Chapter 10

Constraint Budget

I must confess that this assignment was tasking and challenging than I ever thought it would be. It was so because culturally my type of food differs from most food that could be found in most American dinner tables. This compelled me to interview an American. Fortunately, I met a lady at a grocery store (racial background will not be disclosed, as it’s not relevant with this assignment) who opened up to me after I offered to help her carry some of her groceries to her car.

A conversation that started casually ended up in emotions. I know that majority of low-income families struggle (even my humble self struggle with my income) but my conversation with this lady gave me a depth understanding of the difficulties and daily predicaments of a widow and other families  raising  more than 3 children with a low income.

Before the demise of her husband in 2008 they were living in a rented apartment and both of them were working with a combined annual income before tax of $42,000. But after the death of her husband she moved to the basement of her aged parent’s house in order to cut expenses. She gave me the rundown of her monthly expenses as follows:

Bi-weekly income $636.00 ($1272 per month)

Monthly rent $300

Utilities- Gas $35 per week

Electricity $40

Water $12

Food $100.00 per week

Internet service $45.00

Cable service N/A

Call Phone $45.00

Clothing $60.00 per month

Car Insurance $48.00 per month

Health Insurance $75.00 per month

Babysitter N/A

By my estimation her average monthly spending amounted to $1,165 which leaves her with $107.00 dollar ($1272-$1165). She told me that her aged parents have been helping her with the children when she’s away working and in school and that was the reason she didn’t include the cost of babysitter. Also she had to cut cable service on her Television, her reason was that she hardly watches reality shows and also her children are young and can still watch cartoons and other educative programs on local channels.

She told me that she has to learn how to make quick and easy meals instead of going to restaurants or buying pre-cooked foods which are more expensive.

In her conversation I found out that she shops at Goodwill store, Wal-Mart and K-Mart for her children clothing. For groceries she shops at Dollar store, Aldi grocery store, and Wal-Mart.

Not every family is fortunate to have a supportive family member like my friend whose parents are helping her to take care of her kids.

I do not see a healthy and vibrant society if millions of people are unhealthy, hungry and depressed due to lack of basic needs. Recent report on literacy ranking among OECD member countries showed that America is sinking at a faster rate (from 2^nd to 15^th). And has recorded higher number of school dropouts among teenagers. Also violent and crimes such as robbery, theft, and homicides continue to rise.  The society will continue to witness civil unrest in forms of protests and vandalism of public goods. While number of depression patients will continue to escalate. Social aid from government such as welfare checks, unemployment benefits will continue to run high the government expenditures.

Living in poverty is not a choice but circumstantial, it can be fixed if we want to.