Can you survive on minimum wage?
By: Chelsea Rarrick
Updated: December 28, 2011
Eight states next year will be looking at a higher minimum wage, but New York is not one of them.
So, is $7.25 enough to survive in this economy?
"The 7.25 an hour is ridiculous," said Venice Ervin.
According to a wage calculation for Oneida County, a person must add food, medical, housing, and transportation costs to survive.
The total cost for one adult with no child and no extra expenses comes out to $3,309 a month.
Venice Ervin of Utica says his expenses are way higher then this calculation, and says things like gas prices make it even more difficult.
"If you don't live close to your job, and you're driving a long distance, it's going to kill you," he said.
The wage calculator shows a married couple with one child, like Heather Beacraft needing more than $3200 a month.
She says the state doesn't factor in certain times with New York State's minimum wage.
"A lot of things they look at what you make before taxes are taken out and all that, and that's just not realistic," said Beacraft.
"If I have a bad week, now I have a hard time and I make good money," said Kayla Mathews.
Mathews is married with two children, and the living wage cost for her averages out to be over $4,000.
"Everything's going up. They need to take a census and see how many people are surviving on how much and a realistic number, not just what someone comes up with in a room," she said.
So, is $7.25 enough to survive in this economy?
"The 7.25 an hour is ridiculous," said Venice Ervin.
According to a wage calculation for Oneida County, a person must add food, medical, housing, and transportation costs to survive.
The total cost for one adult with no child and no extra expenses comes out to $3,309 a month.
Venice Ervin of Utica says his expenses are way higher then this calculation, and says things like gas prices make it even more difficult.
"If you don't live close to your job, and you're driving a long distance, it's going to kill you," he said.
The wage calculator shows a married couple with one child, like Heather Beacraft needing more than $3200 a month.
She says the state doesn't factor in certain times with New York State's minimum wage.
"A lot of things they look at what you make before taxes are taken out and all that, and that's just not realistic," said Beacraft.
"If I have a bad week, now I have a hard time and I make good money," said Kayla Mathews.
Mathews is married with two children, and the living wage cost for her averages out to be over $4,000.
"Everything's going up. They need to take a census and see how many people are surviving on how much and a realistic number, not just what someone comes up with in a room," she said.
