Minimum Wage - Channel 4 Monday 3rd April

filigree_2

I wasn't sure where to put this on the Forum, I hope this is OK!

Morgan Spurlock (the bloke who did "Supersize Me") has a show on Channel 4 tonight at 11.05 PM. He and his girlfriend will attempt to live for 30 days on minimum wage (US dollars).

Posters on a US forum have already seen this and they weren't impressed, said all he did was live up to the stereotype that poor people are too stupid to spend their money wisely. I haven't seen the show at all so I'll keep an open mind.

Sorry if this is a bit off-topic but I thought some MSEers might find the show interesting. Please don't shout at me if it's rubbish!

FirstClassMale

I saw it when it was first shown on more4. It is quite good and he really does try to give it his best shot. I would say that it is more political rather than full of money saving ideas but it is worth a watch. His girlfriend clearly loves him as she is putting up with (or should I say without) an awful lot considering she is pregnant.

thriftlady_2

Anyone remember when Matthew Paris tried to live on unemployment benefit sometime back in the eighties?

He was a conservative MP at the time,and if I remember rightly he had to concede that it wasn't enough to live on-exist maybe,but not live.

Philippa36

I think this is the best one of the series, it is incredible how they have to manage on such a limited budget, they are starting without anything though.
As FirstClassMale states, it is a more political statement though than a money saving one.

K9cuddles

Ooo.. I'll be tuning in!

MATH

Remember the minimum wage is much lower in real terms in the US than over here and health care costs big time and this was evident and played havock with their budgets as the programme went on. I too watched this when it first came out and one of the things that I think the programme highlighted is that living on such a low income and doing min wage work and long hours means you don't always have the opportunities open to you or the time and energy to make the wisest choices when spending your money.

Sarahsaver

I managed to live on income suppport a while back, and it is possible, but it suits the government for people to say it is impossible or difficult. It is a time consuming task after all, but then if you are out of work you usually have a bit of time on your hands. I told someone at the dss how little i spent on food a week for me and 3 kids and they did not believe me.

squeaky

The thing these short term living programs just do not cover is the long term expenditure things. If ALL of your low income was available to spend THIS WEEK life would be fine.

But sooner or later my washing machine is going to need a repair or replacing, or my cooker or any one of lots of things in the house, not to mention shoes getting holes in, overcoat...

..and I can do without a beer or a film or a meal out for a month; or even several; but long term I'd rather not.

So some portion of my income has to be set aside to create a buffer or safety net and just to allow, once in a little while, a taste of life