Is it possible to make living on minimum wage ($8). If yes would it be a fine living?

Question

Right now I am 16 and trying to get a part-time job for experience. After I finish the school, I am going to find any full-time job (say 40 hours a week) and move out. I will be getting about $1200 per month. So I'd like to ask you what other expected and unexpected expenses I may face. And how much spare money I will have, if any.
PS: I won't really need to spend any money on enterteinment and stuff like that regularly. The only thing I will need is a computer and internet (I am really into videogames)

Answer 1

try going to college or you'll never have more than an $8 an hour job and you computer, and unless the repubes go the other way on gay marrige i doubt they'd let you mate with your 'puter. try having a dream kid and go for it instead of killing orc's and jerking off every 1/2 hour

Answer 2

You would take home about $1000 a month. If your employer doesn't contribute, about $300 of that would have to go to health insurance. You can expect rent of about $500 per month, unless you have a roommate. Add about $200 per month for groceries. Add about $200 or so to buy and operate a cheap vehicle. Most people spend $50 or so for entertainment. But don't forget utilities, they will take around $100 each month unless you have a cell phone. The internet should be fairly inexpensive, unless you like broadband - the price tag for that ranges from $10 to $50 per month. Cable runs from about $30 up to about $75 if you want all of the bells and whistles. Extra money? It looks to me like you'll need about $400 from ma and pa until you start getting some raises.

Answer 3

it's not worth it.

even if you go to community college and get an associates degree you'll be making more then 8$ an hour.

Do you want to live through your computer for the rest of your life? Because you can't afford to actually live?

Do your future self a favor and GO TO COLLEGE. It may seem like a fun novelty living on your own, but thats all it is, a novelty. You'll have waaayyyy more fun in college and if your worried about money and affording it, you can take out loans and scolorships to pay for it.

I promise that if you dont go to school, and try to live your life on a part time job, you'll regret it.

And if that isn't motivation - really right now you sound like a moron and no one I would care to know.

Answer 4

Minimum wage is a feel good policy. No one can live any kind of a decent life living on it. Add it up, you say 1200. per month, did you take out state and fedral taxes, ss tax, medicare tax? Now deduct rent, where I am a decent one bedroom is about 550. per month plus all utilities, electric, heat, cable, internet etc. You have to eat, a gallon of milk today cost more than a gallon of gas.If you go to work you need a car, insrance, gas, tires, repairs etc. And on and on it goes. Minimum wage is a joke. The good ole democrats have evryone believeving they care. A true meaning minimum wage would be about $17.00 an hour, and with that you will live from check to check. STAY IN SCHOOL.

Answer 5

At 16, $8 per hour is a fair start. You will want more education though, either acedemic or in technical studies, as you will want to be able to gain more money as you progress in skill and experience. You can survive on 8, but barely. Your dwelling needs to be pretty sparse, like a rooming house. No extras at all. I recommend you stay on great terms with your folks until you have some sort of training and certification to fall back on. Meanwhile, bank a good deal of your money, by 18 you will have a decent nest egg.

If you decide that a roommate is the way to go, be sure to choose someone you can trust to pay their fair share in a timely manner.

Answer 6

Minimum wage as an only income means living in poverty. If you are planning to move out, try to get an idea of rent costs, as well as utilities, food, household goods, automobile and insurance, etc. I think you will be shocked at how expensive it is to live, even for basics.
Also make sure that you realize that your pay checks will have deductions (taxes) taken off, you will not bring home the whole amount of your wages.
My advice, which I know you are not looking for, is to stay in school, or get education or training in a field which will be able to support you as you grow older, and will build a good base for later responsibilities such as a spouse and children. Set yourself up well now, you will not regret it! Good luck.

Answer 7

Our minimum wage in Arizona just went up to $6.75 from $5.50. It's not helping us much, as everything in every store has also gone up. Also, home/apartment owners have gotten approval to raise rents when leases are up.

How much you'd have to pay for rent would depend on what state you live in. It really does vary from place to place. Internet providers charge different prices in different places too. You would also need to figure out how much gas, electricity, phone, etc. would cost in your area.

Then you need to count groceries, including cleaning supplies. If you work where there is no uniform to wear, you'd have to budget clothing in.

$1,200 a month isn't a whole lot, unless you live some place where the cost of living is quite low. Have you figured out if the $1,200 is your gross or net pay? If it's gross pay, they will be taking federal and local taxes out, as well as social security each check.

You might need to get a roommate, otherwise.

Answer 8

$8.00 is the highest minimum wage in the US. You SHOULD NOT be able to make a living on minimum wage. Anyone that is still making minimum wage after on year is not worth that much. 90% of minimum wage earners are teenage kids living with their parents. "Burger Flippers" earn more then minimum wage. NO ONE doing work worth minimum wage stays at that level for long. As far as what expenses to expect, buy ANY book on budgeting. If you have a decent budget, there is no such thing as an unexpected expense. Replacing your car is an expected expense. It WILL be necessary, and you can make a reasonable guess when.

Answer 9

I love play videogames and I love doing money! The game tester was the perfect job for me
To know how to become a game tester you can simply check here http://j.mp/1qbJqsa

Answer 10

not being single you couldnt survive
think about it
rent
car payment
car insurance
utilities (quite costly for some)
gas, water, electric, phone, internet,
FOOD
misc things like laundry soap, shampoo......
gas for a car


theres a lot more
you could probably make it making minimum wage but count on moms cooking