Project Seven
The job: McDonald’s
Employment:
$5.15/hr x 48hrs = $247.20 week/$988.80 month
Childcare:
$55.00 week/$220.00 month
Housing:
$335.00 month
Utilities:
$105.00 month
Remaining = $328.80
Food:
$150.00 month
$150.00 - $65.52 = $84.48 (from me)
Overall:
$328.80 - $84.48 = $244.32 remaining
Everything in my budget is as follows, childcare costs, rent, utilities, and food. All of the items are important except for the television because they are needed for standard living. I included television in my budget because I have two children and they should be allowed television once in a while. My two children’s needs like hospital bills, in case of emergencies, are not included. Also the tax is not factored in because the government has to get their share as well. The only entertainment allowed is television because the rest of that money needs to go into the children’s bank account for their college education. It’s better to start saving little by little just in case something goes wrong.
Domestic violence and poverty are interlinked because a lot of women on welfare are victims of domestic violence. This is a huge chunk of the people and is really upsetting because the ones who suffer after being beaten for a long time still suffer as a result because the government will not help them appropriately. For instance they become abused by their spouse, physically, and then the government abuses them as well, financially.
In order to take care of this problem of women in poverty the government must realize the enormity of the situation; they seem to care very little about it. I think that women need to speak out more and let the government know what their daily situation is like especially with children in their lives. More of shelters and help should be provided for women of domestic abuse or any abuse for that matter. More energy should be geared towards education because that will promise a life out of poverty. Every year passing the gap between women and men in poverty gets wider and wider. We need to do something as soon as possible so that there will a solution for these women.
My Job at McDonalds pays:
8 hours per day 5 days per week is my schedule.
Per week: $329.60
Per month: $ 1318.40
Childcare:
Per week: $55.00
Per month: $ 220.00
Housing Rent:
Per month: $335.00
Utilities:
Phone: $40.00
Television: $25.00
Credit Card:
Per month: $40.00
Total expenditures per month: $660.00
Our budget:
total income: 40hrs/wk x 5.15/hr = $206/wk, $824/month before taxes
Expenses:
Housing: $500/month x 0.67 housing subsidy = $335/month
Childcare: $55/week, $220/month
Utilities: $40/month phone bill + $40/month credit card = $80/month
Food: $40/week-$16.43 food stamps= $23.28/week, $94.28/month
Amount left over: $94.72/month
This budget does not take into consideration taxes paid on income, so actual, take-home money would be a little bit less. Also, it does not account for transportation. Since State College has extensive bus routes, it is not absolutely essential to own a car. This saves tons of money on the astronomical gas prices and car upkeep. State College has a very compact center, with many things within walking distance, including doctors, grocery stores, clothing stores, and childcare facilities. Walking will get you most places quickly. Since our budget leaves about $95 at the end of the month, this money can be saved or spent on needed items, including: clothing for the children, recreational activities, school supplies, and the occasional luxury item. During the summer, many day camps exist for school-aged children. I would look around to try to find one that fits the time schedule for the McDonald's job, as well as one that is in inexpensive and/or offers some sort of subsidy or reduced payment plan. If this was not an option, then I would try to get him or her in some sort of childcare facility and hope that that would be subsidized as well.
BUDGET FOR A SINGLE MOTHER WITH TWO CHILDREN
INCOME:
40 hour week @ $5.15/hr =
$206.00/wk $824.00/mth
After taxes (net) $171.00/wk $684.00/mth
EXPENSES:
Childcare - $55.00/wk $220.00/mth
Housing - $83.34/wk $333.33/mth
Utilities -
Phone $40.00/mth
Cable $25.00/mth
Credit card $40.00/mth
Food (if you spend $20/wk)
(after food-stamps) $3.17/wk $12.68/m
INCOME:
40 hour week @ $5.15/hr =
$206.00/wk $824.00/month
EXPENSES: Weekly MONTHLY
Childcare - $55.00 $220.00
Housing - $83.34 $333.34
Utilities -
Phone $40.00
Cable $25.00
Credit card $40.00
Food ($30/wk)
(After food-stamps) $13.17 $52.68
SUBTOTALS: $711.02
BUDGET
:: Paycheck
5.15 x 8 hr/day x 30 days/month
= +$1236 / month
:: Housing
$500 x 1/3 = $165 (what they'll take care of)
leaves us paying $500- $165
= -$335
:: Childcare
$55/week x 4
= -$220
:: Monthly bills:
phone + internet + credit
$40 + $15 + $40
= -$95
:: Food
food = $173.96 - food stamps $65.52
= -$108.44
savings=-$100/per month
Monthly Overview: (see detail below)
Net Income: $717.97
Less:
Rent $330.00
Utilities $ 17.99
Groceries $ 74.48
Credit Card $ 40.00
Bus Tokens $ 10.00 (as needed)
Child Care $220.00
__________________
Balance Remaining at month's end ... $25.50 -- less than $1/day!
