(H) (411-424) Ehrenreich, Nickeled and dime

In the reading, it talks about minimum wage, believing as a first job it is great to start with minimum wage especially as a beginner who is looking to become greater in the future. Solely for the introduction for people to get into the workforce and a temporary job. I do not think it was and should ever be a job to live off of. It’s important for people to know that thanks to the two-democratic party, if you are struggling financially and need to attend school for a better life, you will get help through welfare, financial aid, etc. I agree with the author because minimum wage people can stop buying certain things because it can affect their budgets unlike the middle-class people who tend to have everything they need. Also, if minimum wage gets increased, I think it’s only fair if people who worked hard and got their education and careers earned increased wages also. The simplest things in life, things that most people take for granted are what “poor” people must learn to live without in certain situations. For example, Ehrenreich says “Most people in the middle class enjoy health insurance paid vacation and sick leave. They drive late model cars and have credit cards, bank accounts, and closets full of clothing.” Most middle-class people don’t stop to think what minimum wage people go through. They have to watch every cent they spend. They have to be careful in the way they spend their money. Ehrenreich didn’t like the minimum wage living, I mean who would nobody do but there’s some people that have no other choice. I wouldn’t like living on my own on a minimum wage pay because I honestly don’t think I would be able to sustain myself because of all the bills, rent and gas. The reality of it is that society pays attention to their status, focusing on the fact that that is all signified as important. Barbara Ehrenreich was urged to “find out” how it is for those from the vantage point of lower than the upper-middle-class. “Nickel and Dimed” points out the significance of demographic categories placed on societies Decision after decision and much contemplation is vital; what to eat, making sure there’s enough money to continue living where you reside. The toll adds up to something quite large and certainly stressful. Ehrenreich soon realizes that balancing two jobs is taxing to the mind and body, prioritizing money is a constant struggle; the tunnel imposed on her effort to see life from a lower than upper-middle-class individual places her in a dark sense of failure. And the most unfortunate thing about all of this, is that people face this every single day, not really motivating themselves to go further, but to stay with the familiar and the comfortable. For living of a minimum wage job that’s not the best idea, you won’t exactly be able to have everything desired. But as a beginning job I firmly agree.