Standard of living

[lunarhiro2002]

What is the standard of living?

Do you need a 6 figure income in order to have a standard of living? What conditions do you think are livable?

What is really needed vs what is really wanted...where do you cut the line? Is it that 42'' HD Plasma Screen for Christmas? Or something else...

I think that most peoples standards of living in America are obtusely high...

I for one see a standard of living as simple as this:
(Not in any particular order or importance)
1) A home
2) 3 square meals
3) Medical care
4) a Job
5) Education
6) Religious freedom

everything else is kinda luxury...I bring this up because I have been listening to the news lately and some people keep complaining about the declining standard of living in the USA. I see it as opposite. People are getting richer and stuff.

Thoughts anyone?

 

[Lene]

There is a declining standard of living where I live, because things are getting expensive. Frankly, a person who earns minimum wage in Miami cannot afford to live in Miami (unless you're living in the ghetto and that's below standard) and that's pretty ridiculous in my opinion. Heck, I don't get paid minimum wage and if I moved out today and tried to live somewhere, I'd probably be still cutting it close even having a roommate. I probably wouldn't be able to eat three meals a day and I sure as hell wouldn't be able to get a full time education.

Then again if housing prices ever go down (and they seem to be stagnating a bit) then maybe things will change.

 

[lunarhiro2002]

well I live in california and I get by on minimum wage. I don't own my own house, and a rent a room and I still can go to school. I don't have a car either though...I also don't eat 3 meals a day. In california though the minimum wage is 7.25 next year it'll be 7.50 so...florida's I understand is rediculously low.

I guess my point is, to the people who complain that they don't make enough to live then my question is what type of life are you trying to live. As americans do we live within our means or does our standard of living include things like luxuries... I think that most people include luxuries as standars of living, most common would be a car.

 

[FlippyD]

A car... Isn't a luxury. A car is required for some people, mostly those who live in rural areas.

Yes, for those who live in the city it is a luxury, but there are many many other people who require their cars (and in some cases, SUVs) to live (I'm looking at you Montana.)

I think you're confusing the standard of living with the basic necessities to live. A standard is an average, it can go up or down depending on the country and, should the country be wealthy enough, raise the standard of living above other countries.

If the average American can own added luxuries on top of the necessities to not starving or freezing to death, than the average goes up.

 

[Junk-Man]

A car is not a luxury, but a necessity in most of the US. I would like for you to come to southern California and try to get around without a car.

 

[Minkoff]

What is the standard of living?

Do you need a 6 figure income in order to have a standard of living? What conditions do you think are livable?

Frankly, it depends on the person. I was lucky enough to be born into a rich, educated family, and we have nice things. No big screen TVs or sports cars, but essentially, I will probably not have to pay for my education. I will probably never have to work a minimum wage job. I will probably never have to struggle to have enough money to eat, and to be honest, at this point in my life, I take these things as a given. I'd probably find it difficult living with less, yet there are lots of people who would kill to have half as much as I've been handed on a silver platter. Call me spoiled if you'd like, but I think it's a good example of how relative "livable" is to a person's personal experiences.

I'm not sure that's what you were looking for though. As for what I think everyone should have, I think you've pretty much hit the nail on the head (other than some freedoms you missed, but then freedoms are kind of taken as a given I guess).

 

[Grandor]

Well, you have to think about exactly all the stuff you have and make a list of all the stuff you wouldn't need. Your body would need basically food, and water. All the other needs are not as important for you to physically live. You may say a shelter, but not everyone has a place to live in. And yet their still alive. Their living condition is obviously not the best, but their alive. You really don't need clothes, because your skin basically keeps you warm. But, I'm sure their are laws where you live against being nude in the street. But, as it is not a physical need for your body, the standard of living is not much. Depending on what standard of living you were talking about (living physically, keeping yourself alive basically) or (supporting yourself financially, materially, etc.)

 

[catalyst]

Well, I have a husband and two kids to support (previously he was supporting us, but we're attempting role reversal here) so I see these as necessary:

Two cars. We need to get our van fixed, because if one of the boys gets sick or injured, a running car should be at home to get the child to the hospital. Assuming, of course, it isn't urgent enough for an ambulance ride. Sad fact: on hourly pay, you don't get paid when you skip work, even if your child needs a ride to the hospital.

Something above min wage. Yes, CA min wage is rising as we speak (good god, when did it get above $7?), but it won't feed the family. I remember because I have gone hungry so my children could eat. Thankfully, we have good gov programs in place here as well. It just takes forever to get into the system.

Food. I wouldn't say 3 square meals, but enough nutrients in a day. And for me in particular, access to tuna or salmon twice a week, or omega-3's. Psychiatrist recommended, btw, for the sake of mental health.

A place to live. Preferably three bedrooms, though I could live with a 2-bedroom and our youngest being in our room. Currently, the only time he doesn't sleep in our room is at night. But for the sake of our sanity and that of our older son's, he gets his own room.

Medical care, of course, is a necessity in this day and age.

Education is necessary, but only to keep out of a min wage job. Well, okay, higher education anyway. I tend to crave knowledge, but as a necessity it only goes so far.

As for religious freedom... well... I'm too used to biting my tongue when it comes to religion anyway. I have to wait to tell my boys about my beliefs, so they don't run off and spout it to their grandparents. I'm just all too used to keeping my religion to myself. So really, if I had to, I could do without that. Like my level of knowledge, I don't find it a necessity to be able to talk about my beliefs. It's nice, but I can hold my tongue in polite company.

Living with bare necessities, however, I would not deem as a good standard of living. A house is fine, but a home is a house that is clean, and feels welcome to you. Mental and emotional health is as important as physical health. I'm not saying we need cable internet, cell phones, the latest gaming systems, or any of that. I'm happy to have them, but they don't enhance the quality of my life. Outside of physical necessities, I also need people to talk to, someone who reminds me that life is worth living, a spiritual connection (personally, I need it, though I know it's not for everyone), and a place and time that I can quietly have to myself. I also have a tendency to need a creative outlet. Admittedly, dirt can be a wonderful place for an outlet, and I have no problems with that.

 

[Grandor]

Something above min wage. Yes, CA min wage is rising as we speak (good god, when did it get above $7?), but it won't feed the family. I remember because I have gone hungry so my children could eat. Thankfully, we have good gov programs in place here as well. It just takes forever to get into the system.

You do know, that states could have raised their minimum wage count at any time, right? The Federal Government have no control of what they want to set their minimum wages at. It can set an example for the rest of the country to follow, but it's up to the state on what they want it to be. I forget what state it was (Mississippi, or one of those other southern states) are paying workers 2 dollars for minimum wage.

 

[Wings]

In california though the minimum wage is 7.25 next year it'll be 7.50.

California's minimum wage is $7.50 per hour. The change went into effect on the 01/01/07. Next year the minimum wage will increase to $8.00 per hour.

Anyway, just as long as your basic necessities are met (i.e. a roof over your head, some food, job, etc) then you pretty much meet the acceptable living standard. You don't need three square meals a day, because I am conditioned to live off of a can of corn every other day. I still think I have it better than most people.

Medical care in America? You have to be kidding me. That should be looked upon as a luxury rather than a "standard".

 

[arcthemonkey]

Two words.

"Disposable Income"

That's all I ask for.

Enough money to pay for the things I have, and enough money left over to save or throw away.

 

[catalyst]

You do know, that states could have raised their minimum wage count at any time, right? The Federal Government have no control of what they want to set their minimum wages at. It can set an example for the rest of the country to follow, but it's up to the state on what they want it to be. I forget what state it was (Mississippi, or one of those other southern states) are paying workers 2 dollars for minimum wage.

Wow, really? I mean the $2/hr thing... Holy cow... I can't imagine trying to raise two kids on that. Though I wasn't talking government programs for min wage, I was talking about welfare and such. It's come in handy in the downtimes when we were unable to find work.

Medical care in America? You have to be kidding me. That should be looked upon as a luxury rather than a "standard".

I don't understand. Why?

 

[Wings]

I don't understand. Why?

That was meant more with sarcasm than actual intent. Getting medical coverage in America is not automatic, unlike some countries that offer national health coverage (i.e. Canada). A lot of people (such as myself) do not have the opportunity to become medically covered through federal/state programs without going through a lot of bureaucratic red tape. The other alternative is to go through a third party provider such as Blue Cross or something. The downside to this is that you usually end up paying out of the ass for decent coverage.