Does anyone know if the stats for “who earns minimum wage?” have changed much in the recent downturn? Last I checked, only a couple percent of workers earned federal minimum wage, and >50% of minimum wage (or less) earners were under 25. “Minimum wage or less” includes folks who might actually make more than minimum wage after tips are included.
I’m often puzzled where living wage numbers come from. They often seem high. Roommates, rice and beans, and working more than a piddling 40 hours a week will get you far on very little. When I was in grad school I was expected to be in lab 72 hours/week 48 weeks/year, including holidays. That $25,000 stipend comes out to less than minimum wage. But by having roommates, eating cheap, and knowing where babies come from, I was able to stuff $5k/year into an IRA, not work on Sundays, travel 1-2 times a year, and pay for health insurance on my own.
I felt pretty well off, and when I didn’t, I just needed to look at my Uzbek friend who, on the same wage, was supporting a child and stay-at-home wife, and sending money back to his parents in Uzbekistan.