You know all those reports about how lots of Americans can’t afford a $1000 surprise expense like a medical bill or a car repair? Well,forget additional expenses. It turns out that nearly half of the families in America are struggling to pay for food and rent. And that means that the economic collapse isn’t just “coming.” It’s HERE.
United Way has done a study on a group of Americans they call ALICE: Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. The study found that this group does not make the money needed “to survive in the modern economy.”
ALICE is your child care worker, your parent on Social Security, the cashier at your supermarket, the gas attendant, the salesperson at your big box store, your waitress, a home health aide, an office clerk. ALICE cannot always pay the bills, has little or nothing in savings, and is forced to make tough choices such as deciding between quality child care or paying the rent. One unexpected car repair or medical bill can push these financially strapped families over the edge.
ALICE is a hardworking member of the community who is employed yet does not earn enough to afford the basic necessities of life.
ALICE earns above the federal poverty level but does not earn enough to afford a bare-bones household budget of housing, child care, food, transportation, and healthcare. (source)
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14 comments:
How many of them went to college and got a Liberal Arts degree (with the associated college debt) instead of learning a needed trade? Those I have NO sympathy for - they made the choice to do the easy thing...
ALICE needs to learn self reliance.. . opportunity is here if your willing to work hard...
I doubt if the child care workers, elderly parents, supermarket cashiers, gas station attendants,and store clerks mentioned in the article have liberal arts (Lower case is correct.) degrees.
I doubt if the child care workers, elderly parents, supermarket cashiers, gas station attendants,and store clerks mentioned in the article have liberal arts (Lower case is correct.) degrees.
Most of them don't have a college degree, hence the limited earning potential.
A recent study from Georgetown University found that, on average, college graduates earn $1 million more in earnings over their lifetime. Another recent study by the Pew Research Center found that the median yearly income gap between high school and college graduates is around $17,500.
Does she smoke, drink or abuse drugs? Eliminate all those vices and she has a big pay raise! If she is free of those things then look at simplifying her life style. We all generally have things we desire, but, don't need to sustain life! Tough love.
Hey, it's all about choices, and the decisions they make.
I’ll bet they pay for unlimited data on their phone and full tv service. Choices!
Hogan you read this and you still stand by screwing over Senior State Retiree. Imagine another 4 years of a chameleon Republican governing like a Liberal Democrat.
How many cannot afford Obamacare?
Just think how dumb the average person is. Then you can understand half of the people are dumber than that. Bahahahah
OH NO they don't have degrees?!?! Or DO THEY?! Lots and lots of people WITH degrees can not find livable wage paying jobs. Now they want clerks to have degrees for $10 jobs.
What a bunch of judgemental imbeciles some of you are. Welcome to the bury. It's no wonder......
You could have a college degree around here and still not make ends meet.
But no one heard it in the woods so it isn't happening.
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