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Antiwork

How do so many people afford to live alone working menial jobs?

Especially males. 63 percent of men 18-29 report as “single / not in relationship”. 25 percent of men between ages 30-49 report the same. This figure is 34 percent for women 18-29 and 17 percent 30-49 State: Illinois If you work 40 full hours per week, your monthly take home pay would be $1744/mo after tax. Cheapest 1BR/Studio I could find in my town was $500 per month. $200 per month allotted for food. $140 per month for electricity, $50 per month for gas, assuming gas heat, electric stove, and water heater, otherwise $190 month total if “all electric”. $60 a month for WTS (water trash sewer). $100 per month for internet and cell phone, a bit low, but doable. We are left with $694 monthly. This is all dependent on where you live, and a bunch of other factors, but assume a reasonable $100 a month for employer provided…


Especially males.

63 percent of men 18-29 report as “single / not in relationship”.

25 percent of men between ages 30-49 report the same.

This figure is 34 percent for women 18-29 and 17 percent 30-49

State: Illinois

If you work 40 full hours per week, your monthly take home pay would be $1744/mo after tax.

Cheapest 1BR/Studio I could find in my town was $500 per month.

$200 per month allotted for food.

$140 per month for electricity, $50 per month for gas, assuming gas heat, electric stove, and water heater, otherwise $190 month total if “all electric”.

$60 a month for WTS (water trash sewer).

$100 per month for internet and cell phone, a bit low, but doable.

We are left with $694 monthly.

This is all dependent on where you live, and a bunch of other factors, but assume a reasonable $100 a month for employer provided health insurance, and $90 a month for 401k contribution.

We are left with $504 per month.

Assume $200/mo for full coverage auto insurance and gas. This of course does not cover a car payment, and in my town mass transit sucks.

So that's $304 per month left.

Assume $100 a month budget for clothes, shoes and toiletries (shampoo, toilet paper, etc).

That's $204/mo left. Or less than $2500 per year to save assuming your car does not break down, you don't need to replace your bed, TV, etc.

I just don't get how people do it. But I know several people who live alone and work full time for 14-16 dollars an hour, drive a car, etc.

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