)—though only a small fraction of applicants get aid.
- Electricity: Turning off unused devices, using efficient bulbs, and line-drying laundry (new appliances would help but are unaffordable for Kai).
- Water: Taking shorter showers, fixing leaks, and using water-saving tools (with the landlord’s permission).
Assuming these tactics cut heating, electricity, and water costs by 10%, those bills drop to $1,470 annually. Adding $15/month for phone/internet brings total utilities to $1,650 per year, or $138 per month—over 10% of Kai’s take-home pay—leaving $592 monthly.
Transportation
Quicken recommends 10–15% of after-tax income for transportation. For car owners, this includes registration, loans, gas, maintenance, parking, and tolls (but not insurance, which is separate).
AAA estimates owning a small sedan costs $6,521 annually (for 10,000 miles). Excluding insurance, that’s $5,179 ($432/month)—far over 15% of Kai’s take-home pay, so Kai likely can’t own a car.
Public transit is cheaper in cities with good systems. The American Public Transportation Association reports 2019 average fares of $1.71 for city buses and $3.73 for commuter rail. Assuming 10 weekly work trips and 2 weekend trips, bus fare would cost $1,067/year ($89/month), and commuter rail $2,327/year ($194/month). Only bus fare fits within 10% of Kai’s take-home pay ($113/month).
Kai could limit trips by combining errands and walking for short distances. Keeping transportation at $89/month leaves $503 in the budget.
Food
Food is nonnegotiable. Quicken allocates 10–15% of after-tax income for food (groceries and dining out), but dining out is a luxury Kai can’t afford on $113–$169/month.
The USDA estimates at-home food costs across four levels; the cheapest (“thrifty”) plan costs ~$198/month for a single man under 50, or $176 for a woman—still over Kai’s budget.
Government food aid is limited for childless singles. Programs like school lunches or WIC target kids and parents; the only option is SNAP (formerly food stamps). But with take-home pay over $1,064/month, Kai doesn’t qualify.
To get by, Kai must cut food spending below the thrifty plan—via meal planning, reducing waste, extreme couponing, buying store brands, and eating more vegetarian meals (meat is pricey). If needed, Kai could turn to local food banks: Feeding America notes over half of food bank households have at least one employed person.
With these steps, Kai might get groceries down to $5/day ($150/month), leaving $353 monthly.
Health Care
Health care is one of the hardest expenses to cover. Quicken allocates 5–10% of take-home pay for out-of-pocket costs, plus 10–25% for insurance—up to 35% total, or $394/month. But after other expenses, Kai only has $353 left.
The 2019 CEX Survey shows workers with under $15,000 in income spent $2,318/year ($193/month) on health care—~$205/month today, adjusted for inflation.
If Kai’s employer doesn’t offer insurance, they could get a subsidized Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) plan. A Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) calculator shows a silver-level plan might cost nothing, covering 94% of costs—keeping out-of-pocket expenses low. Kai is lucky here: if income were below the poverty line, they’d lose the subsidy (the law assumed those under 138% of poverty would use Medicaid, but many states didn’t expand Medicaid, leaving childless adults ineligible).
If Kai has employer insurance, costs could rise. The 2020 KFF Employer Health Benefits Survey found single workers with workplace plans paid $1,243/year ($103.60/month) in premiums, and 83% had a deductible (average $1,644)—meaning Kai might pay premiums and cover most costs out of pocket.
To cut costs, Kai could use free/low-cost clinics, choose generics, and use prescription discount cards. With luck and healthy habits, Kai might keep health care to $200/month, leaving $153 for other expenses.
All Other Expenses
Quicken labels non-necessities (from haircuts to entertainment) as 15–30% of income, but this category includes many “essentials”: laundry, education, clothing (needed for better jobs), and household items (cleaning supplies, toilet paper, etc.).
The CEX Survey breaks down 2018 spending for those earning ≤$15,000:
- $184 on alcohol
- $405 on gifts
- $764 on household furnishings
- $410 on housekeeping supplies
- $476 on other household costs (e.g., laundry)
- $862 on clothing
- $340 on personal care
- $1,047 on entertainment
- $875 on education/reading
Total: $5,363/year ($446/month)—far more than Kai’s $153. To survive, Kai must slash these: skip alcohol, give homemade/secondhand gifts, shop thrifts, use cheap DIY cleaners, cut own hair, and use the library for free entertainment. It’s tough, but necessary on a tight budget.
Savings and Debt Payments
Quicken calls savings, investing, and debt payments “arguably the most important” category, recommending 10–20% of income. But this is impossible for Kai—saving $113/month would leave $1,012, which can’t cover expenses. Kai would dip into savings immediately, never building an emergency fund.
This is a huge problem if Kai has debt (student loans, credit cards). Loan payments could eat up all income, and without savings, Kai would borrow more to get by, sinking deeper into debt.
Many low-wage workers face this: the Federal Reserve reports that in 2019, the lowest 20% of households by income held $9,850 in debt ($10,468 today). At 5% interest, payments take $523/year from an already stretched budget.
Real People Living on Minimum Wage
Kai’s story shows it’s barely possible to live on minimum wage—for some. A single, debt-free person can stretch $1,125/month to cover basics but can’t save. Those with debt, kids, or unexpected costs likely can’t make ends meet.
It’s easier for couples sharing a household—two minimum wage earners splitting expenses need less than one alone, leaving more flexibility. But this fades for couples with kids: they must either have one parent stay home (losing an income) or pay for child care, which could cost a full minimum wage salary.
Yet we know 1.1 million U.S. workers do live on minimum wage. News outlets like The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Vice, CNBC, and Vox have interviewed them, and common themes emerge:
Government Aid
Many rely on government programs. Several interviewees use SNAP; one woman gets housing aid. The 2017 GAO report found 29% of families with a minimum wage worker were on Medicaid in 2016.
Help From Family & Friends
Nearly all depend on loved ones. Workers in the Los Angeles Times mention relying on relatives for child care, baby supplies, and bill help. Many move in with family (or rent cheap rooms from friends) because they can’t afford apartments. One woman told Vox she delayed divorce to avoid living alone.
Multiple Jobs
Vice and the Los Angeles Times note many work multiple jobs—e.g., a janitor who also works fast food, totaling 60 hours/week. The BLS reports 4.6% of U.S. workers (25+)—~6 million people—held multiple jobs in 2020. Others earn extra via gig work (Grubhub/DoorDash), paid medical studies, or plasma donation.
Constant Stress
Most live paycheck to paycheck, struggling to pay monthly bills. Some work 50+ hours/week; others have unpredictable schedules. Commutes take hours—one wakes at 5am for public transit. A single mother says she chooses between work and taking kids to the doctor.
Minimum wage jobs are often physical: 70% are in service roles (e.g., food prep), per the BLS. One grocery store worker describes 8–10-hour shifts on her feet, rushing between registers and stockrooms.
Living on the Edge
Even with sacrifices, many can’t pay all bills. One woman has an unpaid $100 ER bill; a young man owes $2,000 in medical costs. A Walmart worker in Arkansas told Vox she skips bills to buy food. Others face utility shutoffs, eviction, or homelessness.
Doing Without
Most commonly, workers go without—not just luxuries, but necessities. They drop out of school for lack of tuition, walk to work in bad weather (no bus fare), or go hungry. One woman says a raise would let her stock up on cleaning supplies (currently unaffordable); the young man with medical debt uses a Kindle for calls—he can’t afford a phone.
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Surviving on Minimum Wage – Can It Be Done in 2025?
2025-08-28T15:34:59
Since 2009, the federal minimum wage has remained at $7.25 per hour, with no adjustments to account for inflation. Over the same period, the U.S. dollar has lost roughly 17% of its value, as noted by the Economic Policy Institute. For this reason, many politicians and policy analysts argue that the minimum wage no longer qualifies as a “living wage”—one that covers basic living costs.
Yet millions of Americans still get by on this wage. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 1.1 million workers—about 1.5% of the nation’s workforce—earned wages at or below the federal minimum in 2020. Notably, in certain cases, tipped employees, full-time students, and other specific groups can legally be paid less than this baseline.
Somehow, these 1.1 million workers manage to survive on $7.25 an hour, week in and week out. How do they do it?
A Budget on Minimum Wage
By official government standards, single individuals supporting themselves on minimum wage aren’t technically considered to be living in poverty. Working a standard 40-hour week at $7.25 an hour brings in $290. Assuming 52 weeks of work per year—with no time off for vacations, illness, or family emergencies—that totals $15,080 annually. This amount puts a single worker about $2,200 above the official poverty threshold set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for most of the country.
However, this changes drastically for single parents. A minimum wage income falls below the poverty line by over $2,000 for a two-person household, more than $6,000 for a three-person household, and upwards of $11,000 for a family of four.
A 2017 study from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that around half of single-parent families where the parent earned minimum wage were living in poverty in 2016. Most of these families relied on various government assistance programs to get by.
But for single people with no dependents, the government claims the federal minimum wage is sufficient to avoid poverty. To test this, let’s look at the budget of a fictional minimum wage worker we’ll call Kai. Kai lives alone, has no children, and earns $15,080 per year. We can estimate Kai’s budget using guidelines from Quicken, which outlines typical percentage allocations for different expenses like housing, transportation, and food.
Taxes
Quicken’s budget percentages are based on disposable income—what’s left after taxes and deductions. So first, we need to calculate how much of Kai’s paycheck goes to taxes.
Even minimum wage earners pay federal income tax. Per the Tax Foundation, Kai can use the standard deduction to exclude the first $12,550 of annual income from taxation. The remaining $2,530 is taxed at 10%, totaling $253 in federal income tax. This reduces Kai’s net earnings to $14,827.
Kai also qualifies for little help from the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which primarily aids low-income parents. With no children, Kai would need to earn far less than minimum wage to get the full credit. In fact, if Kai is under 25 or over 65, they can’t claim the EITC at all. Assuming Kai is between 25 and 64, the IRS’s EITC Assistant shows a maximum credit of $57 with an income of $15,080, bringing net earnings up to $14,884.
But taxes don’t stop there. The IRS imposes a 6.2% Social Security payroll tax on the first $142,800 of income (no deductions allowed) and a 1.45% Medicare payroll tax on all income. Together, these take another $1,154 from Kai, leaving net pay at $13,730.
In many states, Kai would also owe state income tax. The federal minimum wage applies in 23 states and territories, per the U.S. Department of Labor. Three of these—Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming—have no state income tax; New Hampshire only taxes interest and dividends, which Kai likely doesn’t have. In other states, though, Kai would pay at least some. For example, in North Carolina, Kai would pay 5.25% on income above the $10,750 standard deduction for single filers, adding $227 in taxes and bringing total income down to $13,503.
Divided over 12 months, Kai’s disposable income is roughly $1,125 per month. Let’s break down how this might be spent.
Housing
A common guideline suggests spending no more than one-third of after-tax income on housing. Quicken’s budget follows this loosely, allocating 25–35% for housing (just rent or mortgage—most likely rent for someone like Kai; home insurance and utilities fall under other categories).
For Kai, one-third of take-home pay is $375 per month. But in many cities, finding housing at that price is impossible. For example, on Apartments.com, the cheapest studio in Asheville, North Carolina (a state under the federal minimum wage), costs $550 per month.
Kai could save by sharing an apartment. One two-bedroom listing there is $750—exactly $375 per person—but it’s unavailable; the next cheapest is $789, or $394.50 per person, still over budget.
Kai might try government housing aid, like the Housing Choice Voucher Program (once called Section 8), but many areas have long waiting lists, and even voucher holders often struggle to find housing.
Realistically, Kai will likely spend more than one-third of take-home pay on housing. The BLS’s Consumer Expenditure (CEX) Survey shows that in 2019, households with under $15,000 in income spent an average of $6,671 on shelter—over 44% of earnings.
Thankfully, with no kids, Kai could do slightly better by sharing a two-bedroom for $395 per month (around 35% of income), leaving $730 monthly for other expenses.
Utilities
Quicken’s housing budget doesn’t include utilities like heat, electricity, water, phone, or internet—they recommend 5–10% of after-tax income for these, which would be $56–$113 per month for Kai.
But this is unrealistic. The 2019 CEX Survey found that workers earning under $15,000 spent an average of $2,313 annually on “utilities, fuels, and public services”—including $290 for fuel/natural gas, $977 for electricity, $681 for phone service, and $366 for water.
Kai could cut costs with strategies like:
- Phone and internet: A basic cellphone plan (e.g., through Ting) for $10/month, plus a subsidized low-income internet plan for $5/month, totaling $15/month.
- Heating/cooling: Keeping the apartment cooler in winter (with window insulation) and warmer in summer (with open windows), or applying for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)—though only a small fraction of applicants get aid.
- Electricity: Turning off unused devices, using efficient bulbs, and line-drying laundry (new appliances would help but are unaffordable for Kai).
- Water: Taking shorter showers, fixing leaks, and using water-saving tools (with the landlord’s permission).
Assuming these tactics cut heating, electricity, and water costs by 10%, those bills drop to $1,470 annually. Adding $15/month for phone/internet brings total utilities to $1,650 per year, or $138 per month—over 10% of Kai’s take-home pay—leaving $592 monthly.
Transportation
Quicken recommends 10–15% of after-tax income for transportation. For car owners, this includes registration, loans, gas, maintenance, parking, and tolls (but not insurance, which is separate).
AAA estimates owning a small sedan costs $6,521 annually (for 10,000 miles). Excluding insurance, that’s $5,179 ($432/month)—far over 15% of Kai’s take-home pay, so Kai likely can’t own a car.
Public transit is cheaper in cities with good systems. The American Public Transportation Association reports 2019 average fares of $1.71 for city buses and $3.73 for commuter rail. Assuming 10 weekly work trips and 2 weekend trips, bus fare would cost $1,067/year ($89/month), and commuter rail $2,327/year ($194/month). Only bus fare fits within 10% of Kai’s take-home pay ($113/month).
Kai could limit trips by combining errands and walking for short distances. Keeping transportation at $89/month leaves $503 in the budget.
Food
Food is nonnegotiable. Quicken allocates 10–15% of after-tax income for food (groceries and dining out), but dining out is a luxury Kai can’t afford on $113–$169/month.
The USDA estimates at-home food costs across four levels; the cheapest (“thrifty”) plan costs ~$198/month for a single man under 50, or $176 for a woman—still over Kai’s budget.
Government food aid is limited for childless singles. Programs like school lunches or WIC target kids and parents; the only option is SNAP (formerly food stamps). But with take-home pay over $1,064/month, Kai doesn’t qualify.
To get by, Kai must cut food spending below the thrifty plan—via meal planning, reducing waste, extreme couponing, buying store brands, and eating more vegetarian meals (meat is pricey). If needed, Kai could turn to local food banks: Feeding America notes over half of food bank households have at least one employed person.
With these steps, Kai might get groceries down to $5/day ($150/month), leaving $353 monthly.
Health Care
Health care is one of the hardest expenses to cover. Quicken allocates 5–10% of take-home pay for out-of-pocket costs, plus 10–25% for insurance—up to 35% total, or $394/month. But after other expenses, Kai only has $353 left.
The 2019 CEX Survey shows workers with under $15,000 in income spent $2,318/year ($193/month) on health care—~$205/month today, adjusted for inflation.
If Kai’s employer doesn’t offer insurance, they could get a subsidized Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) plan. A Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) calculator shows a silver-level plan might cost nothing, covering 94% of costs—keeping out-of-pocket expenses low. Kai is lucky here: if income were below the poverty line, they’d lose the subsidy (the law assumed those under 138% of poverty would use Medicaid, but many states didn’t expand Medicaid, leaving childless adults ineligible).
If Kai has employer insurance, costs could rise. The 2020 KFF Employer Health Benefits Survey found single workers with workplace plans paid $1,243/year ($103.60/month) in premiums, and 83% had a deductible (average $1,644)—meaning Kai might pay premiums and cover most costs out of pocket.
To cut costs, Kai could use free/low-cost clinics, choose generics, and use prescription discount cards. With luck and healthy habits, Kai might keep health care to $200/month, leaving $153 for other expenses.
All Other Expenses
Quicken labels non-necessities (from haircuts to entertainment) as 15–30% of income, but this category includes many “essentials”: laundry, education, clothing (needed for better jobs), and household items (cleaning supplies, toilet paper, etc.).
The CEX Survey breaks down 2018 spending for those earning ≤$15,000:
- $184 on alcohol
- $405 on gifts
- $764 on household furnishings
- $410 on housekeeping supplies
- $476 on other household costs (e.g., laundry)
- $862 on clothing
- $340 on personal care
- $1,047 on entertainment
- $875 on education/reading
Total: $5,363/year ($446/month)—far more than Kai’s $153. To survive, Kai must slash these: skip alcohol, give homemade/secondhand gifts, shop thrifts, use cheap DIY cleaners, cut own hair, and use the library for free entertainment. It’s tough, but necessary on a tight budget.
Savings and Debt Payments
Quicken calls savings, investing, and debt payments “arguably the most important” category, recommending 10–20% of income. But this is impossible for Kai—saving $113/month would leave $1,012, which can’t cover expenses. Kai would dip into savings immediately, never building an emergency fund.
This is a huge problem if Kai has debt (student loans, credit cards). Loan payments could eat up all income, and without savings, Kai would borrow more to get by, sinking deeper into debt.
Many low-wage workers face this: the Federal Reserve reports that in 2019, the lowest 20% of households by income held $9,850 in debt ($10,468 today). At 5% interest, payments take $523/year from an already stretched budget.
Real People Living on Minimum Wage
Kai’s story shows it’s barely possible to live on minimum wage—for some. A single, debt-free person can stretch $1,125/month to cover basics but can’t save. Those with debt, kids, or unexpected costs likely can’t make ends meet.
It’s easier for couples sharing a household—two minimum wage earners splitting expenses need less than one alone, leaving more flexibility. But this fades for couples with kids: they must either have one parent stay home (losing an income) or pay for child care, which could cost a full minimum wage salary.
Yet we know 1.1 million U.S. workers do live on minimum wage. News outlets like The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Vice, CNBC, and Vox have interviewed them, and common themes emerge:
Government Aid
Many rely on government programs. Several interviewees use SNAP; one woman gets housing aid. The 2017 GAO report found 29% of families with a minimum wage worker were on Medicaid in 2016.
Help From Family & Friends
Nearly all depend on loved ones. Workers in the Los Angeles Times mention relying on relatives for child care, baby supplies, and bill help. Many move in with family (or rent cheap rooms from friends) because they can’t afford apartments. One woman told Vox she delayed divorce to avoid living alone.
Multiple Jobs
Vice and the Los Angeles Times note many work multiple jobs—e.g., a janitor who also works fast food, totaling 60 hours/week. The BLS reports 4.6% of U.S. workers (25+)—~6 million people—held multiple jobs in 2020. Others earn extra via gig work (Grubhub/DoorDash), paid medical studies, or plasma donation.
Constant Stress
Most live paycheck to paycheck, struggling to pay monthly bills. Some work 50+ hours/week; others have unpredictable schedules. Commutes take hours—one wakes at 5am for public transit. A single mother says she chooses between work and taking kids to the doctor.
Minimum wage jobs are often physical: 70% are in service roles (e.g., food prep), per the BLS. One grocery store worker describes 8–10-hour shifts on her feet, rushing between registers and stockrooms.
Living on the Edge
Even with sacrifices, many can’t pay all bills. One woman has an unpaid $100 ER bill; a young man owes $2,000 in medical costs. A Walmart worker in Arkansas told Vox she skips bills to buy food. Others face utility shutoffs, eviction, or homelessness.
Doing Without
Most commonly, workers go without—not just luxuries, but necessities. They drop out of school for lack of tuition, walk to work in bad weather (no bus fare), or go hungry. One woman says a raise would let her stock up on cleaning supplies (currently unaffordable); the young man with medical debt uses a Kindle for calls—he can’t afford a phone.