Karla Bromwell: Live the Wage

Karla Bromwell

Money Spent:

$17.00 CSA

$11.22 Groceries

$4.55 Allergy meds

$35.00 Gas

$6.25 Jimmy Johns (last minute lunch)

$3.16 Breakfast out

Total -$77.18

Reality:

$17.00 CSA

$11.22 Groceries

$4.55 Allergy meds

$35.00 Gas

$6.25 Jimmy Johns (last minute lunch)

$3.16 Breakfast out

$43.15 Car Payment

$14.11 Car Insurance

$9.23 Gym Membership

$60.00 Student Loans

$10.15 Internet

$7.50 Laundry

Actual Total: $221.32

When I first decided to #LiveTheWage I knew my real life spending was going to exceed the allotment. This didn’t include any extravagances like dining out, grabbing drinks with friends, movies or other entertainment. I currently have a loan on my car, it’s not a fancy car or a big payment but it costs me over $57 a week before gas. This week I drove home to see my parents, I calculated out exactly how many miles I had to drive and how many miles to the gallon my car would get. I’ve never had to do that before. I think if I was really living within the confines of this wage I wouldn’t be able to drive home to see my family. When I was at my parent’s house I depended on free laundry and food while I was visiting. I usually do this but it was a necessity this week. If I was earning minimum wage I would need to live much closer to my parents to make ends meet.