Should You Be Scared If You Make $25 An Hour Or Less?

[@chelsea7229]

I am royally sick and tired of “get a roommate” being the new solution for the cost of living crisis, as if it’s unreasonable to expect to be able to live on your own as an adult.

[@dantheman52420]

It is unreasonable if you don't have an unreasonably high income. Throughout history people lived with 3 generations in one household. They still do in Mexico & South America. If you can live alone you are wealthier than 99.999% of people who ever lived in any society in history.

[@bdp295]

Tf you gonna do about it? If you can’t afford to live on your own, get a roommate. Or drown in debt and be poor forever for the sake of “independence” if you want, I don’t care

[@NotOurRemedy]

“Cost of living crisis” lol. It’s not a crisis. It’s a constant evolution. Economies change. Make enough money or don’t. You are owed nothing.

[@Rosetteismyname]

But that requires pay above 25 an hr...lol

[@joshuacorbin221]

And yet, all of my single friends have to do so in order to avoid the proverbial "payday loan gravity well."

[@WoodsboundOutdoors]

"If you can't afford car payments, just buy the car with cash"...great advice

[@b.cdrisk2035]

Marie Antoinette would have laughed at how out of touch that was

[@martinmi5]

Ken is an idiot who is so sheltered it is unbelievable.

[@kingepostle]

He's basically saying, if you can't afford the payments without spending cash, then you probably shouldn't buy a vehicle, or at the very least, get a junker to at least get you around.

[@gnarkillgnarkill7725]

Cash that we're here Trying to find out how to make, what cash is he talking about? We don't have extra cash.

[@EJleon96]

Let’s not be delusional guys, this is reality for a lot of people, it really is tough out there right now.

[@Andrew-3445]

$25 an hour is almost the new minimum wage in many areas. Many states say the state minimum wage is $8-15 but people won't work for less than $20 so employers like fast food and factories offer $20+ as a starter. I see $20 an hour as poverty level due to the cost of living crisis.

[@Me-eb3wv]

What state r u from

[@Andrew-3445]

@@Me-eb3wv Mass, minmum wage here is $15 an hour. We are the #2 most expensive state after Hawaii, which makes the "raise the minimum wage to give the working poor a chance" a moot point.

[@kaleidoscopex7213]

Here in San Francisco it’s basically the new minimum wage $25 , people won’t take you seriously unless ur making $35/40 more (if they nice). I work as a painter & student as a 27 year old making $25. It’s a struggle unless you saved up a ton of $$ beofre moving out or having benefits / help from family / community

[@estebanhenriquez3491]

I live in Winter Park, FL. I currently earn $20.43 My mo. bills amount to: $1,986.00 (Rent alone is $1,120) My mo. income (post tax) is: $3,201.00 That leaves me with a approx.: $1,215.00 I certainly do not live a luxurious life and I’ve had to dramatically downsize in cars (paid off). I drive an econo box. I had to work like a mule in my previous job, sometimes 70hrs or 80hrs. a week, just so I can put myself in this spot. I try to dedicate my evenings to learning some skills to try and switch onto my “Sweet Spot”, Graphic Design. Not there yet, but I hope to be!

[@MrBrewman95]

I hope you don't go to Full Scam University for graphic design. Move out of WInter Park for a cheaper place on Semoran. There are better options.

[@loaded.357]

Maybe consider looking into a manufactured home park ...you own the home n rent their lot ..so if you have Roommate/s they are paying your homes mortgage off .

[@robertcondon5933]

Also living in the most expensive area in Orlando

[@codyhusbands1165]

You need about $40 an hour to live decent and raise a family comfortably without government assistance. That number will continue to increase each decade until Congress quits printing blindly and the value of our money is secured and backed with somthing like gold

[@Themoomabides]

This is the real world, Ken. I live in California and make $72k-80k a year before taxes, and it’s tough. I’m down to just a car payment in debt. I have a masters degree, 20 years of valuable experience, and I’m 41. Rent STARTS at $1600 for a 1 bedroom.

[@MrMistajone]

Move

[@MrMistajone]

@DJ Anywhere but there

[@NeededGR13F]

@DJ Sioux City and Boise come to mind. They're not really 'metropolitan', but metropolitan-ish enough, and remote work is an option. I'm seeing places there go for like $600 - $1000.

[@ProfessorMikee]

You have a masters and 20 years experience and can’t even make 6 figures in California?

[@MrMistajone]

@@ProfessorMikee Right. I live in the Mid-West. I only have an associates degree & I'm borderline retarded & I make 70k

[@GuruChaz]

What I’m getting from this is an honest and realistic breakdown of actual Cost of Living expenses for the month leaving people with no extra money to save or enjoy life. Housing, Vehicle, Utility bills, insurance, groceries, fuel to get to and from work, Cell phone. If you own a home, don’t forget Property Taxes divided by 12. If you’re single, goodbye paycheck. If you share with a partner, you both better be working to pay bills. Single people have it the worst unless you have a free place to live. This isn’t negative. It’s realistic based on cost of living expenses. Employers need to learn this too. It’s just common sense.

[@BL-el8zy]

The TikTok guy was talking about national averages for single people. IMO, he wasn't negative, he was encouraging people to do things that will increase their earnings & not get complacent. Ken talking about couples screws the whole point - a couple is going to share rent & expenses. Who cares what Ken & his wife drive?

[@rickyiglesias5384]

I think the use of the word "terrified" is a stupid scare tactic. and scare tactics aren't what I would call "positive"

[@JeanValjean875]

He was entirely negative -- all problems no solutions.

[@joshuacorbin221]

Coincidence in the facts about people I know personally put off marriage because they can't afford to live on their own, and the stress almost kills the marriage In the first 3 years if they do tye the knot. Get rich , it's your responsibility as an adult

[@Ohio_Memory_Bears]

The truth is .. college degrees don’t equal high paying jobs. My medical technology college degree from 2004 boasted a minimum salary of $25 an hour fast forward to 2023 and we cap out at less than $15 an hour. That’s why I have a business while working my 9-5

[@AbaitheyBeauty]

Nooooo wayyyyyy

[@Me-eb3wv]

Sad

[@mattd.4133]

I make $1.00/hr more than I did in 1991. This is due to downsizing, not because I'm lazy or stupid. Not everyone is an academically high achiever and might just be a normal working person. I am taking steps necessary for happiness in my work life.

[@edhcb9359]

You are not lazy or stupid. You are complacent.

[@donaldlee6760]

@@edhcb9359 - I strongly dislike when I see a person put another person down but in this case I hope that your unkind comment causes the OP to reflect on life decisions they have made and chose to make a positive change in their future self.

[@mattd.4133]

@@edhcb9359 I'm not complacent because I've made the necessary changes to get out of there.

[@edhcb9359]

@@mattd.4133 That’s great to hear!

[@edhcb9359]

@@donaldlee6760 It wasn’t putting him down. It was just calling it what it was.

[@slippinslidewayz]

Man, I thought I was living the dream when I got to $21/hr in early 2020. We lived fine on just my income at $16/hr during 2019. We weren't living the high life but it was certainly sustainable for my wife and I in a small apartment.

[@mmr4882]

probably you are just living in a more sustainable area economically. I notice people who complain about wages usually live in highly dense urban areas. Where I live(rural) 21 dollars an hours is very respectable

[@Therambler972]

@@mmr4882 facts lol 21 an hour with unlimited overtime you looking at a nice pay check in the south

[@2030bhusak]

NEW hampshire $25 is tough to live on! For those of us that make much less, our lives suck! Literally!!!! I am looking to move asap!

[@thekreativeculture9642]

TRUMP WAS IN OFFICE. THATS WHY

[@unnamedchannel1237]

I drive a 2003 Nissan which is falling to bits. Pulled up to a client and he said , “your not a typical IT guy driving a Maserati of a car like that” my response - I have higher priorities than my car. He looked at me puzzled and I said , mortgage and debt free before the age of 40 and sitting on 6 months emergency fund. His response “I’m 56 and have just got a $500k mortgage” . I looked at him and glanced at his 2021 model car , and said “ yes we all have our priorities”

[@thetricksterpill]

Based. I would be happy being a CEO driving a beat up 98 civic lol

[@southerncali88]

I’m sure he wasn’t your client after a smart comment like that. We all have our priorities, some don’t engage in pitiful passive aggressive exchanges at the risk of losing a client.

[@MrBrewman95]

I was let go from my job over the summer but I just got a new one making 12,000 more a year at 33 an hour. Glad a had an emergency fund and could shop around for the best role and didn't settle for a pay cut.

[@TheGoodLifeStarterPack]

Wow. This is the true peace of mind that an emergency fund provides. Thanks for sharing your story.

[@BcottStudios]

Same. I was at $16.50 and now I'm at $28 a hour and will be at 31 in 2 years

[@crystalgilliam3006]

You don't get it. You all scream that government isn't to blame but it is. I stood there with you and Dave Ramsey for years. Worked out butts off. Hustled for years. No credit cards. Then life happened. In one year income went down, prices went up and on the personal side, lost a my mother that lived with us, had a child with FASD, AUTISM and developed scitzophrenia, got screwed over by in-laws we were trying to care for. My daughter and husband worked so hard to get ahead and are hitting road blocks everywhere. You had to have been on top long before 2020 hit and then this now government regime. People say they are hiring but they aren't. If they hire someone and they are paying decent wages then they cut your hours till you aren't even making enough to put food on the table and pay basic bills. Your solutions do not fit everyone. The solutions only work if you are single or two healthy individuals with no health issues, no children, and well educated. People who were already in a middle class family that has connections. At least in a small town that is.

[@ewxlt]

1 bedroom apt here in southern CA, approx $2,400 per mo. Gas = $5.79. Minimum wage = $16.00. Transmission replacement cost on a 2013 Suburban = $4,000.

[@Sixbucks_on_pump3]

There's always the Midwest 😉

[@SariahSavvyTips]

That TikTok guy is on point. You have to have 2 to 3 incomes to afford a house as the average price across the board is $300,000 or more. That is not affordable on $25 per hour for a single person. You would need to earn $75,000 a year & put down a large down payment & you can't forget those closing costs. The average rent for a one bedroom is $1,000 per month or higher.

[@Jelly._.cat._.1]

25 is not enough when you have car payments and high rent. Get ride of those and 25 is now enough

[@angelamilliken2992]

We are headed into some rough times. Think outside the box....side hustles are important.

[@DJRiyzen]

Meanwhile in Canada, I get paid $34/hr but pay $31,000 a year in taxes. So I get paid more like $20 an hour. Average rent is $2000 a month, and Average mortgage is $500,000.

[@dericanslum1696]

...preach...some of these idiots need to hear it...

[@alexandru5369]

Yeah Americans truly don't realize how insane Canada's housing crisis is. Obviously rent in America has gotten bad but you guys have an enormous issue with your housing market and your taxes are, generally higher

[@dericanslum1696]

@@alexandru5369 ...I don't think Canadians do either because all they evee seem to talk about is how much better they have it tham us... ...that's my limited experience anyways...

[@HHHPedigrees]

Why are your taxes so high? You live in Toronto?

[@DJRiyzen]

@@HHHPedigrees that's how much tax is taken from my income.

[@Themoomabides]

The problem with your cash for car idea is it would still take 80 months to save up for the cash for car deal.

[@MrTmenzo]

If you make minimum wage or bad at budgeting yes.

[@jakebekemeyer5392]

@@MrTmenzo so if I, as someone who has a bachelor's degree and makes about $19/hour, sold my car ($285/month) and began saving with my current expenses, including my current payment because I need a car to get to work to make money, it would take me two years. This is not an immediate solution

[@babblesp1367]

Used car prices are so high it’s absurd to even think about paying cash for a car, especially if you make $25/hr or less! You also have to have a car to get to work, especially in rural areas with no public transportation.

[@babblesp1367]

@@jakebekemeyer5392 that’s about where I stand.

[@vickieclark5931]

It takes 80 months to pay off a car. It shouldn't take you that long to save for it cause your not figuring all that interest in it. Plus you'll make a better decision with cash instead of asking how much a month, you can ask how much. And then perhaps get a much better deal cause you know exactly what you are paying for the car. Which is better than having blinders on and paying just what you have to a month not realizing that you just doubled the cost of the car at the end of the term.

[@leapheap6837]

You always have a chance to come back financially if you don’t have kids and don’t get married and don’t get into debt.

[@CeizoBro]

thats why i plan on doing none of those things

[@dericanslum1696]

...2/3 ain't bad...

[@SariahSavvyTips]

😯

[@diegolara4202]

I would remove the $400 a month insurance, and then I would reduce grocery spending. That would bring down the minimum earning requirements to about $21 or $22 an hour. Now if someone is married then they can have dual income and that would bring up their earnings substantially. But to say you are screwed is a bit over the top.

[@xman666soad]

We’re (I group myself into the people screaming this warning) not worried about us. We will be fine because we do earn a decent living, however when 1/3 of the work force makes less than $15/hr and food banks are not receiving the same amount of food donations as previous years then that 1/3 has to get by somehow. It will start with the poor robbing from the poor to eventually the poor robbing (legit robberies) the middle class and the only ones going untouched by the financial hardships will be the super rich. I consider $250k/ year middle class by the way, not because that isn’t a substantial amount of income but because those people are generally living paycheck to paycheck. There are only 3% of top earners making over $250k a year. Trust me crime is going to skyrocket when the very poor start getting hungry, I don’t blame them for being poor but the fact that the governments of the world shut down the world economy thereby putting everyone at risk of enormous price increases will not save them either. People will be starving to death on the streets of middle America next year and for the foreseeable future, it’s not by accident, it was all planned. Look up even 201, look up the germ warfare games that were funded by the American military and done by either the WHO or CDC. None of these series of events for the past 3 years was an accident of bureaucracy it was intentional. Not that they’ll ever admit it but the fact these studies/war games took place this past decade tells me this was done with some amount of foresight.

[@unnamedchannel1237]

@@xman666soad “middle class” is a term slung around yo politicians because they know they can appeal to everybody as almost everybody considers them self middle class. There are a couple of interesting videos on KZbin that explain this quite well.

[@GardenerEarthGuy]

@@xman666soad Exactly.... Looting the homes of government workers will become common as people learn who and what put them there.

[@aaronb4936]

@@GardenerEarthGuy they will never learn what put them there.

[@shirleytemple3951]

Of course OUT of touch boomers will downplay this but it is true working professionals are almost starving today

[@susanmarie2231]

I rent a one room studio with small kitchen and full bath. $725 per month includes utilities. I love the minimalist lifestyle. Suits me just fine residing in a nice Michigan suburb.

[@bozardo101]

$725 is a really good price!!! I wish there was something similar to that in Florida. How did you find out about the place? Did you go to any websites or was it word of mouth?

[@susanmarie2231]

@@bozardo101 I already lived in the same apartment complex in a two bedroom and I downsized to the studio when it became available. I am 67 and interested in downsizing and reducing expenses. It all worked out well for me. Serendipity. I wish you the best of luck in Florida.

[@SIP612]

What state? My studio is $1006

[@susanmarie2231]

@@SIP612 Michigan.

[@dessy844]

I am with you Susan, i live in small town Missouri, many people from New York moving in here in the past 2 years, i asked them why? It's a cheaper living. i am also going to start my minimalist lifestyle this month & moving into a studio apartment 👍

[@libgurl01]

This economy ain’t gonna kill me. I’m going to enjoy my life with the little that I have.

[@colestaples2010]

The guy in the other video is who I agree with. We shouldn’t have to keep sacrificing for work

[@Abioticwinter]

Rent is out of control. Car prices have went crazy. You can buy a new car for just a few more thousand than a used one today. Our government allowing Corporations to buy residential housing is killing the market. Inflation is hurting the working man. Food prices and gas prices are out of control.

[@samuelburton9761]

$25 an hour it all depends on location and what expenses you have. A single person like myself $25 an hour is really good.

[@HastyThots]

Agreed, Im in that predicament.

[@Lovelyminidonuts]

It’s not negative it’s real.. this is why 68% work check to check.. it should cause panic because if retirement..

[@Yaya-cl3tu]

A $127 cell phone bill is too high. I pay $25 a month with Visible and there is no difference in service from any other carrier. I am not saying that living on less than $25 an hour isn't challenging, but at a quick glance, some of those expenses can be greatly reduced. When you make less, you have to be more creative with how and what you spend.

[@Alomah79]

Exactly!

[@Bertuzz84]

Yeah i spend about 55 Euros, that pays for both the new phone every 3 years plus the subscription. That's with unlimited data as well.

[@Joenzinator]

That cost of rent doesn't make sense for a single person. Get a roommate or a cheaper place.

[@FlansyLinny]

I live in a rural area and I only make about 1500 a month but my expenses are pretty low, maybe like 800 a month. Houses in my area are only 50k on average.

[@gsyarber]

Ken you try living on 25 an hour and get back to us

[@MR3DDev]

I own 2 cars (paid for) and a house with a mortgage. My living expenses is around 2900 not sure where he got that high of a number unless you live in an expensive city.

[@brodrickniemeier8529]

Average apartment gets skewed by >$10,000 New York skyscraper apartments that investment bankers or the like rent to enjoy the view. Same with the car payments, if you're rich enough, you can finance a Lamborghini. Median value is the best for things with insane outliers like car payments, apartments, etc. You'd likely find $1000 apartments are the norm, and if you find at least one roommate, you're gonna be paying less than $500 a month. That cuts $1100 out and brings it close to $15 an hour just based on changing the housing. You get a reasonable car in there with $200 for gas and maintenance and suddenly you have several hundred dollars extra for whatever you want, or you can further lower the minimum wage required.

[@mattshackelford6624]

25 Hell!!!! If you don't make AT LEAST 35 you're getting wrecked each and every month even with NO DEBT. Get real.

[@masterpoe4942]

I make 14hr/40hrwk with savable money left over at the end of the month. It pays to live below your means...

[@mattshackelford6624]

@@masterpoe4942 A) that’s awesome! B) What are your vitals? House payment? Number of children? Roommates? How old are you?

[@NickErrrr]

I’m at 26 an hour as a CDL driver and about to have my house paid off in Dallas…some of yall work 35 hours a week that’s why you broke

[@grantkauffman8578]

His groceries were high That's 16 dollars a day for a single person! That's insane, learn to cook

[@karlstrauss2330]

Many of us do. Still expensive AF.

[@rnt45t1]

$1660 for rent is a pipe dream. That is for a brand new luxury apartment with a pool, gym, etc. Most people have roommates and live in an old house at that level. I lived with people well into my 30s. There is no way you need to spend $1,700 a month on just one person.

[@genxx2724]

Idk where this idea that everyone gets to have their own apartment comrs from.

[@saywhatnow57]

@@genxx2724 This is sarcasm right?

[@genxx2724]

@@saywhatnow57 No. It’s reality. I never had my own place until I bought a starter condo.

[@crystalgilliam3006]

Depends on where you live

[@saywhatnow57]

@@genxx2724 so you eventually bought your own place.

[@jacobgolovan6965]

Even if you can make low wages work, is a life where you can afford nothing but basic bills after grinding 40+ hours worth it? Prolly not

[@oldfordman68]

Ken I think you're telling people wrong about a car payment, I have a car payment Of $480 a month however my car is paid for. I make those payments to a separate account because I know down the road my car is going to need to be replaced so by making those payments every month it takes that money so when the time comes to replace my car like you I have the cash on hand and don't stress about it

[@Foreveradriennexo]

Nice

[@MattPryze]

That rent price is ridiculous. I live in a luxury apartment in Austin by myself and I’ve always been able to find a place under $1400 at the max. Last year rent went up so I moved 12 minutes away and saved $300 a month just like that. Bought my car cash Feb 2020 so I never had a car payment either. Unlimited everything T-Mobile bill was $85 a month with a free iPhone 12 for switching. Easy

[@sauce8316]

Yea that’s Austin not cali

[@SandraLuz3]

@@sauce8316 explains why there is so much poverty in California. I ❤Texas

[@Leftists_are_Losers]

In my area, a one bedroom apartment goes for about $800 a month. Split that with a roommate/ romantic partner… and you are just fucking fine. The viral video has no clue …

[@jennyhammond9261]

Nobody every factors in toilet paper, shampoo, etc. in their budget. Those are also necessities, a streaming service is not.

[@youngforeverlastingyfl1832]

It depends on what state you are living in. Living in Alabama or Mississippi 25 an hour is great money

[@areuarealman7269]

Just avoid getting killed for reasons. I'm sorry not my favorite place.

[@keshahaggans6190]

I agree! In Arkansas that’s a great starting point!

[@bkucenski]

$600 isn't a car payment, it's a truck payment. I don't pay more than about $300 a month for an actual car payment. Your interest rate needs to be low single digits and the car itself should be under 30K new. Spending 50-100K for a truck that provides no income benefits to you is insane. Unless you're getting paid to haul stuff that needs truck space and power, you're being ridiculous owning one.

[@sethaaron95]

Ken I hope this comment finds you, the real issue here was stated in the beginning of the video, 32% of the workforce makes LESS than 15/hr, does that sound sustainable? are those 32% underpaid? are many of those useless and not important to society and the economy and thats why they're paid less? are those jobs unskilled, redundant, and meaningless that the people working them don't deserve 15/hr or more? is 32% a good percentage of the workforce to be making so much less than the average cost of living nationally or by state ?

[@michaelmeathammer5688]

Fine. Then I expect $15 an hour increase as well. I spent substantial time and money to get where I am and I’ll be damned if it’s going to be eroded by some burger flipper with a briefcase.

[@michaelmeathammer5688]

Fine. Then I expect $15 an hour increase as well. I spent substantial time and money to get where I am and I’ll be damned if it’s going to be eroded by some burger flipper with a briefcase.

[@rickynorris1694]

I always say if you paid rent and a car payment in cash using $20 bills, you will realize just what you are paying.

[@jennyhammond9261]

The thing is, if you're making minimum wage, you can't save money to pay cash for a car.

[@CDTucker336]

I've done it. My truck had 59k miles and took me 2 years to save to buy it in full. Price was 7500 so now the equivalent is probably 16,000. Its still possible but the difficulty is ever increasing.

[@aarongufler9816]

Then just walk to work while you gain more skills and saving enough money to buy the car for cash 🤦🏼‍♂️😂🤡

[@freedomring3022]

depends on where you live. Costs will vary. Sell that car and get rid of the payment. There $400 per month saved. You don't need $500/mo for groceries. I have a family of 6 and spend less then that and I am near New York City. Who's cell phone is $127 per month? You don't need that. I pay about $80 per month and that is for 4 lines. Cut your streaming services, that is a luxury not a needed expense and where I live trash pickup is included in your property taxes. There is so many things wrong with what this guy wrote.

[@MR3DDev]

Exactly, not sure why some of those inflated costs in there.

[@okenuth]

What kinds of food are you buying?

[@freedomring3022]

@@okenuth It's not the kind of food I am buying, it's buying when things are on sale ... buying in bulk, buying with coupons etc etc etc ... I never buy named brands, buy generic ... you get the point.

[@tmanwheeler8270]

@@okenuth he’s on the beans and rice portion of the Ramsey budget for sure.😂😂

[@dogguy8603]

@@freedomring3022 do you buy pre packaged plastic crap that will kill you? Or actual food?

[@christopherwarner6330]

Ken is exactly like the people my company brings in and talks about BS like creating team synergy. Lol, having a kick ball game after work🌽🌽🌽🌽

[@Rev-di1vl]

He a hokey used car saleman

[@SariahSavvyTips]

🤣

[@SuperKyle309]

I won't work for any less than 25 an hour nowadays. It cost alot of money just to go to work.

[@davesrvchannel4717]

I survive easily on $13 an hour and put money back each paycheck. It’s not how much money you make, it’s how much you DO NOT SPEND! I OWE ZERO I could give seminars on how to live cheaper

[@ecole146]

What's your rent situation like? I could easily survive on next to nothing if my housing costs weren't so high. I make 28/hr and I do just fine even with my loan payments but I can't afford my own apartment in my area right now.

[@DontAtMe2k24]

Do you have rent? Child care? A car breaking down? How about a water heater going out? Will you be able to retire? Hope you don’t need a root canal at any point. $13 isn’t anything I’d want to live on. I know how to do math. No matter how you slice it, $13/ hr isn’t going to cut it long term.

[@davesrvchannel4717]

I bought a double wide mobile home in 1998. So I have no payments. People look down on mobile homes, but I look down on paying rent or too much for a house. Rent is a 4 letter word

[@SuperSilverJay]

Can you give some tips on living cheaper?

[@davesrvchannel4717]

@@SuperSilverJay I shop 3 grocery stores to get best deals to buy foods I cannot grow in my garden. I do not have cable, KZbin has all I need. My vehicles are over 20 years old. I do my own repairs to my vehicles. I wear clothes 2-3x before washing. I have wood stove to heat house, I can also cook on it. I don’t pay gym for exercise, I stay busy for free working around the house. I cook meals that make great leftovers. I’m able to work 3 days a week at $13 an hour, and still have money. Track your spending, make adjustments.

[@NightThings99]

🤣Ken is a fool that invests in bitcoin and FTX. My rent went from $750 in 2012 to $1300 in 2017 for a studio apartment in the ghetto. My pay increase had gone from $18 to $25 during that time. In reality I was only making $100 more a month once I calculated the rental increase. That is when I left Denver, CO.

[@7RUCK3R71M]

You failed to mention that your old 150,000 mile vehicle needs lots of maintenance, I will not drive old vehicles anymore!

[@Newbecollector]

He also forgot health insurance for you and the family for me I pay $180 a week

[@DestroyaMusic]

How do you save money for a car if your essential living expenses are more than you make every month? Even if it’s a $2,000 beater car, how would you save for that? You can’t. Especially if you make less than $25/hour

[@nickgarcia4988]

55hrs per week is not killing yourself… but it should also not be a damn near permanent thing. We have way to many people in this country that don’t add value and thats why this happens

[@AnnLaustsen87]

I think when you're broke, it's super hard to get that momentum.

[@cashway0420]

That's insane American minimum wage is as low as $7 an hour in some places, in Canada it's $16.50 and it's still hard to survive on that

[@Rosetteismyname]

When he says those numbers are off....soooo you need to earn over 25 an hr to break even because of what the car payment is....

[@robzee5503]

If you live in California, NY or any highs cost of living markets, sure this seems about right but his blanketed assumption does not apply to the country as a whole. I live in Metro Detroit, make over $25 p/h (but under $30) which is enough to live off of. I disagree with the car payment average or at least to me it seems absurd anyone would pay over $500 a month. Then again my car payment is $197 a month, a nice car less then 5 years old but I did put money down on it to lower the monthly. Either way, you manage your expenses, you'll be fine.

[@Shabeast]

This is the problem with your argument. And you missed the point. Even if your at 30 an hour. Why do we have to work so damn hard just to make it? Your telling people this is what you have to do to just get by.

[@jasonmoquin]

I’m in my 50’s and this is exactly what it was like in the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, 00’s, 10’s. Anyone who tells you differently…that it used to be easy…is full of it. Unless you are one of the lucky ones born into wealth, ambitious or intuitive enough to take advantage of the system at the proper times in history, then you’re just like most of us shmoes that have to grind it out and work for a living. I spent much of my teens and 20’s working 2 jobs to scrape up enough to buy a house. This is all very much the same as are the ups and downs. There’s no free and easy ride…so just become the best driver that you can and you’ll break through the wall.

[@WoodyJ98]

@@jasonmoquinthe numbers don’t support your statement. It was much cheaper to live back then and the income-to-housing ratio was much smaller.

[@2lilkenneth]

This dude is crazy lol, that 33 percent of people that makes less then 25 dollars an hour are either kids or retired and have pensions. The guy in the video is right. You need more then 25 an hour to survive.

[@Mike-ul7of]

most people aren’t willing to do what it takes to get it. i moved across the country for a job. where i grew up had no jobs, but no one is willing to leave. not willing to make that sacrifice

[@trophy8174]

If you want to live comfortably, you got to bring home a minimum of $1000 every single week

[@OGtruthserum]

I do though.

[@rachelharrison7961]

Using 4 weeks a month reduces your annual income by 4 weeks over the course of a year. That’s an extra $4k right there.

[@greggalloway1276]

I realize he Stated, “Average” but I pay way more than that for sewage/water, internet, and for three of us apparently I have a better phone deal than average! And because I refinanced before the interest rates hit the roof, I only pay 1,200 a month for a three thousand-square-foot house.

[@clement2780]

you should be looking for ways to constantly make more and Work Less

[@jonyoung6405]

Gentlemen, consider the Trades. Automotive tech , Diesel tech, Aircraft Maintenance. Carpenter, electrician, plumbing, painting. Consider working a real “ remote “ job (not a computer in moms house) like going to the oil fields, mining companies, go somewhere the is dark , dirty and dangerous… go make some money .

[@dogguy8603]

Whats wrong with working from a computer?

[@jonyoung6405]

Nothing Dawg. Hope you are doing well at it .

[@WoodyJ98]

Enjoy the vast amount of medical bills in retirement. Not jobs meant to be worked by those in their 40’s and 50’s

[@jonyoung6405]

@@WoodyJ98 I've seen many office / cubical workers that have lived stressed lives . Most over eat and drink , some use tobacco . Too many office cup cake parties have taken a toll. There is no " happy pill " to fix 40 years of a sedentary living. Cheers!

[@babblesp1367]

Absolutely. Gas prices alone are killing us.

[@dericanslum1696]

...we get what our dead relatives vote for...

[@babblesp1367]

@@dericanslum1696 it’s absolutely amazing how that happens. They miraculously wake from the dead just to vote. Amazing.

[@longislandwife]

Honestly that guy is on point my husband is working 80 hours a week

[@JimBarry-nr2pj]

Minimum wage is somewhere between 15 and conservatively $18 an hour depending where you are and in Manhattan the 24-hour McDonald's is paying between 21 and $24 an hour for the night shift.

[@kayeleesabey8325]

The numbers could also depend on where you live.

[@JAM2USA2018]

I dont have a problem living with others but they MUST BE FAMILY. It a very uncomfortably thing to be 50 yr old and living with a stranger for a room mate

[@podcastbard]

People like to add fear to others. Thank you Ken for your perspective.

[@backroomknox6046]

I think you missed all the spin, then facts that contradicted Ken's video. Negating whatever you think you heard. Did you skip the video at all?

[@SariahSavvyTips]

Not fear, but reality. I don't think the guy was being negative. He was stating the reality for many, yet provided encouragement. It's ok to keep a positive mindset, but be realistic too.

[@ComboKingMC]

We all want to make more than $25 an hour but its bullshit that you cant live alone off minimum wage. Like other have stated you shouldnt have to live with a stranger if you are putting in 8hr shifts 5 days a week. Even if extremely good with budgeting you're just scraping by with $25 an hour living alone.

[@kaleidoscopex7213]

Here in San Francisco it’s basically almost the new minimum wage $25 (it’s still $20) but , people won’t take you seriously unless ur making $35/40 more (if they nice). I work as a painter & student as a 27 year old making $25. It’s a struggle unless you saved up a ton of $$ beofre moving out or living check 2 check

[@Outdoorsnmotors]

Inflation should be a motivator to be smart with your finances, and grow your income, nobody should be sitting back saying “well the government needs to increase minimum wage” oh please, wake up the government don’t care about you, right now seems like they care about other countries more than our own

[@adambathon]

“I want to acknowledge…” is a technique to lower our defenses of your combative argument that we deserve this…these folks are a victim. Ken you’re rich -- you don’t get it.

[@monabiehl6213]

Are you kidding? $25 an hour is rich! I take the bus, so I don't spend over $500 on a car. I don't spend $500 a month on groceries. I upped my budget to $275 a month for groceries and I could spend less if I didn't buy pop, seltzer water or other flavored water that I enjoy. My cellphone costs no where near $127. I don't spend as much on utilities, electricity or water. I haven't had to get a roommate. I realize I might some day, but living alone is a luxury. If there are two paychecks and each earns $25 an hour that's $104,000, not rich, but comfortable. $20 an hour is more than $80,000, still comfortable.

[@libbysworld7649]

$1659 a month for rent based on what area? I pay $1000 for my mortgage payment. I have a 2 person household and I spend FAR less on monthly groceries. I pay more than that for car insurance but that is because I live in Michigan, but I pay less for utils too I am able to save, pay off debt and live comfortably. Is inflation affecting me too, yeah sure it is, but I ebb and flow where needed. Budgeting is adjustable. I make about $150 - $200 extra a month in side hustle. It's helpful. I have almost all of my credit card debt paid off.

[@Andrew-3445]

Since you're not one on of the coasts, $1,659 might seem like a lot. Boston median rent is $3,200 a month. People say the "$1,659 a month in rent is way too high" must live in very low cost of living areas. The numbers the guy portrayed in the video are very realistic. Nobody should complain about their struggles with a $400 car payment though. That should be for people making way over $100k.

[@RusskiCommieBot]

This is what happens when government destroys the fiat currency by way of massive inflation in money supply. 40% Food inflation and energy inflation in the last year has decimated half the country.

[@mattwalmer6162]

For all of human history, up till your parents generation, everyone worked 16 hr days 6 days a week to survive. Be grateful you weren't shipped off to break coal at the age of 6 to help provide for your family.

[@WoodyJ98]

Not true Even serfs got time off in the winter when crops couldn’t grow The industrial revolution is where year-round-the-clock work started

[@mikewarner5640]

My car payment is $450 a month, With a brand new Subaru Impreza 2021. Lucky and Qualified for a 0% APR

[@alexanderkunitsa568]

I wor for a major auto manufacturer in SC. Only about 15% of employees make above 25/hr. The ones that make less have to work second job. That being said if you're 27 years or older and making less then 25/hr you need to reexamine your choices.

[@donnabennett5454]

Additionally, a cell phone bill should not be $117. It should be no more than $50 if even that. People don't want to cut things out. They want it all and they want it now. They'd rather have the high life on credit then never to have had it at all. What they don't understand is, they're already living the high life by accumulating real wealth, not just looking wealthy.

[@blackbutterfly233ify]

Lol My cell phone bill is 120 and I am definitely not trying to live the "high life"

[@donnabennett5454]

@@blackbutterfly233ify, mine is $35. Prepaid. Regular plans with financed phones are too expensive. No need for the latest and greatest. Besides, you save more money with a prepaid plan and buying the phone outright.

[@derekhayter4879]

Damn, the amount of people commenting here just seem very clueless life outside of America. 25 dollars an hour is a nice salary in Southeast Asia. Why the fuck do I need to pay Uncle Sam if he doesn't even provide good healthcare and transportation? Also, I pay 300 bucks a month for a nice studio apartment was able to save 100k in a few years just with that 25 dollar per hour pay. Y'all's first mistake is choosing not to leave Murica.

[@dogguy8603]

So there are entry level jobs that pay 25 an hour in SE Asia for Americans? Oh and will sponsor your work visa as well

[@Jason4Star]

Greenville, SC (a growing market) - in less than 2 hours of looking I found a 2 bed, 2 bath apartment for an employee for $850/ month (plus $850 deposit). Also - anyone who says you should not work more than 40 hours, is probably going to be overweight and under-informed, like this guy. 40 hours a week, is 8 hours a day Monday - Friday. So let's say your poor and you wake up at 6:00am and take a long time getting ready and getting yourself to work - you can start a job at 7:00am. Even if the company had a 1 hour lunch break in which you did not get paid, you would be off by 4:00pm. What are you going to do after 4:00pm when you are poor, have no money to do fun things (as he says in the video) and trying to earn money???? GO TO WORK! You have nothing else to do. You go to work until you have enough money to, little by little, a few fun things here and there.

[@1stworldrefugee443]

Sorry bruh, but your "better outlook" is incorrect. As someone with 3 degrees and willing to move to where I'm needed and have only broke $100k once... at Amazon where 15-16 hours a day wears you out. I'm about 40 now and need to chill. Even cutting out my housing expenses by choosing the "van life" even I am not doing great financially, and I'm miserly in my spending habits. Yes, sometimes you have to put in more hours and I've gone as far as doing Uber and such to cover that, buuut, that is not enough and if you have school loans or a sub prime loan because you "need" a car, you're in the hole. There is not a lot the average person can do. Let's look at reality, interest = someone is holding the bag in the end and is usually the most financially distraught ones that get screwed. Admit that cost of living is unprecedented, even compared to 8ish years ago. I agree, we need to get our stuff together and work hard, but we also need to recognize the average person maybe isn't equipped for that. Instead of saying, "that's what you get" we need to design a world that doesn't screw everyone. It's a good conversation though and I appreciate you.

[@tandrew7175]

Worthless wealthy people in the inherently parasitic sectors (FIRE - Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate) are the problem.

[@rarelyaccurate6252]

If you're having money problems, why not try to work more or use your free time to improve your skills so you can make more.

[@WoodyJ98]

Costs money to go to college and learn a new skill. They will laugh at you if you don’t have the baccelor’s degree.

[@AnnLaustsen87]

What if you're paycheck to paycheck and can't afford to save up for a used car? Legit explain that to me.

[@Mike-ul7of]

RI takes 21% of my check. plus benefits and retirement contributions it’s about 30% of my check a week. i can save 6% by turning off my retirement payments but idk how that benefits me in reality

[@aribbonatatime]

Good idea, another way to save yourself monthly expenses is to cut out the rent payment. If he would just pay cash for a house he wouldn't have that pesky monthly rent expense. That would save him a ton. I'm glad we've got guys like this giving us dumb poor people all these great ideas. Why didn't anyone else ever think of that? True life hack right here.

[@daveassanowicz186]

Where is this cash coming from again?

[@aribbonatatime]

@@daveassanowicz186 exactly

[@liddobear1125]

@aribbonatatime too good exactly what I was thinking. Yes and if we would have just bought off a 13k car cash we wouldn't be needing to pay it off monthly duuh should have just forked up 13k from my pile of poor ppl cash

[@Chet_24]

6:45 lol! I thought my car payment of $300.00 a month was a bit much.

[@economicallyshort5184]

When you sign up for marriage, children, etc., you concede that your lifestyle as a single person will go down once you sign up for the aforementioned responsibilities. Regardless, it was a choice…YOUR choice, to have different priorities than others. Stay in your lane about your priorities and others’ priorities. Not everyone views your priorities as theirs. You will make your preferences your priorities if they matter enough.

[@jsy3359]

Ken is so full of BS rambling on about the high percentage of people making $15 or less. I bet those same people are still living with their parents or in a house full of roommates or on government assistance if some kind. It’s not a livable wage whatsoever.

[@guccithunder6136]

This guy must live in California or Somewhere Similar. I know 1 Bed Room Apartments in Cali go for that High. Most places you can go easily half of $3600 for Monthly expenses with a Cheaper State.

[@sstrongman1667]

Lol, 1 bedroom apartments in Shreveport are $1200+ for a decent apartment. Hardly CA

[@johnlanier3616]

1 bed 1 bath in West Palm around 2,100. Look it up

[@Mysterious.phanto]

I don't get why people don't buy mobile homes I mean you literally have your own home instead of paying for rent or for an apartment the whole it's literally yours mobile home mobile homes are really nice now

[@backroomknox6046]

Ken contradicts himself. First, he says there shod be no need for doom and gloom - the done of the viral video. Then, Ken says the viral video numbers were off. However, they were not on the high side, according to Ken, but on the low side. So Ken factually adds doom and gloom to the viral videos low grocery and car payment. Again, Ken must have lost himself in this video.

[@k_martin14fitness]

He said his video was going to be encouraging. Well I didn't find it so, he basically said the man was way off in his figures (too low) and that you should somehow figure out how to save up money to pay cash for a car, after getting rid of the one that you are currently making payments on. Can it be done, sure, but I would say that depends on your area (is it near a bus line, can you walk to work, bike, maybe carpool), otherwise you are still going to have to pay for transportation and for most people, you are talking YEARS of saving to pay for a car outright. I've worked a part-time job since 2008, in addition to my full-time job, just to make ends meet and be able to have a little extra to enjoy. Currently, I'm looking into picking up another job, because there is no extra to enjoy. I'm blessed to have a roof over my head, food in my belly and the ability to work, so I'm not complaining, just stating facts.

[@israelfrausto9329]

Very accurate ballpark of monthly expenses...

[@mehdishirazi3]

I agree, I have a lot of money, but I live way below my means. Everything I have is invested except for about 300k, which I have in the bank because I don't trust this administration. I needed some liquidity in case things get worse. With almost all my debts paid off except for one, my monthly expenses are insane. I can cut down more, but at some point you have to live life. I had to work long hours most of my life. For over 8 years of it, I worked over 80 hours a week in the oil field. Nothing I do is lavish or out of the ordinary it's the gym, gun range, and things like that. I don't know how people survive today in this economy. I'm blessed, I worked hard and made lots of money early on and invested. FYI most of my expenses come from my taxes, electric bill, and groceries.