• TheAlbatross@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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    1 year ago

    I’m just below the median income for my area. Before the pandemic, I was comfortable. I largely didn’t have to worry about expenses, I could dine out a few times a month, cook meat more than once a week, buy a few hobby luxuries every few months. Could air travel for vacation once a year.

    I drive a newish economy sedan, live in a decent area with one roommate, didn’t have all that much but the 401(k) looked good and I had all I wanted.

    Now things are tight. Just the other week, went to a bar that sold a damn good burger for $9 with fries. Could have a beer with it and get out under $20. The damn hamburger is $18 now and the beer doubled in price. I try to buy meat twice a month to eat, but my diet is far more bean and lentil based now. Eggs, while doubly more, are still cheap enough to be a frequent protein. My vacations are all at home now. I’ve taken to enjoying fishing, which is admittedly great, but I used to fly to Europe or other parts of the US once a year.

    I do not know how folks on minimum wage get by here. Without forming a support network of other minimum wage workers to pool for rent and groceries, it has to be an insane struggle.

    If this is the “improving economy”, I don’t want any of it.

    • Neuromancer@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      I eat out often for work and my company picks up the tab. Part of why I didn’t notice for awhile.

      I went to buy eggs and they were like 12 dollars. I could have swore eggs were a lot cheaper in the past.

      I eat more hamburgers than I should and that’s where I’ve started to notice the crazy pricing. Like you said you could get a burger and beer for under 20. I use to pay 20 with tip and the tip was over 20%.

      I can’t do that anymore.

      • aesthelete@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        I went to buy eggs and they were like 12 dollars. I could have swore eggs were a lot cheaper in the past.

        Man some things have really hit the “I mean, it’s one banana, Michael. What could it cost? $10?” levels of ridiculousness price wise.

        • Neuromancer@lemm.ee
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          1 year ago

          Since I buy almost the same thing. I don’t pay attention to the cost per item. I just watch the total at the end.

          My groceries went from about 80 a week to about 150-180 a week.

          I have no clue how the average family is handling this. It’s become so insane even I’ve noticed.

          I’m a republican but we need to seriously raise the minimum wage. There is no way anyone can survive on it.

          It’s almost 14 here and you can’t survive on that.

          • aesthelete@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            I’m a republican but we need to seriously raise the minimum wage.

            Uh, you might wanna consider if being a Republican is more important to you than not living in a country full of homeless starving people is before you cast your next vote.

            Most of your fellow Republicans believe deep down in the abolishment of the minimum wage, and are adamantly against ever raising it again.

            • Neuromancer@lemm.ee
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              1 year ago

              That’s more of a myth. You do not see that in the party platform. Historically they’re been concerned about the inflation risk with raising minimum wage.

              Inflation is so bad now, someone needs to do something. Neither party is addressing the issue.