Do you make less than $20.10/hour? If you do, you're in trouble...

[multicartual]

Originally Posted by rsx

I was just showing an example of buying a rotiserrie chicken and getting multiple uses out of it. And the $15 is a very rounded up number. I think chickens are around 8.99.

I only eat free range gluten-free organic chicken raised without steroids on Vancouver Island; the farm is blessed first nations land.


Any English majors want to tell me if I used the semicolon correct?

[PeanutButter]

I know three people who work 60+ hour weeks, two are in finance and one works for Microsoft. I wouldn't say they hate their job, but they all told me that there is no way they could do that for the rest of their lives. They're young now, so they don't mind and one of them is about to get married so they need the money.

The one at Microsoft says they pull in 12 hour days on the regular for big projects and sometimes they don't go home or just go home to sleep and come back to work. He said their family life is suffering as people there barely see their families, but they're making six figures.

It's a hard life out there. If you work hard you can definitely make more money, but usually your social or family life suffers. If you don't work as hard your social and family life may be great, but your pocket book probably won't have as much in it..

Life isn't easy for the average person.

[Verdasco]

The numbers they give are 66k for a year (5.5k/month) which if you do an inverse calculation shows you they need to make 78k per year or 39k each (which is 6.5k/month). If you look at it the largest spending is for housing and child care at a total of 2700. If you don't have kids and you are not looking to buy, say you live somewhere for <1000/month rent, you'll cut 1700 from this. This means you need 3.8k/month or 45.5k/year after tax. You can do an inverse calculation to see that's about 56k/year or 28k/year per person. Each person needs to earn about 2.3k/month to make it with these expenses.

Food is the next largest item. I'd say if both people in the couple are fairly active they're going to eat about as much as this example family of 4 so the amount is reasonable. Not to mention a lot of people are pretty much just busing around because cars are more expensive. 2 zone bus passes are 125 each so the month transportation expenses are about 250 total which is less than the 486 they put there.

However, let's not forget student loans shall we. While the above seems reasonable a lot of young people either have tuition to pay or they have to make payments on student loans which can be a bitch. If you have x amount in loans you will probably pay about x/100 per month in the end...

[falcon]

Originally Posted by Fafine

wheres this 1600 sq ft for 1k just curious

South Surrey/White Rock. Not Vancouver, but still GVRD and quite a nice area.

[Soundy]

Originally Posted by GabAlmighty

Value Village used to be cheap. I remember back in the day getting t-shirts for like $0.50 and jeans for $1. Now t-shirts are like $5-10 and jeans are at least $20. I can go to the mall and get clearance priced shit for the same price or MAYBE $5 more. And it's not all stretched to shit. Hell, fuckin Old Navy is cheaper than VV.

Yeah, point being, you can find plenty of GOOD, FUNCTIONAL clothing for next to nothing if you look around, whether it's clearance, thrift, whatever - there's simply no need for a monthly clothing budget to be in the hundreds of dollars, even for an entire family.

I mean seriously, aside from having growing kids, how often do you REALLY need to buy clothes? Not WANT... NEED. Kids don't NEED a new Gucci outfit once a month... neither do parents.

[bing]

Originally Posted by Spoon

For simple things like learning Microsoft Office, sure. But most jobs out there require you to have certification to just get in the door. Telling your employer that you studied in the library isn't gonna cut it.

Certification for? forklift driver? what kind of job do you think people making under $20/hr are targeting? definitely not ones requiring advanced education. Their basic goal is survival - having enough to eat and a shelter over their head.

I have many friends who didn't go/complete post-secondary and are doing better financially than a lot of degree holders. Why? cause its all about the person and also who they know.

So no, I don't think the living wage numbers need to be inflated to make room for the completion of a "couple of courses". They can go get a loan if they want to complete a program in something.

There are also more than enough degree holders around. The bachelor degree is the new high school diploma and in the next living wage they'll be inflating the numbers to finance up to a masters cuz the market will be flooded taking us back to square 1. The real problem is that there isn't enough well paying jobs to go around.

[rufCTR3]

Originally Posted by multicartual

Any English majors want to tell me if I used the semicolon correct?

Your sham of a book was God awful, so whether you used the semicolon correctly or not makes absolutely no difference.

[MindBomber]

Originally Posted by multicartual

I only eat free range gluten-free organic chicken raised without steroids on Vancouver Island; the farm is blessed first nations land.


Any English majors want to tell me if I used the semicolon correct?

You did.

[underscore]

Originally Posted by multicartual

Ballin' on a budget


30k millionaire club REPRESENT!!!

Supporting the local breweries I see, nicely done.

[multicartual]

Originally Posted by rufCTR3

Your sham of a book was God awful, so whether you used the semicolon correctly or not makes absolutely no difference.

Did you even read it? A bunch of people I've sold them to loved it!

[multicartual]

Originally Posted by rufCTR3

Your sham of a book was God awful, so whether you used the semicolon correctly or not makes absolutely no difference.

Well I did make 10k last month from sites like Money Talks, Ass Parade, and Facial Abuse so thank god for wankers because I am apparently a terrible author!

[underscore]

Originally Posted by Soundy

Yeah, point being, you can find plenty of GOOD, FUNCTIONAL clothing for next to nothing if you look around, whether it's clearance, thrift, whatever - there's simply no need for a monthly clothing budget to be in the hundreds of dollars, even for an entire family.

I mean seriously, aside from having growing kids, how often do you REALLY need to buy clothes? Not WANT... NEED. Kids don't NEED a new Gucci outfit once a month... neither do parents.

I buy t shirts online once a year for $10/shirt. Many of them I've been wearing once a week for the last year or so and they still look brand new.

[multicartual]

Originally Posted by underscore

I buy t shirts online once a year for $10/shirt. Many of them I've been wearing once a week for the last year or so and they still look brand new.

Clothes don't have to be expensive to look good, especially if you're in OK shape. If you have nice arms you can get away with tank tops and a sport jacket 365. Women love that look!

If you dress to attract women, the fit, cocky dude in cheap clothes that fit good will get waaaaaaaay more pussy than the sharp-dressed guy who is a bit more reserved.

Jeans/pants are more expensive to look good, don't skimp out on nice pants and cool shoes!

Also, shop the 6th floor of The Bay downtown and you'll find a ton of shit discounted.

[GS8]

I'm wearing the same clothes I've had since 2005. Invest in a good washer / dryer and it's amazing how long they last. Any clothing that is far gone gets donated and I'll buy a replacement for $10-20.

For food, I either buy bulk or cheap. I don't care for organic trendy food. I grow my own veggies in the summer months and freeze them through the cold months.

I invested in a fridge with a filtered water dispenser which eliminates my desire for buying expensive Dasani bottles.

My budget isn't so much tight but it's very strict. I divert funds monthly to my TFSA and quarterly to my RRSPs. Any disposable income is accumulated and used on my cars (because it's one of my main hobbies other than music).

I manage just fine on my own. My job is union, now and offers free schooling for certification / diplomas. Scholarships are available as well. I might pursue that. Only thing holding me back is my selfish desire to enjoy life and not miss out on the opportunities where employment is irrelevant such as travelling to an exotic place. I've been on a nature / outdoor documentary binge and it makes me wallow

I don't really want to be one of those people on their deathbed living their life in regret that even though they made a lot of money through the course of their life, they could never enjoy it.

[multicartual]

Originally Posted by GS8

I've been on a nature / outdoor documentary binge and it makes me wallow

DO IT!!!


I'm a happy free spirit because I've pursued everything I've ever really wanted!!!


Sure I'm 36 and have no savings, but I'm loving life and I find making money almost as easy as spending it!!!


I only work like 1-2 hours a day on porn, the rest is spent just being me and writing bullshit. If I ever want a family I will have to step up my game before I'm 40 so I can start earning over 200k.

Realistically to have a family and live a luxurious lifestyle you and your partner need at least 250k a year in Vancouver.

[maksimizer]

I believe everything i see online.

:face palm:

[Timpo]

Originally Posted by GLOW

i dismissed this at Food $775. couldn't take it seriously.

That's 25 bucks a day. Are you saying it's too low or too high?

[hud 91gt]

I doubt there is a day gone by in the past months where i've spent less then $25 a day on groceries/food. I live ALONE!!!

I also do 70% of my shopping at No Frills. How are you guys not passing out from starvation? hah

[Jmac]

Originally Posted by hud 91gt

I doubt there is a day gone by in the past months where i've spent less then $25 a day on groceries/food. I live ALONE!!!

I also do 70% of my shopping at No Frills. How are you guys not passing out from starvation? hah

How are you spending more than $25/day on food without eating out?

I usually have
Breakfast: Cereal or a bagel or toast to eat with a glass of chocolate milk.

Most expensive is the bagel, which is $4.75 for 6 (Tim Horton's, $0.79/each) plus cream cheese ($7/tub, Philadelphia, lasts about 12 bagels, $0.58/each). Chocolate milk is $1.67/litre (Island Farms, 3 tall glasses per litre, $0.56/glass).

Total = $2/meal

Lunch: Baby carrots ($2 for 1 kg bag, good for 5 lunches, $0.40/each)
Snap peas ($6 for 1 kg bag, good for 5 lunches, $1.20/each)
Yogurt ($4/litre, Island Farms Vanilla Plus, 2 litres lasts 5 days, $1.60/each)
Sandwich/wrap (depends on meat used, but roughly about $3/wrap, less for sandwiches)
Grape juice ($1.34/litre, Sunrype, 3 litres lasts 5 days, $1/day)

Total = $7/meal

Dinner varies, but usually $5-$10/day

Maybe a small snack at night.

All in all, that's $20/day tops eating all good quality food. I eat less on weekends as I'm not working. So about $130/week and that's assuming none of this is on sale. Plus I could get way cheaper food by going no-name.

[underscore]

Cooking for a single person is more expensive per person because you can't buy in bulk as easily. The more people you cook for the higher the total cost but the lower the cost per person.

[Mr.HappySilp]

Originally Posted by underscore

Cooking for a single person is more expensive per person because you can't buy in bulk as easily. The more people you cook for the higher the total cost but the lower the cost per person.

And that is why is good to prepare several meals at a time so you can buy bulk. Many of my friends who are single have done this to cut cost. It sucks eating the same thing for several meals but hey it does saved a lot of money. Also it pays to use coupons and buy what's sale. A few dollar here and there and you have yourself a lot.

In terms of clothing I don't buy much anymore. As long as clothes fit I don't need new ones. The key to buying clothing is go for quality clothing when it is on sale or buy from the states or Winners. I still have a couple of pair of Levis form more than 5 years ago that I wear. Is a bit out of shape (I proplly replace them this year) but hey I got them on sale for like $39 so is not so bad. Never buy into brand especially hype up brands like Guess, Buffalo, A&F...... they use the worse material on their clothing that will barely last a year.

[GLOW]

Originally Posted by Timpo

That's 25 bucks a day. Are you saying it's too low or too high?

my follow-up post was that i misread the article (i thought it was for 1 person which i would say is too high), but it stated it was for an average for a family of 4, which is about right

[7seven]

I spend way over $775 a month on groceries/food and I'm just feeding myself in single household. Then again I do lift 5 days a week and am fairly active, so I usually eat 6 meals a day.

I think your household food budgets really depends on your lifestyle and income, you'll consume more food if your more active or a lifter and the more disposable income you have most tend to not fuss too much about getting deals, waiting for sales, going out of your way to cheaper stores when grabbing groceries at higher priced retailer is more convenient and saves time and the headaches of dealing with crowds.

Everyone just needs to adjust for their lifestyle and income, that article seems like a veiled attempt in advocating for an increase to minimum wage rates, which I would be against.

[hud 91gt]

Originally Posted by Jmac

How are you spending more than $25/day on food without eating out?

I usually have
Breakfast: Cereal or a bagel or toast to eat with a glass of chocolate milk.

Most expensive is the bagel, which is $4.75 for 6 (Tim Horton's, $0.79/each) plus cream cheese ($7/tub, Philadelphia, lasts about 12 bagels, $0.58/each). Chocolate milk is $1.67/litre (Island Farms, 3 tall glasses per litre, $0.56/glass).

Total = $2/meal

Lunch: Baby carrots ($2 for 1 kg bag, good for 5 lunches, $0.40/each)
Snap peas ($6 for 1 kg bag, good for 5 lunches, $1.20/each)
Yogurt ($4/litre, Island Farms Vanilla Plus, 2 litres lasts 5 days, $1.60/each)
Sandwich/wrap (depends on meat used, but roughly about $3/wrap, less for sandwiches)
Grape juice ($1.34/litre, Sunrype, 3 litres lasts 5 days, $1/day)

Total = $7/meal

Dinner varies, but usually $5-$10/day

Maybe a small snack at night.

All in all, that's $20/day tops eating all good quality food. I eat less on weekends as I'm not working. So about $130/week and that's assuming none of this is on sale. Plus I could get way cheaper food by going no-name.

If you have routine i'm sure it's easy.

I have the exact opposite. I work out of town half the month, so there is my first issue. I have to eat out. Secondly if i'm only home for 2-3 days (Which is often the case), you can't go to the grocery store for your weeks worth of groceries because they will go bad. You end up having to go daily for each meal. This add's up fast. Buy a head of lettuce? Better be eating salad for every meal so you don't have to toss it before your shift. As I said it add's up.

When i'm home, I am not working. I have all day to do whatever I like.

Breakfast is going to be a real meal, lunch is going to be a real meal, dinner is going to be a feast. Every meal will have a good source of protein ($$$), and will lack starches(Veggies = $$$). As stated above, I am also very active and require a lot of food. I enjoy food, what can I say. I'm sure it is possible to live on a smaller budget, but it's quite difficult without routine and for now I don't mind.