Most people call something a "livable" wage if it fulfills the criteria: "if you're barely not homeless, you're still good". Considering that many people live in extreme poverty, I can see where that is coming from. But I believe that definitions have moved over time, and there is this mentality to consider "rich" anyone who has a little something in life, people are often not realizing that these people don't actually have that much more; typically they are not filthy rich, although it may appear like this when you're looking from a low working class perspective. Many simply worked very hard for the number of years to establish what they have, and they have needs and some wants met in life but that's it. With health and dental care being as expensive as they are, something that might look like decent savings can melt down quickly. I think this just shows how much money has moved towards the filthy rich and global disappearance of the middle class and widening of the gap, so anyone who has something is considered "wooo, they're rich" when this is actually questionable categorizing.
I would rather call it a truly livable wage if you can own a vehicle (not fancy or new a just working one) and a place to live (as opposed to renting), be able to afford insurance on your home, and save up some money for retirement and eventual health bills if you can't afford health insurance. It means being capable of dealing with emergencies like getting your car fixed, because if you can't, in a lot of places you can't even get to work so your livelihood depends upon your car; in America you need a car to get anywhere, except in metro areas. So it's not just about paying core bills, because there are many things livelihood depends upon, and if this goes wrong you're basically done for and can become homeless. Easily. A truly livable wage, imo, means not being dependent upon other people or being at their mercy.
I would rather call it a truly livable wage if you can own a vehicle (not fancy or new a just working one) and a place to live (as opposed to renting), be able to afford insurance on your home, and save up some money for retirement and eventual health bills if you can't afford health insurance. It means being capable of dealing with emergencies like getting your car fixed, because if you can't, in a lot of places you can't even get to work so your livelihood depends upon your car; in America you need a car to get anywhere, except in metro areas. So it's not just about paying core bills, because there are many things livelihood depends upon, and if this goes wrong you're basically done for and can become homeless. Easily. A truly livable wage, imo, means not being dependent upon other people or being at their mercy.
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