World Hunger & Poverty Discussion

[Scott Hughes]

We can use this thread to discuss my recent blog post: The True Cost of Living

What do you think?

In the blog, post I listed all the expenses that I think need to be included in a true cost of living. Can you think of any others?

Can you make a reasonable budget that includes all of those things that I listed? Let's try to estimate the real cost of living in the United States.

Also, if you do try to make an estimation, please specify your location in the United States, because prices vary throughout the country.

Thanks,
Scott
_________________

My Hunger & Poverty Blog

[artist79]

Ok...let's see...I'm from Massachusetts, Worcester County.

Rent: $800 (kind of low)
Utilities: $200 (not including cable)
Phone: $35
2 Car Payment: $600 (most family's have 2 cars)
Insurance: $200 (for 2 cars)
Groceries: $500 (includes baby needs..maybe low estimate)
Clothes: $100
Healthcare: $50
Student Loans: $800 (for 2 Alumni)
Day Care: $800 (per child)
Car Gas: $240 (2 cars)

My Calculation came out to about $5,125 per month in expenses for a family of 4 with both parents workign and paying off student loans and have 2 children in Daycare. That comes to about $61,500 a year...a far cry from the poverty level of $20,000. (That's with daycare cost lower than average)

For a single person with all the same expenses minus children, it came to about $2,400, which is $28,800, which is still well above the poverty level for a family of 4.