I don't mean to come off as being a dick about it, it's just a revelation I had about my living situation for the past 2 years. My roommate was kind enough to not charge rent to my other roommate and I, and only asks us to cover our own expenses and help with groceries. I'm unemployed, but my roommate tries to help, since my expenses are less than 80 bucks. Why am I that grateful? Well, I did some calculating.
Minimum wage in my state (Colorado) is $15 an hour. Rent around here is 1K a month. If I were to work full-time, I would be making (minus taxes), 1200 a month. After my expenses, if I rounded up, would be 120 bucks. 120 bucks a month and all of that is likely going to groceries. Considering how many expenses the average person has (and god forbid a medical emergency happens), 15 bucks an hour is certainly an unlivable wage here. Then I found out the minimum living wage for one person where I live is almost $30 an hour. The only “unskilled” (god I fucking hate calling it that) job I see paying that much in this state is Casa Bonita's wait staff when they open.
Since realizing how fortunate my living situation is after being unemployed since August of 2020, I really stopped taking it for granted, because I wouldn't have been able to live outside of my parents' homes otherwise. And I appreciate every moment my roommate let me live here, because they have 0 intent on kicking me out. They're helping me get back on my feet and getting resources to help with my mental health in order for me to be able to work again. I hope people here can find at least someone to help in some way or another.